DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS 2013

Theme: Uniting Around Christ's Redeeming Cross

"Love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12)

The Diocese of Paranaque's first Diocesan Eucharistic Congress was held at St. Andrew Cathedral in La Huerta, Paranaque City, September 14, 2013.  This was attended by more than 1,200 enthusiastic delegates from the Diocese' six (6) Vicariates. Resource person is Rev. Fr. Genaro Diwa.

Welcoming of delegates.

During the Holy Hour.

Fr. Genie during his talk.

Workshop.

Awarding of prizes "Poster Making Contest".

Tableau presentation.

Holy Mass.

 

Final blessing of Bp. Jesse Mercado and the singing
of the Congress Theme Song.

Related post: The image of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso (Our Lady of the Good Event), St. Andrew Cathedral, La Huerta, Paranaque City.

The Relics of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (January 2, 1873 – September 30, 1897), or Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, was a French Carmelite nun. She is also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus" or simply, "The Little Flower". (from wiki - Admin)

The beautiful reliquary of St. Therese - containing some of her bones.
Taken inside the St. Andrew Cathedral.

(Text below was written and prepared by Deity Lim - Admin)

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For the third Philippine visit of the pilgrim relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux, who we also refer to as Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, the Diocese of Paranaque is blessed to have her at the St. Andrew Cathedral, La Huerta, Paranaque City from April 5, 2013 until the morning of April 7, 2013.

A farewell mass  was held at 5:30 AM today, officiated by St. Andrew Cathedral’s parish priest, Rev. Fr. Rolly Agustin, and his homily focused on her life and how it relates to the Year of Faith which the Catholic Church is presently observing.   Declared by Pope John Paul II in 1997 as a “Doctor of the Church” – the only Doctor of his pontificate – in tribute to the powerful way her spirituality has influenced people all over the world, her life of faith is what all Catholics should follow.  A LIFE OF FAITH is anchored on: BELIEFS as catechized by the Catholic Church, TRUST that it is the truth, and OBEDIENCE to follow.  This is what the expression of faith should be.

The homily also focused on God’s love for us through his DIVINE MERCY for all humanity.  In return, we need to open ourselves up to FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION and HEALING.

Rev. Fr. Rolly Agustin during his homily.

What was amazing is what Rev. Fr. Rolly mentioned, that both of her parents have been beatified, and all her siblings are on their way to beatification as well.  Saint Therese and her family led a holy life.

Life of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus:

Therese Martin was the last of nine children born to Louis and Zelle Martin on January 2, 1873, in Alencon, France.  However, only five of these children lived to reach adulthood.  Precocius and sensitive, Therese needed much attention.  Her mother died when she was 4 years old.  As a result, her father and sisters babied young Therese.  She had a spirit that wanted everything.

At the age of 14, on Christmas Eve in 1886, Therese had a conversion that transformed her life.  From then on, her powerful energy and sensitive spirit were turned toward love.  At 15, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux to give her whole life to God.  She took the religious name Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.  Living a hidden, simple life of prayer, she was gifted with great intimacy with God.  Through sickness and dark nights of doubt and fear, she remained faithful to God, rooted in His merciful love.  After a long struggle with tuberculosis, she died on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24.  Her last words were the story of her life.  “My God, I love You!”

The world came to know Therese through her autobiography, “Story of Soul”.  She described her life as a “little way of spiritual childhood”.  She lived each day with an unshakable confidence in God’s love.  “What matters in life,” she wrote, “is not great deeds, but great love.”  Therese lived and taught a spirituality of attending to everyone and everything well and with love.  She believed that just as a child becomes enamored with what is before her, we should also have a childlike focus and totally attentive love.  Therese’s spirituality is of doing the ordinary, with extraordinary love.

Therese saw the seasons as reflecting the seasons of God’s love affair with us.  She loved flowers and saw herself as the “little flower of Jesus,” who gave glory to God by just being her beautiful little self among all the other flowers in God’s garden.  Because of this beautiful analogy, the title “little flower” remained with St. Therese.

Her inspiration and powerful presence from heaven touched many people very quickly.  She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925.  Had she lived, she would have been only 52 years old when she was declared a Saint.

“My mission – to make God loved – will begin after my death,” she said.  “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.  I will let fall a shower of roses.”  Roses have been described and experienced as Saint Therese’s signature.  Countless millions have been touched by her intercession and imitate her “little way.”  She has been acclaimed “the greatest saind of modern times.”  In 1997, Pope John Paull II declared St. Therese a Doctor of the Church – the only Doctor his pontificate – in tribute to the powerful way her spirituality has influenced people all over the world.

Prayer to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

Glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.  So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul.  Our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a “Prodigy of Miracles … the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.”  Now I frequently beseech you to answer my petition (mention specifics here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good upon the earth … of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses.  Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfil your plea “to be made known everywhere” and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you.  Amen.

Update from The Philippine Star newspaper

For all devotees of Saint Therese who were unable to visit her at St. Andrew, her relics is set to arrive at the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Newport Boulevard, Pasay City (near Resorts World), at 5:30PM on April 11.  Here are the schedules:

April 11 - 5:30PM – Mass (to be presided by Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak). Veneration will follow until 10PM

April 13 – 6:00PM – anticipated Sunday Mass. Candlelight procession along the Villamor community.

April 14 – 5:00PM – farewell Mass. Tribute program.

April 14 – midnight – departure for Lisieux, France

For information, call 853-6279 local 124.

/Deity Lim


YouTube video -admin:

The beautiful reliquary of St. Therese - containing some of her bones was being carried by EMHC on its way out of St. Andrew Cathedral, for transfer to another church.

Chrism Mass

Mass of the Holy Chrism was held at St. Andrew Cathedral, considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was established in 1580 by Spanish Augustinian friars. The church is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque, the local church that comprises Parañaque City, Muntinlupa City, and Las Piñas City.

Most Rev. Jesse Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque, presided the Eucharistic Celebration. Also present was Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, Jr., D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches.

Gospel Reading

Gospel LK 4:16-21

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, 

and went according to his custom

into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them, 

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Bishop Jesse Mercado during the homily

Renewal of the priestly commitment

The blessing of the oil

The blessing of oil is very ancient – there is documented evidence of this liturgy from the fourth century, but it is certainly of earlier origin. Today the People of God, bishops, priests, deacons and the lay faithful, assemble on Maundy Thursday at St. Andrew Cathedral, for the Chrism Mass with the main celebrant Bishop Jesse Mercado. There is a long standing tradition that it takes place on the morning of Maundy Thursday in the Cathedral, where the bishop is surrounded by the priests of his diocese, whose presence demonstrates their unity with him. As Maundy Thursday is the day on which both the Mass and the priesthood were instituted, Pope Paul VI introduced the renewal of the priestly commitment into the liturgy. This is followed by the blessing of oils and the consecration of Chrism.

The Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens are plain olive oil – the Oil of Chrism is perfumed with balsam. 

Ordination to the Order of Priesthood of Rev. Mariel Anday Sarez

"Do NOT FEAR, for I am with you, DO NOT BE AFRAID, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you" - Isaiah 41:10

Presbyteral Ordination of Reverend Mariel Anday Sarez and Diaconal Ordination of Seminarians Jason Bill Camacho Valeza and John Paul Bringas Frias was held in St. Andrew Cathedral morning of Saturday, March 23, 2013. Presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque.

In attendance to witness the memorable event were all the clergy of the Diocese of Paranaque, families, relatives and friends of Rev. Yel, seminarians John Paul and Jason.

Family of Rev. Fr. Mariel "Yel" Sarez

CONGRATULATION...

Glory to God!