PLSOL Lenten Pilgrimage 2014

The Parish of the Last Supper of Our Lord (PLSOL) of the Diocese of Paranaque, had a successful Lenten Pilgrimage last Saturday, March 22, 2014. Led by our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Angel Sanchez, more than 300 parishioners participated in this year's Visita Iglesia in seven (7) Pilgrim Churches of Bataan. 

Our trip also included a trip to Mount Samat National Shrine or Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valour), a historical shrine located near the summit of Mount Samat in the town of Pilar, Province of Bataan, in the Republic of the Philippines. The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II. Consisting of a Colonnade and the large memorial cross, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then president Ferdinand Marcos, himself a war veteran, for the 25th Anniversary of WWII. The White Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the Philippine Heroes, to armaments used by the Filipino, American and Japanese forces during the battle.

1. St. Catherine of Siena, Samal Bataan (Holy Mass, 1st and 2nd Station)

It is the most intact “convent” of all Bataan’s churches. The parish was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1596. The church was destroyed during the Dutch invasion and the Philippine Revolution. Dutch invaders attacked in April 1647. But the local garrison of Pampanga under the command of Alejo Aguas repelled the Dutch forces. The church and the convent were ruined during the invasion. In 1896, the church was burned by the Katipuneros to drive out their enemies in the convent. The church and convent was rebuilt in 1903.

2. St. Dominic de Guzman Parish, Abucay Bataan (3rd and 4th Station)

Abucay Church is a National Historic Landmark. The spiritual ministration of Abucay was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1588. It is significant because a fierce battle between the Dutch invaders and the Kapampangan defenders was fought in the area surrounding the church on June 23, 1647. Nearly two hundred Kapampangans were put to death, and fory others, together with Spanish alcalde mayor and two Dominican priests, were taken prisoners to Batavia (Jakarta). The printing press of Tomas Pinpin operated in Abucay.

3. St. Joseph Cathedral, Balanga Bataan (5th and 6th Station)

Balanga became independent parish in 1739. The Balanga Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Balanga Bataan. Unfortunately, they layered the façade with new bricks thereby altering the character of the church.

4. Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Pilar Bataan (7th and 8th Station)

Pilar Church is another well-preserved adobe church structure of Bataan with its belfry located on top of the main façade. Pilar Church was made an independent vicariate on March 10, 1801.

5. St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Orion Bataan (9th and 10th station)

The best preserved “retablo” in the province of Bataan. The marker outside the church mentions that Orion became independent from Abucay in 1667. The church was damaged during the 1852 earthquake and repaired in 1854. Cayetano Arellano, the first Filipino chief justice is from Orion. Francisco Balagtas, author of Florante at Laura, also lived in the town from 1842 to 1862.

6. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Orani Bataan (11th and 12th Station)

The “Nuestra Señora del Santo Rosario de Orani” Church was also declared as a “Dambana ng Paglalakbay” (Pilgrim Shrine) on August 22, 2004 by then Bishop of Balanga and now Archbishop of Lingayen Socrates B. Villegas. The Roman Catholic Church of Orani, declared as an independent parish on April 21, 1714. The church houses the miraculous image of “La Virgen Milagrosa de Orani” and beside the church a museum dedicated for the patroness collection of jewels and dresses.

7. St. Peter Verona Parish, Hermosa Bataan (13th and 14th Station)

Long ago, the people of Hermosa who live near the river found a boat with a statue of a saint inside it. They found out that it was St. Peter of Verona and this is the reason why the said saint became the patron of this community. The image of St. Peter of Verona is very unusual since this is the only image of a saint with a large knife stuck to his head symbolizing his martyrdom.

Related post:

PLSOL Lenten Pilgrimage 2013

Youth Lenten Pilgrimage 2013

HOLY ROSARY MONTH

The Catholic Church dedicated the Month of October to the Holy Rosary. October 7 is the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, URCI Chapel
Las Piñas City, Philippines.

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

1. While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross. and then recite the Apostles Creed.
2. Recite the Our Father on the first large bead.
3. Recite a Hail Mary for an increase of faith, hope and charity on each of the three small beads.
4. Recite the Glory Be to the Father on the next large bead.
5. Recite the Fatima Prayer "O my Jesus" on the large bead.
6. Recall the first Rosary Mystery and recite the Our Father on the large bead.
7. On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also referred to as a decade) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery.
8. On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father, the Fatima prayer.
9. Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, ten Hail Marys while reflecting on the mystery, the Glory Be to the Father, and the Fatima prayer.
10. When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is Customarily concluded with the Hail Holy Queen, and the Sign of the Cross.

The Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He arose again; He ascended into heaven,and seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

The Our Father: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

The Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Glory Be to the Father: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy"

The Hail, Holy Queen: Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Let Us Pray: "O God whose only begotten Son has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, Grant that we beseech Thee while meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord Amen."

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Lord have mercy on us

Christ have mercy on us

Lord have mercy on us

Christ hear us.

Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, 

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, 

God the Holy Spirit, 

Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary, 

pray for us.

Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of virgins, 

Mother of Christ, 

Mother of the Church, 

Mother of divine grace, 

Mother most pure, 

Mother most chaste, 

Mother inviolate, 

Mother undefiled, 

Mother most amiable, 

Mother admirable, 

Mother of good counsel, 

Mother of our Creator, 

Mother of our Saviour, 

Mother of mercy, 

Virgin most prudent, 

Virgin most venerable, 

Virgin most renowned, 

Virgin most powerful, 

Virgin most merciful, 

Virgin most faithful, 

Mirror of justice, 

Seat of wisdom, 

Cause of our joy, 

Spiritual vessel, 

Vessel of honour, 

Singular vessel of devotion, 

Mystical rose, 

Tower of David, 

Tower of ivory, 

House of gold, 

Ark of the covenant, 

Gate of heaven, 

Morning star, 

Health of the sick, 

Refuge of sinners, 

Comfort of the afflicted, 

Help of Christians, 

Queen of Angels, 

Queen of Patriarchs, 

Queen of Prophets, 

Queen of Apostles, 

Queen of Martyrs, 

Queen of Confessors, 

Queen of Virgins, 

Queen of all Saints, 

Queen conceived without original sin, 

Queen assumed into heaven, 

Queen of the most holy Rosary, 

Queen of families, 

Queen of peace.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, 

spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, 

graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, 

have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

General:

Let us pray. 

Grant, we beseech thee, 

O Lord God, 

that we, your servants,

may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; 

and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, 

may be delivered from present sorrow, 

and obtain eternal joy. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

During Advent:

Let us pray - O God, you willed that, at the message of an angel, your word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to your suppliant people, that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with you. Through the same Christ our Lord. . Amen.

From Christmas to the Purification:

Let us pray - O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, you bestowed upon the human race the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beg you, that we may feel the power of her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.

During Paschal Time:

Let us pray - O God, who by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world, grant, we beg you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Memorare of St. Bernard:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. 

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

The Rosary Mysteries:

Joyful (Monday and Saturday)

1. Annunciation
2. Visitation
3. Nativity
4. Presentation at the Temple
5. Finding in the Temple

Light (Thursday)

1. Baptism of Jesus
2. Wedding of Cana
3. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The institution of the Eucharist

Sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday)

1. Agony of Jesus in the Garden
2. Scourging of Jesus at Pillar
3. Crowning with Thorns
4. Carrying the Cross
5. Crucifixion

Glorious (Wednesday and Sunday)

1. Resurrection of Jesus
2. Ascension of Jesus
3. Descent of Holy Spirit
4. Assumption of the Virgin Mary
5. Coronation of Blessed Virgin Mary

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.

Good Friday - Veneration of the Cross

Good Friday is dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion, this day celebrate the cross itself, as the instrument of salvation. The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. Rev. Fr. Angel Sanchez and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) vested in red Mass vestments.

Adoration or veneration of an image or representation of Christ's cross does not mean that we are actually adoring the material image, of course, but rather what it represents. In kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it we are paying the highest honor to the our Lord's cross as the instrument of our salvation. Because the Cross is inseparable from His sacrifice, in reverencing His Cross we are, in effect, adoring Christ. Thus we affirm: 'We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee because by Thy Holy Cross Thou has Redeemed the World.'

Sto. Entierro during the procession.

Traditional procession of Sto. Entierro and the rest of the images in karosa passes through the streets and/ of the front gates of villages of  Verdant, Camella, Manuela Integrated.

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.