The Pinoy Catholic

Not fun...

2012-02-03T12:14:00.001+08:00

This gave me a migraine...

Neither fun, NOR HOLY and must not be done in the Philippines or any part of the Catholic world.

Who do you think is worshipped here? Yeah, they'd say its the Lord. But who gets plus points for making it more "fun and entertaining"?

No wonder they hate worshipping like this.

No chance to take the spotlight.

Damn narcissist!

Request for Prayers: For a teen

2012-02-03T11:35:00.000+08:00

Please pray for the son of friend of a dear friend. His name is Emilio. At a very young age he is already smoking cigarettes.

One thing can lead to another.

I hate to see our kids waste their youthfulness on these useless things.

What good can tobacco do to your body?

Please pause for a while and say a short prayer for Emilio.

Thank you.

It's First Friday

2012-02-03T11:33:00.000+08:00

In case you forget.

Go to Confession, assist at Mass, receive Holy Communion and make an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart.

And if your work goes in the way, make sure you drop by your church, chapel or oratory and pray before the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Act.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen. (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)

Happy Candlemas!

2012-02-02T11:37:00.000+08:00

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple!

Traditionally, this is the day when all candles are blessed.

No, not for the three days of darkness or for the End of the World in 2012 thing.

It is just that. Candles are traditionally blessed on this feast day.

It is the 40th day after Christmas. Did you know that? :)

In the Missal of Paul VI, it is called the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, to give emphasis to Jesus being presented to the prophet Simeon and his prophecy we now call "Nunc Dimittis". In the older Missal, today is called the "Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin" because the Virgin Mary, a devout Jew, followed the ritual purification of women who gave birth, and it must be done 40 days after (Leviticus 12:2-8). That is why this tradition of bringing candles and of "churching of women" continues in the traditional movement and even in the Anglican Communion, though this may not be on the actual feast day.

So for this wonderful day when "a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel" has been presented to the Temple of the Lord, I offer this wonderful poem/hymn.

Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o’er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation’s story

Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, in the field abiding,

Watching o’er your flocks by night,

God with us is now residing;

Yonder shines the infant light:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Sages, leave your contemplations,

Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great Desire of nations;

Ye have seen His natal star.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Saints, before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear;

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In His temple shall appear.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Though an Infant now we view Him,

He shall fill His Father’s throne,

Gather all the nations to Him;

Every knee shall then bow down:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Someone does not want the new translation

2012-02-02T09:41:00.000+08:00

Really does not want it!

No, Fr. Chupungco is a given. He is not even a priest

Sharing to you the rant.

***

I find the changes, quite wordy, and ancient, not all filipinos have big vocabularies especially in the mother tongue, and with the changes it will do to the music including the Gloria, ha, it will take some time to digest especially with the translation, I hope the new responses in Filipino would not sound funny like "At SUMAKALULUWA niyo rin" or "Para nang pagpapatawad namin sa mga NANGHIHIMASOK sa amin". I prefer the old translation than this. Since it is much more YOUTH and CONGREGATION friendly, even if it is not a LITERAL TRANSLATION since a verbatim TRANSLATION would sound stupid in reality. This is just my opinion on the issue.

***

Go and comment and give your OPINION ON THE ISSUE.

I have a million and one reasons to trump this one but I'll leave it up to you folks.

FYI, he is not a priest, does not have theological background.

But a MINISTER. Music Ministry that is.

See how bad hot air of a seminar here and a seminar there can do to you?

Grief!

BOYCOTT STARBUCKS!!!

2012-02-01T10:44:00.000+08:00

The "Rainbow" Connection

SEATTLE, January 30, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In news that will come as a heavy blow to many coffee lovers, Starbucks has officially backed homosexual ‘marriage.’ [yuck!]

In a January 24 letter to U.S. partners, Kalen Holmes, Starbucks executive vice president, expresses support for the homosexual “marriage” legislation in Washington State. The “important legislation,” says Holmes “is core to who we are and what we value as a company.” [So there you have it, folks. It is not just a statement of the EVP of Starbucks, in is the CORE of what the coffee chain values...SODOMY!]

The legislation has been decried by pro-family advocates as a major threat to freedom, since it would force religious institutions to open the doors of their facilities for homosexual “marriages.” [And homosexual intercourse is an abomination to NATURE. And homosexual couples cannot procreate! How in the world will you populate the world?!]

The letter, which boasts of the company’s LGBT activism begins, “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.” [It will never be equal and no matter how many million times you say or write it down, it will never be a MARRIAGE.]

The letter concludes: “We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.”

“I’m disappointed that Starbucks wants to redefine marriage, but I’m not in the least bit surprised,” Dr. Michael Brown, author of “A Queer Thing Happened to America,” told LifeSiteNews.com. “Already in 2005, they informed me in writing that, for them, ‘embracing diversity’ (which was one of their core values) included sponsorship of gay pride events even when highly inappropriate, sexual displays were paraded in public." [So the money you use to purchase their fat-full of coffee, goes to support the filth-full of activities of the Homosexual Movement.]

“At the same time, when I asked them to name a single pro-life event they sponsored, or an event encouraging teen-abstinence or the celebration of marriage (meaning, of course, natural marriage, as God intended it), their national representative told me plainly by phone, ‘I don’t like the way this conversation is going.’ So much for diversity! Christians need to recognize that Starbucks is on the front lines of gay activism and is anything but friendly to biblical, Judeo-Christian family values.”

LifeSiteNews did not hear back from Starbucks headquarters in Seattle by press time.

***

I think it is high time that there are groups who would identify and tell the public which businesses, establishments and even public personalities, like celebrities who support movements such as these that are a threat to the survival of humanity and our very own SANITY, for crying out loud!

BOYCOTT STARBUCKS!!!

DON'T BUY FROM STARBUCKS!!!

SPREAD THE WORD!!!!

Manny Pacquiao, Bible Champion?

2012-02-01T08:23:00.000+08:00

Uhm....why not?!

From this website.

***

Manny Pacquiao might get his chance to knock out Floyd Mayweather, but apparently religious leaders in the Philippines would rather him go toe-to-toe with Tim Tebow.

"Tim Tebow became very popular by promoting the word of God," Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who presides over the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) bible ministry, told Agence France-Presse. "Some have referred to Manny Pacquiao as the Tim Tebow of the Philippines."

Church leaders asked Pacquiao become a "Bible ambassador" to help promote reading of the Bible of among Catholics. [Read. Don't make your own interpretation. Better yet, just read the day's Mass readings.] The boxing superstar regularly credits God for helping him succeed, and wears a rosary around his neck before and after his fights, according to the AFP. [And goes directly to the Black Nazarene Basilica in Quiapo to hear Mass after his arrival from his fight abroad.]

In mid-January, Pacquiao told a TV station in the Philippines that he decided to renew his faith [in the Catholic Church] and had given up vices such as gambling and womanizing following an "encounter with God" during a dream. [I have been reading reports that Manny has become a born-again Christian after a series of Bible studies with a born-again preacher. I doubt this conversion story. So treat it as a rumor. As to the Bible studies, priests who maybe close to him or even Catholics who know the danger of having a Born-Again pastor preach to Pacquaio better advise him to receive the Bible study from a Catholic lay preacher or a Catholic priest.]

AFP reports that during the dream, Pacquiao found himself deep inside a forest, where a voice from a shining bright light asked Pacquiao why he was going away from Him.

"I woke up crying. I remember I was crying in my dream and when I touched my pillow, it was wet," Pacquiao said. "If I had died last year or in the last two years, I'm sure I would have gone straight to hell. My faith in Him was there, 100 per cent, but behind it, after prayers, I would still do evil things."

Although Pacquiao, 32, spends more time studying the Bible these days, he didn't agree to team up with the Catholic Church in the Philippines. [Interesting.]

"We asked him to partner with us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics," Bishop David told reporters. "We told him: 'You would be a big help to us brother Manny', but he has not pledged his partnership yet."

***

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza is a close friend of Pacquiao. Atienza is Catholic, so anyone here who knows the former mayor better tell him to tell Manny to stay away from the heretic pastor.

Here is a video of the "Bible sharing" of Pacquiao.

WORD OF CAUTION:

IF YOU WANT TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND STILL REMAIN CATHOLIC, TAKE IT FROM A CATHOLIC PRIEST, OK?

Will you go to a veterinarian if you are complaining of a very bad headache?

Good grief!

These nasty pastors only preach and want to "save" those who have the big bucks. Shows what they are really saving, eh?

Reply to a comment

2012-01-30T17:28:00.000+08:00

Yeah, you can do it now in the ComBox. Please comment on a specific comment and don't just put it in the ComBox.

See the example below.

Juicy topic. Love it.

A priest publicly ridicules the Traditional Latin Mass

2012-01-30T14:06:00.000+08:00

When the uninformed makes fun of something he does not know of. What does it make of him?

The priest and the server talk in "swswswwswswssss......" during the TLM?

The priest covers the host and chalice to "emphasize mystery"

Well, if you have this Willie Revillame trying-hard, copy-cat wannabe, yeah, truly, you will lose the sense of mystery!

He says that after Vatican II, you have a more participative Mass. But later on, he says that even if you attend the same Novus Ordo Mass but did not respond, you did not become participative. WHA?!?!?!

This is the priest who ridicules the Mass, when in fact he loves to have dancers in the Mass he celebrates. I wonder if he will celebrate Sunday Mass regularly without the Mass being broadcast on national TV? Hmmm.... Just wondering.

And the TLM makes the mass goers "audiences"?!?! When did you see an entertainment show host "turning his back" on his audience, huh? Try asking FR. MARIO SOBREJUANITE, SSP, yup the name of this priest, to stop looking at the people, to stop orating while he pronounces the prayers, to start praying instead of performing, and let us see who is acting the host and audience? Don't you love it when Fr. Mario loves making "kuwentong barbero" stories and how he loves to brag how he is so close with Mrs. Henry Sy and how he got his washing machine for free? Yeah, I saw that episode. Just, too inappropriate.

Well, for all I know about him, there is something in his surname that makes him NOT LOSE the TV Mass. *wink* (first two syllables)

Fr. Mario, a word of advice. Think before you talk. You act more stupid than how you mimicked the swishing sound that does not even happen in the Mass you just ridiculed!

See what you get when you have professors who teach rubbish in our seminaries!

And see what you get when priest are too narcissistic!

Try taking him out of TV and in SM Megamall and let's see if he'll still minister to that charismatic group.

SOBRE?

Pray for us St. Francis de Sales!

2012-01-29T12:30:00.000+08:00

“The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not 'What a lovely sermon' but, 'I will do something!'”

“There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust”

"If prayer is a colloquy, a discourse or a conversation of the soul with God, by it, then, we speak to God and He again speaks to us."

“Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.”

“If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master's presence. And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back and place it again in Our Lord's presence, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour would be very well employed.”

"Truly CHARITY has no limit; for the LOVE OF GOD has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us, calling us to a life of DEVOTION and inviting us to bloom in the garden where He has planted and directing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of His Providence."

Another liturgical abuse

2012-01-28T14:01:00.000+08:00

Guess what the dog is wearing.

Yup. The dog was made a part of the Mass.

And you think you had seen it all.

And you think things like this are about to fade.

Well, the hippie priest who engineered this, I think, courtesy of the biological clock losing its batteries.

Read about this nonsense, here. The Mass has gone to the dogs, literally.

And judging by the altar and the habit of the priest in the center, this is an OMI parish.

I wonder what their founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod, must be feeling after seeing this.

What to do with Old Missals?

2012-01-27T13:33:00.001+08:00

ROME, JAN. 24, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: What is the proper way to dispose of old missals and sacramentaries? [dispose?!] I have heard that they should be burned, and that some priests have done so at the Easter Vigil for the blessing of the new fire. -- P.R., Oak Harbor, Washington

A: This question was addressed by the secretariat of divine worship of the U.S. bishops' conference. The advice offered is pertinent to other places as well. To wit:

"The Secretariat of Divine Worship has received a number of timely inquiries regarding the disposition of copies of the current Sacramentary once the new Roman Missal, Third Edition has been implemented.

"There is relatively little written about exactly what to do with liturgical books which have been replaced by updated or revised editions, but some related writings, as well as some common sense, can provide some context. The Book of Blessings, no. 1343, indicates that the Sacramentary, the Lectionary, and other liturgical books are counted among those articles used in the Sacred Liturgy which ought to be blessed using the rite provided for that purpose, the Order for the Blessing of Articles for Liturgical Use (nos. 1341-1359). The Latin De Benedictionibus, editio typica, however, does not explicitly mention the Missale among the articles that are properly blessed. [Well, if it even being blessed?! Have you seen how your parish priest blesses the Holy Water you cross yourself with? Nuff said.]

[Take note of this one folks!]
"Whether or not the Sacramentary has been blessed by an official rite, it is appropriate to treat it with care as it has been admitted into liturgical use. Its disposal should be handled with respect. The Secretariat recommends burying the Sacramentary in an appropriate location on church grounds, or perhaps in a parish cemetery if there is one. Some have even suggested following a custom used in various Eastern Churches whereby liturgical books or Bibles are placed in the coffin of the deceased as a sign of devotion and love for the Liturgy. [Not a bad suggestion instead of just throwing it somewhere.] In lieu of burying old liturgical books, they could be burned, and the ashes placed in the ground in an appropriate location on church grounds. It is advisable to retain a copy of the Sacramentary for parish archives or liturgical libraries."

"Looking ahead to the reception of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, the above-mentioned blessing from the Book of Blessings could be used to bless copies of the Missal before their first use on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. [So obviously this is rather old, but NEW in PHL news.] The blessing could take place during a Mass on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, at the last weekday Mass prior to the First Sunday of Advent, [Within the Mass....again?...] or outside Mass at a separate gathering of liturgical ministers or other parish leaders.

"Many parishes will also replace hymnals [Glory and Praise? Himig Heswita? :D] and other participation aids (such as hand missals) in light of updated editions corresponding to the new Roman Missal. While the Blessing of Articles for Liturgical Use also mentions hymnals, it might be difficult to appropriately dispose of a large number of copies of such books. After setting aside an appropriate number of copies for archives and libraries, other copies could be stored for use by prayer or study groups in the parish, offered to parishioners for their own private devotional use, or donated to other small communities that could effectively make use of them. Due to copyright agreements, annual hymnals and participation aids should be discarded after their prescribed period of use and cannot be retained for other uses in parishes." [Wish these are done.]

Some dioceses facilitated this disposal by arranging common drop-off places where priests could leave old missals. The Archdiocese of Denver, for example, made arrangement for a number of old missals to be buried in an unoccupied grave of a Catholic cemetery. [Not a bad suggestion.]

***

Well, here in the Philippines..................

Uhm, well.......

Can you chime in your experiences?

Creation of New Cardinals...a new way?

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000+08:00

VATICAN CITY, 10 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has introduced certain modifications to the ordinary public consistories for the creation of new cardinals. The rites followed until now have been revised and simplified, with the Holy Father's approval. The modifications chiefly involve the unification of the three phases: the imposition of the biretta, the consignment of the ring and the assignation of the title or diaconate. The collect and the concluding prayer have been modified, and the proclamation of the Word of God made shorter. [Hmmm... this is really something new. Better we read more, eh?]

On 6 January Benedict XVI announced his intention to create twenty-two new members of the College of Cardinals, on 18 February, in what will be the fourth consistory of his pontificate.

In its announcement the Office of Liturgical Celebrations explains that the liturgical reform which began with Vatican Council II also covered the rites for imposing the biretta and assigning a title to new cardinals during consistories, and that the modified form of the celebration was first used by Paul VI in April 1969. In preparing those new rites the main criterion adopted was that of giving a liturgical setting to a process which, of itself, is not part of the liturgy. The creation of new cardinals had to be inserted into a context of prayer, while at the same time avoiding anything that could give rise to the idea of a "cardinalatial Sacrament". Historically speaking, in fact, consistories have never been considered as a liturgical rite but as a meeting of the Pope with cardinals as part of the governance of the Church. [have you noticed how every rite in the Church, like blessings, are structured like the Mass. There is a reading and time for a homily. Why the need for it? Hmmm..]

Bearing in mind these historical aspects, and in continuity with the current form and main elements of consistories, the existing practice has been reviewed and simplified. In the first place, the collect and concluding prayer of the 1969 rite have been recouped, [Aha! Our fave Benedictine monk must be throwing a hissy fit right about now!] because they are particularly rich and derive from the great Roman tradition of prayer. [They are rich?!? You mean the Bugnini ones are not as rich?! Duh!] The two prayers, in fact, speak explicitly of the powers the Lord gave to the Church, in particular that of Peter. The Pope also prays directly for himself, that he may carry out his duties well.

The proclamation of the Word of God will also take a shorter form, as used in the 1969 rite, with a single Gospel reading (Mk 10, 32-45) which is the same in the two rites. Finally, the consignment of the cardinalatial ring will be integrated into a single rite. Prior to the 1969 reform, the red hat was imposed during the public consistory, which was followed by a secret consistory in which the ring was consigned and the title or diaconate assigned. Nowadays the distinction between public and secret consistory is no longer observed and it was deemed more coherent to bring the three phases of the creation of new cardinals together into a single rite. What remains unchanged is the following day's concelebration of Mass by the Pope and the new cardinals, which begins with an expression of homage and gratitude addressed to the Pope by the first of the new cardinals in the name of all the others.

***

So, with the changes, expect no "Mass of the Rings" for the new cardinals, ok?

Why we always insert everything into the Mass, eh?

Baptism with Mass.

Confirmation...with Mass...

Matrimony....with Mass...

Yeah, yeah, the Eucharist is important but we are making the Mass as if the pro-forma for our celebrations that we can insert anything even another celebration and dispensation of another sacrament into the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

In the old Rite, the 1969 rite, celebrates the Sacrament as it was, Confirmation was not with a Mass, even Weddings can be celebrated without the Mass, but most couples would want a Mass on their wedding day....on a June day....with a gazillion primary sponsors....and another gazillion secondary sponsors....with another ranting on the clothes, the flowers, the centerpiece, the....

Oh I am digressing.

Anyway, just stick to the original purpose, ok?

The consistory for 2012 I think will show that.

The new cardinals will get their red biretta, ring and papal bull of their cardinatial titles all in ONE event.

Look who is coming back!

2012-01-26T17:25:00.000+08:00

Can professors at MST and St. Vincent School of Theology attend this?

All expense paid trip to Cebu just to sit there and listen to Michael Voris.

Woohoo!!!

PRAY, it works!

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000+08:00

Your horoscope that is!

***

MANILA, Jan. 23, 2012— There will be no great need for fortune telling nor future prediction if one is firm in the faith, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) advised the faithful during the on-going celebration of the Chinese New Year. [A pagan celebration by the way.]

Fr. Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, said living life should not be grounded on what one’s zodiac signs or horoscope say but on what one’s faith tells him to. [I always find it stupid that most people would start their day reading about their horoscopes than praying. Well, each his own morning rituals, eh? But astrology is dumbest one of them all.]

“If only we are firm in our Catholic faith and practice it, there will be no more time for us to entertain other beliefs or practices,” he said. [Divination and Geomancy are pagan practices. Ergo, a no-no for Catholics!]

Although the Catholic Church respects other beliefs and traditions, such as the Chinese’s, Garganta said it is unhealthy for one to rely heavily on superstition that he already disregards his faith in God.

“Let us be more rooted in knowing what God’s plan is for us because it is Him who calls us to life and he has a unique plan for every individual,” he added.

Garganta urged those who try to reconcile their superstitious beliefs with their Catholic faith to discern and meditate on how they could “put to good use” whatever gifts their belief and faith give them.

***

Instead of consulting your horoscope or your feng-shui or charms expert, why not consult your God?

PRAY.

It really works.

Try Catholic medals instead. They really work.

And the Church gave Her approval for these medals.

And if I hear another one of those who say "Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan mo." (Nothing bad will happen if you just try it.) NO. A LOT WILL BE LOST. You just showed to us how you lost your trust in the Lord by trusting charms and paganistic rituals for your blessings to come.

The blessings come from God Himself who is the source of all that is good and holy. They will never ever come from placing your furniture on which direction on which hour...for hanging which charm on which time on which direction...for marrying which person with what birth sign....for engaging in a career with a compatible element or animal for yours....

No. Geomancy and Divination is NOTHING but TRASH compared to the power of Jesus Christ.

So, Bishop Jaucian, try one of those stupid things you said during the Chinese New Year once again and you'll see your name on top of Archbishop Tagle soon!

Pope blesses the lambs

2012-01-23T22:33:00.000+08:00

VATICAN CITY, 21 JAN 2012 (VIS) - This morning in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Pope was presented with two lambs which had earlier been blessed for today's feast of St. Agnes. The blessing took place in the basilica on Rome's Via Nomentana which bears the saint's name and where she is buried. The wool of the lambs is used to make the palliums bestowed on new metropolitan archbishops on 29 June, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. [Among them the newly installed Archbishops of Manila and Capiz.]

The pallium is a white woollen band embroidered with six black crosses which is worn by the Pope and by metropolitan archbishops. [Symbolical of the lamb born on the shoulder of the Good Shepherd which the Metropolitan Archbishop emulates as he presides over a Metropolitan See. Being the head of the archdiocese makes him the higher ranking bishop over and above in dignity and responsibility against his suffragan dioceses. That is why there are rare cases when the Metropolitan Archbishop even becomes a diocesan adminstrator when the retirement or sudden resignation of a diocesan bishop is accepted by the Holy Father. This happened just recently when Cardinal Rosales, being the metropolitan of Manila, became apostolic administrator of Pasig after the retirement of Bishop Francisco San Diego. Cardinal Rosales ceased to be administrator after the installation and enthronement of San Diego's successor, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.] The lambs, the symbol of St. Agnes who was martyred in Rome around the year 305, are raised by the Trappist Fathers of the Abbey of the Three Fountains in Rome and the palliums are made from the newly-shorn wool by the sisters of St. Cecilia.

History of Communion in the Hand

2012-01-23T13:21:00.000+08:00

If you want to know the history of Communion in the Hand, click here and be enlightened.

This practice must be stopped. I don't have to write why it must be stopped

A win-win solution for the Crucufix on the Altar

2012-01-22T19:50:00.000+08:00

I have read over the past days various exchanges via Facebook and via email about why the crucifix should be or should be not at the center of the altar during the celebration of the Mass.

There are a lot of education stuff I read about this placement of the altar and various reasons why the Piero Marini formula of placing the cross on the side of the altar is way better and unobstructive and even one "child" and "student" of our fave monk according to his "Order" called the crucifix on the altar and center as "hideous" and hides the view of the greatest miracle in the Mass, the transubstantiation, covered by the crucifix in the center.

I have made posts to support the position of our gloriously reigning Pope, Benedict XVI, about the centrality of the crucifix in the altar. The practice of placing the altar on the side of the altar happened only at the late 80s when the liturgical revolutionaries led by Piero Marini and his troops here in the Philippines led by Anscar Chupungco and Genaro Diwa began instructing "diocesan and parochial liturgists" to never place a crucifix and candles on the altar. This phenomenon happened because the focus of these liturgists is not the worship of Christ nor even the people witnessing the transubstantiation. Quite frankly, I have assisted in Fr. Genny Diwa's Mass for a couple of time and he does not even elevate the consecrated host for the people to see and adore. So what is this student of Fr. Chupungco to even say about "not seeing the host because the cross is standing in the way?"

So what was the underlying reason for the change?

IMHO, it was all about the EGO. Priests who love the set-up of taking the cross out of the altar wants the attention directly on him, not on HIM. The priest wants to see the faces of the people, see the reaction while he says the Mass. Is this how the Mass should be? Is this how the priest should be focusing on?

Imagine, if the narcissistic priest has that urge, which he usually has, of making the Mass his own brand of entertainment show, the cross will stand in the way and remind him of why he is standing there in the first place.

If the student of Fr. Anscar was really asking for that unobstructed view of the transubstantiation and having the cross at the center, a sort of win-win solution for both sides, why not try this?

Communion in the hand is from Calvinist!

2012-01-13T18:29:00.003+08:00

The current form of hand communion stems from the Calvinists, so says Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

Gotta love this bishop!

Shared to me by a fellow Knight on my Facebook Wall.

Thank you Sir Knight!

From

***

The current form of hand communion stems from the Calvinists.

This is what Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider (50) of Astana in Kazakhstan said at the end of October for the videosite 'gloria.tv'.

"That was an abuse" [It still is!]

Calvinist self-communion was introduced in the 1960s by decadent Catholic Communities in the Netherlands. [not in the early centuries as some creative liturgist would have you think! There are no evidence to support such claim even that reference from St. Cyril of Jerusalem's catechesis. What these liturgist would miss out from that reference is the instruction of St. Cyril to "hallow yourself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon your lips, touch it with your hands, and hallow your eyes and brow and the other organs of sense." So, it is now a smorgasbord? Choose which part you like, eh? And why has the Church for hundreds of years did not follow this practice anymore? Read more from Bishop Schneider.]

This step happened in disobedience to ecclesiastical rules -- Msgr Schneider stressed: "That was an abuse and the Holy See forbid it in the 1960s."

Finally Paul VI († 1978) addressed hand communion in the Document 'Memoriale Domini' in May 1969 with a "heavy heart":

"In this document the Church said that this form is an exception and that kneeling Communion would remain the rule."

At hand communion the people would take the Host with their fingers and put it in their mouths themselves: "this particular gesture has never taken place in the history of the Church, never." [NEEEEEVVVVVEEEERRRR!!!!]

It was a kind of self communion. [Even some EMHCs take the Host for themselves and self-communicate which is forbidden!]

The Lutherans adapted themselves to the Catholics [I was expecting the Lutherans to adapt something good from us. Before it was the Lutherans who did something bad to the Catholic Church. Now it is the other way around!]

Msgr Schneider recalled the Episcopal Synod of October 2005 on the Eucharist.

During a recess Msgr Schneider asked an attending Norwegian Lutheran "Bishop" how his community gave the Lord's Supper.

The Lutheran answered that the Norwegian State Church had, up until about ten years ago, been giving supper only kneeling and on the tongue. Yet the influence of decadent Roman Catholics has caused hand communion to be introduced.

The Auxiliary Bishop asks that hand communion be prayed and worked against:

"We must deeply desire that this form of current hand communion, which has never been practiced in the Church, be abolished" -- he said with feeling.

Handcommunion is a minimal form of reverence. On the contrary, the Church ought never to be satisfied with minimalism.

Particles of Host on the floor

Msgr Schneider warned that giving hand communion will cause many particles to be lost.

The Hosts are often flaky.

The particles could also adhere to the fingers or remain on thepalm. They would fall on the ground and be trampled.

In Kazakhstan, according to the Auxiliary Bishop, Communion is only given kneeling and on the tongue. [This is the rule! And bishops can do it if they want to!]

"It so often happens to me and also to other priests, that there are a few particles on the paten."

Without Communion patens, these particles would fall on the floor or in the clothing of the people. [Do you see Communion patens being used in your churches even for EMHCs? Nah!]

Msgr Schneider also warned that hand communion simplifies the theft of Hosts as well. [which happened a lot of times!]

***

That is why it is high time to Ban Communion in the Hand! Sign the petition! Spread the word!

Bishop vs. Priest: the Issue?

2012-01-13T17:59:00.000+08:00

It is so sad it had to go to this.

But the sadder fact is the priest says that he is under the bishop's laser pointer because:

I am convinced that the real reason for my former bishop’s actions against me is due to my defense of the Catholic Church’s teaching with regard to homosexuality as well as my adherence to the Roman Liturgy of 1962. If necessary, I will present prodigious evidence to support this contention. I will continue to do my best to be a good and holy priest, no matter the cost. I will continue to proclaim and teach the truths of the Roman Catholic Church, especially in the area of sexual morality, no matter the cost. I will continue to adhere to the Ancient Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, no matter the cost.

***

I read somewhere that the crisis in the Church is a crisis of bishops.

Some bishops just really think that they are consecrated as successors of the apostles to be politically correct all the time and to protect the environment, everything BUT defend the Catholic Church and Her Truths.

Read about the story here.

Another fake priest warning issued by a Roman Catholic Diocese

2012-01-13T17:53:00.001+08:00

From CathNewsPhil.

This was even posted in the Diocese's Multiply Page.
***

CATHOLIC Church officials have warned the public against a certain individual introducing himself as priest, particularly in the Diocese of Parañaque.

Msgr. Benedicto Aquino, Parañaque diocese’s vice-chancellor, said a certain “Fr. Noel Ormenita” celebrated Mass in a condominium within San Isidro Labrador Parish in the name of the church.

“Noel Ormenita is not a Roman Catholic priest and has no faculties to exercise the priestly ministry in the Diocese of Parañaque and everywhere else for that matter,” said Aquino.

In his communiqué, the church official also relayed another warning from the Diocese of Cabanatuan about the suspension order it imposed on Fr. Eliezer Navarro.

Navarro was previously assigned as “priest-on-loan” to the Diocese of Cubao and was suspended “indefinitely” by Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud.

Navarro, therefore, has no faculties to exercise his priestly ministry in any diocese. [He might be a validly ordained priest but he has no permission to dispense graces through the sacraments from the shepherd of souls of the diocese, the bishop. Ergo, he is doing something illegal and immoral, or in canon law terms, ILLICIT. And when you commit something illegal and immoral, you are committing a sin.]

“Fr. Navarro and Mr. Ormenita are prohibited from celebrating Mass and/or performing priestly functions in any school, chapel, funeral home, or private houses within the Diocese of Parañaque,” said Aquino. [Right on! Ormenita is a fraud! He should be called for who he really is!]

“In case of doubt about the status of priests from other dioceses, please demand a celebret,” he added.

A “celebret” is a testimonial given to a priest when traveling that he is in good standing, with the accompanying request that he be permitted to say Mass.

***

The faithful should be educated what a celebret is and why it is important to ask one from a priest who claims to be a Roman Catholic priest.

But when in doubt, go to your parish church office or call the diocesan chancery. Tell them the name of the priest and they can identify if the priest is a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.

BUT! A celebret will confirm if that priest is in good standing with his bishop and/or with the Church.

A celebret is IMPORTANT!

BUT! There are other churches who claim to be Catholic, who issue celebrets to their "priests", like this FAKE one, because he is NOT A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST.

Just to be sure DO BOTH: Ask for a copy of the celebret and call your Diocesan Chancery for confirmation.

And if that "priest" says that he is on travel to ask for donations for his "mission" or "project", that is the alarm bell ringing madly.

Abp. Oscar Cruz: "I said WHAT?!"

2012-01-13T14:58:00.001+08:00

From Archbishop Oscar Cruz's blog:

***

It was reported:

a. THAT I said something to the effect that infertility is an impediment for Church marriage.

ANSWER: Impotence is an impediment for valid Church marriage but not infertility. That is elementary knowledge.

b. THAT I accept if not even endorse the so-called "Gay Marriages" contrary to the long standing teaching of the Church.

ANSWER: Needless to say, there are gay people who do what they want to, irrespective of what the Church teaches. In this case, whatever they do, their cannot be a marriage as provided by nature and taught by the Church. At most, they can enter into an "Agreement," a "Partnership" or anything the like--but not marriage in reality and truth.

c. THAT I am very kind to gays to the extent that I am a consenting adult to their designs, options and the like.

ANSWER: I respect gays just as everybody else. They too are created to God's image. They too have human dignity. They too should not be ridiculed, much less discriminated.

OVCRUZ, JCD
13 January 2012

***

The Archbishop had to issue this since it is being circulated in the internet that he said that the Church does not want to marry infertile people.

Guess liars will be liars right.

Dan Brown, have you relocated to the Philippines?

GULP Exam: What is wrong here?

2012-01-13T14:35:00.002+08:00

Shared to me and sent by a TPC reader.

NO!

Not the name of the Bishop.

Kayo ha!

Cosplay?

2012-01-12T11:54:00.002+08:00

A Spaniard donning his galero with the tassels hanging on the sides to look like a cardinal. :)

This was how the capello romano with the tassels, that act as a galero.

Look here.

And here is the country's lone galero.

The galero of Cardinal Rufino Santos, hanging in the ceiling in the Manila Cathedral - Basilica.

I uploaded this photo in this post.

GULP Exam: What are they wearing?

2012-01-12T11:43:00.000+08:00

A reader sent it in these:

Please, please, please, tell me what the acolytes are wearing.

Please don't tell me it is a hybrid of a dalmatic and an alb.

We all have heard and seen a Chasu-Alb, the white designless chasuble that has become a staple in the Philippines.

***

PS: I don't know where this was held. As you can also see, the photos are copyrighted and I do not claim ownership of these photos. I think this looks like a Holy Thursday procession. You can see the two "apostles" in the last photo. Ain't the MC in the last photo look a bit stiff? :D