Flagellation.

Many years ago in Bustos, Bulacan,  I saw up close how flagellants drew out blood from their bodies.

This was during a Holy Thursday "penitencia," or mortification of the flesh as a religious practise.

Flagellants struck and whipped their bare backs with small bladed weapons such as shreds of glass or wooden/bamboo pieces tied up in  a bundle and attached to a long rope or elastic band.

They were shirtless and had their faces covered except for their eyes.

The flagellants roamed the streets in an organized fashion continuously hitting their bodies in a rhythmic fashion without any word of agony coming out from their mouths. The spectators were the ones who cried as if in pain and disgust at the show of public remorse, and as blood squirted, sometimes, hitting the people lined up in the streets.

There were foreign tourists, too, in awe of the scene before them.

In many parts of the Philippines, "penitencia," is widely seen during the Holy Week season.  In Bustos, Bulacan, particularly, the event draws many participants and both their kababayans or townsmates, and visitors, consider the lenten custom, as part of their observance of the Holy Week.

We cannot judge these "flagellants," on the merit or demerit of what they're doing.  The Catholic Church does not condone nor belittle this type of penance.

I heard from a native Bustonian how the flagellants, after the "penitencia," took a quick dip in the river and miraculously, healed their wounds from the self-beatings.

The Missing Mother.

My summer months while growing up always included a sojourn to the mountaneous Antipolo.  Antipolo in the province of Rizal, now a vibrant city, is home to the Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage),  and also famous for the Hinulugang Taktak Falls, red clay-pottery, and for its Philippine delicacies such as suman sa ibos, kalamay and kasoy.

While on a parish pilgrimage (Visita Iglesia) last March 16th, our group visited the Church of Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata in the town of Tanay, just a few kilometers away from Antipolo.

Framed photograph of the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata

The Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata was the first church built in the province of Rizal, older than the Church of Antipolo. 

It was built by the Jesuit fathers in 1700, damaged by an earthquake in July 18, 1880 and razed by a fire during the Second World War.  For a time, in the 1930's, it was abandoned to give way to a dam.  It was finally restored in 1995.

 The Church of Our Lady of Anunciata 
in Boso Boso, San Jose in Tanay, Rizal 

 
Today, the Church, practically just a remnant of a centuries-old church, stands as a vision of old stone with wild vines clinging on top of it.  A small chapel, built inside the church offers Sunday services to its parishioners. 

During our pilgrimage, a sorry tale was told to us.  That the original image of the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata is missing.  It had been lost many years ago when it was borrowed by someone from Bulacan.

So, today only a photograph of a replica can be seen in the Church.  No one, it seems, knows the details about how the image had been lost.

Anunciation scene.

Like the missing Mother, the Church probably had missed many opportunities in the past.  It had only been restored recently, and canonically erected in 2004.

Wooden roof-dome

But with the help and aid of the Camilian priests and brothers and the laity, the Church is now actively pursuing the rehabilitation of its wooden roof and the reforestation of its environ.

Gate to a garden.

Restored stone wall.

We, the pilgrims, did the Tenth Station of the Cross at the Church

Fr. Vic Flores, Parish Priest of the San Andres Apostol who led the pilgrims, lamented about the loss of the image and wished that the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata could be found soon and returned to Her home. 

Where could the Missing Mother be? 

Somewhere in Baliuag, famous for its Lenten procession where more than 55 religious images and icons navigate the busy Bulacan highway? Or anywhere in the capital city of Malolos where the historical Barasoain Church stands proudly? 

Could it simply be residing in a private house, consigned to a dark corner or in the attic gathered in dust, with the owner oblivious to the Nuestra Senora De La Anunciata's history?

Like the good priest Fr. Vic, I wish the Missing Mother could be located and like the Virgin of Antipolo, be adored in her own turf -  this Mother in her home in Tanay.

Holy Experience.

On a trip to Orlando, Florida , U.S.A., years ago, we went to a place to experience Holy Land, where they simulate the area of Jerusalem during the days and times of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Holy Land Experience consisted mostly of several life-size Biblical scenes packed into its 15-acres. A Jerusalem street market, the Dead Sea Scroll caves, Herod's Temple, the tomb of Jesus -- were all there, impressively rendered. The park crew and employees wore period costume and we, the visitors quickly grew accustomed seeing Roman soldiers and coarse-robed civilians scurrying about in Birkenstock sandals, on their way to their next musical performance.

And towards noon, there was a re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Jesus.

The re-enactment started with the Way of the Cross when Jesus had been condemned to die by crucifixion, up to the carrying of the Cross from Pilate's palace to the narrow streets of olden Israel, and up to the Mount of Golgotah and ended with the crucifixion.

It was a very touching play; it was almost like being there, at the "moment" when Christ was suffering and dying.

But it was all a dramatization.

In our parish of San Andres Apostol, we have a "real" Station of the Cross which started on the first Friday of Lent and will end on Friday before the start of the Holy Week.

The San Andres Apostol Station of the Cross starts from the Church and goes to 14 houses within the village via a procession bearing the image of the Black Nazarene and a replica of the wooden cross of Christ.

It is a "live" Station of the Cross wherein a station of the cross is assigned to a particular house and parishioners move in a procession, from station to station or house to house, bearing a replica of the wooden Cross of Christ, and the image of the Senor Nazareno (Black Nazarene).

Church workers and parishioners join parish priest Fr. Vic on Lenten Friday Station of the Cross.

At each Station of the Cross, prayers are recited and a "personal sharing" is done by a parishioner or a church worker.

Author shares his story of conversion. 

* Pictures/images of Station of the Cross, courtesy of San Andres Apostol facebook account.

Long live the Pope!

The Catholic Church does not have a leader today.  Pope Benedict XVI resigned and his last day as Pope was on Feb. 28th.

How does an organization exist without a head?

If the church were an ordinary organization or corporate entity, it would have been simple. There would be a temporary or interim chair or officer or sometimes, a collective body, assigned to cover his work.

But a massive organization like the Catholic church, a church of more than 1 billion members, with a mission to strengthen the Church built by Jesus Christ, cannot simply be assigned an ordinary or interim leader.

The impact of Pope Benedict's XVI resignation is like a thunder roaring in the four corners of the world, and would continue to clap even when he and the generation of the year he resigned would be long gone. It is a historical event, not only in the Catholic annals but in the records of modern civilization.

I thought about this resignation. I read about Pope Benedict's reason for doing so, and I read about conspiracy theories, about various analyst's commentaries regarding this event.

And I found myself saying, "Pope Benedict, true to his academic-like tenure as Pope, having been regarded guardian and enforcer of conservative church doctrines, resigned because he believed that a Pope is not infallible, the Pope is just an ordinary human with human limitations, like getting weak as one gets older. So he resigned and showed the world that the papacy, while it is divinely-inspired, is also a human endeavor, and like any human task or assignment, can be faulted, can be erroneous, can be subject to stress and pressures, and yes, it can be departed from, and re-assigned to someone else."

All the talk about the ex-Pope being pressured by a larger, unseen, organized force within the Catholic church will just remain a conspiracy theory.

And although Pope Emeritus Benedict alluded to rivalry and individualism within the inner conclave of the Church and his advisers, the fact still remains that there are no direct public pronouncements regarding this.

Looking at it objectively, Pope Benedict left a legacy of strength and courage. For when faced with fragility of health and mind, and of doubt ("There were moments of joy and light but also moments that were not easy ... there were moments, as there were throughout the history of the Church, when the seas were rough and the wind blew against us and it seemed that the Lord was sleeping"), he chose the courageous act of resigning in order to give the Church a new start, a new leader who, he felt, could face better the daunting challenges of a new world ("However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith..")

His resignation has changed the Catholic church forever; it will become a precedent for future Popes. It will become an option for future popes who could not perform or who would perform below par. It would make the Catholic Church act more swiftly in terms of crises, and problems besetting it.

I think it was Pope Benedict's greatest contribution to the church.

By his resignation, he brought the Catholic church closer to the modern world which he found complex, by showing that like a man-made entity, the Catholic Church which was built by the human son of God, can be re-shaped for it to be better and more responsive and stronger.

Here's the full text of Pope Benedict's resignation letter, as presented on the Vatican web site:

Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.  I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.  And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

The Old Belfry.

It pealed throughout town
Clang clang clang clang,
The bell in the belfry as old as a clown
Bouncing up and down as it mightily rang,
I should remember it's goden sound
As I lay recovered from deep slumber, 
And in jest I'd prepare the pillows in mound
As dear aunt would come yelling out a thunder,
While old sis lays plates and cups in a hurry
Old Uncle hides still in his blanket of wool,
For the dawn mass will start in a huff and a flurry,
While we folks meander our way amidst an air so cool,
And our good priest says liturgy in a dull mono-tony
Yet the choir shouts its songs in melodious har - mony.

Another Philippine Catholic Gem: St. Peter of Alcantara

St. Peter of Alcantara Church

St. Peter of Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna took 35 years of construction and was finished in 1767. The Virgin of Turumba is enshrined in this church. The structure remains the same despite requiring several repairs and renovations for damages caused by various natural calamities.
St. Peter of Alcantara Church has a Baroque facade. The icons of 14 biblical charaters are seen on the main altar. It also features the painting of St. Francis of Assisi experiencing stigmata and St. Peter of Alcantara receiving host.

The facade features delicate and florid appliques—cherub heads, saints' medallions, and ornamental frames for the windows and saints' niches. The main portal is defined by a decorative arch with a prominent keystone, which is echoed in the choir loft window which bears the carved seal of the Franciscan order at its tympanum.

The patron saint's niche at the pediment prominently displays the florid decoration of the whole facade and the high relief pilasters, as though these dramatic elements are concentrated there. The raking cornice is raked with an alternating stream of plain moldings and carved embellishments.

 Finials cap the side columns of the front facade.

The facade is vertically divided by high relief pilasters and columns, a continuous stream of cornices and horizontal moldings balance the vertical tendencies of the pilasters and columns.
The church's bell tower is attached to the main structure, formed by three tapering tiers, equally festooned with decorations as the rest of the church.

Virgen Dolores de Turumba is enshrined in the Church and commemorated in the yearly Turumba Festival

In the nearby town of Paete, Laguna, wood carvers create beautiful images and relics of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, Holy Family, angels, and of different saints

A Feast for Everyone.

My niece Hannah and her husband Naldy and my sister Sonia had been harping at it over several family gatherings; about the Feast hosted by Filipino Catholic lay preacher and inspirational speaker Bo Sanchez, Kerygma founder.

My own daughter had given me in the past several books written by Bo.  And then my niece gifted me with a couple more.

I like the style of writing of Bo; simple and humorous, so I continued to read his books.

Once an older person in church said that he'd like to see more Bo Sanchez's speak in the parish Bible seminars but then he added it seemed to him that Bo only speaks about happy times, and does not prepare his listeners or members of his prayer community for the bad times.

I didn't comment on this one because I haven't heard Bo Sanchez actually speak.

Yesterday we had the chance to hear Bo Sanchez speak.

We attended his Talk at the PICC Plenary Hall which centered on Solutions - Choose God’s Long-Term Solutions. This was the second of a three-part talk, Guaranteed: Three Things God Promises You: Supply, Solutions, Significance.

My seatmate to the left, a chubby boy who's probably eight or nine was so infectious.  He'd say what Bo asked the audience to say, and ask what Bo asked the audience to ask, and sang along with the beautiful choir, complete with body and hand actions.

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And looking around and above, I saw the same kind of enthusiasm and vibrancy from everyone. 

Meanwhile a younger boy seated at the front who was playing a game in his cell phone earlier became attentive and sang when the choir led the song I am counting on God.

The Feast was a welcoming event.  At the lobby of the Plenary Hall, members carried sign saying "Welcome First Time Attendees," and had easy smiles for everyone.

Ushers were friendly; so was everyone.  First timers like us felt the immediate warmth and genuineness of the people around us.

In his talk, Bo Sanchez used live persons to clearly illustrate his point; it was highly effective. The gist: don't focus on your problem, instead, focus on your purpose. Ask for God solutions.

Before the Talk, Fr. Alex Balatbat celebrated the 10:45 am mass.  He was energetic and gave an excellent homily on the Sunday Gospel reading.

After the talk, people milled around the lobby buying books and stuff. First timers were invited to join other first timers in small groups labelled "couples, singles, call center agents, etc." as prelude to joining "caring groups" or cg's. Caring groups meet during the week, and before and after the talk on Sundays.

On the way out, we saw caring groups huddled in meetings.

Physically, we were hungry when we left PICC as it was close to 2 p.m. but spiritually, we were completely fed.

In Bo Sanchez' own words, " Ultimately, I want to “franchise” the FEAST to the various parishes all over the Philippines—and around the world.

Through the internet, we’ll be video streaming the Manila FEAST to hundreds of similar gatherings in various parish churches, thus strengthening the parishes by giving their parishioners the option of attending the FEAST in their own local parish," said Bo.


Watch live video from The Feast on Justin.tv