Lenten Images Featured in Mall Exhibit

From an email:

In commemoration of the Lenten Season, the Hermandad de la Sagrada Pasion de Jesus in cooperation with Harrison Plaza Shopping Center will mount a 10-day exhibit dubbed as "CUARESMA". The exhibit will showcase life-sized Holy Week processional images from different parts of the country including Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. More than 60 images and tableaus representing the events in the public life, passion and death of Christ are expected to participate.

These images more popularly known as "santos" are the centerpiece of devotional activities throughout the country particularly during the Holy Week. Most santos are carved from wood, dressed in richly embroidered vestments and carry attributes or symbols that distinguish them from one another. Care of these images is usually handed down from one generation to next. This exhibit which is the first major undertaking of the Hermandad de la Sagrada Pasion de Jesus, an organization established on September 14, 2007. It is composed of "santo" owners, caretakers and enthusiasts from the Philippines, North America, Europe and the Middle East. The group's main objective is to propagate the devotion to the Sacred Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ as well as to promote and preserve the different lenten traditions and practices in the country.

"CUARESMA" will run from Feb. 8 to 17, 2008 at the 2nd Level, Harrison Plaza Shopping Center-Annex, A. Mabini St., Malate, Manila. Viewing hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Admission is free.

St. John Bosco

Saint John Bosco, our loving father, Now we lift to thee our voices. As we gather around thine altar Far and wide the world rejoices.

O Don Bosco, we're thy dearest Who's protection are imploring, For in heaven thou remainest, An apostle 'mid thee adoring.

Don Bosco, thy children On many a shore Shall love and revere thee Till time be no more.


Sancte Iohannes Bosco, Ora Pro Nobis

Tridentine Wedding

Ask your wedding planners about it.

More photos of the Bohol Tridentine Wedding courtesy of Dennis Maturan.

Welcoming Home our Assyrian Brothers and Sisters

"You, Venerable Brethren, understand how much this question is in Our mind, and We desire that Our children should also know, not only those who belong to the Catholic community, but also those who are separated from Us: if these latter humbly beg light from heaven, there is no doubt but that they will recognize the one true Church of Jesus Christ and will, at last, enter it, being united with us in perfect charity."

Pius XI Mortalium Animos, 1928

Press Release

Assyrian Catholic Apostolic Diocese (ACAD)

On Thursday; January 17, 2008, the “Day of Thanksgiving” of the Rogation of the Ninevites, for which day the Gospel says, “On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you” (John 16:23), the Clergy Conference of the Assyrian Catholic Apostolic Diocese (ACAD) met in Dublin, California, to discuss the current situation and consider future plans for reestablishing communion with other Christians, in order to end their ecclesial isolation.

After praying to the Father and reflecting on the Scriptures and Tradition, the attendees unanimously adopted a “Declaration of Intention” in which they state their resolution “to enter full communion with the Catholic Church” and “to resume church unity with the Chaldean Catholic Church.” As a result, they foresee that this declaration will initiate a process of negotiation with respective Church authorities to define a concrete model of this union, in which the particularity of our apostolic tradition is preserved.

Present at this Clergy Conference were H.G. Bishop Mar Bawai Soro, four priests and sixteen deacons. Two more priests and fourteen other deacons of ACAD have also sent in advance their signed proxies in support of this Declaration. The gathered members ask all their brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for this noble intention so that each and every effort will contribute to the glory of God and the fulfillment of Christ’s prayer for His Holy Church “That they all may be one”. (John 17:21)

Fr. Abraham Arganiosa's Ad Orientem Mass

In relation to the posts: Rev. Fr. Abraham P. Arganiosa, CRS prepares for Tridentine Mass and Somascan Priests in Bicol to be Armed with the 1962 Missal, I'd like to share a photograph of Fr. Abe offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to Missal of Paul VI (Novus Ordo), that is ad orientem with Latin and using Eucharistic Prayer 1, during a private Mass last December 2007. Fr. Abe offered the Mass with dignity, reverence and solemnity it deserves making best out of the altar items and vestments available for our use.

Thanksgiving Traditional Mass of Bishop Camilo Gregorio

This post is from Kuya Dennis of Traditional Roman Catholic Philippines. The following story has a trivia regarding the transition from the Tridentine Mass to the Pauline Missal in the Archdiocese of Manila.

Story by Dennis Raymond Maturan
Photo by Claire Navarro

Bishop Camilo Gregorio of Batanes is the first Roman Catholic Bishop in the Philippines in communion with the Holy See, who has officially and publicly celebrated a Low Pontifical Mass assisted by Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo after the promulgation and as thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum, clarifying that the Tridentine Mass now called the Extraordinary Roman Rite according to the 1962 Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII, has never been abolished and may still be celebrated by those who wish to have the Mass in that manner yet giving preeminence to the 1970 Missal of Pope Paul VI as the normative liturgy or the Ordinary Roman Rite. The Mass was celebrated at Our Lord of Divine Mercy Parish, Sikatuna, Q.C., at eight in the morning of January 28, 2008. Fr. Zerrudo is Pastor of the said parish.

During recent chats with Msgr. Moises Andrade, the late Rufino Cardinal Santos refused to abandon the Pre-Pauline Rite and disapproved its celebration "ad popolo" even after the reforms of Vatican II. It was only during the 1970 Papal Visit of the late Pope Paul VI that he allowed the Novus Ordo Mass known then as the "People's Mass" in deference to the Pope. Another conversation with well-known Marian visionary Carmelo Cortez who last year attended a seminar on the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite in the United States shared that the Philippine Church was one of the last to have abandoned the Old Rite in exchange for the New Rite.

It was unfortunate that I was not able to attend this historical event and had no idea that he was planning to celebrate this form of Mass when I met him a few weeks ago at the wake of Dna. Rosario Adriano, mother of liturgical artist, Tony Adriano (who was just recently appointed as Philippine Consul to Rome). It was Bishop Gregorio who celebrated a private Traditional Mass in our house around 1995 and at Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills in the same year. He is a classmate of Benedictine Fr. Pio Lomibao, O.S.B. and encouraged the latter to celebrate the Traditional Mass which he occassionally does. May God bless the good Bishop!

The Day a Bishop Celebrated an Extraordinary Mass

Story By Joseph Madrinan
Photos by Armand La Morte and Fidel Cenir

In his immaculate white cassock buttoned with the purple of his Episcopal office, and his zucchetto, Father Bishop Gregorio (forgive the imprecise term, this is my term of endearment for every bishop) processed towards the prie-dieu especially prepared for him. From there he recited some prayers ( I wonder if it was the little hour of Terce, but quite probably it wouldn’t have been, otherwise it should have taken longer), and then started vesting. Washing his hands, a carry-over practice from the ablutions Jews do, he then proceeded to putting on the amice, then the festal alb, followed by the cincture. These pieces of priestly vestments, for the average Catholic nowadays, would seem to be museum pieces, something you only get to see, but you actually don't wear. During this time, the first chaplain, Fr. Jojo assisted him with the help of the Sacristan Mayor of PLDM. Tying the cincture half-way through, Father Bishop then put on his stole, symbol of priestly authority, followed by a beautiful golden chasuble, as the mass was votive to the Blessed Trinity. Finally, on his left arm, he wore the golden maniple. It was simply lovely, a bishop who in front of all the faithful transformed from his simple soutane, to the ornate priestly attire he wore for that day’s Mass: truly it was a sight to behold. As I was recalling this event, I can’t help to remember the word’s of Our Lord to Peter saying when he becomes old, even his belt will have to be put on by his servants.


As the bishop passed on from his daily attire to that of high priest, the faithful can’t help but be reminded that truly, the bishop becomes an alter christus, he no longer is just one among us, but another Christ, about to offer the same sacrifice of the Cross!

Intoning the Judica me, Fr. Bishop officially began the mass with the antiphon, Introibo ad altare Dei, I shall enter the altar of the Lord! Those who say the TLM is never interactive should have heard how the church resounded with the dialogue that ensued during the Judica me. Just because something is in Latin doesn’t really mean nobody will be able to respond, that simply is a fallacy, and all the more I would doubt that the ones who came on that day’s mass were the ferment of society, or the literati or some intellectual whackoes, No, they were simple-minded faithful.

Fr. Bishops sweet, flowing Latin was interrupted when he reread the day’s epistle and Gospel in English, and then providing a brief homily. There, he quoted profusely from the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (MP) and its accompanying explanatory letter. He talked of how, beyond reconciliation and unity, the MP was truly about providing the richness of Catholic Tradition to everyone and that it was about enriching both ordinary and extraordinary forms. To cap his homily filled with a Litany of Thanksgiving, he said, finally I offer this mass to you, who have been devoted to this mass. There he was, a bishop who truly understood the mind of the Holy Father, a true and loyal son of Holy Mother the Church, a pastor bonus, a gift of God to his people.


The silence that followed during the Canon Missae rendered more solemnity to the occasion, to this joyous day when two scores after the Pauline reforms, once again a Philippine Church resounded with the silent, almost whispering prayer of a bishop, about to bring Calvary present once more, in the Mass.






When the mass was technically done and the final blessing was given, the elaborate ceremonial of the Extraordinary Form doesn’t stop yet. In fact, first, it calls for thanksgiving in the reading of the first chapter of John, and then prayers of petitions to Our Blessed Mother and to St. Michael, for the conversion of sinners, the exaltation of Holy Mother the Church and the defeat of the enemy. Fr. Bishop, all the more did these with a distinct affection one can almost feel when he recited the 3 Ave Mariae and the Prayer to St Michael.

After taking off the sacred vestments, Fr. Bishop spent some moments of silence thanking God for what had just happened, afterwards and to no surprise, droves of the faithful “drowned” him, all wanting to take their chance to gain an indulgence by kissing his Episcopal ring, but more than that, to offer their thanks and the warmth of their affection to such a bishop who, to my own recollection, did what simply was a miracle.

As I am just 22, truly what I saw today was something I haven’t seen in my whole life, and thus I too thank Fr. Bishop for the “miracle” of the Holy Mass he has celebrated today.

A Bishop from Batanes and the Triumph of Tradition

Story by Armand La Morte
Photos by Armand La Morte and Fidel Cenir

This morning witnessed another great and historic triumph of Tradition, as His Grace, Camillo Gregorio D.D., the Bishop of Batanes, culminated his apostolic priesthood once more as he offered the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite - the Tridentine rite, at the Parish of Our Lord of the Divine Mercy, in Cubao, Q.C. It is another affirmation from God, that the Traditional Catholic movement is on the right path, and that the restoration of the Church, particularly here in Metro Manila, is well on its way.

The persecuted Bishop, who fought hard on the side of Tradition in his previous Diocese, seemingly mimicked the thanksgiving of St. Athanasius of Alexadria, for the continuing restoration of the Church. In his homily, His Grace thanked Our Lord and the Holy Father for the gift of Summorum Pontificum. He affirmed and highlighted some points of what Pope Benedict XVI, intends for the Church, namely the healing of rifts and dissentions among Catholics, and the unity of the Church, as the two valid forms of the Roman rite "enriches one another". His Grace also expressed his thanks and admiration to everyone present during the mass. Although the Extraordinary form was celebrated in the so-called 'Low Mass', nevertheless it was said in a very solemn manner that the people present meditatively, and enthusiastically assisted.

Fr. Jojo Zerrudo "concelebrated" (viz. according to Liturgy expert Carlos Palad, Fr. Jojo acted as 'First Chaplain') and actively served and assisted His Grace, throughout the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. After the celebration, the people joyfully flocked towards the Bishop to ask for his blessing, and to give their thanks and honor to this great servant of Our Lord and of His Church. May the Lord be praised and all glory be unto Him. That God continually bless his servant Reverend Bishop Camillo Gregorio in giving him the strength for the apostolic burden he has received.

For once allow me to concede to the Protestants, in singing "This is the day (2x)…that the Lord has made; I will rejoice (2x) and be glad in Him."

Somascan Priests in Bicol to be Armed with the 1962 Missal

This is an update of the report Rev. Fr. Abraham P. Arganiosa, CRS prepares for Tridentine Mass.

From Fr. Abe Arganiosa's Blog:

My request for personal permission from my superior didn't simply received a positive response, much more it received an active support and encouragement from the same superior.

Yesterday evening, Fr. Richard gathered our community and armed with printed copies of the 1962 Latin Missal he informed our community that all of us priest must practice the Traditional Latin Mass so that all of us shall be prepared to celebrate it properly. Fr. Superior reiterated that as religious it is inherent in our religious consecration and vow of obedience to follow directives of the Holy Father for the benefit of the people of God. Thus, the preparation for TLM is no longer limited to Fr. Abe alone but it has gained a communitarian status with our own head leading the way. I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A SOMASCAN!

Fr. Richard provided us with clear copies of the text and in some evening sessions we shall practice the prayers and the canon because despite the fact that we studied Latin and we can read Latin he insists that familiarity with the texts is a must. Besides, even if we can read or know English we need especial practice if we want to declaim Shakesperean piece or recite a Browning's poetry so it is in Latin Mass it necessitates familiarity and practice so that we know where to stop or to breathe and recite the sentences properly for people to hear.

God bless our Fr. Superior and God bless our Somascan Community of ACI Sorsogon!

Congratulations to Fr. Riccardo Germanetto, CRS(see above photograph) and Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS! Thanks for being priests!

We hope and pray that Fr. Germanetto's initiative will encourage superiors of other religious communities to support Summorum Pontificum in their own respective communities in obedience to the will of Christ's Vicar.

Cubao Cathedral TLM Update

Updated the report on the Cubao Cathedral Traditional Mass in honor of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus with more photographs.

"This is the most Solemn Mass I have ever attended:" TLM at the Cathedral of Cubao

A Day in the Life of the Holy Father

Thanks to Carlos for sending this wonderful link:

National Catholic Register: A Day in the Life of the Holy Father

Historic Mass in Metro Manila

After the historic Mass in the Cathedral of Cubao last Saturday, another Mass will make its way to the annals of the churches in Metro Manila, the church in Cubao in particular.

On January 28, Monday, at 8:00 AM at the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy, His Excellency Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio, Prelate of Batanes, will celebrate Low Pontifical Mass according to the Missal of 1962, better known as the "Tridentine Rite"

This will be the first-ever Pontifical Tridentine Mass to be celebrated in Metro Manila by a Catholic bishop in full communion with the Holy See ever since the Novus Ordo was promulgated in 1969.

Bishop Camilo Gregorio, as Bishop of Bacolod from 1987 to 2001, established the Traditional Latin Mass in that diocese in the early 1990's.

He also attended and celebrated Mass for the Sixth Proceedings of the CIEL in 1999, where he gave a talk entitled "A Pastoral View of the Ecclesia Dei Communities"

A sweet moment for Bishop Gregorio who defended Tradition and upholded orthodoxy.

CBCP Plenary Session Today

This can simply be just a simple coincidence but what a great joy to celebrate the first Tridentine Mass in the cathedral of Cubao at the same day when the whole bishopric of the Philippines converge to begin holding their plenary session to discuss among other things, implementation of Summorum Pontificum of the Vicar of Christ in the Philippines.

An email from Carlos Antonio Palad:

On January 26, the CBCP will begin holding its plenary session. Among other things, they will be discussing the implementation of Summorum Pontificum in the Philippines.


We pray that the discussion on the implementation will be truly in line with the thinking of Holy Mother the Church and that of the Holy Father guided by his cover letter to the bishops. I pray that they will not be influenced and be guided by the spirit of rapture.

My lord bishops, the Holy Father has clarified that the Missal of Blessed John XXIII was never abrogated and that it is perfectly lawful to celebrate Mass according to this form. May you be supportive of priests and faithful, both young and old, who are attached to this form. May you lead others to appreciate and love this extraordinary form of our Roman Rite.

Sancte Michael Archangele, ora pro nobis.

"This is the most Solemn Mass I have ever attended:" TLM at the Cathedral of Cubao

[Updated]

On January 26, 2008 at 4 am, the first Traditional Latin Mass or Tridentine Mass was offered and celebrated in the cathedral, that is the seat, of the bishop of Cubao, Most Rev. Honesto Ongtiongco, in honor of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered and celebrated by Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, parish priest of the Lord of the Divine Mercy.

Many who assisted where unfamiliar with Latin and the extraordinary form yet they were able to comprehend and capture the honor, the dignity, and great sense of the sacred and mystery that they, without any instructions, showed their reverence to this great holy sacrifice of our Lord being made present...unfolding right before their eyes: "...ngayon lang ako naka attend ng ganitong ka-solemn na Missa" (translation: this is the most solemn Mass I have ever attended) said one who assisted. It was very solemn and beautiful indeed.

Mirroring Rome: Following the Lead of the Vicar of Christ

Rome, January 13, 2008

Metro Manila, Philippines, January 23, 2008

UPDATE: TLM in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Archdiocese of Jaro

A reader has sent us a report of the January 23, 2008 Solemn High Mass according to the Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII or extraordinary form at the Parish of the Espousal of our Lady in Mandurriao, Iloilo City in honor of the feast of the Espousal of our Lady.

He reports "...the church was full packed, the music superb and the faithful actively said all response with the aid of leaflets." To introduce and inform the parishioners about Summorum Pontificum of the Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI, Fr. Celis gave a short catechesis before the Mass.

The Celebrant is Msgr. Juanito Tuvilla, Deacon is Fr. Oscar Andrada, Subdeacon is Fr. Winnie Lusaria while Parish Priest Fr. Espiridion Celis is choir director.




Congratulations to our reader and the parishioners of the Espousal of our Lady. Congratulations and a heart felt thanks to Msgr. Juanito Tuvilla, Fr. Oscar Andrada, Fr. Winnie Lusaria and Fr. Espiridion Celis. Thank you for being priests!

Doing the Ordinary Form Extraordinarily Well

[Updated]
Today, in honor of the Sto Nino, a solemn Mass according to the Missal of Pope Paul VI or the ordinary form or novus ordo to many, was celebrated in the PNB main hall asissted by approximately a hundred believers.

Priest-celebrant was Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo who processed down the center aisle wearing his complete roman vestments while the choir sung the entrance hymn in Latin. The propers, including the readings, were chanted in English while some ordinary parts (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei) were chanted in Latin and the Pater Noster was sung in Filipino. Just like Pope Benedict XVI, Fr. Zerrudo "turned towards the Lord" during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. He used the Eucharistic Prayer I or the Roman Canon of the Missal of Pope Paul VI, a very rarely used Eucharistic prayer in the Philippines. Most of those assisting must have heard it for the very first time.

The altar servers who were present were inpired and they, together with the whole congregation, now know how a priest should celebrate and offer the sacrifice of our Lord, that is with dignity, reverence and a great sense of the sacred.




This is the Mass of Pope Paul VI seen through the lens of hermeneutic of continuity. Deo Gratias! Viva Santo Nino!

Solemn Mass for the Sto Niño

A solemn Mass according to the Missal of Pope Paul VI (ordinary form) ad orientem with Latin and Gregorian Chants (Missa de Angelis) will be offered at 7:00 pm today, the 23 January 2008 at the PNB Main Building in Macapagal Ave, Pasay City in honor of the Sto Niño.

This seeks to answer the then Cardinal Ratzinger's, now Pope Benedict XVI's call to follow the true mind of Vatican II, a mind that seeks to restore and continue from the past the greater sense of reverence, mystery, beauty and the sacred in the celebration of the liturgy, specially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In other words, it is a mind of continuity and not of rapture.

Ordinary Form Ad Orientem Mass

Here is a video of a solemn ad orientem Mass according to the Missal of Pope Paul VI or ordinary form or what is commonly called Novus Ordo. Notice the priest and the people faced towards one direction, East in liturgical terms or ad orientem. The priest wore roman vestments and kept his canonical fingers together as a sign of reverence after the consecration.

Part 1


Part 2

TLM at Santo Nino de Violago Chapel, E. Rodriguez Quezon City

Here is a photo of Fr. Joseph Skelton offering a private Traditional Latin Mass at Sto Nino de Violago Chapel in E. Rodriguez St. in Quezon City.