12 million devotees expected to join Nazarene feast

Sea of devotees in last year's traslacion. (Photo: Roy Lagarde)

AROUND 12 million devotees are expected to come and visit the Quiapo Church from January 1 up to January 9, the feast of Black Nazarene, according to church rector Msgr. Clemente Ignacio.

The feast, traditionally celebrated on January 9, draws million of devotees from all over the country who walk with the image in procession barefooted as a sign of penance and thanksgiving for favors received.

At least nine million devotees participated in last year’s procession traversing the 3 kms route from Luneta to Quiapo church that lasted 9 hours.

In preparation for this year’s fiesta celebration, Quiapo church’s Fiesta Committee headed by Msgr. Ignacio met with the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) headed by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to discuss plans on how to manage security, emergency traffic and crowd control during the traslacion.

The traslacion is the transfer of the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quiapo Church.

Green celebration

Meanwhile, environmentalists and community leaders around Quiapo area are calling for green celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene.

Local leaders and environmental network Eco Waste Coalition urged devotees and visitors to couple their devotion to the Black Nazarene with respect for the environment.

The call came as devotees begin the first day of the nine-day novena prayers leading to the fiesta celebration on January 9.

“Combining our people’s amazing devotion to the Black Nazarene with action respecting, nurturing and defending Mother Earth will be a powerful force of hope and deliverance against those who trash and ruin the environment,” Tin Vergara, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, said.

“If the millions of devotees who come to Quiapo will simply not litter and avoid waste in all its forms, we’ll have a feast that is pleasing to the eyes and pleasing to the Lord,” she added.

Barangay leaders echoed the same call urging devotees to act responsibly and not leave their garbage just anywhere.

In past celebrations, truckloads of garbage were collected from Luneta to Quiapo that include cigarette butts, candy and snack wrappers, plastic bags, cups, bottles and straws, Styrofoam containers and bamboo skewers that often cause injuries among barefoot devotees.

Tagle: We are just partners with God in rebuilding

Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle

IN helping survivors get back on their feet, it is important to be reminded that we are just partners with God in the work of rebuilding and reconstruction, a high-ranking Church official said.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle noted during a recent gathering of religious women that everyone is zealous and eager to help survivors, and many things are being proposed for them, but he said it is good to be reminded that “ultimately it is the Lord our justice who will truly build the house.”

He stressed that we are just cooperators with God and eventually it is he who does the building, even quoting Scripture: “If God does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor.”

“So it is not really our project, but God. We care for people, we care for community that they get back on their feet. How much more is God! We cannot outdo God in his desire to rebuild his people. So let God do God’s work. It would certainly be according to the plan of Divine Justice,” Tagle said.

Several representatives from various communities of Religious Women and members of Societies of Apostolic Life in the Archdiocese of Manila attended the annual Eucharistic celebration at the Arzobispado Chapel on December 18 which Cardinal Tagle presided.

The Mass is a yearly activity that provides the chance for the Sisters working in the archdiocese to interact with the Cardinal and fellow religious.

Delivering his homily on the day’s readings, the Cardinal reflected on the justice and righteousness of God, noting that “the fruit of the coming of the Lord our justice is not just wise or good governance, but restoration.”

“I think this is an apt and timely message for us, as people here in the Philippines talk about reconstructing, recovery, rehabilitation, especially among the communities hard hit by the earth quake, the typhoon, even the problem in Zamboanga,” he said.

He talked of hope and the need to discern and “to cooperate with God’s wisdom and justice to be suitable partners in the reconstruction, but let God, the Lord our justice to do.”

Tagle said Jesus who is Emmanuel, God is with us, is also called the Lord our justice, which is a beautiful name “for a people, not just the people of that time but for us humanity that continues to journey in life and in history under the shadow of injustice, of discrimination, of prejudice, of bias.”

Joseph, a model of justice

Tagle also reflected on St. Joseph, a just and righteous man chosen by God to become the earthly father of Jesus.

He noted the deep respect and trust St. Joseph has accorded Mary despite knowing that she was with child, and when he received some explanations through a dream, he did not question God on the role that he was to play in the unfolding drama.

“It is a sense of justice which is also very spiritual. It is a justice that is sensitive to human dignity and to God’s action, God’s mysterious action,” Tagle said.

“Very often,” the cardinal said, “our transgressions come with a lack of listening, a lack of appreciation for the mystery of the person and a lack of appreciation also for the mysterious ways by which God works in the lives of people.”

“I think part of justice is deep respect for God and God’s mysterious work in the life of a human being. So like Joseph we have participated in the unfolding of God’s saving plan,” Tagle said.

God is “our justice who will reconstruct the nation and Joseph [is] a just person invited by God to participate in his story of rebuilding humanity and creation in Jesus,” he added. (CBCPNews)

Make Christmas a celebration of solidarity and communion—Tagle

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle

WITH the string of calamities that struck the country, Christmas celebration this year should be a Christmas of solidarity and communion, a high ranking prelate said. 

For many it may be hard to contemplate how Christmas would be like for the survivors of the Zamboanga crisis, the earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda who have lost loved ones and things that would remind them of Christmas, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said in a Christmas message. 

“With persons and things associated with Christmas either destroyed or gone, what would Christmas be?” he asked. 

But he said that question was answered for him by a lady from Palo, a survivor herself who said, “With the ruins around us, this would probably be the first time I would understand and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.”  

Though the answer may appear mysterious, but hearing such from the lips a survivor, “it must contain truth and wisdom,” Tagle said. 

He noted that the lady’s insight points to the central sign of Christmas, which is Jesus: “the humble baby in the manger who is truly the Son of God, God with us.” 

All the Christmas decorations we put up and the celebrations we have, he said, “must be rooted in and draw their meaning” from Jesus, who is the “core Sign, the humble person of the Son of God who emptied himself to become one of us.” 

“Divine glory is seen in a child’s weakness; heavenly radiance is made manifest in humility; and God’s justice is revealed as compassion,” Tagle added. 

Even as he called on the faithful not to forget the Christ-child in their celebration of Christmas, he urged everyone to “be transformed into signs of his coming.”  

He said acts of solidarity and communion with those who suffered the tragedies will “happen only with serious soul-searching, review of values, reordering of priorities, and commitment to God, neighbour, country and creation.” 

“The survivors of recent disasters will teach us how to see the Child promised by God with fresh eyes of faith and hope,” he said. 

Tagle ended his message with a prayerful wish of a Blessed Christmas to everyone, “especially Filipinos who are striving to reconstruct their lives and who are far from home.”

CBCP launches website for laity; Villegas challenges them to be ‘saints, heroes’

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has launched a new initiative to give voice to the laity.

With the Church’s declaration of 2014 as Year of the Laity, the CBCP has launched a website dedicated to the lay people called choosetobebrave.org. 

In his letter introducing the new site, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the new step was taken “to reach out to more of the laity in the Catholic Church.”

Villegas said the 2014’s challenge to the laity is that they are “called to be saints” and sent forth as heroes.” 

He said one can become a saint and a hero by being brave, and this is possible for everyone to do everyday and everywhere. 

“Cowards cannot be saints,” Villegas said, adding “’Do not be afraid’ is the favourite command of God.” 

He said “cold people are dull and dry” but “heroes inspire and ignite” and “everybody loves brave people” because “brave people are admirable.” 

“Here is the website to inspire you to be brave and to share your stories of bravery. Here you can light little candles of bravery and set the world afire! Make this world a better place,” Villegas said. 

The site contains the Church’s programs of pastoral action for the entire year of 2014 focusing on formation and animation of the Catholic faithful. 

Directed to twelve sectors of society—young professionals, broken families, homeless and jobless, homebound and prisoners, farmers, fisher folks and laborers, troubled friends, government employees, civic organizations, public school teachers, indigenous people and lay saints and Catholic Filipinos heroes,—the site is one of the many ways the Church is showing to the laity “how to be brave and be agents for social change,” according to the CBCP.

Various Catholic lay groups can also use the site to give a feedback to the bishops about the situation of the Filipino family. 

Visitors can fill up a survey form released by the Vatican in preparation for the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Pastoral Challenges of the Family. The responses will be synthesized by the CBCP and will be transmitted to the Vatican. 

“We want to show our love to the laity by listening to them and giving them a voice,” Villegas said. 

“Being brave is the sure way to be saints! Being brave is what makes ordinary people great heroes!” he declared. 

In a pastoral letter issued for the Year of the Laity, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas challenged the lay people to bear witness to a life of faith wherever they are and whatever they do, noting that for many Catholics, a big gap exists between practice and life.

 

He also lamented the fact that many Catholics do not know the fundamentals of the Catholic faith that make them easy prey “to the seductions of other religious groups.”

Vatican official to speak at conference celebrating 50 years of Pacem in Terris

Cardinal Peter Turkson (Photo: CNA)

A VATICAN official will lead a roster of high profile speakers in a national conference organized by the Association of Catholic Universities to celebrate the 50^th year of the encyclical Pacem in Terris.

The Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP) is holding a national conference at the University of the Immaculate Conception (Bajada Campus) in Davao City to pray tribute to the celebrated encyclical of Pope John XXIII, from January 9 to 11.

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace will keynote the conference with an address on “The Formation of New Catholics in Politics”.

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI leads a panel of speakers on the first day with a discussion on “The Struggles of Catholic Universities in Developing Leaders for Peace and Progress in the Philippines.”

Also in the panel are Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, president of the Ateneo de Davao University, Sister Corazon Manalo, D.C., Superintendent of the Daughters of Charity Schools, and Cong. Karlo Alexis B. Nograles of the 1st district of Davao City.

Multi-awarded and highly respected ABS-CBN news anchor Tina Monzon-Palma will moderate the discussion.

Also on the same day, Mr. Leon G. Flores III, chair and chief executive officer of the National Youth Commission, will give a talk on “The Filipino Youth in Politics: A Commitment to Leadership for Peace and Progress”.

A Eucharistic celebration will cap the first day to be presided by Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles.

On the second day, presenters will explore on the topic “Engagement of Catholic Universities: A Milieu for the Inculcation of Values Leading to Social Transformation”.

A collaborative research paper among the University of Santo Tomas, La Consolacion University, St. Louis University, and Angeles University Foundation will be presented discussing “The Pastoral Care of Overseas Filipinos and their Families by Catholic Universities: A Case Study”.

Br. Ricardo P. Laguda, FSC, president of De La Salle University- Manila will present a research on “The Impact of Community Development Programs of Catholic Universities”.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., National Chairman of NASSA/Caritas Philippines will discuss “The Engagement of the Catholic Church in Values Formation and Social Transformation”.

Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, Jr. OMI, former director and senior policy adviser of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance of Notre Dame University will talk on “Peace : Our Hope and Responsibility in Mindanao”.

Themed “The Formation of New Catholics Engaged in Politics: the Challenge and Inspiration of Catholic Universities”, the conference will also include a group sharing on its theme.

Participants may avail of a half day tour of Davao City on January 11. Registration fee is at Php 1,500.00, inclusive of kits and meals. Inquiries may be addressed to the ACUP Secretariat through the UST Office of Public Affairs, through 731-3544 or email gvf@mnl.ust.edu.ph  

Filipino priest invents computer-based confession tool for deaf people

A RETIRED Filipino priest based in Phoenix, Arizona has invented a computer-based confession tool that would facilitate confession for hearing-impaired penitents. 

Fr. Romuald P. Zantua, DS, formerly of Daet diocese and founder of a religious community called Disciples of Hope has created a technology-based confession device that will make the valued sacrament of reconciliation easily available to hundreds of thousands of people with hearing problems. 

The confessional tool—also called the St. Damien Confession Box—consists of two laptop computers running on special software and connected exclusively for penitent and priest to type on and send their messages to each other. Both laptops can only function for the particular intent it was created and not for other purposes.

Priests who are not skilled in sign language will be able to communicate with deaf people using the chat function through a secured setup of two connected computers with American Sign Language (ASL) instructions and videos, according to Zantua. 

He said this particular invention will boost the practice of confession and may usher people with special needs to the Catholic Church’s gradual adoption of new technology in the modern world.

The device is composed of two computers running on special software that appears on both computer screens which contains written instructions as well as sign language video instructions and audio.  

The software is hack-proof, according to Zantua, since the device doesn’t allow a third party to connect and other network connectivity are all disabled, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Zantua, who also previously served as executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Seminaries, said the computer setup was designed to instantly run a chat program where a priest and the penitent can exchange written messages on their screens. 

Both penitent and priest will only have to write their messages by typing and pressing the appropriate buttons to a sequence following normal church practice, he said.

Deaf people usually have very limited option and accessibility to confession due to their disability and the limited number of priests who are skilled in sign language, Zantua added. 

Penitents with hearing problems either will look for a priest who knows sign language or else write their confession on a piece of papers and hand them to a priest.

The use of the tool for the sacrament of confession is still awaiting approval from the Holy See. It has been presented to the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) in Phoenix during their annual Pastoral Week last year.  After few revisions and joint assessments of NCOD and the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), the latest version was finalized.

Zantua, who currently lives in one of the communities he started in the United States has for many years, worked with people of special needs. He is also a published author of several books.

For more information about the St. Damien Confession Box, you may visit the website at http://www.stdamien.org . To view a presentation of it, click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4z-xh0KwS8