Byzantinong awit sa Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoong Jesu-Kristo

pagsasalin ni Ian Riñon

Ngayo'y ipinanganak buhat sa isang dalaga Siyang may tangan ng tanang nilikha sa Kanyang mga kamay. 


Siyang hindi mahawak-hawakan ay binalutan ng lampin bilang Sanggol. 


Siyang Diyos nang sa pasimula'y nilikha ang kalangitan ay nakahimlay sa isang sabsaban. 


Siyang nagpaulan ng manna sa Kanyang bayan sa ilang ay nakasalalay sa gatas ng Kanyang Ina. 


Siyang Kabiyak ng Simbahan ang nag-anyaya sa mga pantas.

Ang Anak ng Birhen ang tumanggap ng kanilang mga handog.

Pinupuri namin ang Iyong pagsilang, O Kristo.

Nawa'y makita rin namin ang sarili Mo. 

Ranting Bloggers

I admit, I rant whenever I write a blog. Remember Alter Ego? I was told by a friend of mine to watch what I'm writing. He said, though it's good, some people would be offended that they'll run after my neck. But anyway, that's not the point.

The point is when you rant, you're more egoistic than you could ever imagine. Of course it is an opinion, a violent reaction, perhaps. But sometimes, there are some bloggers out there who, for the love of God, the sanctity of life, the Church, Tradition, and of the Pope, will scrutinize EVERY SINGLE MOVE the local Churches do (and I mean, the Dioceses and Archdioceses here in the Philippines as well as other Ecclesial hotspots over the world).

As a fellow ranter, here's my unsolicited advice:

I once was told by a media practitioner about watching TV: "If you don't like what you see, change the channel." Now, if you don't want the shepherding style of a Bishop, transfer to another diocese. If you don't see the beauty of the Church here in the Philippines, why not reside in Rome? I guess you'll realize how beautiful our faith is through its structures. Or better yet, tell the Bishops what YOU feel before leaving. Tell them everything you know until they understand what you mean.

Parol ng Halina: Homegrown Advent Wreath

So, I heard from some wall post at KP about this "Parol ng Halina". Well, we found out that this is a Filipino version of the Advent Wreath which the Christians in the Western world use, including Catholics. Here's a repost from one of Kuya Caloy Palad's blogs which I'm following: 

And yeah.... I'm back for the side-comments. 

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The "Parol ng Halina", a Filipino twist on the Advent wreath

The "Parol ng Halina" ("Lantern of Invitation") for every Sunday of Advent, with the parols for the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays colored purple or violet while the parol for the 3rd Sunday is rose or pink, that Sunday being Gaudete Sunday, when the liturgy of the Church assumes a restrained joy in anticipation of the exalted night of the Nativity [So that the whole structure becomes the wreath.... Cool enough]. The four parols are hung from the roof of the church, directly above the main aisle, with the newer parols being hung nearer to the altar (or to the place prepared for the creche). These could also be hung from different corners of the church. 

How is the series of parols concluded? In one variation, the fifth and final parol, which is white, is hung on Christmas Eve above the creche. In another variation, the white parol is made to slide from one end to the church, stopping right above the Nativity scene, before or during the Mass of Christmas Eve [I'd prefer the latter]. 

I don't know when the current five-parol custom started. It is basically a Filipino adaptation of the symbolism of the Advent wreath, and since the latter began to be popular in Catholic churches only in the 1950's and 1960's then the five-lantern combination couldn't be older than that. However, it was already observed in Sta. Teresita Parish (the headquarters of the Capuchin Franciscans in the Philippines) at Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City when I was a parishioner there in the 1990's [So the custom was existing for quite some time now]. Then and now, only a small minority of parishes observe this; the Advent wreath continues to be the dominant way of marking Advent inside Filipino churches [Because of Westernization(?)].

Furthermore, many Filipino parishes tend to use parols as mere Christmas decorations, without any discernible attempt to relate these to the liturgical cycles of Advent, the Simbang Gabi, and Christmas [In a way, this Parol ng Halina is uplifting the parol in the Filipino tradition of Advent and Christmas. That's nice].

However, already prior to Vatican II, during the Mass of Christmas Eve, many Filipino parishes observed the custom of having a white parol slide from one end of the church down towards the creche, stopping right above it, thus symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to the Christ Child. (A related custom observed in some Filipino parishes or communities is that of having an altar server bear a large white or multi-colored parol at the head of the entrance procession for the Mass of Christmas Eve. I have no idea how old this custom is, either; alas, there is so little information on the history behind so many Filipino customs and traditions!) [Now that really means, this is quite old already!]

At the beginning of this month, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan gave a boost to the custom of "Parol ng Halina" by strongly endorsing it as an alternative to the Advent Wreath [A Filipino version could be another term]. His letter on this matter can be found on the website of his Archdiocese (Circular 2011/35: Alternative to the Advent Wreath) and he has provided a ritual for the blessing of the "Parol ng Halina" as well (Order for the Blessing of Parol ng Halina). 

As usual, some Philippine secular media outlets misreported the Archbishop's directive as a denunciation of the Advent Wreath as "Protestant", and as advocating that parish churches hang parols instead. The fact of the matter is that Filipino parishes need no prompting to hang parols, as these are ubiquitous in the Philippines in the days just before and after Christmas, and no parish ever goes without these. Furthermore, the Advent Wreath is truly Protestant in origin (German Lutheran to be exact) [Despite the veracity of the info, the media have called a wrong emphasis, then]. German-speaking Catholics began to adopt it only in the years before World War II and it began to spread to Catholics outside of German-speaking communities only in the post-World War II era. The Archbishop merely alluded to this origin, and explicitly stated that he had no intention or desire to ban the Advent Wreath from the parishes within his jurisdiction [much like the misinterpretation that the Novus Ordo takes the place of the TLM, which in reality, only exalts the TLM as the Extraordinary Form].

It should be noted, though, that the "Parol ng Halina", while an "alternative" to the Advent Wreath, is basically a variation upon the latter's usual American form (three purple candles and one rose or pink candle), and would be unintelligible to most Filipinos without the Advent Wreath as a point of reference [Of course, the faithful will be asking about it]. 

(Photo source: link) 

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Well, why not? It's our homegrown Advent Wreath. Maybe next year, I'll be designing a DP with the parols taking the place of the candles, aside from starting the use of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal in English.

AXIOS! Imus Bishop is the next Philippine Primate

Manila Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio Tagle

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the current Archbishop of Manila, submitted his retirement letter in 2007, as it is mandatory for bishops reaching the age of 75, but his resignation was accepted by the Pope four years later; and today, we wake up with a new shepherd of the most influential Archdiocese in the country, since it was the very first diocese established in the Spanish times. Archbishop-elect Tagle, having the episcopal motto "Dominus Est" (It is the Lord), is currently the third Bishop of Imus and the diocese at the threshold of its Golden Jubilee this year. This was his official statement: 


His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed me, a humble servant to succeed His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to the Metropolitan See of Manila. I face this heavy responsibility with much trepidation. Leaving the Diocese of Imus, my beloved our home, at the threshold of its Golden Jubilee is not easy. But faith in our gracious Lord and love of the Church give me strength. I know that I would find much good will and zeal for mission in the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila. In our openness to the Holy Spirit, we could render a joyful and robust witness to Jesus Christ, all for the glory of the Father and the good of the Church and of society, especially of the poor. I entrust the Archdiocese of Manila and my ministry to the loving care of Our Lady, Mary Immaculate.

+ Luis Antonio G. Tagle
13 October 2011 




Just a few suggestions for the Archbishop-elect: 


First and foremost, we pray that you may follow the footsteps of Davao Archbishop Capalla in promoting the beauty of the Liturgy, so as to influence the suffragan dioceses you are about to administer as Metropolitan (namely, Novaliches, Pasig, Parañaque, Antipolo, Malolos, San Pablo, Cubao, Kalookan, and Imus), without compromise and impurities. I expect that you will face the SSPX for this, but remember that the Church will never be prevailed by the gates of hell as long as you are in communion with the Successor of Peter (Matt. 16:18). 


Secondly, your predecessor, Cardinal Rosales, have created a program called "Pondo ng Pinoy". We hope you will continue and strengthen this program. 


And finally, may you continue to uphold the sanctity of life.... And I think everyone knows about that.... 


Anyway, Bishop Chito, as he is colloquially known, is very much exposed in the media, currently hosting a Sunday Gospel reflection program over Studio 23(?) and over YouTube. I very much expect that he will be known as the media-friendly Archbishop. 




To Manila Archbishop-emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, we thank you for shepherding Manila, and extendedly, the whole country, in our beliefs. You have fought a good fight. You have finished the run. And you have preserved our faith, just as St. Paul proclaimed. May the Lord bless you in your retirement. 


To Manila Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio "Chito" Tagle, we are congratulating you for being the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Manila. 


AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! 




Just a footnoter: Looks like someone isn't THAT happy for this....

Axios!: Archbishop Palma elected as next CBCP President

The Pinoy Catholic and One With You posted greetings...and so do I....

MSAG congratulates His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Palma, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu, for his election as the next President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop, Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D., is elected Vice-President.

AXIOS!

Participation at Mass

This is a good read by Taylor Marshall.... 


The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a participation in the eternal liturgy of Heaven at which Christ is the celebrant [True... Very true.]. Prior to Christ's death on the life-giving cross, Heaven was closed to humans. The Old Testament saints remained in the Limbo of the Fathers ("Abraham's bosom") until the death of Christ opened the gates of Heaven [No idea about that, but hey, now I know. :D]. This is why the Old Testament Temple had statues and images of angels within it, but no images of human beings. Now that Christ has bodily entered Heaven and escorted humans into Heaven [being BOTH human and divine], our temples or churches now contain statues and images of angels and human saints [Now beat that, Manalo!].

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass allows us to participate in the mystical worship of the Holy Trinity [The Mass lifts us up to the greatness of Heaven.]. Any so-called theologian or liturgist who does not consider the Holy Mass as a sacrifice and a mystical participation in Heaven is not thinking with the mind or heart of the Holy Church [TPC, can you repost this? This message must go somewhere only you know. hahahahaha!]. Saint Paul [Uhhh, isn't the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, although Paulinely influenced, another person?] explains what Christ taught concerning this:

[22] But you are come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels, [23] And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect, [24] And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel. [25] See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke upon the earth, much more shall not we, that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven. (Heb 12:22-28) [Never mind the typo.]

The Holy Mass is the enfolding of the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and union with Him now in Heaven. Thus, we who are embodied here on earth must adapt to this mystical reality. The rubrics, music, architecture, and words of Holy Mother Church ensure that this reality (which is impossible to see without the eyes of faith) is illustrated through dignified signs [and must not be bastardized.].

The priest, we know, signifies Christ and acts in the person of Christ [An Alter Christus acting in Persona Christi at Mass]. What do the laity signify? The Eastern Cherubikon, or Cherubic Hymn, describes the Catholic faithful as "mystically representing the Cherubim": [Now that's a dignified representation by our Eastern brothers!]

Greek:

Οἱ τὰ Χερουβεὶμ μυστικῶς εἰκονίζοντες, 

καὶ τῇ ζωοποιῷ Τριάδι τὸν Τρισάγιον ὕμνον προσάδοντες, 

πᾶσαν νῦν βιοτικὴν ἀποθώμεθα μέριμναν, 

ὡς τὸν Βασιλέα τῶν ὅλων ὑποδεξόμενοι, 

ταῖς ἀγγελικαῖς ἀοράτως δορυφορούμενον τάξεσιν. Ἀλληλούϊα.

English:

We who mystically represent the Cherubim,

and who sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn,

let us now lay aside all earthly cares

that we may receive the King of all,

escorted invisibly by the angelic orders. Alleluia

If we truly believe the words of this hymn (and the testimony of Saint Paul), then our participation in the Holy Mass will become profoundly angelic. Active participation does not mean moving around physically or carrying things around the sanctuary. Rather, active participation means being aflame with love in the presence of God. [Emphasis mine.] Cherubs, in the Old Testament, are not fat babies [thanks to the Renaissance painters.], but fierce beast-like protectors of God's glory and sanctity [and how privileged are we to become lesser than angels, for we take part in the defense of God's glory]. Mary was and is the greatest active participant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because she co-offered it with her Son nearly 2,000 years ago at Golgotha. She did not speak or move. She united herself. In union with Jesus, she was perfectly actualized with love, reverence, and worship. I wish that I could see what she must have looked like on that dreadful day. Mary is higher than the cherubim and seraphim because she is also the sincere and wounded lover of the Holy Sacrifice [Proof: Read the lyrics of Agni Parthene.].

If we really want to get serious about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the liturgy, then we need to scrap all the "liturgy workshops" of the last forty years and engage ourselves in Mariology. How can we be more like Mary at the Cross? How can we be more like Mary when we bear Christ in our bellies? How do the holy priests of the Catholic Church best enter into this mystery? To be Marian is to be liturgically sound [and to be Marian is the greatest gauge of one's faith, since Mary is the nearest being associated to God Himself.].

I learned from a holy priest that it was the practice of Bl. Contardo Ferrini, a holy layman, to humbly pray Mary's Magnificat as soon as he received Holy Communion at the altar rail [well, that's a good practice...why not try it the next time we receive Christ in Holy Communion?]. In this way, he made himself "active" in the mystery of the liturgy. The words of Our Lady's canticle are in fact a perfect post-Communion thanksgiving and instill the humility that we need. Mary was, the saints confirm, the most humble creature that ever lived [and that debunks the anti-Catholic argument that the Mary of Catholicism is not the Mary of the Bible; because they are one and the same. And for everyone's information, if the Gospels were synchronized, the last recorded statement that the Blessed Mother uttered was: "Do whatever He tells you." (Jn.2:5), which is actually an affirmation that everything, specifically prayers, is leading to God, and the holy men and women we HONOR are but mere(?) intercessors.]. 


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Now THAT is Catholic enough. 


Anyway, I'll be at the CBCP Compound later for a conference composed of Catholic bloggers. Pray for me, everyone!

The Single Greatest Obstacle to the Reform [A Commentary]

This got my eyes. Fr. Jojo Zerrudo was interviewed by my fellow Thomasians, and this is what he said in his blog:

Yesterday, some students from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila interviewed me for an article on Universae Ecclesiae [Father, I presume these are guys from The V]. When the conversation tackled the issue of Ad Orientem, I asked the students: To whom does the priest offer the Sacred Liturgy, to God or to the people? Without carefully thinking, the students unanimously answered: "The people!" [AAAAAHHH!!! My eyes!] They were surprised when, using the Ordo Missae, I pointed out to them how the prayers were addressed to the Lord and not to the people [Whether in the TLM or the Novus Ordo, ALL PRAYERS ARE OFFERED TO GOD. Common sense, Tigers... tsk]. No matter how much the Holy See insists on the fact that the Liturgy is always directed Ad Deum, it seems that such is not immediately picked up by the average Catholic. The reason for this? It is the celebration of the Mass versus populum [Kulang sa catechesis. Period]. I agree with Dom Mark Kirby of Vultus Christi when he said that "Mass facing the people is the single greatest obstacle to the Reform" of the Liturgy.

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I was disappointed to these interviewers. Looks like they forgot what they learned from their Theology classes. 

'Nuff said.