Church Sues Gloria M. Arroyo

I read this news several hours after it was available online. The story is about the slain members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) from 2004 to 2007 when Mrs. Arroyo was in power.

It is now late in the afternoon but I still have to learn loquacious Filipinos invoking again the separation of Church and State.

So far, (I could be mistaken) I have not heard or read any.

If the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) were the plaintiff, by now, much, not even good for the dog could have been articulated against the Catholic Church. But there is a silence? Is the Catholic Church the only church in the country? Is it okay for other churches to be politically involved but it is wrong for the Catholic Church to do the same? Is it okay for other non-Catholic clergies to exercise their rights as citizens but the Catholic clergy are second class citizens that they are not allowed to exercise their rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights?

The Catholic Church is simply a teacher that spells out what are morally good and bad. Thereafter, she suggests solutions to correct what is not right.

It must not be forgotten that although the Church is an infallible teacher of morals and faith, its hierarchy is made up of human being --- sinners like all of us.

With due respect to the UCCP; since the advocates of the separation of Church and State are silent, it is fair to assume that the UCCP hierarchy has not done anything wrong personally or otherwise?

Do we only invoke the separation of Church and State when the Catholic Church speaks because we don’t like what her authorities tell?

If not, what would it be?

Sex Club: For “Obedient Wives”

The Obedient Wives Club in Malaysia is drawing a lot of controversy if not jeers on how its members understand the role of sex in marriage. I am not a Muslim but a Catholic. Let me say what I understand about sex from the point of view of my religion.

. . . Sex is indeed a taboo in Asian society --- the Philippines included. I can only surmise that such attitude is developed because of the nature of sex and/or out of religious conviction.

Sex in marriage is sacred because of its procreative power and nature. In Genesis 2:24, the Creator said, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” The correct mathematics here is “one plus one equals one.” Thus, in the wedding rite, the groom and the bride vow to each other to love one another as “husband” and “wife” before God and before the priest.

Love, according to St. Paul, “is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated.  It is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered. It does not brood over injury. It does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.” (1Cor. 13: 4-6)

It is correct that a wife should totally submit herself to her husband for sex but the reverse is also correct.  Sex is the mutual right of both parties they are entitled with through the sacrament of matrimony. The husband should also submit himself to his wife for none of the couple has a monopoly over sex that one has the right to say to the other, “You my sex slave.”

I have no problem about sexy attires inside the bedroom and the like such as “obeying, serving and entertaining” to create excitement which is the core of sex but it is always a two-way process.  Love is not greedy.  Love is not lust.

The reason why we have different; oftentimes, unenlightened view on sex is because of the social taboo that sex is an indecent if not a vulgar topic between parents and children or between children and friends.

That is absolutely false!

For that reason, there is a Bill in Congress that if enacted into law, sex education is taught to children at the age of five the earliest. I agree with the purpose of the Bill but the parents are primarily tasked to teach their children what sex is all about in a manner parents believe to be appropriate to their children.

Marriage is a covenant where both parties have equal rights, duties and obligation even in having sex.

When Christ Comes Again

These days, the observant surely takes notice of the wrong spicing our society. Take note of these:

1. The deafening hullabaloos anent the controversial RH Bill fertilized with Benedict XVI’s pregnant comment on condom.

2. The sad but accurate observation of retired Bishop Ted Bacani on the distortion of the meaning of Christmas because of its commercialization.

3. What we think or believe “in accordance with our conscience or knowledge is correct.”

4. That we should be practical now with our lives (and ready to sacrifice values to achieve a target).

5. Faith is slowly but surely metamorphosing into reason.

In one way or another, there’s something wrong with our personal perspectives as proven by our dispositions. Time and again, there are stories when doing good is laughed at or disparaged and applauded as good and even imitated when doing evil --- the metaphysical opposite of good.

Are these the result of modern times and modern way of thinking? Is our material inclination clouding what is nobler that should be pursued?

Religious pastors in the past decades have been suggesting that the end of time is near based from “their” Biblical and empirical interpretations. In fact there are those who pinpoint the exact date when the Son of Man comes for the second time. Thanks be to God, the world under the eagle’s wing is still around. Rapture, others say, is very soon but still they are doling away a lot of reading materials. If soon is indeed soon, how could a searching soul finish to read a lot of reading materials? And it’s funny to hear that there is an exact number of those to be saved.  As if God's power is limited

I do not agree in emphasizing the end of the world for that is a fact no one knows when to happen except the Father and therefore it should be a thing to live by and not be used as a "way of living". Instead, why not simply follow a simple command: “Repent and believe the Gospel.”? All of the ingredients for salvation is there but we are sometimes carefree and focus our attention and priorities to the market of finite things that has zero value after death.

“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Yes, he will but at the brink of extinction. He will come as a judge and he will reject those who have consistently rejected him. -30-

Pray for Peace, Pray the Rosary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
For He has looked with favor on his lowly servant

From this day, all generations will call me blessed
The Almighty has done great things for me
And Holy is his Name 
(From Canticle of Mary or Magnificat)

                                    

Mary said that after accepting the message of an angel that she bears the Word to become flesh. As a Catholic, I revere/honor Mary. Had she not said “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” (Be it done to me according to your word.), salvation would be impossible. Had she said “NO”, there would be no Christ to redeem us.

October is the month of the Holy Rosary. In my younger days, I remember that for the whole month, the image of our Lady visits different houses at night where the rosary is said. I used to join my grand mom I fondly called Mamang and my aunt for the nightly prayers and ever since, I was in loved with the rosary.

To this day now that I am almost a senior citizen, I always make it a point to pray the 20 decades of the rosary everyday. As if my day is not complete or as if I am missing something if I don’t pray the rosary. Once I leave the house, there is always a rosary in my pocket and whenever I travel, in a desperate need, have an abandoned, forgotten, unloved and rejected feeling, I pray it in English, Spanish, Latin and Ilocano to break the monotony. In times of trouble, fear decision-making and danger, the rosary gives me strength reminding me that there is a Mother who can intercede for all of our needs.

Exactly one year ago, I was down with a severe stomach virus that I was not able to eat anything but water for two weeks until there was a time that when I use the bathroom, I only flush water as if it came straight from the faucet. Whenever I moved, there was an excruciating pain. So I stayed on bed always praying the rosary. I was scared to leave the house and ask for medical help thinking that I could pass out in the street.

Despite that, I cannot explain why I did not lose my strength or became weak --- everything was normal except that I was not able to eat. I was reading, surfing the internet, taking showers, etc. but I was constantly praying my rosary. My nights were spent communicating with God that every time I change my position, I sought the mercy of God through Mary. Little by little, my appetite came back and to end the story, I profusely thanked Mary for her intercession but until now, I cannot explain how I survived for two weeks or so without any solid food or why I was not weakened by the virus despite not taking a prescription medicine.

For years, I have been praying for a rebellious loved me but last September; three days after the 15th, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, I was surprised when the loved one had a serious talk with me and admitted her mistakes and oh well, I thought she was rebellious!

If you are a Catholic and pray the rosary regularly, I am sure that in the past, even without being aware of it, an unknown hand has helped you profoundly. I am not saying that this Marian devotion is the only way to receive grace and blessing but it greatly helps.

All of the Popes from Pius V in 1566 up to Benedict XVI are devoted to the rosary. And does anyone remember when John Paul II went to Fatima placing the bullet that almost killed him into the crown of Mary? He said that the Virgin saved him.

Remember sometime in the past how the rosary probably changed your life. Coincidence? Think twice and review how things went on.

May this month of October remind us again how loving our Mother. She said to Juan Diego and to us . . .

"Do not let anything afflict you, and do not be afraid of any illness, or accident, or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Do you need anything else?"

Pray the Rosary. Pray for peace and pray for God’s mercy! -30-

Humanae Vitae vs. Filipino Politicians

“The Philippine government will provide contraceptives to poor couples who request them despite strong opposition from the dominant Roman Catholic Church,” President Benigno Aquino said while quizzed by Fil-Ams during a satellite television interview from the United States at the Silicon Valley.

From the very start of his presidency, Noynoy Aquino is firm in saying that he is a fair and square president and that the law is applied equally to all although that is open to questions and scrutiny these days.

Mr. Aquino and his subalterns might get a dosage of fairness when the Catholic Church declares  them excommunicated Latae Sententiae. That means an automatic excommunication by force of the law when the law is transgressed (Canon 1314). Excommunicated persons are barred from receiving the sacraments until they admit their errors and recant them before Church authorities who have the power  to put them back to the fold of believers. Excommunication does  not  intend to punish but rather helps  compassionately  the gravely erring faithful from committing further acts that risk his spiritual well-being.

What is wrong with artificial contraception?

Former senator and Opus Dei member Francisco Tatad explains:

1. Contraception goes against the conjugal moral order established by the Creator; and

2. State-sponsored contraception goes against the Constitution, which proclaims “the sanctity of family life” and obliges the State to “protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution” and “to equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.” The Constitution recognizes marriage as the foundation of the Filipino family, and the family as the foundation of the nation.

Pope Paul VI’s prophetic encyclical Humanae Vitae's first sentence teaches that “The transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator".  In other words, every sexual act must be open to the possibility of the transmission of a new life.

If Mr. Aquino is serious in saying that artificial contraception paraphernalia will be available (not only) to the poor (but to all), we must  be prepared to bitterly accept the following prophecies of Paul VI in his encyclical that have become a reality long infecting our society.  Make no mistake that our communities and cities will be contaminated with an even more potent "virus" of social disintegration when condoms and IUD's are available to all.  We pray that our society will not suffer unimaginable destruction if we still believe that the family is its foundation.

Infidelity and Moral Decline

The Pope first noted that the widespread use of contraception would "lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality." That there has been a widespread decline in morality, especially sexual morality, in the last 25 years, is very difficult to deny. The increase in the number of divorces, abortion, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and venereal diseases should convince any skeptic that sexual morality is not the strong suit of our age.

There is no question that contraception is behind much of this trouble. Contraception has made sexual activity a much more popular option that it was when the fear of pregnancy deterred a great number of young men and women from engaging in premarital sexual intercourse. The availability of contraception has led them to believe that they can engage in premarital sexual activity "responsibly." But teenagers are about as responsible in their use of contraception as they are in all other phases of their lives--such as making their beds, cleaning their rooms and getting their homework done on time. 

Lost Respect for Women

Paul VI also argued that "the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion." This concern reflects what has come to be known as a "personalist" understanding of morality. The personalist understanding of wrongdoing is based upon respect for the dignity of the human person. The Pope realized that the Church's teaching on contraception is designed to protect the good of conjugal love. When spouses violate this good, they do not act in accord with their innate dignity and thus they endanger their own happiness. Treating their bodies as mechanical instruments to be manipulated for their own purposes, they risk treating each other as objects of pleasure.

Abuse of Power

Paul VI also observed that the widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies." The history of the family-planning programs in the Third World is a sobering testimony to this reality. In Third World countries many people undergo sterilization unaware of what they are doing. The forced abortion program in China shows the stark extreme toward which governments will take population programs. Moreover, few people are willing to recognize the growing evidence that many parts of the world face not overpopulation, but underpopulation. It will take years to reverse the "anti-child" mentality now entrenched in many societies.

If and when the Church decides to declare officials excommunicated laetae sententiae, the president included, Mr. Aquino is not considered as a head of State but simply a gravely erring Catholic playing the hands of God on life issues.

The Church is also fair and square. -30-

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Supplemental reading material:

http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100928-294680

My Questions About the Muslim Faith

Recent issues such as the proposed erection of a mosque near the ground zero of the terrorist-razed World Trade Center in New York, the Koran burning ruckus of Terry Jones in Florida and the end of the Ramadan confront us to rediscover more about the Muslim faith.

I respect all religions although I don’t necessarily agree with their beliefs and religious disciplines. After all, all of us are constantly searching for the Truth. Freedom to worship or not to worship is a fundamental right and must be respected at all times in all places. To freely worship, one should not be under any threat or  any fear in giving reverence to the Almighty.

We read and heard more than enough about the Muslim faith. Personally, I don’t know the logical answer of the following:

1. Why is it okay to build a mosque anywhere in the world when it is wrong to build Christian churches in some Islamic countries?

2. People of all faith or of no faith are welcome to visit the Vatican City, the seat of the Catholic Church. Why are Christians and Jews barred to enter Mecca?

3. There are around a hundred of mosques in the State of New York but why are there no churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia?

4. If Islam is indeed a religion of peace, why does it have a number of religious extremists believing that it is all right to kill in the name of religion? What other religions result into doing murder as an expression of faith?

5. Why is it okay for a Christian convert Muslim to be killed while there’s no problem for Christians converting to Islam except the fond "goodbyes" of friends?

6. If Islam is a religion of tolerance, why are Muslims not allowed to have Jewish and Christian friends? Why is it okay to hang homosexual Muslims?

7. In some countries, why are Christians persecuted in practicing their religion when Muslims around the world can freely worship? Why are Churches bombed or burned? Why are Christian ministers, priests, pastors and bishops killed when never that I read that an Imam was killed because of religious bigotry?

Regrettably, religions intrinsically differ but for a religion to be called a religion, I believe that it should foster brotherhood, unity and peace among all peoples and not hatred, division and violence. In Dr. Martin Luther King’s  famous “I Have a Dream” speech its last stanza runs . . .

“When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands . . .”

Let all peoples of every race, language and religion near and far pray for an authentic religious freedom, tolerance and peace for a better humanity.

May I add, “Pray hard”! -30-

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Suggested further reading:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-09-08/get-over-the-quran-burning/

Latin Mass in Reno, Nevada

A couple of days ago, my friend in Reno, Nevada e-mailed me that in their cathedral, in honor of Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum Motu Propio, the traditional Latin Mass is offered sometime this month.  Just now, he sent me another e-mail saying his frustration.

Henry (not his real name) was not sure if the Mass he attended was just a dressed rehearsal in action or not. He said that the priest was wearing a Roman chasuble, a vestment used before Vatican II. The Mass, he goes further, is exactly the same as the one we have now exception that in the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest joined the congregation in facing the altar.  After intoning the “Dominus vobiscum,” “Sursum corda”, “Gratias agimus Domino Deo nostro” to which the faithful answered in Latin, the supposed to be Latin Mass proceeded just like the Mass we have on Sundays where everything is in English including the gestures.  The "Kyrie" was in the original Greek; while the "Sanctus" and "Agnus Dei" were in Latin.  The "Pater Noster"  was in English.

Henry asked for my comment and here’s what I can say:

If I remember it correctly, the Latin Mass starts with the sign of the cross and then, “Introibo ad altare Dei.” (I will go to the altar of God.) then “Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.” (Our help is in the name of the Lord.) “Confiteor” follows. The Mass is all in Latin except of course the homily.

If I am asked why all in Latin, it’s because that’s the way it was. Since the times are now after Vatican II, the readings can be read in English or in any other language after they are read in Latin for the faithful to understand. For the rest of the Mass proceedings, a mini Missal can be printed in Latin and  in English for the faithful to follow. 

In the Latin Mass in Reno, there were Eucharistic ministers, two species of the Eucharistic Christ, i.e. body and blood were given while in 1962, there is a significant difference. There was only the consecrated host and no Eucharistic ministers. The Council of Trent teaches that the host is the body of Christ where His blood is also present.

In 1962, communicants kneel on the communion rail and receive the host by tongue. In 2010 in Reno, some received communion by the hand and stood in line. In 1962, the Mass server is always beside the celebrating priest. In 2010 in Reno, the Mass server was away. In 1962, the faithful was not asked to give the sign of peace while in Reno, the sign of peace was asked to be exchanged.  In pre-Vatican II, the old Missal was used while in Reno, they relied on what is currently in used.

May I go further that in the Latin Mass I know, no communicant chew the sacred host like a gum.  In our catechetical  instruction, we were told not to chew it so that no part would be stuck in between the teeth.  In the cathedral, some communicants looked as if they were chewing a gum.  In 1960, no one was bowing inside the church --- instead, genuflection was the rule.  Till now, the Holy See has not yet overruled that including the wearing of veil for women.  Finally in 1960, the faithful did not mimic the hand gestures of the officiating priest while in Reno, the faithful did.

Henry said that he did not notice the priest wearing "amice" and "maniple" to say the least.

I have no academic background on Catholic liturgy but my opinions expressed are strictly based from my recollections on  how a Tridentine Mass is offered.

That was more than half a century ago.  In instances where my opinion is incorrect or short, mea maxima culpa et pax. -30-

Nota Bene:  It seems that there is now a regular Sunday Latin Mass at the St. Thomas Cathedral in Reno at 2:00 PM.  Please get in touch at 775.329.2571.  -COR INVICTUS 5/15/11.
See a rejoinder of this entry at:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/09/yes-tridentine-mass-in-reno-nevada.html_

______________
Visit  the following  YouTube URL for the Traditional Latin Mass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enWiFcsBqIE

Mary's Assumption Into Heaven

"On November 1, 1950, referring to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Immaculate and his dogmatic authority, Pope Pius XII defined the dogma:

By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."*

In honor of Mary's assumption into heaven, we pray:

MAGNIFICAT 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name. 

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

SALVE REGINA

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!

Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!

To thee do we cry, poor banished

children of Eve, to thee do we send

up our sighs, mourning and weeping

in this valley, of tears.

Turn, then, most gracious advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us; and

after this our exile show unto us the

blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;

O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the

promises of Christ.

May Mary, our Mother, intercede for all our daily spiritual and material needs. May she help us in our daily struggles and needs. -30-

Mendicant Religious Order's Way?

In the mid 60s and early 70s the effects of Vatican II were at their prime. One of these was the transition of Mass from Latin to the vernacular and its form. In those bygone  years priests on big feasts and holidays offered Misa Cantada (Sung Mass) or High Mass where censer’s billowing smoke was offered for adoration --- holy water sprinkling included.

Liturgical hymns were a mixture of Gregorian chants, pop and locally written songs of worship accompanied mostly by the old but reliable pedal organ, violin or guitar. It’s nostalgic to recall the peace-inducing Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus Dei, Pater Noster or the “modern” Morning Has Broken, Today, Simon Garfunkel selections and others. Songs in Ilocano, I believe, especially Marian songs were from tradition while others like the Amami (Our Father) were locally composed.

Who can forget priests chanting the prayers with notes delivered for centuries?

A few days ago, my friend and a contemporary altar server e-mailed me “complaining” about the practices done in a cathedral manned by a mendicant religious order where he worships. 

“Sunday vigil and Sunday Masses are always in Misa Cantada. The Creed is also chanted. Everything is chanted by the new rector except the readings and the preaching but if the trend continues, it is quite possible that from the first sign of the cross to the final, everything will be chanted including the announcements,” he believes.

If that happens, most probably, some parishioners will go to other Churches on Sundays to  have more time spent in family bonding, recreation and fun for there is no difference between a high Mass and a regular Mass.

There is nothing wrong with that but what we are accustomed with is that a high Mass as I said is only offered on red-lettered days otherwise there would no longer be Misa Rezada (Recited Mass).

He continues, “It is only now that I hear the chanting of the Divine praises during benediction.”  He said more surprises  when one of his acquaintances had a wedding  and were asked to “donate” $2,000. Wow! That’s around P100,000. “What”, he asked “if I don’t have that amount? Will I be refused to receive the sacrament? I cannot afford that much; I have a simple job and I don’t live in Beverly Hills.”

If it is a donation, why the given amount?

He said too that the vigil Mass in another language was discontinued because collections in the Mass cannot defray “the cost of electricity (during the Mass) and the priest’s stipend”. He continues, “But lighting is not important for the Mass. During the last supper, there were only torches and surely, the room was dim. And why are they too much concerned for the stipend since they have a vow of poverty?”

My friend brought out valid points which I am not competent to answer. Probably those are the ways of that  religious order or are they?  Can a reader like you leave an opinion? -30-

A Lucky Priest!

Recently, I received an e-mail from a friend abroad written in Italian. An occasional glimpse to an English-Italian and Italian-English dictionary helps me a lot in fully understanding the language although I have enough working knowledge on it. “Anunciata” (not her real name) is fluent in English but she insists in practicing my floundering Italian.

She was telling an anecdote about the outgoing rector in their parish. Let me share it.

“Fr. Giovanni” (not his real name), after finishing his term has to be given another assignment to another place. Weeks before he left, he thanked the parishioners he served for years and asked for their prayers. Claiming that some of his parishioners were pushing in asking for what gift he would want, Fr. Giovanni wished for a down payment for a new car. (Wow!) He got five times of what he expected and there were also gifts for his beloved dog “Canis”.

Anunciata who has a lot of Filipino friends says that upon learning the story, her friends from Manila, Ilocos Sur and Iloilo had their eyebrows raised shaking their heads.

What the Filipinos cannot relate to is the fact that Fr. Giovanni has his own family where to seek help instead of the parishioners he was about to leave behind. To punctuate the story, he is a religious priest and has a vow of poverty. The money he received, my friend said, is enough down payment for a new top of the line German car.

Now my word . . .

If Fr. Giovanni meets a homeless Gypsy in Rome and asks for €100, would the priest hand over the amount if he has? What happened to his vow of poverty? In cases like that to my understanding, their religious congregation takes care of the car and all the needs of the priest/brother of their (religious) order.

Anyway, let the Fr. Giovanni and his dog “Canis” enjoy their gifts! -30-

Summer Dress Code in the Church

Tropical heat in the Philippines converts the country into a natural oven with temperatures reaching mid 30s Centigrade. Unknown to some, parts of the United States such as  in Sacramento, Phoenix and Las Vegas or even New Jersey, the thermometer reaches 40s. Summer in the US means a lot of barbecue parties, swimming and malling to escape the unbearable heat.

It is a common scene in the States, Canada or England to see men in slippers or light sandals in the mall or in the street with boxer shorts, plain t-shirt, (if they are not topless) a backpack, a baseball cap and the ubiquitous cell phone or portable music player.

Ladies especially teens and young adult prowl in short shorts, slippers or beach sandals, plain t-shirt or tank, a book to read, a backpack, a cell phone or iPod. Along the river or in the beach, they are in a one-piece bathing suit or a bikini for the splash. In some places, ladies are in shorts and a bikini top even in taking the bus or sauntering in the mall.

There is nothing wrong with these accepted country norms. What is wrong and totally unacceptable is the total disrespect of the dignity and sanctity of the Eucharist when these people go to Mass with inappropriate attire like the mentioned earlier.

Before meeting dignitaries like a head of state, king, queen or even the pope, there is a prescribed dress code before an ordinary individual can shake their hands or join them in a dinner in their official residence.

What Catholics do not get or refuse to understand is one basic element of the faith that the physical Church is the house of God and the Eucharist is a meal where Christ is physically and spiritually present in the transubstantiated bread and wine to be consumed.

When formal dress is required in meeting dignitaries, why not have one in meeting the Creator inside His house?

The tepidness of faith and respect results in seeing ladies inside the Church in shorts (some are short shorts or above the knee), plain t-shirt with slippers or summer footwear. Some prefer a backless dress with spaghetti straps or a tank with low neckline.  Some wear a night dress look alike, a strapless /sleeveless and others don a summer fashion exposing the cleavage.

A number of men are seen in tennis shoes, slippers or beach sandals sport an athletic shorts if not a boxer paired with a sleeveless shirt.

Gone were the years when women wear a veil (South Korean Catholics still use it.) and “decent” dress  while  the opposite sex with their long sleeves or barong when they go to Mass. I remember that as a young boy, on Saturday afternoons, my Mom used to remind me to prepare for my Sunday’s best attire for the following morning and not just be contented with clothing I regularly use in going downtown.

It is true that God never requires us to buy “Sunday’s best attire” in going to the Eucharist when there are more burning issues to be met. What is enough is to wear a clean, even if old, and decent dress to show respect and honor to God and never to the churchgoers.  Once more the Church is not a place for socials but a place to be intimate with Christ.

I have no qualms when one in a "street" dress going to a barbecue party or to the mall  before or after Mass drops in the Church for a few minute to pray but women must exercise a good judgment in their sense of modesty.

Summer is not a license to strip off the Church and the Mass the sanctity they possess and rightfully deserve or in general, all places of worship and their sacred rituals. -30-

Is Tridentine Mass More Solemn?

Rome, after Vatican II, changed the way how a Catholic Mass is said from Latin (Tridentine Mass) to the vernacular  (Novus Ordo Missae) although the Council and Pope Paul VI did not outlaw the saying of the Latin Mass.

The last Vatican Council brought closer the Church to the faithful by allowing them to fully participate in her rituals in their respective languages. Vatican II, without changing Church doctrines, dogmas and teachings also fine-tuned  the Catholic Church in relation to and with the modern world.

I was able to catch the last years of pre-Vatican II and I  am fully familiar with the Latin Mass. The gestures of the officiating priest, except the daily readings and prayers were the same. The chasuble’s color changes depending upon the liturgical season or holidays. The faithful were in unison  like a marching military in kneeling, standing and sitting. From the “Introibo ad altare Dei” till the “Ite Misa est”, the priest does not change, add or subtract parts of the Mass.

That was the Mass Catholics had for four centuries regaled with Gregorian Chants.

I have no intention to demean the Mass or the clergy or even the Vatican but these days if one has a chance to fulfill his Sunday obligation in different parishes overseas, chances are he notices a lot of differences  on how priests offer the Mass. A keen churchgoer may also discover the alteration of prayers and salutations  (or short speech?) if the priest does not ad lib or pray straight from the heart without following the Sacramentary.

There are priests who start the Mass in front of the altar while some stand close to the tabernacle. One starts with the sign of the cross, a short greeting then proceeds to the penitentiary rite. Another starts with a lengthy greeting then the sign of the cross. Another priest may say “The Lord be with you” while one says “The Lord is with you.”

In some parishes, a brief introduction before each reading is done while in other parishes, the two readings and the Gospel are immediately said. What is the use of the introduction if the people are to listen and digest the readings?  Another observation on  the first reading, some readers start with "Thus says the Lord" for the Old Testament verse instead of "In those days" from the original Latin "In illo tempore".  For the reading of the New Testament, some lectors start with "Brothers and sisters" but Paul and companions as attested by the Bible did not start every sentence of their Epistles with that address.

While preaching, the priest leaves the lectern and goes forward over the communion rail closer to the congregation and freely moves (or roams?) from left to right, to and fro like a candidate delivering his campaign speech or in a manner where a matinee idol does his piece before a raucous teen-audience.  A more conservative priest prefers to stay before the lectern to preach and for me that is preferred  if not a must.

In the Creed, some parishes use the “we” pronoun instead of the accurate “I” from the original Latin “Credo” for "I" believe and not "Credimus" for "We" believe. Instead of saying “creator”, other parishes  say “maker”.

“To make” and “to create” are two different things. I can make a kite but I cannot make a “heaven and earth”. In substance, to create is to make something out from nothing. Only God has the power to do that. In Genesis, there is no passage saying that God needed any material to construct heaven and earth. After saying them, they came to be.

During Consecration, in the prayer, “He broke the bread . . ." the priest breaks the host. Most only do that after the “Agnus Dei”.

For the announcements, after the final prayer  and before the final blessing, a litany of messages is read. This is a not a part of the Mass. In no way that the faithful are obliged to listen to them. They can always be posted at bulletin boards or else, they can be said after the Mass. However, this is not a valid reason for anyone to leave the Church when the final blessing is not yet given. That is one of the most important parts of the Mass.

In the Latin Mass, the congregation does not mimic the priest in stretching his hands as he says “Dominus vobiscum” (The Lord be with you.) Today, some faithful also stretch their hands in response. After the priest says “Lift up your hearts”, the people race to raise their hands too. The higher, perhaps the better. In praying the Lord ’s Prayer, the faithful join hand in hand till the line “For the Kingdom, the power . . .” where they again raise their clasp hands.

These are not officially sanctioned by Rome or are required. Catholics mimicked their Charismatic brethren who started such gestures. I am not saying though that these are not good. They are just distractions  and unnecessary for I believe that an aura of solemnity and piety must always be present during Mass.

In a pre-1965 Mass, there were no Eucharistic ministers. These days, there are a lot and I believe that  some  distribute communion even if s/he is not in the state of grace. The ministers, some of them are women (and I am not against them because of their sex) who smile, make faces like slanting their head, nod two to three times before they give the sacred host. Some arc their body forward, raise the sacred host before giving.

For me, these are improper. There is no other reason in going to the Church other than to pray, and give praise to God. The Church is not a place for socials or  a place to show off one’s fancies.

Last but not least, some cantors exaggerate their singing prowess as if they are singing before an opera audience. They mangle the words to the point that they are incoherent.  Their poise when singing with complete hand, head and body gestures,  spiced with eye expressions  can match the theatrical performance of Hilda Koronel, Bella Flores or the best Hollywood stars.

How I wish that Latin Mass is regularly said in my parish in response to Banedict XVI’s Motu Propio that if the faithful asks for it (Tridentine Mass), they should not be failed.

That is to eradicate all the unnecessary gestures  and distractions invented with fancy and the possibility  that the priest goes beyond the line in offering the Mass  to the faithful  who are there to pray and praise God .  Never that  a priest should act as if he is in front of a camera and glaring lights while doing  a noontime/prime time TV variety show when officiating the Mass.

I am sure that there is a road map, i.e. Sacramentary, for priests to follow in saying the Mass and its prayers.  If alteration is allowed, what is the use of the forms and guidelines prescribed by Rome?  And how useful then is the Sacramentary?

It is my sincere belief that the Tridentine Mass is more solemn than the Novus Ordo Missae but the essence or substance of the two are exactly the same.  Should there be a regular (or even daily) Latin Mass in where I am, that should be a part of my ritual but I must say honestly that I am faithful to the Cathedra Petris. -30-

In Defense of Archbishop Oscar V Cruz

Finally, Bishop Socrates Villegas who prefers to be called “Fr. Soc” is Canonically installed as the fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan replacing Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, a stern and incessant critic of Mrs. Arroyo and her administration.

Archbishop Cruz is now an “emeritus” and no longer takes care of the Archdiocese but he is still a Filipino citizen whose rights as defined by the Fundamental Law of the land are the same as the rights of every Filipino. As a priest, he has to preach the Good News.

Most of the comments in the internet on the retirement of Cruz are negative if not disrespectful to his person and his clerical state.

What is wrong with the retired Archbishop?

He continues to condemn harshly the president and her government by fearlessly telling the truth which others are scared to say and refuse to hear. A fair-minded with a good grasp on the Philippine situation may agree with Cruz in most issues. The retired prelate is not trained in politics but trained to be a priest; that is, to show the people the path of salvation through evangelization. Whatever Cruz says or writes in his blog can be summed up to the teachings of the Decalogue, the greatest commandment which is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” and the second commandment that urges “Love your neighbor as your love yourself.”

Is it fair to blame Cruz when he analyzes social and moral ills confronting the country and present his findings? He is not a civil lawyer but holds Licentiates (MA equivalent) in Philosophy and Theology and a Doctorate in Canon Law (Church Law). He is also a prolific writer and blogger.

Cruz’s critics say that he should concentrate to work for the salvation of his flock and not involve himself in politics.

Cruz is doing exactly that but he exercises his right of suffrage.

We just refuse to listen to him. In expanded and detailed form, he is simply re-echoing:

You shall not have other gods besides me. (Money, power and wealth are the gods of some Filipinos.)

You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth. (Some of the idols of Filipinos are the corrupt, thugs and immoral.)

You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. (Some Filipinos in office who are under oath to serve use that oath for their personal advancement.)

Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. (Did I hear someone tell me that on Sundays many go to cockpit arenas? Have drinking sprees? Go to the sauna? Bet in jueteng? A time to do monkey business?)

Honor your father and your mother. (Are the young still respectful to their parents or are they saying that it is now 2009 and that their discipline is already a passé and one must be practical nowadays?)

You shall not kill. (Read the papers, watch the news on TV and listen to the radio.)

You shall not commit adultery. (Observe the neighborhood and read what’s going on in the lives of entertainers and some public officials.)

You shall not steal. (Do I have to say still how much is lost due to massive graft and corruption?)

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Read what’s going on in courts.)

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that belongs to him. (Graft and corruption aside, there are illegal mining and illegal logging, abuse of the environment and natural resources.)

As a priest, Archbishop Cruz points out what is moral that is necessary for our salvation. He attacks sin but not the sinner. If a sinner believes that s/he is under the sharp pen of the prelate or hears his deafening words of wisdom, s/he is given a chance to undergo conversion. S/he must do some soul-searching! If in the end, s/he is convinced that Cruz's crusade makes sense; why does he deserve vilification?

What if Archbishop Cruz were an ordinary citizen; say a talk show host who says what Cruz is exactly saying? Do we care to unjustly criticize and ostracize him? We might even say that he is absolutely correct for the simple reason that his bases are facts. Too bad, he is a priest and an archbishop, a teacher of morality and it is hard to listen to what he says for they hit the heart and soul without mercy.

In response to whether he did his job or not as the shepherd of his archdiocese during his tenure is for the people of Lingayen-Dagupan to answer ALONE. Not even the people of the adjacent Diocese of Urdaneta can answer that. How much more to the majority of Filipinos? For me personally, he did not only minister to his archdiocese but for the entire nation and the world as well because of his blog.

If Christ were a Filipino citizen and in the country I am sure that He does what Archbishop Cruz does in criticizing the government, the system and its leaders. Christ is the Truth while Cruz presents the truth.

Now that he is retired, he has more time to expose the truth that sets us free from the shackles of this corrupt and incompetent government.

From the infancy of Christianity up to the present, those who searched for the truth, told the truth and worked for the truth died a horrible death. Their persons were killed but not their message.

Veritas nos liberabit. Truth sets us free.-30-