VOLUME 20, NUMBER 6, JANUARY 29, 2016

Manila Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle delivers a welcoming gesture during his catechesis on “The Eucharist and the Dialogue with Cultures” at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City on Jan. 28, 2016. ROY LAGARDE IN THIS ISSUE: Cardinal Tagle: Foster ‘We are all meant to be saints’, Bp. Barron, A2 a ‘Eucharistic culture’ Marini to faithful: By Rommel Lopez individualism, putting Technology’s influence having leads to throwing don’t throw her away!” he ‘Localize your much value one one’s self The president of away. And we throw away said. CEBU City, Jan. 28, “where the individual and the Catholic Biblical goods that the poor should He then continued to liturgy’, A3 2016 – When peo- the community become Federation noted that the benefit from but could not address each sector of ple begin to protect enemies.” influx of the digital age, afford to buy.” society asking them how and champion in- people’s individualism and “But is it not ironic that they treat people as mere Non-stop adoration What does it say about self-centeredness grew the culture of accumulation dispensable objects. dividual rights yet your culture? even more pronounced. is also the culture of “Wives, are you about to at IEC, A3 forget to champion “If your parish has a “The culture of the throwing away? Who throw away your husbands universal rights, big space for parking but selfie… I do not need a has something to throw like junk? Think twice, we begin to foster a does not have a space for photographer. I can do away? Only those who have your husband is a gift.” IEC media challenge: culture of individ- pastoral formation, Aha! it by myself. I can make accumulated. And they “Parents, do you see in ualism, a “throw what does this say about myself look good. The have accumulated what your son or daughter that ‘ mentions’, A7 away” culture rath- your parish?,” he asked. individualistic attitude they do not need.” gives you some difficulties, He also reminded his makes the individual reign He laments how people a thing to be thrown away, er than a “Eucha- of their vow supreme,” he said. who have so much material or do you see in him or her ristic culture”, an of celibacy and how they He added the same digital goods throw their excess a gift of God?” attitude of accept- arrange their bedrooms culture has formed young while some people actually “Mothers, do you ing, engaging and should reflect their state people to put importance live and survive on their consider the baby in self-giving. of life. “Look at how you on image before anything trash. your womb a burden or Archbishop arrange your bed. You else. a problem to be thrown Luis Antonio Cardinal are celibate. It should be This pervading culture Not only of material away, or a gift of life?” Tagle issued this warning single, not double,” he said of alienating individualism goods “Teachers, will you during his catechesis on eliciting laughter from the according to the cardinal However, this attitude throw away slow learners “The Eucharist and the IEC delegates. “protects individual rights does not only happen in among your students, or Dialogue with Cultures” Tagle also noted that “in but does not stress duty to material things. More will you treasure them on the fifth day of the 51st some cultures, their heroes other people and society.” tragically, this happens to as gifts, especially if you International Eucharistic are boxing champions and people as well. are teaching in a Catholic Congress being held here. beauty queens” an obvious Throwaway culture “Husbands…are you school?” Tagle said all across reference to how Tagle said this tempted to throw away “Politicians! Will you society, the world has held these people in high individualistic attitude your wife like a home throw away people’s taxes fostered a culture of esteem. of “buying for the sake of appliance? She is a gift; Foster / A2 Cardinal Bo to youth: ‘Be great for others’ Hungarian prelate: Share fearlessly the hope that is Christ CEBU City, Jan. 28, 2016 I can do nothing. Because my – One of the poorest parents are poor,’” Cardinal communities in Cebu has Bo said. given perhaps the warmest “Don’t blame the parents, and most festive welcome don’t blame yourself, don’t to Charles Maung Cardinal blame the situation and don’t Bo, the representative of blame God. You must get up to the 51st and work hard to become International Eucharistic great for others,” he added. Congress. Cardinal Bo, the archbishop ‘Death rather than sin’ of Yangon, went to the coastal Cardinal Bo reminded village of Pasil and was the youth of one of the cheered by residents and resolutions of Dominic Savio, elementary schoolchildren Don Bosco’s student who on his way to the Don Bosco Charles Maung Cardinal Bo, representative of Pope Francis to the 51st International died of illness at a young age Youth Center, a refuge for Eucharistic Congress, blesses a baby during his visit to barangay Pasil, one the poorest and became a saint: “Death Archbishop Péter Cardinal Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest swings the thurible during communities in Cebu City, on Jan. 28, 2016. ROY LAGARDE the . FR. REYNALDO JARANILLA, OAR orphans, street kids and rather than sin.” young people from broken his own order the Salesians a Salesian brother, , “Don Bosco is always CEBU City, Jan. 28, 2016 – of unbelief, hostility, and families. of Don Bosco, founded in Italy bishop, and later cardinal. asking us: ‘Do you want to Dwelling on the theme of the despair. Pasil put up a mini-Sinulog in 1859 by St. John Bosco, the His message to the 120 be happy here?’ If you want ongoing 51st International “For the man of today for the Myanmar prelate, who priest and educator whose youth at Don Bosco: Poverty is to be happy, Don Bosco said, Eucharistic Congress (IEC), to contact Christ, we must also paid tribute to the image mission was to transform not a hindrance to greatness. avoid sin.” the cardinal- archbishop propagate Him openly, we of the Niño and danced the world into the image and “You can become priests, “We have to be always of Budapest, Hungary on must speak about Him, we to the beat of drums. likeness of Christ. sisters, brothers, bishops. You happy, shouting, playing Thursday reminded pilgrims must say His name, and we Bo was brought by his can become prime minister, basketball,” Cardinal Bo said. from all over the world to have to confess our faith,” Nostalgia parish priest to the Salesians president, doctor, engineer. Korina Jane Tabay, 17, told be fearless in sharing with urged Archbishop Péter At the youth center, Bo in Myanmar when his Never blame yourself of your Cardinal Bo it was a “sign of everyone the hope of glory Cardinal Erdő of Esztergom- turned nostalgic. It’s run by father died at age 2, became situation. ‘Because I am poor, Great / A2 that is Christ in the face Fearlessly / A7 A2 NEWS January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 CBCP Monitor ‘We are all meant to be saints’ – Barron MANDAUE City, Cebu, Jan. youth delegates by asking ‘are ‘everything in me belongs to Four altars not to wor- “Sin is bad worship… “You want to be happy? 28, 2016 – Thousands of you becoming a saint or not?’ Jesus Christ’ and all part of a ship worship is from an old Take a good, long, prayerful youth participating in the person must revolve around Bp. Barron cited how English word, ‘worth-ship’, look at Jesus and you’ll see 51st International Eucharistic What it is like to be a saint that center. people have restless hearst meaning what is of the weirdly a formula for joy – it’s Congress (IEC) – Youth Day The auxiliary bishop of He then reiterated that and enumerated “four altars” highest value to you? What a picture of freedom; Jesus in were encouraged to become Los Angeles Archdiocese when everything in oneself is of today’s generation that we is most important? That the cross is free,” Bp. Barron saints. suggested three paths to in service of Christ, then the must not go to and worship is what you worship. Once challenged the participants. Sporting a blue short- becoming a saint: ‘To find person has found his center. but unfortunately do: money, you find that, you know how He inspired the youth to sleeved barong, Bishop one’s center; to know that It is also imperative to pleasure, power, and honor. your life is structured. If you take a leap of faith saying Robert Barron of Word on we’re all sinners; and to accept that we are all sinners. “Everybody in this room worship anything other than ‘God has a dream for you. Fire Minsitry delivered a realize that one’s life is not The second path as Bp. has got a restless heart. We’re God, your life will become When you find it, go for it’ catechesis urging the youth about oneself.’ Barron said is to know our searching for happiness, for scattered,” he added. and you will find your way to to pursue a life of holiness Finding one’s center means sinfulness. joy and we try to find it in “If you want to be happy happiness. saying ‘the only real sadness having one central value in “To all of [us] sinners, wealth, pleasure, power, ‘love what Jesus loved on “We’re not meant to just in life is not to become a life. “There is one center everyone of us is an addict but honor; it has never worked. the Cross and despise what live our little life. There’s saint.’ around which everything else Jesus wants to set us free. Free It never works. It cannot Jesus despised on the Cross,’ a power already at work in “The most important revolves,” he said. for joy, fullness of life,” he said. work. We are wired for God,” he said. The former rector you that can do infinitely thing and extraordinary “If Christ is not the middle The last path echoed buy he said. of Chicago’s Mundelein more than you can ask to expectation of the Church is of one’s life, it is what makes the bishop was surrendering Bp. Barron emphasized seminary then narrated how imagine. The power is the that everybody in this room people unhappy, divided, one’s life and talents to God, that when people worship free Christ on the cross was, Holy Spirit. It’s dreaming for becomes a saint,” he said. split, and at war with oneself,” realizing the real joy lies in something other than God, even though he was to the you, already working in you,” He added that ‘not becoming he added. ‘giving some of yourself away their lives fall apart and that point of nothing in the eyes he said. (Ronalyn Regino the person God’ brings about In the process of becoming for your being to grow and is when something diabolic of the people. He says Christ and Chrixy Paguirigan / sadness. He challenged the a saint, one must accept that increase’. comes in. was aligned to God. CBCP News)

Cebu parish welcomes Korean pilgrims Great / A1 blessing” for Filipinos to we are bound with the Nineteen-year-old love for God, a value CEBU City, Jan. 28, 2016 – Cebuanos sharing the hope that you cherish be visited by a priest, and influence of drugs; others Junely Tura, a scholar at that would take time to on Wednesday received with arms in your hearts from the faith,” he more so by a cardinal and lived in a very broken the Don Bosco Training worship God and in loving open pilgrims from South Korea added. representative of the Pope. family; most of us lived in Center, gave a testimony of the Holy Eucharist, but and other countries into St. Joseph The Korean prelate was joined in “For us here in Pasil, life poverty. Please pray for gratitude to the Salesians. through service especially the Patriarch Parish in Barangay the Eucharistic celebration by Lipa is hard and difficult, we us that we may overcome “One of the most to the young.” (Felipe Mabolo for a faith-filled afternoon Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, have fewer opportunities all our struggles and important things that I Francisco/ with of Eucharistic sharing. Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio compared with other difficulties in life,” she learned is the value of reports from Roy “I hope that meeting with the Utleg, and Filipino and Korean young people. For some, said. following Don Bosco’s Lagarde) community of the historic Mabolo priests. parish will be a blessed moment for Eunyoung Kim, a member of the Foster / A1 all the people who are gathering here South Korean delegation, said she today to see, feel, and respect the was impressed by the Filipinos’ for your parties and shopping, of the (CBCP) seemingly insignificant to the eyes faith and the hope,” said Cheonjun commitment to their faith, and or guard them as gifts for social Commission on the Doctrine of the of the many, but truly Eucharistic Bishop Gabriel Chang Bong-hoon wished that Catholics back home service?” eliciting laughter and Faith said a culturally intelligent in their gift of communion and in his homily. were as expressive and open about applause from the almost 15,000 person knows his culture, how his sharing. The prelate presided over one their religion. delegates present at the sprawling culture has formed and affected “To the many people who arrange of the “parish encounter” Masses Meanwhile, Marilyn Gabawan, a IEC Pavilion. him. And by studying his own the seats here before we come every of the ongoing 51st International Mabolo parishioner who volunteered The cardinal also addressed the culture, he said, a person can better morning, and who stay behind Eucharistic Congress (IEC). The to welcomed the foreign delegates, religious formators and bishops understand and accept the culture while we are probably already Mass in Mabolo was in Korean, felt privileged to carry out the task in attendance: “My dear reverend of other people. sleeping in our hotels, thank you.” and was translated into English assigned to her. novice mistress, do you treat a “I determine a path from my “To those who are preparing our for the benefit of non-Korean “This is not something that rather unique novice as a problem culture and their culture to learn food early morning, and who clean speakers. happened often. It’s really an honor to be thrown away, or a gift of from each other, challenge and up after us, and stay till the late for us to have them in our parish,” mystery? How do you solve a purify each other. Hopefully the hours of the night, thank you.” Faith, Pinoy the 15-year old high school student problem like Maria?” in reference to result is the affirmation of the “For the drivers who wait for Through an interpreter, he said. the famous song of the movie “The beauty of each culture. Cultural hours to pick us up and to take us went on to share how the Korean Sound of Music”. intelligence is the capacity to engage back home, missing their families participants were eager to witness Hopeful faith “Bishops, do you see our rather in and facilitate dialogue.” and their meals, thank you. You for themselves the faith of the The shepherd of the Diocese independent-minded priests He said “the Church needs make this Eucharistic Congress Filipinos that enabled them to rise of Cheongju could not describe worthy of being thrown away, or cultural intelligence.” truly a culture of Eucharistic love.” from many trials. enough how moved he was upon as gifts providing collaboration?” The cardinal concluded by “Almost 500 years ago, experiencing firsthand the “hopeful “Priests, religious, and lay people, Be a gift to others asking that we behold Jesus in the Catholicism was introduced in the faith” of Filipinos. do you want to throw us bishops away, The Eucharist proposes the gift Eucharist, allowing Him to form Philippines through mysterious Speaking through an interpreter, too? Believe it or not, even bishops of sharing. He recalled how on the in us a community of neighbors, ways. Since then, the Philippines Bishop Gabriel Chang Bong-hoon could be gifts,” he jokingly said. night Jesus was betrayed, when brothers and sisters, no more has relied on the faith in Christ told CBCP News in an interview that “all forces were conspiring to throw barriers, only bridges. Let us among us until now, going through the hope and faith he had seen in the Cultural Intelligence Him away, He gave Himself as a allow him to open our eyes to many trials and sufferings, poverty faces of local Catholics Wednesday Tagle said the Church can learn gift of love.” see in creation, in persons, in the and despair of the country, people, at St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish from the business community Echoing the words of Christ, poor, the discarded, but truly gift individuals and families,” he said. in Barangay Mabolo moved him as corporations when “looking Tagle said “No one takes my body of God.” According to Bong-hoon, Catholics beyond words. for managers and high level from me. I lay it down on my own.” “No one thrown away, only gifts in his own country can learn much The 69-year old prelate went on to administrators, set one criteria: “Beware what you throw away to be treasured. This culture of from the way Filipinos live out the express joy that for the first time in his cultural intelligence.” He said will return as God’s gift to us,” he communion and and gift shared faith with hope. life he was able to preside over Mass in IQ and EQ are “not sufficient said. will make a Eucharistic Community his own language outside Korea for a anymore”. “Cultural intelligence The cardinal then proceeded to a real, credible presence of Christ Learning experience congregation that included many non- is important,” he said. thank the countless and nameless in the cultures of the world and “Through your long history and Koreans. (Raymond A. Sebastián The cardinal, who is also the chair men and women who work provide the world a reason to hope. culture, we are looking forward to / CBCP News) of the Catholic Bishops Conference behind the scenes of the Congress, Christ in you, our hope of glory.” NEWS CBCP Monitor January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 A3 Marini to faithful: ‘Localize’ Non-stop adoration your liturgy at IEC

Children take time to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at the IEC Pavilion during the ongoing 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), Jan 26, 2016. MARIA TAN

CEBU City, Jan. 28, 2016 and He is comforting you and –Despite the jam-packed you feel that [Jesus is’] always activities of the 51st at your side,” shared Melissa International Eucharistic Gahuman, one of the adorers. Congress (IEC), the venue’s “It’s not my first experience adoration chapel remains with the children who are so Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresse.DOMINIC BARRIOS the quiet place that welcomes available to the action of the all with non-stop adoration Holy Spirit, I love them,” said CEBU City, Jan. 27, 2016 – “Inculturate” ‘Lost liturgies’ II, Marini said, but the process of during the IEC program Antoine when ask about his it or lose it. The Mass is a simple celebration of approving the liturgies for Zaire, India, proper. experience with the children. Adapting the liturgy to local cultural rubrics, he pointed out, referring to and the Philippines was “slow.” Congregations, schools, practices, or “inculturation,” is the set instructions and rules on how to Moreover, inculturation needs and organizations bring ‘Let children come to Me’ key to drawing more people to the celebrate the liturgy. “The liturgies that information. “It is necessary but it is batches of “adorers”, mostly The priest cites Jesus’ own Mass, said Archbishop Piero Marini, are not inculturated are lost, just as what difficult. You have to be prepared. It’s children and youth, schedule words about the Kingdom president of the Pontifical Committee happened in North Africa,” he warned. not so easy,” he told CBCP News. to spend a few minutes with of Heaven belonging to the for International Eucharistic The current Roman liturgy itself was What about the abuses pointed out by Jesus. children and that they should Congresses. the product of inculturation, originating critics of liturgical innovation, such as “Every 45 minutes, there not be hindered. His belief How to make the Mass more relatable from the fifth century, he claimed. There the heavy use of acoustic instruments are [groups] scheduled to be is anchored on this and said and interesting has been one of the was also the the Byzantine, Alexandrian, during youth masses? Marini replied: adorers,” explained Lorraine his mission is dedicated “to hot topics of discussion in the 51st and Coptic rites. “There is a need to “The problem is what are the abuse[s]? Ross an usherette volunteer [letting] children be close to International Eucharistic Congress return to varieties,” he said. How is the so-called youth mass? This from Divino Amore Academy. the heart of Jesus for them to (IEC), and Marini is very knowledgeable Marini, 74, also served as secretary is the problem. To inculturate, it is gaze upon Him in adoration.” about the matter, having been master of to Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, one necessary to know.” The priest’s role “The ages between 5 and liturgical ceremonies for two popes: St. of the Church figures who had worked Christmas itself is an inculturated Throughout the congress, 10, it’s crucial to the religious John Paul II and the now Pope Emeritus to reform the liturgy after the Second celebration, the Vatican official argued. these groups will keep on education to bring them [to Benedict XVI. Vatican Council, the result of which is “It was a pagan feast for the light. The coming and adoring the Lord; Jesus].” Marini wants to go further. “The the New Order of the Mass now heard in light was coming, the victory of the sun. volunteer ushers, choirs, “After 20 years of leading word used in the Second Vatican local languages instead of the old Latin. So they celebrated this victor, the pagan brothers, and priests all children in adoration, I feel Council is ‘active participation.’ At the 51st IEC Theological Symposium people, and then they translated it in leading them to prayer. after each session the same To participate in the liturgy is last week, he recalled the history of the ...the Roman Rite. So we celebrate on 24 “It’s a passion for me to thing: I taught them how to to adapt the liturgy in particular new Mass. and 25 of December, not because Christ lead the children from a pray but by watching them after circumstances,” he said in Italian was born on 25 or 24, but because it was very young age to Jesus, I told them how to pray, they during the press conference on Jan. ‘Slow process’ an inculturated feast,” added Marini. because that’s the role of teach me the real attitude that 25, the second day of the 51st IEC. Inculturation was pushed after Vatican (Felipe Francisco / CBCP News) the priests, that’s probably Jesus asked [for in] adoration the role number one, two, and that’s the great benefit for three of the priests: to bring me,” shared Antoine. Jesus to people and to bring Antoine, a native of France, Seminarians share their ‘IEC graces’ people to Jesus,” said Fr. has formed a children’s Thomas Antoine, one of the CEBU City, Jan. 27, 2016 – facilitators, on Jan. 26. program known as “Children What would a future man of of Hope”, which has since the cloth hope to receive at Memorable adoration been leading many people, the International Eucharistic With no renowned speaker especially children, to Christ Congress (IEC)? at the helm, the impact of the through adoration. Grace, grace, and more IEC’s adoration component is He has participated grace. sure to ripple long after the in Eucharistic Congresses The grace Br. Manuel 51st IEC closes. in Guadalajara, St. Paul, Cervantes, a seminarian of “I feel comfortable facing Minnesota, Canada, and is the Legionaries of Christ in the Eucharist. It’s like when now contributing to the IEC Italy, hopes to receive at the you are facing the Eucharist, in the Philippines. (Chrixy 51st IEC is intimately linked you are facing Jesus himself Paguirigan / CBCP News) to his devotion to the Holy Mass, which has propelled his vocation for the last 9 years. Life as liturgy Daughters of Charity- “The Mass for me, it’s the central moment of my day of my life… I want to make St. Louise De Marillac of my life a whole liturgy. And I ask God the grace Br. Stefano Panizzolo at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City, Jan. 24, 2016. NIRVA DELACRUZ Educational System so that I can fulfill this,” said the seminarian, who of God, as well as other through the grace of God in Panizzolo said the IEC is started his spiritual journey elements, constitutes a “a this great moment of the an experience of the wider with Regnum Christi before program of life”. Eucharist.” Church as one family. entering the Legionari di “The whole liturgy of the “I’m here just to have a Cristo – Centro di Studi Eucharist, it’s a program of ‘Asian perspective’ beautiful experience of the Superiori in Rome. life. And I can see it in God’s For Br. Stefano Panizzolo, Church as the international Cervantes, who is together self-giving for us, for the the undeniable vehicle family as a broad family… with a small, multi-racial world.” of grace of the IEC is its I also waited for an Asian MANDAUE CITY delegation of seminarians The seminarian, who is geographic and socio- experience of the Church at the IEC, said: “As [a] also a content creator for cultural setting of being held and so, here all together COLLEGE Christian, and I think as whynotpriest.org, a website in the Philippines, in . but also under this religious, and as a future devoted to promoting the “[What] I’m waiting for perspective.” Dr. Paulus Mariae L. Cañete priest, it’s a whole way of how priestly vocation, said is to live this spirit as a 51st IEC organizers said we need to live.” attending the event is already universal church but also the number of delegates has President According to the 31-year “a huge grace for me to be with an Asian aspect or exceeded 15,000, as originally old, the Eucharist with its able to go and expound and experience, in a sense,” he targeted. (Nirva’ana Ella act of repentance and Word go deep and deep in my faith explained. Delacruz / CBCP News) Cebu youth group does ‘street catechism’ at IEC CEBU City, Jan. 27, 2016 – While youth arm of OATH, distributed various tracks on the Catholic “People are appreciative of what expected 1,000 youth delegates are catechesis on the Holy Eucharist is more than 5,000 pamphlets faith as part of their apostolate to we give out to them. They say expected to participate. given every day at the Pavilion of during the Opening Mass of the catechize the youth. For the IEC the printed materials are very Barreda and his group regularly the 51st International Eucharistic 51st International Eucharistic Opening Mass, they distributed informative, colorful, and definitely teach values education and Congress (IEC), a youth group Congress in Plaza Independencia pamphlets on the Holy Eucharist for keeps,” he said. formation in different public started their own brand of “street on Jan. 24. They are printing and the Holy . schools in the province of Cebu catechism” by handing out more Catholic instructional “For the Statio Orbis, aside First Friday devotions, etc. after securing an accreditation thousands of free, full color tracks materials for distribution at the from the first Holy Eucharist and Barreda said their “street evan- from the local Department of on the Catholic faith, particularly Concluding Mass (Statio Orbis) Holy Rosary pamphlets, we will gelization” is their own little way Education office. on the Holy Eucharist. at the South Road Properties on be giving pamphlets about the of participating in this once-in-a OATH is known to promote Bro. Jason Barreda, a lay Sunday, Jan. 31. writings of the Popes and Fathers lifetime religious gathering for the the First Friday and Saturday missionary of the Order of the of the Church,” he said. Holy Eucharist. “Our devotion to overnight Eucharistic Adoration Alliance of the Two Hearts Catholic tracks The Mandaue native says the Eucharist is our way of life. and Reparation Vigil in parishes. (OATH), told CBCP News “We only stopped distributing the catechetical ministry was And this is how we participate in Barreda said 73 parishes within that he and his fellow OATH [the pamphlets] when the spearheaded by their superior the IEC,” he said. Cebu province are regularly missionaries together with [Opening] Mass started because Fr. Francis Tiquia, OATH and They will conduct the yearly conducting the said vigil. members of the Mary Help of we respect the Mass,” he said. driven by donations from their Youth Eucharistic Congress this (Rommel Lopez / CBCP Christians Crusade (MHCC), the The group has been distributing benefactors and friends. March 19 at Carcar City where an News) A4 OPINION January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Eucharist, Catholicity, universality

THE Eucharist can well be the very test and proof of our Catholicity and universality. It’s in that sacrament where the universal mind and heart is required as well as developed. And that’s simply because the Eucharist represents the very mind and heart of Christ who gave us the new commandment that summarizes and perfects all the previous commandments: “You love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (Jn13,34) It’s a love that covers everyone, including our enemies, the unlovable, the sinners, offenders, those who are wrong in a human issue and all others who are so different from us that for one reason or another we may be able to love or like. These can include those who persecute us, who terrorize us, who kill us. These can include those who attack the Church and its teaching. We have to learn to love them the way Christ loves them, all the way to offering our life for them, for as Christ himself said, “No greater love has one than he who offers his life for his friend.” In fact, one sure sign our loving is authentic is when we are willing to adapt ourselves to them without compromising our Christian identity. Otherwise, our love is fake, no matter how fervently we profess it. Our love gets spoiled and deteriorates into self-rigtheousness. Eucharistic love matures and perfects us. It checks on our tendency to be self-seeking and self-absorbed so as to be “all

things to all men.” (1 Cor 9,22) It brings us not only to others, BY BLADIMER USI ILLUSTRATION but rather to God himself, identifying us with him, for “God is love.” This love is what properly measures out our true dignity and value as persons and children of God. It’s not just some Minding one’s wisdom or knowledge or talents and any human power, though Spaces of Hope all these are instruments and tools of love. It’s high time that we understand the need for true love, the Fr. Carmelo O. Diola own business love of Christ in the Eucharist, to give ourselves a universal heart. It’s not the sciences, the philosophies, and the ideologies - no matter how good and useful they are - that can accomplish this. These can only be at best, love’s tools. AFTER the Sinulog I found those outside the country numbering with his story. This experience (is) grace This surely means we have to learn how to discipline our myself walking outside the fence of the around 12,000 strong, various individuals, I will forever be thankful for, and will feelings and passions, knowing when to talk and when not to. Sto. Niño Basilica. I was trying to mind offices, and groups in Cebu have pitched eternally inspire me...” This man did We have to learn how to convert difficult, humiliating moments my own business as I was limping with in for this historic occasion. not just mind his own business and is into moments of graciousness and magnanimity. We have to the onset of gout. The four-hour walk had Expectedly, there have been challenges. helping to send two street children for learn how to be positive, encouraging, and optimistic in our not helped. The spirit was willing but the While I have personally received feedback first Communion. tack to problems instead of sinking into pessimism and hostility. flesh was agonizing. from delegates that their registration *** We can never overdo our efforts to learn the finer details of tact I was waiting for my ride when went well, there have also been less joyful Unknown to many, a small group of and diplomacy. someone said, “Can you bless me Padre?”, moments. One individual even said, pilgrims from Hungary, Chicago, and Given the present world’s rush to specialized knowledge that apparently attracted by the sutana I was “Registration is purgatory but once inside Cebu made a day-long trip to Bohol. This inevitably generates divisions, we have to double our efforts to wearing. I turned around to bless an the pavilion it is heaven.” is part of the Break Bread initiative of the cultivate this universal Eucharistic heart. unfamiliar but beaming face. It was the There are edifying examples of people Solidarity and Communion Committee start an unexpected stream of pilgrims, going the extra mile. Two elderly Catholics (SCC) of the IEC. This was in the spirit Mary and the Eucharist in the lasting about 20 minutes, who wanted to from the US, who are involved in the right of experiencing the joyful and resilient receive a blessing from a priest as he stood to life movement, sent 60 simple yet faith of Boholanos whose many beautiful, Church’s mission on a street corner. dignified, hand-made monstrances for centuries-old parish churches were This unexpected turn of events had distribution for poor parishes. reduced to rubble by the 7.2 earthquake BY her special relationship with the Eucharist, Mary leads us toward this most sublime sacrament to find in it the source and nothing to do with personal charisma as Silently, a group of individuals have in October 2013. goal of the Church’s evangelizing mission. As in her virginal the sutana was the source of attraction. been assisting in the final preparations Easily the highlight of the day was womb, the Son of God took on human nature that made him the It did show me a real hunger in many for the first communion of street children celebrating Mass at the temporary Sacrament of the Father’s love, so in the Eucharist, Christ continues Filipinos for a concrete assurance of and other very poor children, even a few parish church of Loon. There, alongside to be Sacrament of the Father through the sacramentality of the God’s mercy in the midst of life. Popular adults. This has not been easy. Coming a heritage building that will take perhaps Church—in the person of his minister, in the proclamation of the religious practices--to which the hand out with the final list of communicants 20 years to rebuild, the Loboc Children’s Word, in the assembly that prays and sings, but especially in the blessing belongs--provides this vital has been touch and go. A 35-year old Choir rendered songs that would Eucharistic species. “The body given up for us and made present contact with God. man could not complete his catechesis melt even hardened hearts. Fr. Val under sacramental signs was the same body which Mary had This same phenomenon is at work when due to conflict of schedule with work. Pinlac, who organized the pilgrimage, conceived in her womb!” By being closely associated with her Son children ask for the priest’s blessing at the Only nine parishes managed to prepare commented how those visited felt very in giving himself as the Bread of Life and Living Bread for the life end of Mass, or when Sto. Niño devotees communicants. Apathy is real. happy. “Thank you for visiting us and of the world by his sacrifice on the Cross, Simeon’s prophecy that gently wave their hands in the air, or when But responses to help the poor are for sharing a piece of bread with us who a sword would pierce her heart was fulfilled (cf. Lk 2:34-35). devotees of the wipe the edifying. A lady gathered donations are not privileged to be with you during The Church can learn from the school of Mary, the “Woman statue of the latter, or when the faithful for t-shirts with IEC patches as well as the IEC,” he said. of the Eucharist,” the necessary and proper interior disposition rush to the flowers on the carosa after a coloring books and pencils. Another lady As a Hungarian priest Fr. Laszlo, noted to fruitfully celebrate and live out the mysteries of redemption: procession. donated copies of artistic doodles. Some in his homily, “Filipinos laugh a lot and attentive, contemplative and active presence, generous concern I finally found some comfort for the business establishments donated food for always offers a bottle of water. It was for the rest of the world and humanity, and openness to the gout but I remain unsettled by the hunger the rehearsal of communicants and for Europe that brought the face of Jesus eschatological fulfillment of all that humanity hopes for. Mary of our people. A priest cannot just mind the big day itself. Each child will go home to the Philippines...Now please pray for exemplifies the Eucharistic worship that seeks to be concretized his own business. with a goody bag with half a kilogram of Europe to remind us of the face of Jesus.” in works of love and service and that opens the faithful to *** the world famous Cebu lechon, among When we arrived in Cebu, we were eschatological hope. For to the Christian faithful at worship, Mary The 51st IEC has forced the Archdiocese other goods. met by an impressive firework display. stands as model in listening to the Word and taking it to heart; in praising and thanking God who has done great favors to oneself of Cebu to go out of its usual self. Delegates A text from a partner from Digos says, Perhaps the Lord is happy when we do and to the rest of humankind; in bringing Christ and his gifts of joy from Cebu, all over the Philippines, and “One-legged Marvin...moved me to tears not just mind our own business. and salvation to all that one meets, in praying and interceding for the needs of all, in nourishing the life of grace which one receives Holy Eucharist, basis, and through the sacraments, in offering oneself in union with Christ’s Candidly Speaking offering of himself to the Father, in imploring the coming of the Lord, and in waiting for it with vigilance. Fr. Roy Cimagala culmination of liturgy “Do whatever he tells you!” With these words Mary continues to tell her Son’s Church to take heed of his bidding to do what he did at the Last Supper and on Calvary “in memory of him”. But she also summons the Church to commitment to this most sublime WE need to be very familiar aware of this nature of the the Eucharist, receiving most amazing union we can Mystery by her quiet but active engagement in its apostolic with the world of liturgy, liturgy, so we would know how communion or visiting the have with Christ. mission. She was with the Apostles of her Son as they awaited in because for us to be truly to act and live in it. Blessed Sacrament, we are No greater windfall, bonanza constant prayer (cf. Acts 1:14.) the coming of the Holy Spirit he human and Christian we The fullness of the liturgy truly and directly dealing with or jackpot can we have than to promised them to be their Teacher and Guide in their mission. need to have our life to be takes place in the Holy Christ! have Christ offering his life With Mary the Church sings the Eucharist as her Magnificat, liturgical. We have to enter Eucharist which is described In a sense, with the liturgy on the cross for our salvation. recalling the wonders worked by God in salvation history in into this world presented to us as the “source and summit we become contemporaries Our sin has caused God to be fulfillment of the promise once made to the fathers, proclaiming by our faith, and much richer of the Christian life.” The with Christ, and together with with us. It’s that “happy fault” the wondrous mysteries of Christ’s redemptive incarnation, death than what our senses and Catechism explains it this way: him as in one whole body, the referred to in the Easter vigil and resurrection, and awaiting the eschatological hope of glory. intelligence alone can perceive “The other sacraments, Mystical Body of Christ, we hymn, Exsultet. “O happy fault - Excerpts from the theological and pastoral and understand. and indeed all ecclesiastical are the ones who celebrate that earned for us so great, so reflection in preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. It’s in the liturgy where ministries and works of the the liturgy. glorious a Redeemer!” we unite ourselves fully with apostolate, are bound up with It’s important to realize Still, in the Mass we have Christ our Savior and receive the Eucharist and are oriented though that “the members to respect the different the merits of his redemptive toward it. For in the Blessed do not all have the same functions proper to each CBCP work. It’s in the liturgy where Eucharist is contained the function.” The clergy, who member of the assembly. the living Christ offers himself whole spiritual good of the by their sacred ordination The Catechism says: “In the to the Father together with us. Church, Christ himself, our become the very icon of Christ, celebration of the sacraments Monitor We are not left with a Pasch.” (1324) preside at the Mass while the it is thus the whole assembly symbol only of Christ in the The whole Christ, the Son rest unite themselves with him, that is ‘leitourgos,’ each PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE liturgy. That’s because the of God, who became man, such that the whole assembly according to his function, sacramental signs used in born of the Virgin Mary, who becomes what is termed as but in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ Pedro Quitorio Ronalyn Regino the liturgy, especially the taught and made miracles, “leitourgos,” ministers in their who acts in all. ‘In liturgical Editor-in-Chief Design Artist Eucharistic species, are no who suffered, died and was respective ways. celebrations each person, ordinary signs that simply buried, and resurrected on This is an important point minister or layman, who has Nirva’ana E. Delacruz Gloria Fernando point to another reality. In the third day, and ascended to realize. The lay faithful an office to perform, should Marketing Supervisor Associate Editor the sacraments, the signs into heaven, etc., is there who attend the Mass are carry out all and only those themselves, the matter and in the liturgy, especially no mere spectators or parts which pertain to his Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite News Editor Circulation Manager form that comprise them, in the sacrament of Holy some pious extras. They office by the nature of the are Christ himself and his Eucharist. celebrate by offering to rite and the norms of the Kris Bayos Marcelita Dominguez grace. He did not become man, God the Father, together liturgy.’” (1144) Features Editor Comptroller In the liturgy, man is united shared our human nature with Christ’s offering of his The effectivity of the Mass with God, time with eternity, and condition except sin, and own self, whatever praises, derives from the power of This special issue of the CBCP Monitor is published daily earth with heaven. It is the redeemed us with his death thanksgiving, petitions, and Christ’s work rather than the for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress by Areopagus best union we can have with and resurrection, only to have expiations they have. role we play in it (ex opera Communications, Inc. with editorial and business offices at God on earth. In a sense, all these events swallowed up In the Mass, what prayer and operato Christi). Just the Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404- with it we enter into the most in the past. His redemptive sacrifice we make get united same, it would be most ideal 2182. Business: (632) 404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 perfect dimension of our life, work has eternal value, is with the most acceptable and if we put ourselves in the best into the fullest scope of reality. always in the present. pleasing prayer and sacrifice condition and dispositions Obviously, we need to be Whenever we are celebrating of Christ to his Father. It’s the when celebrating the Mass. OPINION CBCP Monitor January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 OPINION A5

Duc In Altum Real Presence of Christ By the Roadside Atty. Aurora A. Santiago in the Eucharist Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD

THE institution of the Eucharist into Body and Blood of Jesus tabernacle; the people pray them who share together started during the Last Supper. Christ by the power of the privately before it, since Christ the foods. Similarly, in the The Church’s M.V.T. (Most It was on the night when our Holy Spirit. The change is himself is present under the Eucharist, the People of God Lord Jesus Christ shared one called “transubstantiation.” appearance of bread. share a meal that brings them Valuable Treasure) last meal with his disciples, the According to our Catholic As Catholics are doing, one into communio not only with night before he was humiliated faith, we can speak of “the should genuflect in the presence each other but more so with the I FIND it remarkable that the Fifty-first International Eucharist to suffer on the Cross. It was Real Presence of Christ in of the tabernacle containing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Congress was held in Cebu. Not that I doubt for one moment also during this meal that Jesus the Eucharist because the reserved sacrament; to Before we receive the Holy Cebu’s special place as the cradle of Catholicism in Asia. I instituted the Sacrament of transubstantiation has make the sign of the cross Communion, we must be in have a more personal reason. It was a Cebuano song I used to the to perpetuate occurred.” and to bow with adoration, a state of grace, free of all listen to, growing up in Borongan, Eastern Samar, that quite this sacrifice of his Body and For Jesus said: “Whoever reverence, and respect. It is mortal sin, mindful of the incidentally and indirectly led me to better appreciate the Blood; to keep alive the Paschal eats my flesh and drinks my not appropriate to speak in obligation to make an act of Eucharist. Remember the Matud Nila (They Say or, literally, Mystery--sacrifice of the Cross, blood has eternal life, and I loud or boisterous tones in the perfect contrition, an act of According to Them)? It was a poignant song I would hear his death and resurrection. The will raise them up at the last church because of the presence sorrow for sins accompanied over the radio and from some of our neighborhood toughies institution of the Eucharist, day. For my flesh is real food of Christ in the tabernacle. As by the firm intention of making who would drink tuba (coco wine) on a hot summer Sunday, the First Mass, is the 5th in and my blood is real drink.” a sign of reverence, Catholics a sacramental confession as singing their hearts out with a rundown guitar, about a young the Luminous Mystery of the (John 6:51-55). This is what are required to fast at least one soon as possible. man’s lament over being judged unworthy of a lady he loves Holy Rosary. the Church means when she hour before receiving the Body During the celebration of because he has no wealth to offer her but his “gugmang putli As the Gospel of Matthew speaks of the “Real Presence” and Blood of Christ (unless the Eucharist, Christ is in (pure love)” which to him is “labaw sa bulawan (more precious tells us, Jesus eagerly desired of Christ in the Eucharist. illness prevents one from doing Real Presence not only in the than gold)”. to eat this Passover before The risen Christ is present to so). Blessed Sacrament but also in While reading St. John Paul II’s encyclical Ecclesia de he suffers: “While they were his Church in many ways, but “The Eucharist is a sacrifice the person of the priest who Eucharistia (The Church from the Eucharist), that Cebuano eating, Jesus took bread, and most especially through the for it is offered. The Eucharist presides over the Mass. Christ song came back to me. No, it was not any poor young man that when he had given thanks, sacrament of his Body and is a sacrament for it is received. is present in his Word “since crossed my mind but the Poor Carpenter from who he broke it and gave it to his Blood. In the Mass, we offer ourselves it is he himself who speaks declared, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; Some of the bread to God, and God gives Himself when the holy Scriptures are the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Lk 9:58). In the this is my body.’ Then he took consecrated and were not to us. The Mass will be fruitful read in the Church.” He is words of Paul the Apostle to the Philippian Christians (could be a cup, and when he had given consumed during the Mass in the measure of our surrender also present in the people ‘Philippine Christians’ too): “Though he was in the form of God thanks, he gave it to them, are kept in the tabernacle, to the Father.” who prays and sing, “for he he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. saying, ‘Drink from it, all of which is usually placed in a As food nourishes the body, has promised ‘where two or Rather he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born you. This is my blood of the conspicuous place inside the the Eucharistic food nourishes three are gathered together in the likeness of men. And it was thus that he humbled himself, covenant, which is poured out Church, particularly the the spirit. Jesus gives himself to in my name, there am I in the becoming obedient even unto death, death on a Cross” (Phil 2:6- for many for the forgiveness or beside it. Called the Blessed us in the Eucharist as spiritual midst of them’.” He is also 8). He was so poor he had nothing to give except his pure love. of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28). Sacrament, it is used for nourishment because he loves present in other sacraments: In my mind’s eye it was this Poor Carpenter from Nazareth who *** distribution to the dying, the us. God’s whole plan for our baptism, in the celebration of really first sang Matud Nila to his bride, the Church. When the Eucharist is sick, and those who legitimately salvation is directed to our the Eucharist, confirmation. I really wouldn’t know if the late saintly pope had ever heard celebrated, Christ is truly cannot be present for the participation in the life of the This presence is called “real” of Matud Nila during the two occasions he visited the country, present body, blood, soul, celebration of the Eucharist. , the communion of because it is substantial and including Cebu. But I was struck by the language he used with and divinity, under the It may also be exposed in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. through it Christ becomes which to describe the Eucharist for us, Christians. The pure, appearances of bread and Rite of Eucharistic Exposition The sharing of an ordinary present as God and man. pure love that Jesus, the Poor Carpenter from Nazareth, offers wine. In the act of consecration and Benediction, carried in meal, especially by all the We congratulate all those us on the Cross is right at the heart of the Eucharist, he declares. during the Eucharist, the Eucharistic , or members of the family, creates who are making the 51st It is the reason why the Eucharist is the source and summit bread and wine are changed when it is simply placed in the a union and solidarity among Duc In Altum / A6 of the Church’s life. Says St. John Paul II: “For the most Holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ ‘Lord, eucharistify us’ himself, our Passover and living bread” (EdeE 1; PO 5). Just Inspired In a word, it is not really his pure love alone that we encounter in the Eucharist but Jesus himself by whose passion, death, Fr. Jose Ernil Almayo, OAR resurrection, and ascension we pass from darkness to light, from death to life, from sin to grace; hence, he is our Passover. And Jesus is himself our food in this very life of grace; hence, he is our Living Bread. WHO would have thought that with the context of Jesus’ time, these were jolted them on Oct. 15, 2013, Tacloban It is said that the Philippines’ favorite sport is basketball which the deluge now of the Eucharist-related the usual and the ordinary served at residents, too, can never forget the wrath determines the winner by the most points scored. On the other literature occasioned by the ongoing table. The Eucharistification begins of typhoon Yolanda (or Haiyan) on the hand, in the story of salvation the real winner was determined IEC 2016, I would be able to encounter a from there. Just as the miracle of the 8th of November 2013. One familiar by how much he lost because he has loved most. His crown and word I did not expect exist? Eucharistify! multiplication of bread started from question enters the picture: “Why does living presence is a sacrament called the Eucharist. The winning A neologism of this millennium? Nein. the boy’s generosity to share what he God allow bad things to happen to good basketball team has the MVP (Most Valuable Player); the When I google it, I realize I am light has. A verse from a Cebuano liturgical people?” Why? When we have dedicated Eucharist has the MVT (Most Valuable Treasure). years behind. song illustrates it: “Kanimo ihalad ourselves to the service of God, or As far as the Eucharist is concerned, Matud Nila has, to me, Of the many ways by which ko karon, Ginoo / Ug naglaum ako decided to get closer to God everyday, a Tagalog sequel in Tanging Yaman (Most Precious Treasure) “eucharistify” is construed, one, simply kini makapanimuot Kanimo/ Diutay does that insulate us from tests and which, I would say, is rightfully addressed to Jesus in the put, describes it as the transformation lang kining ihalad ko karon / apan sufferings? God can never be bribed. And Eucharist. He is the reason why we can sing: “Ikaw ang aking (read: transubstantiation) of the bread kinasingkasing.” (“To You, Lord, I now well, reckoning time may come anytime tanging yaman/ na di lubusang masumpungan/. Ang nilikha and wine into the Body and Blood offer / And I hope it will please You / to forge how authentic our act of giving mong kariktan/, sulyap ng iyong kagandahan (You are my most of Christ. We note the process and What I will offer is not really that much and giving up. In the midst of similar precious treasure/ that I can’t quite grasp/. All the beautiful what philosophers of scholastic bent / but it comes straight from the heart.”) situation, we can only groan, “Lord, things you have created/ are but a glimpse of your beauty).” call “substantial change”. Deeper Our oblation of everything we are eucharistify us!” With apologies to its composer and lyricist, were I to be ruminations will lead us to rediscover and have requires this most important Admittedly, as we struggle to keep permitted to do liberties to the song, I’d revise it and dedicate that “eucharistify” means to become character: that we do so with all our going, the more that we can feel the it to Jesus in the Eucharist. In this sacrament I would propose Eucharist. heart, with all our soul, with all our weight of the cross, the twinge of being we say to Jesus, “Ikaw ang aking tanging yaman (You are my The process starts at home, and— mind, and with all our strength. In this down, and even the pain of loneliness. most valuable treasure)” but rather than refer to created things expectedly in a constructive way—goes manner, the handing over is an act of Despite the conviction that the Lord as giving a glimpse of God’s beauty, I’d say that Jesus himself out of our backyard; it “goes viral,” so to humble and total submission to His will never abandon us, whether rain is very face of God. (“kapag ikaw ay nasilayan, mukha ng Dios speak. For we must first be transformed overall plan: “Your will be done.” And or shine, we seem alone in the battle. namamasdan” [anyone who gazes at you sees the face of God]). before we can transform others. To surely, something greater will come Remember the “Footprints in the sand” This is the greatest motive why we, and anyone else for that be enriched in order to enrich. To along—in His time. story? In his dream, the man noticed matter, must find and nurture a personal and—we should be evangelized to evangelize. To be However, it’s not just something that many times along the path of his add—communal relationship with Jesus Christ. eucharistified to eucharistify. greater; at times, it’s something more, life there was only one set of footprints. For the letter to the Hebrews reminds us: “This Son is the As we recall, “the fruits of human in a startling way. People of Bohol He also noticed that it happened at the reflection of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of the hands”—the bread and wine—being and Tacloban can vouch for that from very lowest and saddest times of his Father’s being” (Heb 1:3). offered on the altar were taken from experience. Just as Boholanos can life. It is at these trying times that life is And to think that this MVT is within our grasp—in the the harvested wheat and grapes. In never forget the 7.2 earthquake that Just Inspired / A6 Eucharist. Grab bag for eternity Whatever Fr. Francis Ongkingco

I ENTERED one of the rooms ONE does happen, they have is when it will come, thus, allows us to adore God, thank are united with those of Christ ourselves to receive the most of a pre-school where I a fresh supply of survival there is greater reason for God, ask His forgiveness, and and with his total offering, Sacred and Glorious Body, conduct some basic catechism items,” the school principal preparing a spiritual grab bag to petition for our earthly and and so acquire a new value. Blood, Soul and Divinity of classes for teachers. As I added. for eternal life. And this grab spiritual needs. Christ’s sacrifice present on our Lord Jesus Christ. waited for the LCD projector “Well, this one will need bag is the Holy Mass. Moreover, through the the altar makes it possible for United to these inner to be set up, I sat on one of the replenishing soon if you don’t How exactly is the Eucharist entire rite, one’s spiritual life all generations of Christians dispositions we manifest our tiny chairs. get it out of my sight,” I said. a grab bag for eternity? If a is nourished and enriched to be united with his offering. faith in the Real Presence of I noticed that the chair * * * disaster grab bag is meant to with readings from and (no. 1368)” our Lord through our external had a strange backrest. I With the impending scare provide us some basic needs commentary of Scripture This is not all! In a mysterious preparation and presentation. realized it was actually a of a coming BIG ONE, our to survive for a few days until (the Liturgy of the Word) and manner, if we truly prepare for For example, the observation small neon-colored knapsack country has been preparing help arrives, we can imagine an effective channel to offer every Mass, we become the of the one-hour fast, wearing designed to fit the seat’s metal and rehearsing for a monster how the Mass provides us ourselves in it, through Christ, ‘grab bags’ ourselves as we dignified and decent attire frame. I curiously unzipped earthquake. Hopefully it with all that we need in order in one act of thanksgiving for are filled with the infinite love, that is fit for an occasion that the bag and was surprised never happens because unlike to be properly nourished until all of God’s blessings (the mercy, and merits of our Lord hosts our Lord and God and to see it filled with veeery Japan and other countries, we reach our goal: heaven. Liturgy of the Eucharist). Jesus Christ. It is the mission a “praying attention” in all of delicious goodies: beef jerky, we are still a long way The Catechism of the Church And all of this is united to of each Catholic, to discover the parts of the celebration. chocolates, juice tetra-pack from integrating a healthy describes what the Eucharist the “sacrifice of the Church” how to dispense what he or she If we keep these spiritual drinks, mineral water, and a preparedness into our mental is: “in the blessed Eucharist is which every single Mass is. has received in and through reminders out of love for our first-aid kit, etc. and physical systems when a contained the whole spiritual This is how compact every the Holy Sacrifice. Lord in the Holy Eucharist, “It’s a grab bag, Father!” disaster strikes. good of the Church, namely celebrated Mass is. The This is why, we must we can have the certainty that One of the teachers answered However, I believe that Christ himself, our Pasch. Catechism says, “The Church never take for granted when our eternal moment my curiosity. whether a Godzilla of an (no. 1324).” Now, what better which is the Body of Christ our preparation for every comes, Jesus will grab the “Hey, this has enough to go earthquake will strike or not, spiritual nourishment than participates in the offering celebration. Much of what we bag that we are –already filled out camping for a week!” I said it is more important to have a Christ Himself to feed us? of her Head. With Him, She will receive will greatly depend with His infinite grace and to the amusement of everyone. grab bag for eternity. Death, The Holy Mass is also Herself is offered whole on our inner dispositions mercy– and take us to Heaven “The children are required unlike natural disasters, is a considered the most complete and entire. (…) The lives (i.e. that one is not aware of where united to the Trinity, to replenish it every now certainty in the life of every prayer given that in one of the faithful, their praise, having committed any grave we shall share in Their one and then. So in case the BIG person. The only uncertainty celebration, the Sacrament sufferings, prayer, and work, and mortal sins) preparing Eternal Love. A6 FEATURES January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 CBCP Monitor The In The Philippines: A BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW (5th of a series)

By Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM

CATECHESIS AND EDUCATION. Given the large and rapidly expanding population of the Philippines (43 million in 1975 to 75.8 million in 2000 and to 100+ million in 2015), catechesis for Catholics remains a basic area of Church renewal. The catechetical ministry has shown considerable growth in vision, publications, institutes, and personnel. The Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE) has published several works and sponsored a variety of national workshops and congresses. Significant publications include: The Shape of Religious Education in the Philippines (1979), National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines (1982-1985), Filipino Family Growing in the Faith (1983), The Catechists’ Basic Formation Program (1992), Catholic Faith Catechism (1989-1993), Catechism for Filipino Catholics (1997) [Tagalog translation Katesismo para sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko (2000)], and the

New Catechetical Directory of the LAGARDE ROY Philippines (2008). ECCCE used to publish a quarterly catechetical Universities of the Philippines (CWO). This became an opportunity the “first step as a local Church into representative journals are: Boletin review, Docete, which has raised (ACUP), established in 1973. to review and assess the CBCP’s the Third Millennium.” Ecclesiastico de Filipinas, East interest in and the quality level of A unique and successful form of nature, structure, mission, and Asian Pastoral Review, Landas, catechesis throughout the country. religious education and renewal functions. The CBCP amended ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES. Philippiniana Sacra, Religious Life Significant catechetical congresses has evolved in the Philippine its constitution and by-laws; it Dialogue and peace-building with Asia, and World Mission. Prominent have been sponsored by ECCCE in the Church with the holding of large established the new offices dedicated a variety of partners remain a among Filipino theologians are: C. 1990s, beginning with the celebration national congresses, dedicated to to media, legal matters, research, continuous commitment of the Arévalo, T. Bacani, F. Claver, A. Co, of the National Catechetical Year particular themes. Coming from all bioethics, women, and the Church’s Philippine Church. She strove to B. Dianzon, F. Gustilo, D. Huang, A. (1990). Diocesan catechetical ecclesiastical circumscriptions, the cultural heritage. The CBCP be an instrument of reconciliation Lagdameo, L. Legaspi, L. Mercado, institutes have been established in delegates (often several thousand) now (2015) has 35 departments, during the Marcos years; along with O. Quevedo, L. Tagle, and G. Timoner major cities (e.g. Bacolod, Cebu, are expected to become trainer- commissions, and offices to address the National Council of Churches III. Four of these theologians have Davao, Iloilo. Manila, Naga, Vigan, facilitators upon their return home; the many concerns of this local in the Philippines, she made been appointed to the International etc.). Other national centers which audio and video tapes as well as Church. In addition, the bishops several overtures to various leftist Theological Commission (Arévalo, prepare women and men for their printed materials of the congresses re-launched The CBCP Monitor in a and armed groups. In their 1990 Tagle, Gustilo, and Timoner). vocation as catechists (e.g. Mother are made available. This approach new format, initiated a weekly radio pastoral letter, Seek Peace, Pursue A definite sign of a vibrant local of Life Center, , proved particularly effective in the program, and established the CBCP It, the bishops laid out a ten-point Church is its mission outreach. established in 1967) continue their years connected with the Great Website [http://www.cbcponline. “path to peace.” The Church also In mid-2000 Catholic Filipino decades of service. The Philippine Jubilee 2000. A partial list includes org]. engages in interfaith dialogue with missionaries numbered 1,329 Constitution affords opportunities the following: Marian Year (1985), Responsive to the call for renewal indigenous and Muslim peoples; the women and 206 men from 69 for religious education in public Eucharistic Year (1987), Bible Year in Tertio Millennio Adveniente, the Silsilah movement and the pivotal religious congregations serving in schools; this critical area of the (1989), Catechetical Year (1990), CBCP issued a series of exhaustive Bishops-Ulama Forum (1996+) have some 80 countries. The bishops catechetical ministry is limited by World Youth Day (1995), Eucharistic and in-depth pastoral exhortations, fostered Muslim-Christian harmony established the Mission Society of inadequate numbers of adequately Congress (1997), two Holy Spirit designed to address vital aspects in Southern provinces. The annual the Philippines (1965). Maryknoll formed catechists. The local Church Congresses (1998), Congress on God of Philippine life and Christianity. “Mindanao Week of Peace” was founded the Philippine Catholic is also quite unprepared to meet the the Father (1999), Congress on the Each document began with a quite begun in 1999. Lay Mission (1977). Cardinal Sin new emphasis on ongoing and adult Trinity (2000), and the National thorough and substantive analysis The Philippines has an established the San Lorenzo Mission catechesis. Mission Congress (2000). The local of the carefully chosen topics: impressive growing body of “local Institute (1987), whose goal is The Philippine Church has made Church of the Philippines hosted the Philippine Politics (1997), Philippine theology,” often emerging from serving the Chinese; its patron is San a major commitment to formal Fourth World Meeting of Families in Economy (1998), Philippine Culture local communities discerning , the first Filipino saint, education. It operates hundreds January, 2003. Finally, the Church (1999), and Philippine Spirituality the “signs of the times” under canonized on October 17, 1987. of high schools and grade schools also supports liturgical centers, (2000). The bishops concluded the Holy Spirit’s lead. Recurrent , beatified on March as well as over 300 colleges radio stations, publishing houses, the series with their document: themes emerge: evangelization and 5, 2000 and canonized on October and universities. The Catholic hospitals, and social action centers “Missions” and the Church in the mission, prayer and spirituality, 21, 2012, inspired the successful Educational Association of the throughout its 80+ dioceses. Philippines: A Pastoral Letter on peace-making and reconciliation, National Mission Congress 2000. Philippines (CEAP), founded in the Church’s Mission in the New dialogue with peoples, cultures, Several lay movements successfully 1941, continues to represent the LEARNING-TEACHING Millennium (July 2000). The CBCP and religious traditions, care for engage in mission outreach (e.g. interests of Catholic educational CHURCH. In 1995 the Bishops’ also sponsored the large National the environment, the Church and Knights of Columbas, Couples for institutions and promote religious Conference (CBCP) celebrated its Mission Congress, which they saw public policy. Several important Christ, Gawad Kalinga, instruction. Similar activities are the fiftieth year since beginning in 1945 as the “fitting culminating activity” theological, pastoral, catechetical, movement, Ligaya ng Panginoon, focus of the Association of Catholic as the Catholic Welfare Organization of the Jubilee Year celebrations and and mission journals are published; and many others). (To be continued)

Just Inspired / A5 Duc In Altum/ A5

like a wilderness, a desert, Even if the gravitational grant me the serenity to intervention, his grace. International Eucharistic Congress bishops, clergy, religious, deacons, a no man’s land. When pull of running away from accept the things I cannot Ultimately, He alone can (IEC) a successful event. We seminarians, and to the Apostolic this desperate search for such an inconvenient— change, the courage to bless and transform our thank the heads and members Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto who meaning make us cry for at times, suffocating— change the things I can, offerings. He alone can of the working committees, all participated in the IEC. Most of all, help, we actually want to atmosphere is so strong and the wisdom to know eucharistify us. He alone the volunteers, some of whom thank you to the print and broadcast shout, “Lord, eucharistify that others would rather the difference.” In other gives us the mandate to are our friends and co-workers media who made it possible for us!” opt to concede defeat, we words, like a child who eucharistify others. And in the vineyard of the Lord, the those who were not able to join the Yes, we have a choice how can look at the way the runs to his father when with Christ in us, our hope pilgrims and participants from the IEC to know and feel as if they are to respond to critical times. Blessed Mother ponders he is scared, we approach of glory, healing is nigh. Philippines and other parts of the also present in all the events that is We can be uncomplaining things in her heart. God in complete trust Reintegration and reform world. Thank you to all the clergy happening in the IEC in Cebu. Special like stoics. We can be That’s tranquility and as we whisper, “Lord, are possible. A more who celebrated and concelebrated mention to CBCP Monitor and Radio expressive like poets. dauntlessness, indeed. eucharistify us!” humane and humanizing in the Eucharist during the pre- Veritas 846. Thank you all for sharing But we can just be like Reinhold Niebuhr figures But the crux in the world will emerge. IEC and IEC events, the speakers, your time, talent and treasures, for true Christ’s disciples— this attitude out in the process of transformation Therefore, “Lord, facilitators, and sharers. Thank “Christ in you, our hope of glory.” tranquil yet dauntless. prayer he wrote: “God, lies in God’s sanctifying eucharistify us.” you to the cardinals, , God bless and Mabuhay!

Manufactured by FOOD INTERNATIONAL, INC. FEATURES CBCP Monitor January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 FEATURES A7 IEC media challenge: 5th day of the 51st International ‘Jesus mentions’ Eucharistic Congress CEBU City, Jan. 28, 2016 This echoes the exhortation – A Hungarian cardinal’s of Erdo, the Primate of A SYNTHESIS words on the fifth day Hungary, to the faithful to be of the 51st International the salt of the earth “to give intelligence for the sake of the Gospel In a meal hosted by the Lord, persons Eucharistic Congress (IEC) our good taste to the world, By Teresa Tunay and humanity. recognize a close neighbor, a fellow seemed like a barefaced that is to show that the life of If the Gospel is to be a leaven of sinner, a sister, a brother--in each challenge not just to the man is not aimlessly drifting “THE Eucharist and the Dialogue transformation, we need to know the one I see myself, simple but loved, faithful at large but to the along but has a goal, has a with Cultures” was the subject of His Gospel but we also need to meet people undeserving but invited, shamed but media, when he said Jesus’ meaning.” Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in their cultures. Cultural intelligence embraced. Remember how Jesus broke name should be mentioned DD, Archbishop of Manila; Chairperson, has three elements: 1, I know my the isolation of those pushed aside by a aloud without shame or Speaking with no words CBCP Commission on the Doctrine of culture and I know how my culture has culture of alienating individualism. embarrassment. While a good part of media the Faith. formed and affected me; 2, I studied my A member of the Pontifical Council According to Péter work is concerned with the Cardinal Tagle, who is speaking as culture and tried to know from within of the , Cardinal Tagle urged the Cardinal Erdő, Archbishop enunciated word, Daet catechist for the third consecutive the cultures of other people; and 3, I faithful to begin the dialogue with the of Esztergom-Budapest, Bishop said International Eucharistic Congress determine a path from my culture and culture of alienating individualism in our Christ should be propagated, often, the most effective (IEC), said every IEC is special because their culture in order to learn from each homes by restoring family meals. The spoken about, and faith in “Jesus mention” is one it is an extraordinary event of grace. other, challenge and purify each other. basic unit of the meal is the table, the him proclaimed. without words. Culture is the whole complex of The wise use of cultural intelligence can common table. The world of alienation In an interview with CBCP Groups like Couples forms of feeling, acting, and thinking result in the affirmation of the beauty of has been torn down at the supper of the News, Catholic Bishops’ for Christ social shared by a society which allows each culture. Lord. Conference of the Philippines communications arm Ablaze members of the group to survive, Remember that Jesus offered a new The Eucharist also proposes the gift Episcopal Commission on Communications that does provides them a sense of identity way of thinking, feeling, acting, and of sharing. People are driven to work Social Communications New Evangelization, said the and belonging, and gives their lives speaking. His heroes were the centurion hard for self advancement and for the and Mass Media (CBCP- prelate, “facilitate bringing meaning. “Culture is almost second and the lonely fishermen. When Jesus welfare of their families. The sad reality ECSCMM) executive Christ to [others]” through nature to us, we don’t even know said “Let the children come to me”, a is, however, human achievement is secretary Fr. Lito Jopson regular, everyday items that that we are thinking and reacting in a new use of space emerged. Jesus ate a often fueled by materialism. We have admits that even Catholic somehow mention Jesus particular way,” said Cardinal Tagle, lot, He was always at meals, but during a throwaway culture where we throw media’s proclamation of the wordlessly, effortlessly. a member of the Sacred Congregation those meals He ate with those people things only to buy more. When we donate Gospel is hardly enough, to “Without saying it, with for the Evangelization of Peoples. who would never be invited to banquets. to charity it is so that we can make room say nothing of mainstream your shirts, with your If you want to understand the culture Jesus (in the Eucharist) can reshape for new things, thus, Cardinal Tagle, media. souvenirs, you speak but not of a society, for example, see how who is also the President of Caritas through the mouth,” said it uses space, time, and language; culture. Cardinal Tagle said many conflicts that harm our world today Internationalis, advised: “When you Gospel-inspired Garcera, who heads the CBCP note its heroes, rituals, dances, involve disconnectedness and even send relief goods to victims to of natural “It’s never enough as - Episcopal Commission movements, food, its system of reward clashes of cultures—which is why calamities, please do not send what you compared with the bulk on Family and Life (CBCP- and punishment. “If your parish has a dialogue is indispensable. Even in the have thrown away.” of media exposure of the ECFL). big space for parking but no room for domestic scene, in home, and workplaces The throwaway culture readily discards people [in] the secularized “You bring the Gospel pastoral formation, what does that say where cyber technology has made digital people as though they were burdens and world. The important point without missionaries but about the culture of your parish? What migrants out of people and placed walls nuisances: the wearisome spouse, the here is how we are trying to there is an imprint of the culture is being lived out here?” asked a between family members, we can assert “different” novice, the misappropriated do our best with the little Word of God [on what you smiling cardinal. Some cultures reward the real Presence of Jesus through the public funds, the unwanted baby in the that we have like the bread do],” noted the prelate, you if you tell the truth, while other Eucharistic culture of convocation, womb. In a Eucharistic culture, the that gets multiplied,” said who had only words of cultures punish you; some cultures will gathering, communion in love. The unwanted baby is no less than a gift of the priest. encouragement for Ablaze, say “Watch your time”, while others will appreciation of the person is good and life, the embezzled funds, gifts for social According to Jopson, an which creates faith statement say “Take your time.” necessary for society. The culture of service. emergent second way of shirts and other merchandise, The cardinal from Manila asked: individualism engages in scape-goating Cardinal Tagle concluded: The Bible “speaking about Jesus” is religious publications, “Why does the Church engage in and blaming the ills of the society on the is filled with people who were thrown what the the media needs: music, videos, and events dialogue with cultures? For Mission. migrant, the poor, the stranger. away. All of them are thrown away by “drawing inspiration from that “communicate Christ, We can’t just blame the enemies of The Eucharist offers the culture of an unfriendly world but God took them the Gospel and how it trickles equip the lay faithful, and truth within the Church or outside of convocation. You are called to be with in His gentle hands and gave them to us down to a life of virtue and (Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz it.” Dialogue is mission, and calls for others in a meal that the Lord hosts. as His gifts. values.” / CBCP News) cultural intelligence. We need cultural Living with Christ and the IEC 2016 Liturgy Book

EVEN before the Apostolic Visit force in our personal lives and in of Pope Francis was announced society.” in August 2014, the liturgical team It was not easy putting the behind the IEC 2016 liturgy book, IEC 2016 liturgy book together. headed by Rev. Fr. Mhar Vincent Because of the global nature of Balili (Cebu), was already burning the congress, the book had to the proverbial midnight oil with show the universality of Catholic the editorial team of Bayard worship yet give a feel of the Assumption Media Foundation, uniqueness of Filipino faith. The publishers of Living with Christ. cover photo showed the ornate The partnership was forged retablo of the Basilica Minore del sometime in June 2014 between Santo Niño de Cebu. The inside Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma pages are replete with multi- and Living with Christ General lingual prayers, readings, and its Manager Fr. Bernard Holzer English translations, plus musical of the Augustinians of the notes for each day of the congress. Assumption. Bayard Presse Editor-in-chief Br. Blair Paulus and the Augustinians of the Nuyda AA, based in the US, and Assumption (Assumptionist Managing Editor Jaypee Calleja Fathers) donated and became the in Manila, painstakingly did the liturgy publication partner of the layout and other editorial work in 51st International Eucharistic close coordination with Fr. Mhar Congress. The donation was Balili. The hard work is paying made possible through Bayard’s off. It is truly gratifying to witness International Solidarity Fund. IEC 2016’s approximately 15,000 Two months later, Living with delegates participating actively Christ was also invited to partner during all the liturgies of the week- with the Philippine organizers long congress of the Apostolic Visit of Pope The Assumptionist Fathers’ Francis to produce the papal passion for liturgy and liturgy books. evangelization is mirrored in Why this passion for supporting their publishing apostolate. They liturgy books? Fr. Bernard explains are the primary stakeholders in that Bayard, specifically through Bayard Presse, one of France’s Living with Christ, is committed largest publishers of children’s to helping Filipinos pray and books. Today, four years after it actively participate through these launched the Philippine Edition liturgy books. “We want Filipinos of Living with Christ, more and to go deeper in the mystery of the more schools are using Living Eucharist. This was echoed in with Christ (for kids and adults) the invitation of the papal legate, to accompany them in their daily Cardinal Charles Bo during his prayer. message at the Opening Mass. The Those interested to know more mission of Living with Christ is to about Bayard/Living with Christ 2. Special discounts are being Christ may be contacted at (632) help us discover and live the power may visit their booth at the IEC offered for subscriptions during 927.1052, [email protected] or www. of the Eucharist as a transforming Pavilion basement, Block 5, #1- the IEC 2016. Bayard/Living with livingwithchrist.com.ph

Fearlessly / A1

Budapest in his homily on Day 5 of the religious sometimes they also ended up in prison,” he for others, for the family, for nation, and for gathering. said. humankind then we will fall into the trap According to him, Christ is the hope of glory The 63-year old prelate lamented these of individualism as Pope Francis said in his not only to some but to all mankind, given that fathers and husbands were puzzled to see famous speech in Strasbourg,” he explained. Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person others abandoning and renouncing the faith “But then we will see our future with fear. Whom the disciples recognized as Savior, the for the sake of convenience. We will be afraid that we will feel worse in the Messiah, and the liberator God sent to them. “They might go in need, but they would not future. We will fear illness and death which we “Christianity is not simply philosophical but it is lose hope and trust in Almighty God and in will come to all of us,” he added. connected to the historical person of Jesus Christ. eternal life,” he continued. Echoing St. Paul, Erdő declared, “But We are His disciples. If we accept Him in faith as Erdő stressed the hope and joy Christians we would not have you ignorant, brethren, our Messiah, our savior, that is, as the Christ, this like them manifest are a great encouragement concerning those who have gone to their rest, is what gives hope to mankind,” he explained. for all considering how many are down and that you may not grieve as others who don’t desperate. have hope.” Hungarian heroes The cardinal pointed out the kind of hope Coming from a country that suffered under Hope in Christ the world needs now is the one rooted deeply long years of communist rule, Erdő went on to “In our world, depression and wretchedness in Christ, the source of all hope. praise the inspiring witness many Hungarian of our lives are what kills hope in us. If you “Dear brothers and sisters, this is the hope Catholics had shown amid persecution. think that the greatest goal of our lives is just which is needed today. The world needs Christ, “There were family men who had to decide to feel good in the present moment, then we the world needs us if we belong to Christ,” he between their faith and their jobs. If they think neither of God nor of our fellow creations, added. (Raymond A. Sebastián / CBCP confessed their faith, they lost their jobs. And nor of our future, they don’t feel responsibility News) A8 January 29, 2016 Vol. 20, No.6 CBCP Monitor SKY ORTIGAS