VOLUME 20, NUMBER 8, JANUARY 31, 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:

Evangelization through clothing, A2

Jaro Archbishop calls for ‘friendly competition’ of love, A3

Tantum Ergo: back to the heart of the Eucharistic Hymn, A6

5k kids receive 1st Communion in Cebu THE BODY OF CHRIST. A boy receives his First Communion from Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal during a Mass for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at the Cebu City Sports Center on Jan. 30, 2016. Nearly eight decades ago, Vidal was also among the first communicants when Manila hosted the IEC in 1937, the first in Asia.ROY LAGARDE CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – The Cebu City Sports Complex was filled to capacity Saturday as 5,000 Catholic boys and girls marked a milestone in their spiritual lives by receiving their First Communion. “I’m happy and glad [to be in this Mary, key to Eucharistic event],” said eight-year old Maryst Norña Donque of Cebu South, one of thousands of little ladies dressed in white for the special occasion, when asked how she felt like as she was about to have what St. Thérèse of Lisieux called the first “kiss of love” with the Lord. devotion – Dolan “I’m glad that the First Communion of my daughter is during the 51st By Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz What Mary’s ‘fiat means International Eucharistic Congress According to Dolan, the Eucharist (IEC),” commented Marsyt’s father, CEBU City, Jan. 30, is possible precisely because of Marbien, an instructor at the Holy 2016 – To fall in love the Virgin Mary’s “Yes” to divine Trinity College. with Jesus in the action. “The first Incarnation happened ‘Children’s Mass’ Eucharist, the faithful with Mary’s cooperation. The “It took 79 years and it [IEC] went need to go back to Incarnation goes on now as Jesus- back to the Philippines. Before it was the first Eucharistic is-with-us, Emmanuel, in the Manila. This time, it’s Cebu. We’re proud adorer, Mary, said Blessed Eucharist… The Real Cebuanos,” he added. New York Archbishop Presence of Christ in the Blessed Meanwhile, Christopher Rago, the Timothy Cardinal Sacrament, as the Incarnation, father of third-grader John Chrismar the Word Made Flesh goes on, Rago, another communicant, of Brgy. Dolan, who gave the as it started with Mary’s fiat, Pamutan, was thankful Cebu is hosting Jan. 30 catechesis at when she provided Him a human IEC, and that his son was finally having the 51st International nature,” he explained. his First Communion. Eucharistic Congress Dolan reveals Mary as the first New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan gives the Jan. 30 catechesis on “The Eucharist and “We are so happy we are able to come (IEC) in this city. one to be privy to the immensity Mary” at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City, Jan. 30, 2016. ANA PERCUHO here,” added the multi-cab driver. “You want to be closer to Jesus on of God’s gift to mankind in the Presiding over the “Children’s Mass” the cross at the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist. clues to his role to humanity. The Blessed Virgin’s role as a was no less than Cebu Archbishop Mass? Be closer to Mary, because “She beheld the presence of hastener of Eucharistic grace, is Emeritus Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, who she’s right next to him,” said the the Incarnate Word, the Second ‘Bread for the world’ seen, said Dolan, from the “first due to his frail health had to be wheeled former president of the United Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, The Baby Jesus’ resting place, a miracle for that newly-married into the venue. States Conference of Catholic God the Son, the Eternal Word manger, means “feedbox”, because, couple at Cana in Galilee, by In his opening remarks, the 84-year Bishops. to whom she had freely given a as Dolan explained, “Jesus was changing water into wine, at her old prelate recalled having been a boy The prelate, speaking on the human nature… She gave birth intended as bread for the world in request… to the Lord’s Supper of six when he himself first accepted the theme “The Eucharist and Mary”, to the Son of God in a little town the Eucharist.” when He miraculously changes Body and Blood of His Eucharistic Lord gave an overview on how the called Bethlehem. “Who provided the human nature bread into His Body and wine to in a similar ceremony held at Luneta, Blessed Virgin animates the “There’s a hint of the Eucharist to the Son of God?”, asked Dolan, His Most Precious Blood.” Manila in 1937. Eucharist as “sacrifice, meal, and that first Christmas!”, he exclaimed. noting how Mary was witness to all Some 15,000 delegates from presence”, sharing anecdotes on According to Dolan, even Jesus’ of these foreshadowings and would more than 70 countries are ‘I felt very big’ the inseparability of Jesus and birth place of Bethlehem, which continue to do so – all the way to gathered in this city for the last “I know very well the feeling of these Mary – from crib to cross. means “House of Bread”, offers the Cross. days of the IEC. children here… I was one of those children who received First Communion during children’s day at Luneta. I was amazed at the beauty of the priest and st the many people. I was even more Statement of the 51 International Eucharistic Congress amazed at the Papal legate looking like a king with his long red robe. But above all WE the disciples of the Lord Jesus every Eucharist should be, breaking bread Christ’s missionary disciples are sent into the as a young boy, I felt very big,” he shared Christ, gathered to celebrate the 51st with the poor and marginalized. world to be broken bread for a broken world. to the applause of the crowd. International Eucharistic Congress in The presence of our brothers and sisters They move from Eucharistic celebration to The children went on to renew the Cebu City, Philippines (January 24-31 who have less in life is a constant reminder Eucharistic commitment. The Eucharist is not promises their godparents had recited 2016), now relive the beautiful experience that the poor is the privileged place of just a gift but also a task and mission that can on their behalf on their baptismal day. of the two disciples of Emmaus.” encounter with Jesus outside the Eucharist. change the world. “Viva Jesus, Bread of Life ... Viva “We are convinced that the Holy Spirit sends The Eucharist which is the sacrament of the Indeed, Eucharist enables us to effectively Jesus, life-giving food … Viva Jesus, us forth in order to proclaim the story of Jesus. bread of life fills our spirit and strengthens our respond to the cry of the poor, the cry of the hope of our glory,” this new generation This Congress is like the gathering of the early resolve as we take the tortuous path of dialogue earth, and the cry of Jesus Christ. of Catholics said in chorus. disciples when they joyfully shared stories of with religions, cultures, youth and the poor. Missionary dynamism springs from an The well-attended religious event how each of them encountered the Risen Lord in We are empowered by the Holy Spirit encounter with Jesus through deep prayer capped a series of activities lined up on the Scripture and in the Breaking of the Bread. for mutual understanding, openness, and because the lungs of evangelization is prayer. Day 7 of the ongoing IEC. The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To conversion of hearts and minds. We are a people on a mission; truly, IEC 2016 is Witnessing the First Communion love and come to their help. We are challenged The Eucharist – the Real Presence of Jesus a clarion call to mission for all of us. Our Eucharist were IEC Eucharistic pilgrims from all to reach out to the poor and help uplift them – sustains our hearts and nourishes our souls is the source and goal of the Church’s mission. over the world as well as delegates from materially and spiritually as a concrete way as we journey towards the convocation where May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother the episcopal sees of Pasig, Novaliches, of living out the Eucharist. God gathers us all in inclusive communion, of the Incarnate Word and the Eucharistic Ilagan, Talibon, Dumaguete, Calbayog, The Eucharist compels us to act and give banishing distinctions that alienate and Lord, accompany us, missionary disciples, Naval, Pagadian, Malaybalay, Palo, and them something to eat. The example of Jesus, celebrating the gift each one brings. in order to share Jesus Christ in us, our hope the Military Ordinariate. (Raymond A. particularly the meal stories, teaches us what Energized and renewed by the Eucharist, of glory. Amen. Sebastián / CBCP News) A2 NEWS January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 CBCP Monitor Evangelization through clothing

CEBU City, Jan. 29, 2016--In an age to encourage other people and by proper way [to dress]... when you’re where skimpy skirts, see-through doing it you, encourage others more.” on a date with the Lord,” she added. tops seem almost de riguer, delegates The nurse from the Philippine For the 26-year old, modesty at the 51st International Eucharistic General Hospital in Manila said she need not be boring, especially with Congress make a powerful case for was especially moved by the sight of products like “statement shirts” irresistible, refreshing modesty, young, veiled women in churches in from groups like Couples for Christ especially during the Holy Mass. Parañaque as well as at the Padre Pio (CFC) Ablaze, an organization It was a sense of awe for Jesus Shrine in Batangas. committed to New Evangelization. in the Eucharist that led Berna “It’s too beautiful.. Imagine a She said: “Even my friends Manipon to start wearing a veil church where all the girls wear veils outside the community [of CFC], during Holy Mass despite it being [during Mass],” added Manipon. they’ll really ask you, where did you a tradition associated with more For Tancy Delfin, a management get that? It attracts people. They matronly women in the Philippines. accounting graduate, also appreciate how bold the statements “You prepare yourself for a date volunteering at the IEC, dressing [about faith] are.” [with Jesus], so you veil yourself, well for the holy Eucharist is more you cover yourself because you’re than just a personal preference Only Jesus attracts the heart meeting the Lord... You’re really but something that could have “It’s nice because it’s really decent, [also] more focused,” said the 28- ecumenical consequences. but you can wear it in a cool manner. year old volunteer for the 51st All kinds of people can wear it,” International Eucharistic Congress Modesty matters added Delfin. (IEC) media accreditation team. “Modesty really matters, Ablaze, which has shirts and Ablaze marketing executive Tricia Mae Barretto wears the official 51st IEC congress shirt featuring the especially... [because] there are other apparel that communicate event logo, Jan. 29, 2016. NIRVA DELACRUZ ‘Too beautiful’ also other religions, when they see Christ through their designs, also According to Manipon, who has us not dressed properly, instead creates publications, music as well in front of God. We are in the According to the Bishop of Lezhë, been veiling at Mass for several years of appreciating our Eucharist, the as organizes events and trainings presence of God. Young people aside from the exterior witness of now, she believes her personal practice impression is not good,” the Negros geared towards New Evangelization. have to [dress] well... [Doing this] dressing modestly what matters most of veiling is a testament to others. Occidental native explained. At the end of the day, the entire would be a testimony in front of the is a commitment to prayer because “[I do it] actually not because I feel “When I see people who wear person should speak about Jesus – others,” said Bishop Ottavio Vitale, “only Jesus, only God attracts” the holy but because I’m focused on the shorts to Mass, I feel offended as from head to foot. RCI, an Italian Rogationist Father people to conversion. (Nirva’ana Mass and another thing, I also want a Catholic. I know that it’s not the “We dress well because we are missionary based serving in Albania. Ella Delacruz / CBCP News) Religious sister Youth accept ‘holiness challenge’ MANDAUE City, Jan. 30, 2016--Youth Davao also shared her learning saying, “It shows to you the Christian faith delegates to the 51st International “When you give more of yourself, it of the Filipino. When you say youth, ‘excited’ about Eucharistic Congress (IEC) gathered doesn’t mean you lose – it means you everything is there, they are so excited for a day full of song, faith sharing, and gain more and through that you become and we too from the city government, answering the call to live holier, more a saint in your own way.” we’re overwhelmed,” said Lapu-lapu City “Eucharistic” lives as saints Meanwhile, Beegie Marine from the Mayor Paz Radaza. Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Diocese of Talibon, Aklan acknowledges Fr. Conegundo Garganta, the executive sharing IEC Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles the faithful’s need to accept their secretary of the Episcopal Commission in the US, challenged the audience sinfulness. on the Youth of the Catholic Bishops composed of young people, mostly from “Before you become a saint, you go Conference of the Philippines, considers the Philippines, to surrender to the will through purification, to be a saint you have the talk appropriate and believes the call learnings of God and pursue the path to holiness. to know you are a sinner – a sinner trying to sainthood is “very much possible.” “To say your life is not about you is my best to minimize sins. Pray always and He also hopes this message really adds to say you’ve got a mission. There’s attend Mass [because] it’s the highest form to the many messages and invitations no rule, no exception, nobody in the of prayer,” he said in Filipino. encouraging young people to pursue Bible is ever given an experience of While another youth from Luzon, holiness. God without at the same time being Therese Ledesma, a delegate from the “[The talk was] very relevant since our sent on mission. If you find the Diocese of Tarlac, believes the faithful Filipino youth [hvave the] the biggest person God wants you to be, you will need “to focus [their] energies towards representation in terms of population: set the world on fire,” stressed the God, find God and make Him the center the energy, dynamism, and creativity charismatic host of the hugely popular of [their] lives.” they have, if properly directed as Bishop “Catholicism” documentary. “It’s a matter of being humble, you can Barron said, will bring a big change to only share mercy and compassion, if you our country in faith and how we live Only Jesus accept that you are weak and you are willing our lives – politics, economy, social “As youth, we need to focus on our for God to fill you.” responsibilities.” faith and believe only in Jesus,” said He promised, “to continue and be Benedict Canapi from the Diocese of Relevant talk committed [to] help and guide this young Butuan. He said he plans to answer this The mayor of the city acknowledged people in finding this treasure and field – call by “doing some of the Spiritual and the enthusiasm of the youth delegates the path of sainthood,” he said. (Chrixy Corporal works of mercy.” and expressed that this experience was Paguirigan with reports from Chaira Magno from the Archdiocese of phenomenal. Ronalyn Regino / CBCP News) Sorsogon’s Poor Clares on IEC ‘Eucharistic mission’

CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – Mary Magdalene. The donor Two Poor Clares ventured out went to a chapel one day and of their cloisters in Sorsogon prayed, and rediscovered a 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) delegates share a laugh during the to go on a mission at the 51st devotion to the Eucharist. catechesis given by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Jan. 28, 2016. DOMINIC BARRIOS International Eucharistic The donor now shares the Congress (IEC): to turn over devotion by giving away CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – that is the Body and Blood of monstrances from a generous pamphlets on the Eucharist Given the gems of wisdom she Christ, it means that what I American donor to Cebu’s to people. has been reaping so far from eat is Christ, so I must live like poor parishes. An old woman mentioned talks at the 51st International Christ. So all of us our model According to Sister Mary to the donor the lack of Eucharistic Congress (IEC), a of our life must be Jesus Magdalene Lagco, OSC, an monstrances in poor parishes, religious sister expressed joy Christ,” she explained. American donor, who was and since then, the donor has she has a lot more to share in Having been a religious for saddened upon learning that taken up the need to make the her apostolate once the global some 23 years now, a portion a lack of resources had been Eucharistic Lord known all religious gathering wraps up. of which she spent doing depriving many poor parishes over, especially to the poor, “It [IEC] deepens more my mission in Kenya, Africa, of the benefits of Eucharistic as her cause. spirituality, my faith, in a Gabawan stressed she has had exposition and adoration The monstrances depart way that I am reminded more a fulfilling experience in her because these require having Sr. Mary Magdalene Lagco, OSC and Sr. Marie Elvie Magsucang, OSC attend the 51st from the traditional design International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City. ROMMEL LOPEZ again … [from the talks]. vocation. a monstrance to protect Christ as they can be hanged, The talks enrich more my in the Blessed Sacrament, had Support unexpectedly the free montrances. and the receptacle for the knowledge of the Eucharist … Finding meaning in life since committed to provide came from donors, and her The order endorsed 51 Blessed Sacrament can The talks refreshed me again,” Before entering the convent, monstrances to poor parishes superior tapped her to attend monstrances, symbolizing the be detached, Sister Mary noted Sr. Marilyn Gabawan she used to work at the Armed for free. the Cebu gathering given her 51st edition of the IEC in the Magdalene explained. The of the Missionary Sisters of Forces of the Philippines This is where the Poor role in the community as Philippines, to Fr. Carmelo practical design is also meant the Catechism (SMC) in an (AFP) as a researcher. Clares come in – as bridges formator and in-charge of Diola, SSL, chairman of to prevent the theft of the interview. However, she said she did between the said parishes liturgy. With her was Sister the IEC’s Committee on sacred species, she added, She said her congregation not find meaning in what she and the donor, who prefers Marie Elvie Magsucang, OSC, Solidarity and Communion. lamenting that nowadays, is involved in teaching was doing back then. anonymity. a relative of Jesuit priest Fr. there is lack of respect for the catechism, giving seminars “I am happy now that I Jose Quilongquilong. Simple conversion story Blessed Sacrament. taking care of the elderly am a sister. [Before entering Other IEC ‘purpose’ It also eventually occurred The donor, who would The Poor Clares and orphaned children as the convent], I didn’t find Lagco, 43, assistant to Sister Mary Magdalene rather remain unknown, has monastery in Sorsogon well as giving formation to satisfaction that way I feel superior of the Poor Clares that her order’s spiritual a simple story of conversion. has more monstrances for catechists. now that I am sister,” she said. Monastery of Our Lady of mother, St. Clare, is depicted For 18 years, the donor, a distribution elsewhere in Based on her personal As a consecrated person, Peñafrancia, didn’t really as holding a monstrance. hospital worker, fell away the country. Interested experience, she lamented her daily routine includes plan to go to the 51st IEC, “The Lord really wants from the faith, and didn’t parishes may send an email many Catholics even attending Mass and spending as contemplatives belong to us to be here,” she said in have time to go to Mass. to poorclaresorsogon@gmail. now are not sufficiently time in the Blessed Sacrament. the cloister, not outside, but Filipino, noting that her other “There was no com or call 09182902003. informed about the role Gabawan went on to invite Divine Providence obviously “purpose” of being at the IEC extraordinary miracle, just (Felipe Francisco / CBCP of the sacraments in their Catholic women to consider had other designs. is to act as the distributor of an inspiration,” shared Sister News) spiritual lives, particularly the pursuing a religious vocation. Eucharist. “For those young ladies who feel God calls them kindly Eucharistic education responds to God calling. It’s a Papal legate to elderly: Smile more! “Educating the people, nice life to share and serve our especially the poor, on Lord, Jesus Christ. If you feel CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016— Cardinal papal legate to the 51st International Rosales Street, houses 66 wheelchair- importance of the Sacraments you have the vocation to the Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Eucharistic Congress (IEC) was bound elderly men and women. [is needed]. Many people don’t religious life, please answer Yangon in Myanmar, has a message for greeted with handshakes, smiles, and In his short message, Bo also spoke understand the sacraments. your vocation to the religious the elderly: lighten up and smile more! flowers. about the importance of missionary Some thought they can buy life. And you will be happy to In a visit to a home for the aged “I have received gifts and especially work and being charitable towards the sacraments ... It’s not that. serve our Lord,” she added. managed by the Missionaries of your gifts of smiles. I encourage you the needy. Sacraments [are a] deepening The 51st IEC is set to Charity, the congregation founded to smile more often,” said the prelate. “We can take the example of the [of] one’s faith,” she added. conclude on Sunday, Jan. by soon-to-be canonized Teresa of “We have so many gifts which we can Missionary of Sisters of Charity. What As “Bread of Life,” Gabawan 31, 4:00 p.m. with the Statio Calcutta, on Saturday, the cardinal with share with each other— our smile. is their gift? Their whole life,” he pointed out that every Orbis Mass at the South urged the elderly to “say cheese” more This is the gift that we receive and give said. “It’s a great example what these baptized faithful is called Properties Road, Cebu City. often, smiling can change a lot. to each other,” he said. sisters are doing.” (Roy Lagarde / upon to like live Christ. (Raymond A. Sebastián Upon the entering the facility, the The facility, located along Cardinal CBCPNews) “When we eat the Eucharist, / CBCP News) NEWS CBCP Monitor January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 A3 ‘Western world has Jaro Archbishop calls for lost ability to connect’ ‘friendly competition’ of love

Belgian convert Marianne Servaas. DOMINIC BARRIOS

CEBU City, Jan. 29, 2016--Belgian Ma. Georgia Cogtas, a former street convert Marianne Servaas revealed child, suggested the conversion how the west has become less human of unused spaces in parishes into and has lost the zest for life, unlike venues for study and feeding Filipinos who are known for their activities for street children. positive outlook despite hardships. “We no longer trust life. Our Room for the poor attitude is critical. We begin with “Maybe the Church could make Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo leads the morning prayer for the seventh day of the 51st IEC. MICHAEL DALOGDOG theories and ideas before looking room for the poor by providing a at life itself. We turn things upside space where the children can study down. We have lost the ability to and have meals, or utilize resources CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016--Jaro “As Christians, we rely on one pilgrims that God has made available relate,” Servaas said during the to provide them with books,” Cogtas Archbishop Angel Lagdameo called another. We depend on one another. to them individual gifts, talents, sixth and final press conference of said. on delegates to the 51st International We help one another. The various experiences, and perspectives. the 51st International Eucharistic Thai author and entrepreneur Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to engage parts of the body [rely] on one These gifts also include the wider Congress (IEC). Mary Sarindhorn, who gave her in “friendly competition” not to another. We suffer together. We community everyone belongs to, testimony on Jan. 30, told the upstage one another, but in showing rejoice together,” said Lagdameo, he said. ‘Incredible sense of joy’ media how she found faith after love and kindness for others. president of the Catholic Bishops’ “As members of this Eucharistic Servaas said Filipinos are able being accused of a crime she did Leading the morning prayer on the Conference of the Philippines from community, we are called not only to bring hope to others through not commit. seventh day of the IEC, Archbishop 2005 to 2009. to practice love and to honor one their joy. “The Philippines has an “During my suffering, I prayed Lagdameo reflected on what it is to “As we fulfill that mission, Jesus another but also to those outside incredible sense of joy rooting from to God day and night. He spoke be a “Eucharistic community”: that gives us the command to love one the community,” he said. “We humility. Even when things are to me that one day the truth will is, to be disposed to practice “acts of another, as He has loved us, and at should engage ourselves in friendly hard, joy carries you through,” she prevail. I finally was able to dig up kindness and beauty, of mercy and the same time He gives us the grace competition on showing love and said. the evidence that will prove my reconciliation, of peace and justice, we need to carry out that command.” kindness to our neighbors.” (Felipe Servaas gave a powerful testimony innocence. After that, I found God of generosity.” Lagdameo reminded the IEC Francisco / CBCP News) on the second day of the congress, to be my savior up to this day,” revealing how the Eucharist helped Sarindhorn said. her heal emotionally and spiritually. Capping the last press conference ‘Visita Iglesia’ reminder of Christian mission – priest She was abused by her father, an of IEC week, CBCP Episcopal Social evangelical pastor, from age 4 until Communciations and Social Media she reached 16-years old. chairman Bishop Mylo Hubert Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Vergara said the congress has president of the 51st IEC, said, achieved its goal of encouraging the however, that it is possible the faithful to foster humility, to reach Philippines might lapse into the out to the poor and suffering, tp and same culture. The challenge is to have a devout prayer life. preserve the values already present “The prayer of the Eucharist in the country, which European should lead to action. We are to countries can emulate, he said. be the bread broken and shared to Other lay speakers in the congress others,” said Vergara. (CBCP News were also present. Pastoral worker / Krystel Nicole A. Sevilla) Korean media impressed by Pinoy faith

IEC Visita Iglesia participants visit and pray at several churches in Cebu City. DOMINIC BARRIOS

CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016- “All roads go to the like a ‘global Visita Cebu is wonderful!” Fr. -A missionary delegate church and all the roads Iglesia’ because of the Gomez also noted. was reminded of the from the church sent us enternational delegates,” Each group visited four Catholic faithful’s mission to the mission--we are he added. of the seven participating during his Visita Iglesia walking to the church now The participants were churches. The delegates experience during the just [like how] the Lord also given a glimpse of were transported by IEC ongoing 51st International sends us to the mission how Filipinos practice the buses and dropped off at Eucharisti Congress (IEC) in different ways,” he Catholic faith. one point from where they in this city. explained in an interview “Each country, even walk edtheir way to the Fr. Thomas Gomez, a with CBCP News. though the faith is [the] other churches included Bangladeshi missionary same, the practice is in the itinerary. to Canada shared his Faith for all different. Here, the people Seven of the churches reflection on the Visita The IEC Visita Iglesia are more church-going, visited in this walking Iglesia, comparing the was an open-to-all activity for some--even though pilgrimage were the: Our “way delegates walk where even non-IEC they are poor they are Lady of the Sacred Heart toward the churches delegates could join the rich in heart--they want Parish in Escario, Asilo taking different route”’ official delegates. to become richer and so de la Medalla Milagrosa, to how God “sends us to “The Visita Iglesia they go to the church,” Our Mother of Perpetual mission in different ways.” experience was even more explained Gomez. Help, Sacred Heart Parish He also noted that the powerful because it was in Jokosalem, the Santo delegates traveled on open to all. It was all the Journeying with Jesus Rosario Parish, Cebu different paths but always more welcoming and the “Now, we are practicing Metropolitan Cathedral, Korean IEC delegates attend a Mass during the Parish Encounter. MICHAEL DALOGDOG towards one Church, just local parishioners were here all together, we are and the Basilica Minore like how the faithful have gleeful,” said Michael journeying with the Lord, I del Santo Niño. (Chrixy CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016--A South of persecution, something many of different missions, all Laxina, a participant. think now we are living the Paguirigan / CBCP Korean journalist covering the 51st the present generation of faithful leading to the path towards “We had communal same faith and the same News with Reports International Eucharistic Congress have carried over. the Kingdom of Heaven. prayer and it felt way of faith,” he added. from Berna Manipon) (IEC) shared her impression of the “In Korea, many Catholics hide faith of Filipinos, noting the honor their faith. Korea is a multi-religion and passion they show in being country and they don’t want conflict Fr. Timothy Radcliffe: Living in extraordinary hope Catholics. between other religions. I guess “[Filipino] Catholics are proud the silent faith of Koreans is CEBU City, Jan. 26, 2016--In a world and sing, he said. This also shows “God gave us minds, He gave and passionate. They surprised me, caused by persecutions from two of challenges and struggles, there are expression of hope in Christ, us reason so we could try and and I was very pleased,” declared centuries ago. The persecutions different ways to express hope. especially in difficult times. “The understand. If we believe in God, we Cristina Eunyoung Kim, who made Catholics hide themselves,” Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P.’s Eucharist is our great sign of hope, would understand [that] in the end, works for the Catholic Bishops’ she added. afternoon session on “The Christian the sacraments are signs – they everything makes sense,” he said. Conference of Korea (CBCK), in a As a first-timer in the Philippines, Virtue of Hope” involved sharing express hope that are beyond recent interview. she said she had to study much many of his personal testimonies and words,” explained Radcliffe. Potentials of peace Contrasting Catholics in the two about the host country. stories on extraordinary hope. He “It is in the darkest [times] that Teaching the young is one of the Asian nations, she pointed out the said hope is found in “remaining”, God comes to us in ways that we may greatest signs of hope, he also said. major difference lies in how they ‘Great nation’ telling a story of not running away never have anticipated, so don’t be Children, he said, “represent the express their faith. “I found the Philippines is a very amid hard times and choosing to afraid of crisis,” he added. potentials of peace that we can’t great nation,” she said. trust in God and abide in His word. hope to imagine.” Fear of persecution Korea was the colony of Japan. Hope in the Philippines “Hope means doing the good thing Kim went on to explain that But Filipinos didn’t lose their pride Despite crises Radcliffe said he has come to today, regardless of tomorrow. In so while they may be just as devoted, in spite of the colony era of Spain “Remaining is a sign of hope, of admire the Philippines’ resilience many things we do in our daily lives, Catholics who comprise a minority for a long time. Your history deeply trust in the Lord who remains with in the face of being hit by so many we hope and we entrust everything in the peninsula tend to be inhibited moved me,” she added. us. Sometimes, it’s difficult to stay in disasters and so many crises. “When I to God, even through our simplest and not as showy about their religion. The 37-year old from Seoul had the Church, but we abide, because came to the Philippines, I think I came acts and deeds,” he added. According to her, this must also previously covered the 50th IEC God abides with us,” said the former to learn about hope from you,” he said. “God is the protagonist of this truth be ultimately due to historical in Dublin, Ireland in 2012. Master-General of the Order of Even in mundane things, people so we trust in God – we leave things circumstances. Kim said Catholics in South Korean Preachers, the 800-year old order convey hope. Fr. Radcliffe pointed in His hand because we trust that he Two hundred years back, she make up approximately 10 percent of known as the Dominicans. out that doing good deeds, learning brings about his Kingdom in his own noted Korean Catholics often had to the total population. (Raymond A. When celebrating the Eucharist, and teaching, thinking, and being like way,” stressed Radcliffe. (Chrixy live out their faith in hiding for fear Sebastián / CBCP News) the faithful gather in hope, pray, children are expressions of hope. Paguirigan / CBCP News) A4 OPINION January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 CBCP Monitor

EDITORIAL

Let us be backyard missionaries

THERE is something nostalgic about a huge hall filled with empty chairs. Just hours ago, this hall—the IEC Pavilion—was reverberating with the sounds of faith and joy. Now it is empty but for us who must record for posterity everything that took place within its walls this past week. For seven consecutive days this hall was filled to overflowing with people in jubilation over the almost palpable presence of God in this 51st International Eucharistic Congress. We were “high” from savoring the company of the Eucharistic Lord. Emptying ourselves of mundane concerns for one whole week, we made ourselves available to Him and to one another. Feeling our best, we were ready to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and in our neighbor everyday. The daily Liturgy filled the air with grace and blessing, so much so that each day felt like a Sunday. Eucharist, Eucharist, Eucharist. We feasted upon the nourishing lectures centering on the Eucharist. We made new friends, refreshed old friendships, and renewed our friendship with Jesus. We exchanged views in the spirit of brotherly love. We were touched by mystery. Like children we laughed, we wept, we sang, we prayed, we took selfies. With renewed zeal we exchanged stories over our “laptop lunch”. We also shopped. But what do we bring home from this place besides the souvenirs we had bought to remember this experience by? Many of us are expected to echo our learning when we return to our parishes or communities. What would be our most

precious lesson to pass on? Besides regaling others with OAR JAKOSALEM, TAGOY BY BRO. ILLUSTRATION accounts of exciting times and showing off our innumerable selfies—what do we do? The 51st IEC legacy and We bring home the Christ in us—“…the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past… but now made manifest to His By the Roadside challenge: bring the Eucharist saints… it is Christ in you, the hope for glory” (Col. 1:26-27).” Fr. Eutiquio ‘Euly’ Belizar, Jr. SThD That is the challenge of this Congress. When we leave this to the world today place and return to the world and find ourselves outnumbered by infidels and lukewarm Catholics, how are we going to proclaim the reality that is the Holy Eucharist? EVERY good thing on earth comes to an salvation. This salvation wrought for us understanding, prudence, and sobriety. To non-believers, the Eucharist does not make sense; it is end. Only Jesus Christ in the Eucharist by Christ Jesus and celebrated whenever After all, the Jesus we encounter in the just a bland biscuit. No doctrine, no pontificating, will convince does not. As the 51st IEC draws to a we break bread and drink the cup of the sacrament is the Risen One whose word them otherwise. Not all of us can be preachers, and even those close, I have asked myself two questions Eucharist pertains not only to us but also “Shalom (all the blessings of peace and trained to be preachers may not always become effective as that, I feel, need to be answered by us to creation itself. The Apostle Paul has goodness)!” (Jn 20:19, 21, 26) is also our such. But when our lives and our persons preach the Gospel delegates and by every Christian who this to say in this regard: “For creation command. without using words, people are moved because it is the power adores, worships, and serves the Lord itself shall also be delivered from the 3. We live with a digitally induced of Christ they behold, and that power is irresistible. in and through the Eucharist. The first servitude of corruption and brought into world and other forms of isolation and The Catechesis in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress is: What is the world of today like? The the liberty of the glory of the sons of God” individualism, an unhappy fruit of the often stressed the power of the Eucharist to heal a broken second follows from the first: What does (Rom 8:21). To quote the first Catholic advances in science and technology. world, citing the threats to humanity bought about by greed, the Eucharist brings it and thus impels US President: “God’s work on earth must In response, the Eucharist is God’s indifference, hunger for power and dominance, et al. Healing us to be and to do? I will try to answer truly be our own.” Nowhere is this more oasis of joy found and encountered a broken world can begin in our own homes or primary circle as a fellow believer who wishes to share, truly and clearly applied than in the work in community. The Real (not digital) of influence, making peace with those closest to us, forgiving in a Eucharistic manner, with brothers of bringing the fruits of salvation to our Presence of the Lord constantly impels and asking forgiveness of our family members, our confreres, and sisters some shafts of the light that “common home” itself. us to seek “real” company of “real” other members of our community. Eucharist is mission, and by came my way. 2. We live in a world threatened by old people who, in the Word made flesh who the grace and mercy of God we can be backyard missionaries. 1. We live a world threatened by and new forms of hatred, extremism and has therefore shared our very nature Nothing is too small in the eyes of God when done with utmost climate change and environmental fundamentalism at the root of terrorism. with all its weaknesses, are our “real” self-giving. degradation. In response, the Eucharist In response, the Eucharist is the perpetual brothers and sisters. It is in them and Back in our rooms, before our altars, we will offer ourselves constantly reminds us of our duty to care sacrament and testament of God’s love through them that we not only find the to the Eucharist, and await His Word in the silence of our for the earth which, in the words of Pope for us, effectively reconciling us with meaning of the Eucharistic bread broken hearts. Francis, is “our common home”. The himself and with one another. This gift of and shared but also the real nourishment Eucharist is a firm reminder that the God reconciliation urges and obliges us to be for our hunger for love and freedom. The Eucharist and the “Glory of God” we worship in the Eucharist is the “God peacemakers and builders of solidarity, 4. We live in a world ever more deeply of all creation” through whose goodness never responding to hatred with hatred wounded by secularization. In the words THE acclamation of the Eucharistic assembly after the we receive the bread and wine that later but with the love of Christ that we make of St. John Paul II in his apostolic letter consecration aptly concludes the manifestation of the become the Body and Blood of the Lord visible by initiating and calling fellow Mane Nobiscum Domine (“Remain eschatological orientation that is signified by the participation who gives himself through them for our human beings to dialogue, mutual By the Roadside / A7 in the table of the Lord: we proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ “until he comes again”. The Eucharist is tension toward the goal, foretaste of the fullness of joy promised by Christ. In A fresh pair of eyes a certain sense, it is anticipation of the final Kingdom, “pledge And That’s The Truth of future glory”. In the trustful waiting that “the blessed hope is Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS accomplished and our Savior Jesus Christ may come.” The Eucharist which is at the same time seed and goal of the mission manifests the experience of the glory of God that has at its center the Paschal Mystery of Christ, his passion and ALLOW me to tell you a the priest miscalculated the from nowhere: “Would you was not just a “holy wafer” I death, his glorious resurrection. It is on the cross that the true story about an extraordinary number of communicants still love me in my broken was taking—it was the Lord glory of God is revealed to us because there the Father shows communion that gave me a so that towards the end of state?” I ignored it as I gently Himself giving Himself to me. in his Son his merciful face and his love up to the point of death fresh pair of eyes. Although Communion, he was splitting picked up the Host with my Much later, while awaiting for the salvation of his creatures and creation. Thus “Christ in this took place during the the Sacred Hosts in order to tongue, afraid I might drop it my turn in a long Communion you, hope of glory” is revealed to us as no other than the whole Eucharist, it did not happen make them last. if I used my fingers. queue at our parish church, saving plan of God realized in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. inside a church, but in a When my turn came, I Back in my seat, the the image of the armless From Sunday to Sunday, gathered in the name of the Lord, we modest office to celebrate received what must have been question came back: “Would and legless Crucified Christ celebrate the glory of God in every Eucharist. That Jesus who the company’s foundation one/sixteenth of a regular you still love me in my broken in my hand came back to was crucified we now encounter-- risen, living, raised before anniversary. The Gospel host. I am not exaggerating. state?” And my answer came: mind—and along with it, a the world who crucified him. Now death is made joyful by love that day was Luke 9:11-17, It was smaller than a mung “Of course, Lord, I’d love you new pair of eyes. I “saw” the and our resurrection is manifested in the efforts to love as Jesus about the multiplication of bean. Chipped off hosts were even more.” Body of Christ in each and loved. “Gloria Dei vivens homo; vita autem hominis visio Dei. the loaves and fish, and the nothing new to me, but it I didn’t dwell on that every person in line to receive The glory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is the story I’m about to tell is about was the first time I received a experience, instead dismissed Him—broken, pleading to be vision of God.” division, the division of the fraction of a host—and such a it as a distraction during loved. It’s as though I saw the Hosts at Mass. teeny-weeny bit at that! Communion. But months wounds they were hiding, and -- Excerpts from the theological and pastoral As with all Masses that But glancing at the “little later, I would notice that I it filled me with compassion. reflection in preparation for the 51st International are celebrated outside of a white thing” in the palm of would be more “present” Not all the people in the queue Eucharistic Congress church, the priest was careful my hand I instead “saw” to the Host at Communion. were easy to like, and one lady not to consecrate too many something else, a small body Whether I was given a whole was even considered “weird” pieces of host lest he end up of the crucified Christ with host or a quarter of the bigger in the parish, but in that having to consume the excess. neither arms nor legs. And host the priest himself took marvelous way that defies CBCP In spite of his care, however, with that flashed a question didn’t matter—I knew it And That’s the Truth / A7 Monitor Candidly Speaking What I learned PROTAGONIST OF TRUTH, PROMOTER OF PEACE Fr. Roy Cimagala from the IEC Pedro Quitorio Ronalyn Regino Editor-in-Chief Design Artist

Nirva’ana Delacruz Gloria Fernando YOU think that as a priest I already know It started right at the opening Mass The Eucharistic celebration should not Associate Editor Marketing Supervisor everything about the Eucharist? The celebrated by no less than the Papal just be an hour-long ceremony. It has to answer is a big, flat No. Even if I must Legate, the Burmese Cardinal Maung be an abiding, lifelong celebration. The Roy Lagarde Mercedita Juanite confess that I know quite a bit about it, Bo. He set the tone for the weeklong celebration should not be understood News Editor Circulation Manager and already have an extensive experience event. It was about having a greater solely as something purely liturgical, related to this most sublime sacrament, sensitivity to the social dimension of the done in some church, sanctuary or holy Kris Bayos Marcelita Dominguez I realize that what the Catechism says Eucharist, something that many people place. Features Editor Comptroller about the “inexhaustible richness” of the fail to realize We need to understand that the Rommel Lopez, Felipe Francisco, Eucharist cannot be any truer. That was the theme or the spirit that Eucharistic celebration has to extend to Teresa Tunay, Melo Acuña, I found myself feeling like one with a was consistently built up in every talk, all parts of the day and to all aspects of Raymond Sebastian, Chrixy Paguirigan zero-knowledge everytime I attended a session, or workshop. To be sure, it was our life, whether spiritual or material, Staff Writers, IEC Special Issue session during the Congress. I was like a theme that had as its proper roots in sacred, or mundane. In other words, a desert experiencing for the first time the deep realization that the Eucharist there’s nothing in our life that cannot and Fr. Reynaldo Jaranilla, OAR, Maria Tan, the refreshing blessing of a downpour. is the most central part of a Christian’s should not be related to the Eucharist. Dominic Barrios, Ana Perucho, Johann Mangussad, I had the clear impression that the life, and its celebration has to be as best The whole day, our whole life Sammy Navaja, Michael Dalogdog Photographers, IEC Special Issue Holy Eucharist would engage me in as possible humanly, liturgically, should be some kind of a Mass that, a lifelong process of getting to know, culturally speaking, etc. of course, should be rooted on its This special issue of the CBCP Monitor is published daily appreciate, and live it better and better In other words, the social dimension liturgical celebration. But the liturgical for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress by Areopagus everyday. During the Congress, I was should be the organic outgrowth of our celebration would somehow be nullified, Communications, Inc. with editorial and business offices at aware of many new insights coming faith in the centrality of the Eucharist in its tremendous effects practically wasted, Ground Flr., Holy Face of Jesus Center & Convent, 1111 F. R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila. Editorial: (632) 404- 2182. in, like seeds just sown. Hopefully our life and its most solemn celebration. if we fail to take advantage of its power Business: (632) 404-1612.; ISSN 1908-2940 in time, these would grow and bear As the Papal Legate put it, the celebration to purify and transform us individually much fruit. has to turn into a commitment. Candidly Speaking / A7 OPINION CBCP Monitor January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 A5

Just Inspired The Eucharist: Simple Gifts Fr. Jose Ernil Almayo, OAR ‘So ancient yet so new’ Veronica and Rafael Dy-Liacco

IT all started long time ago in a far, far recalled. “And everybody swarmed emeritus Gaudencio Rosales and then away place called Jerusalem when the around him because he had a lot of 8-year old Ricardo Cardinal Vidal Love, prayer, and Jesus’ last meal with his core group interesting stories to tell.” could still refer to that historic event called apostles took place. That meal As I tried to listen intently to this 55- participated in by 1.5 million souls. Our Blessed Mother came to be known as “Last Supper” year old prelate, my mind was stuck on The impact is, no doubt, indelible. (though, like the term “Trinity”, it does his mention of Cardinal Sin and the year For that’s the natural dynamics of OUR journey back to God, together as a married couple, not exist in the New Testament). 1985. Then, something different dawned one’s encounter with the Lord in the began most clearly after what my husband now refers to as his “Do this in memory of me,” Jesus on me like a blitzkrieg. If it was the IEC Eucharist. There is always that element conversion. It happened at the point in his academic career said. His apostles faithfully complied. 1985, I said to myself, then, it must have of “remembering” just as it was at its when he seemed to be moving away from faith and belief at the Wherever they went, they propagated been the “Eucharistic nutrients” that origin. So ancient yet so new, if I were highest speed. Always intense about his academics, he had gone the breaking of bread. That life-changing fortified the brave cardinal six months to use St. Augustine’s phrase. to Alaska to observe the aurora borealis, as part of his research event, re-presented in what we call Holy later, on February 1986, to unflinchingly On a more personal note, I found for the Ph.D., on the topic of ancient sky reading. American Eucharist, would continue to nourish call for what is now labeled as the People something compelling, a sort of blessing geophysicists had suggested, decades ago, that the vision of the people of God in diverse situations, Power Revolution. in disguise, in the tandem of Bishop God contained in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 1, was actually embolden new generations of Gospel I know there is no way to confirm Reynaldo Evangelista of Cavite and the the prophet’s experience of an aurora over the Babylonian ambassadors, and, yes, eucharistify the my hypothesis. But the significant Recoletos choir who led the morning wilderness. My husband’s research uncovered more published face of the earth… relationship is inevitable. prayers on the sixth day of IEC 2016. evidence, from Russian geophysicists, for the plausibility of The gargantuan impact of the Eucharist Hopefully, this Eucharistic impact Probably, I was the only one who took this hypothesis. All he needed now, my husband believed, was swells beyond description “that even the continues to amaze us, as Pope John Paul notice of it. I don’t think the organizers actually to see an aurora that conformed in some way to the world itself would not contain the books II wished in his Ecclesia de Eucharistia knew this connection. That on this year, imagery in the Biblical text, as nothing that he saw of the aurora that should be written” to loan St. John’s n.6. Pope Benedict XVI also wished the 2016, the Recoletos is celebrating its in videos uploaded on the internet seemed quite to do so. words (Jn 21:24) in another context. same: “The wonder we experience at the 400th anniversary of evangelization The funding for his trip was not easy for him to obtain, and for For instance, when Bishop Dominick gift of God has made to us in Christ gives in this diocese. And that tandem was a a while he believed he might never make it.During this time of Kimengich of Lodwar, Kenya took lunch new impulse to our lives and commits us “thanksgiving Mass” (well, every Mass uncertainty he sometimes seemed in despair of accomplishing with us in our convent, I thought it to becoming witnesses of his love” (SC 85). is an act of thanksgiving) for those four his work. Once, in passing, he asked me to pray for him. So was simply a matter of simple sharing. In this vein, I cannot help but rewind centuries of breaking bread and sharing during this period, including all the time that my husband was He talked about his diocese, the our Church history to 1937 when, for the faith with the people of Cavite. actually in Alaska, unbeknown to him I began praying the rosary presence of our Augustinian Recollect the first time, the IEC was held in Asia, In this IEC 2016, I know the impact of for him, asking Our Blessed Mother to let him find what he was contemplative nuns there, his need for specifically here in the Philippines. The the Eucharist will exceed the number of looking for. My husband himself said that even if he made it to more missionaries, et cetera. When 5-day congress unfolded from Feb. 3-7 of participants. For truly, the ripples have Alaska, he knew that his chances of seeing what he needed to asked about the first time he heard about that year. The official hymn, in Spanish, already reached millions—nearly 40 see were exceedingly small. He needed a solar event (“the sun the Philippines, he said, “Long time was titled “Gloria a Jesus”, which was a million from organic tweets alone, and that exploding”, as he put it), but the explosion must be pointed in the ago!” He also made a special mention of collaboration of Fr. Domingo Carceller, includes those who know and/or follow the direction of planet Earth. He needed clear skies. And he needed Jaime Cardinal Sin during the latter’s OAR (music) and Emeterio Barcelon proceedings from all over the world. to be there in the right place at the right time when the actual attendance at the 43rd IEC convened in Barcelo, a Carmelite third order member May the Eucharist send, not just aurora appeared. Yet despite these odds, and the difficulty of Nairobi on August 11-18, 1985. (lyrics). And it amazes us to hear that ripples, but waves of change in our finding funding, something inside of him was driving him to go. “I was still a seminarian, then,” he the then 5-year old Manila Archbishop personal lives and communities. When funding opened up, my husband grabbed it. Immediately he planned his trip down to the last detail of Mass in a Tricycle date, location, gear, and equipment that he believed would Whatever maximize his chances within the budget allotted to him. Then he was off. What he did not know at that time was that he was Fr. Francis Ongkingco flying into an already month-long cloud cover over Fairbanks, Alaska, his chosen place of observation. Nor did he know that despite the approaching date of the spring equinox, Alaska was experiencing its worst winter ever recorded. The first A FRIEND and I went to “Do you realize that this is he could not help but be four, verse eight. You’re in solar explosion occurred as his plane left Manila for Oahu, Binondo looking for cheap Heaven here on earth?” My raptured by a “new and yet heaven right now.’ (Ibid.)” Hawaii. The second solar explosion occurred when his plane sportswear. I haven’t been companion suddenly said out old” discovery. The miniature Heaven left Oahu for Fairbanks. When he landed, the cloud cover over to this part of town for the of the blue. He writes, “In less than a that my companion and I Fairbanks lifted. On his second night in Fairbanks, he was longest time. I was looking “Huh?” I didn’t quite minute, the phrase Lamb of contemplated inside the waiting for the expected aurora. Ignoring the posted warnings forward to once again riding understand where he was God had rung out four times. tricycle is also present in about Alaskan wildlife and about going out alone, he trekked the rusty, rickety, tin can coming since I was still From long years of studying the Mass. But this time, with his equipment to an open field a kilometer and half from pedal-powered tricycles choking from the smoke. the Bible, I immediately knew not as mere stickers, but as his lodge, at 10 in the evening. littering every street corner “Look at all these stickers,” where I was. I was in the Book real celestial figures who It was so cold, he recounted, that he could hear the ice crystals like famished flies that he pointed at the rattling of Revelation, where Jesus participate in every single on his eye lashes click every time he blinked. And when he skillfully darted between panel before us. is called the Lamb no less Mass that is celebrated here would come in from a night’s observation, the inner lining in alleys, cars, and pedestrians. Perhaps I was too absorbed than twenty-eight times in on earth. his nose would thaw, crack, and he’d get a nosebleed. But more Our first stop was Binondo with trying to get a view of twenty-two chapters. I was We read in the Constitution seriously, the lithium battery in his electronic camera would Church to greet our Lord the outside that I wasn’t too at the marriage feast that on the Sacred Liturgy, freeze after thirty minutes and stop working. At the onset of the and say a Rosary before the attentive with the inside. John describes at the end Sacrosanctum concilium the most spectacular moments of the aurora that hit that second La Japonesa. My companion Indeed, my companion’s of that very last book of the following words: night, when inserting his last functioning battery, he accidently explained this was the image description was so precise: Bible. I was before the throne “In the earthly liturgy we dropped it in the snow and immediately it froze. In the end of our Lady before which St. it was Heaven here on earth! of heaven, where Jesus is share in a foretaste of that that was for the best, he said later, because otherwise he would Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino The rust-pocked panel hailed forever as the Lamb. I heavenly liturgy which is have spent time fumbling with his equipment, focused only on saint, entrusted his missionary was covered with religious wasn’t ready for this, though celebrated in the Holy City of obtaining recordings. Instead, he was forced to stand back and trip that was rewarded with stickers. There was our — I was at Mass! (The Lamb’s Jerusalem toward which we simply watch the sky. Afterwards, he would hear Fairbanks martyrdom in Japan. Lord, another of His Sacred Supper)” journey as pilgrims, where residents saying about that night’s aurora: “I’ve lived here all my After this visit, we hailed Heart, our Lady of Lourdes, Reading on the early Christ is sitting at the right life, but I’ve never seen anything like it.” In the words of other one of the tricycles to shuttle Fatima, Miraculous Medal, Christian writers, he learned hand of God, Minister of residents: “It was an incredible explosion of activity; I didn’t us to one of the many colossal and then St. Joseph, St. Pio that the connection between the sanctuary and of the know which direction to look”, “the sky exploded”, “the lights wholesale stores. It was hard of Pietrelcina, and angels of Revelation and the Mass was true tabernacle. With all the were really mobile, pin-wheeling and swirling across the sky”. to squeeze into the vehicle. I all sorts of colors and sizes. already common knowledge warriors of the heavenly army From the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 1. Ezekiel the prophet had to literally exhale all the My companion whisked out for the Fathers. He says: we sing a hymn of glory to the recounts what he saw: “In the thirtieth year, in the fourth air in my lungs and stomach his smartphone and snapped “[The Fathers] considered Lord; venerating the memory month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the to miraculously fit inside a photo of the celestial the Book of Revelation the of the saints, we hope for exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw the Jurassic iron rib cage kaleidoscope before our eyes. key to the liturgy, and the some part and fellowship with visions of God... As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the of a dinosaur we could call *** liturgy the key to the Book of them.” north: a great cloud with brightness around it and fire flashing Tricyclosaurus. This episode reminded me Revelation. (…) I had been Scott Hahn amusingly but forth continually, and in the middle of the fire, something Being squeezed inside a of a more sublime experience trying to make sense of the profoundly reflects on these like gleaming amber. In the middle of it was something like prehistoric sardine can didn’t that eventually led to the Book of Revelation as some very words of the Council by four living creatures… In the middle of the living creatures really give one a good view conversion of a famous kind of encoded message concluding: “That’s heaven. there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, of the outside. The most we Protestant minister to the about the end of the world. No, it’s the Mass. No, it’s the like torches moving to and fro among the living creatures; could see were deformed Catholic Faith: Scott Hahn. (…) Now, after two weeks Book of Revelation. Wait a the fire was bright, and lightning issued from the fire. The reflections on the doors of the He shared how he one day, of daily Mass attendance, I minute: it’s all of the above. living creatures darted to and fro, like a flash of lightning. As higher vans and buses. Every out of a healthy curiosity to found myself wanting to stand (Ibid.)” I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel… one for each of now and then a squid of a jeep understand early Christian up during the liturgy and May all these help us to the four of them…Their construction being something like a would manage to overtake Liturgy, sneaked into a say, ‘Hey, everybody. Let me realize and value the fact that wheel within a wheel… When the living creatures moved, the and squirt us with a jet of Catholic chapel in Milwaukee. show you where you are in the every Mass is already “heaven wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose polluted black smoke ink. As the Mass progressed Apocalypse! Turn to chapter here on earth!” from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.… Like the bow in a Get Thee to a Seminary cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor Half-a-world Away all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory Brian Caulfield of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell on my face….” When my husband came back home from Alaska, he was very quiet. He seemed lost in a void, alone in some interior sub- arctic wilderness of his own. Sometimes I’d find him looking WITH more than a million turning out Get thee to a seminary. Though I am now married with two at the NASA satellite photo of the sun of March 13, 2012, the for events on the final days of the 51st Understand, young Catholic man, that children, I still say my time in “sem” time of the second solar explosion, the explosion that gave International Eucharistic Congress, it is I am not saying you need to decide this was worth every minute of every day, birth to the amazing aurora that he had witnessed. “At first, a good time for young men to consider moment that you’re called to be a priest. even some very difficult days. I learned I thought someone on the internet had Photoshopped it”, he a vocation. Just look at all the Catholics That may come later, or not at all. What things that I would never have learned would say, referring to the photo. “But it’s real.” As reported devoted to the Eucharistic Christ who you need to say now is that you have elsewhere – Thomism, metaphysics, on the internet at that time: “A large and very oddly-shaped will need a priest in the years to come a heart to serve, are willing to suffer the form and matter of the sacraments, coronal hole has appeared on recent images of the Sun taken to feed them with the Bread of Life. God and inquire, as you discover what great Church history, the inside of a sacristy – from various American space-based observatories…. The hole must surely be calling many of the men mystery of manhood God has planted and was formed into a better man than I is distinctly triangular in shape and is pointed at the Earth”. who went on the Eucharistic procession. in your soul. God has created you, as ever would have become otherwise. After He lost taste for his research. He no longer seemed to desire So, let’s get down to basics about what strong and weak, as zealous and timid, I left seminary and got married, one of his Ph.D. He seemed to lose interest in everything. Inside he a vocation entails. as gifted and groping as you are. If you my professors spoke the truth: “I hope seemed to be suffering. It turned out he was searching still, but You’re a young man, finishing college can offer him all that, and work with him your wife appreciates that you’re a much not for data nor for concepts, not even theological concepts (he or making your way in the working to find the better thing he can make of better man now than when you started was already well familiar with those). Now, he was searching world, open to marriage but right you, then go. here.” I replied, “Yes, I don’t think she for Someone. He found an extra rosary among the things on now unattached. Unlike many of your Get thee to a seminary. would have paid any attention to the pre- my shelf, made of wooden beads and a wooden crucifix, held millennial peers, you are spiritual and Perhaps you’ve thought about it. You seminary guy.” Now I’m not saying that a together by twine. He would lie beside me in bed at night as I religious. You love the Catholic Church wonder if God is calling and how you few years of priestly training will set you prayed, insisting that I say all the prayers out loud. As I prayed and the sacraments, find meaning in the can possibly know. You’re downright up for the woman of your dreams after he would hold the wooden rosary in his hands and pass the Mass and Scripture. What is the best scared to ask if you can be happy as a full- you leave, but you never know – so go. beads between his fingers. At the start, he would often fall path you can take as you plan for a life blooded, lady-loving celibate man. But if Get thee to a seminary. asleep this way. Then one day he said that he should take the of hard work and fulfillment? you have a hint that for you there may be The real point is that a daily dose lead. He would say the Creed and the Our Fathers, he would Get thee to a seminary. a higher love, and if your heart is lifted of seminary will wake you from your announce each mystery, he would say the Glory Bes and the Forget what the world says; listen to as the priest elevates the host, then go. spiritual and secular slumbers; get O My Jesuses, and he would say the Hail Holy Queen and the the deepest part of your heart and choose Get thee to a seminary. you thinking about the ultimate truth Let Us Pray. After some months of our praying this way, he whom you will serve this day. If there Who am I to say? What do I know? regarding mankind and the world at then said that we should preface our Rosary with petitions to is even the faintest “still small voice” Well, I did it. I spent more than three large; rip up your insides and build you Our Blessed Mother, and that before each mystery we should prompting you to consider it, then go! years in the New York seminary system. Half-a-world Away / A7 ask her for graces, because she is “full of grace”. OPINION A6 FEATURES January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 CBCP Monitor Tantum Ergo: back to the heart of the Eucharistic Hymn By Fr. Jose Ernil Almayo, OAR to the Father (“obedient unto death, death on the cross” [Phil. 2:8]), and MAJORITY of Filipino Catholics accomplished the mission entrusted are quite familiar with O salutaris to Him in whom the Father is well- Hostia and Tantum ergo pleased (Matt. 3:17): “It is finished” Sacramentum, two of the famous (John 19:30). In human terms, it’s like Eucharistic hymns that echo in our making high fives to both father and churches and cathedrals whenever child for a collaborative job perfectly the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. done. But only a few of them know that they were composed by St. Thomas Salus, honor, virtus quoque / Sit Aquinas upon the special request of et benedictio Pope Urban IV in preparation for Let there be salvation, honor, also the universal Church’s celebration of power, and blessing the feast of the Corpus (et Sanguis) Christi in 1264. These four attributes are And how many are also aware doxologically ascribed to God, the that these two are treated as distinct Summum Bonum. Whether these from the complete text of hymns of refer to God as He is in Himself which they are a part? O salutaris and/or God in relation to us, we Hostia is actually the last two verses can read between the lines: it still of Verbum supernum prodiens His love that wells up toward us and Tantum ergo Sacramentum of as, for instance, our “salvation” Pange, lingua, gloriosi. and/or “blessing”. It is love as He Thanks to Aquinas’ deep faith and is in Himself (as a community of theological wisdom, the Church is three divine persons) and as He is aided in singing and celebrating the JOHANN MANGUSSAD in relation to us (as our Creator, Real Presence of the Body and Blood Redeemer, Sanctifier, refuge, of Christ in the Eucharist. The songs’ (“we adore”), and “adoration”—as we Sensuum defectui of the senses. Reason may be able strength, etc.). That means these melodies elevate the soul to an ineffable know—is directed only to the Lord. In Let faith surpass the supplement to explain many of our beliefs, as attributes are various expressions of altitude of contemplation; their lyrics— the Blessed Sacrament, we recognize for the deficiency of the senses. in employing philosophical terms the same love of God, or of the same when properly understood—stoke the the Second Person of the Trinity, “substance” and “accidents” to love who is God. fire of love in an overflowing praise Jesus Christ, who is 100% divine and The usual translation for these help shed light on the mysterious and gratitude. 100% human. lines is: “The faith provides a event of transubstantiation. Yet it Procedenti ab utroque / Compar As an example of going back to the supplement for the failure of the is not enough. It takes the humility sit laudatio. heart of a Eucharistic hymn, let us now Et antiquum documentum / Novo senses.” It expresses the power of reason, then, to acknowledge To the One proceeding from both, take a look at the one with the incipit cedat ritui of faith working in us despite the that beyond its frontiers belongs be equal praise. Tantum ergo, singling out two lines And let the old document give way inability of the eyes, for example, the realm of faith. Although faith at a time and inserting an attempt at to the new rite to see the mystery of God’s real surpasses the power of reason, let The three divine persons are now making our own literal translation… presence in the consecrated host. alone that of the senses, both senses complete here, with the mention of Both the “documentum” and Let us offer an alternative, and reason aid our faith. the “One proceeding” (“Procedenti”), Tantum ergo Sacramentum / the “ritus” reflect the two parts following a hint from the literal referring to the Holy Spirit who Veneremur cernui of the Sacred Scriptures: the Old meaning of “praestare” (“to stand Genitori genitoque / Laus et enjoys perfect equality with the On bended knees, let us, therefore, Testament and the New Testament. before”) and the dictum “perstare jubilatio, Father and the Son. Since this venerate so great a sacrament. The former, the Book of Promise, et praestare” (“to persevere and To the Begetter and to the third divine person proceeds from yields to the latter, the Book of to excel”). In this sense, we can Begotten, Be praise and rejoicing both (ab utroque), this, then, is in Consistent with our belief in Fulfillment. Everything that the find three layers of knowledge: harmony with the Latin Rite’s (our) the Real Presence, we accord due law and the prophets spoke about at the bottom is one gained by We start the Trinitarian doxology belief on “Filioque” (i.e., that the reverence or respect—expressed is now fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As the senses (“sensus”), the other in this verse by paying homage, in Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father in a general sense by the act of one commentator puts it: the precise by reason (implied by the use of these first two lines, to the Begetter and the Son) which is in contrast to veneration—by kneeling down terms have been replaced by the “supplementum”), and the one by (Genitori) who is the Father, and to the “per Filium” formula (i.e., the (“cernui”) in front of the Blessed laws of the Beatitudes and Jesus’ two faith (“fides”). Admittedly, the senses the Begotten (Genito) who is the Son. procession of the Holy Spirit from Sacrament either exposed on the great commandments. “You shall cannot explain, for instance, how the In front of the Blessed Sacrament, we the Father is through the Son). But altar, or reposed in the tabernacle, love the Lord your God with all your bread and wine are transformed are also enkindled to give praise and where there is divergence, we show or in procession. In this personal heart, and with all your soul, and (read: transubstantiated) into the jubilation to them, whose infinite love respect. Where there is exclusion, we encounter, our reverential attitude with all your mind” and “You shall body and blood of Christ, or that and unfathomable mercy merited reach out. After all, we are brothers must already be that of worshipping love your neighbour as yourself” Jesus, “the son of a carpenter,” the salvation of mankind: “For God and sister in communion with the which is made to God alone. In fact, (Matthew 22:37b, 39). is the Word-made-flesh. This so loved the world that He gave His same God in front of the Blessed the Italian rendition of the hymn constitutes the ontological limit or only begotten Son…” (John 3:16). Sacrament. translates “veneremur” as “adoriamo” Praestet fides supplementum / deficiency—rather than the defect— And this Son, Jesus, was obedient Remembering the hunger Thai convert finds ‘healing in forgiveness’ CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – By Diana Uichanco want to cultivate and continually nourish Catholic convert Sarindhorn a relationship with such a Person, when Mativachranon of Thailand on EVERY week, on the Lord’s day, a He obviously knows how to love? And who Saturday inspired delegates Eucharistic minister pays my family wouldn’t want to be friends with Someone of the 51st International a visit to enable my mother to receive like that? At this thought I am reminded of Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Holy Communion despite her temporary a point that I always find encouraging; it’s in Cebu with her story of inability to go out and attend Holy Mass in from the book Jesus as Friend: Meditations forgiveness and healing in the church. My mother had been hospitalized by Salvatore Canals: face of false accusations. in 2015 for a heart ailment, and though “You and I know by experience how much “God is hope. God is love, declared well enough to be discharged good a good friendship can do someone: God is truth. The fact that after a couple of weeks, her doctor was it helps him behave better, it brings him converts like myself standing emphatic about limiting physical exertion closer to God, it keeps him away from evil. here today as a humble witness and avoiding all sources of stress. This And if a good friendship links us not just to is a proof that love knows no warranted significant adjustments on her a good man but to a saint, the good effects boundaries, but reaches all lifestyle, including doing away with trips to of that kind of life are multiplied: contact corners of the world,” she the nearby church – on Sundays and any and conversation with a holy person will declared. day for that matter. As any Catholic faithful leave us with something of his holiness: Before things took a knows, being deprived of the Eucharist all cum sanctis, sanctus eris! If you mix with downturn, Mativachranon of a sudden is akin to going on a hunger saints, you will be a saint yourself. described herself as being “on strike when one has been accustomed to Well then: think what can happen if you top of the world.” As one of Catholic convert Sarindhorn Mativachranon. JOHANN MANGUSSAD taking three squares a day. One simply become close friends of Jesus Christ in the her country’s most admired becomes weaker in the spiritual sense when Eucharist: think of the deep impression that executives, she had everything “Dear God, I want to forgive Beautiful not perfect the soul isn’t nourished by the Lord in the can make on your soul. You will have Jesus a person could dream of: on my own. Please make me She told herself, “I must Eucharist. Hence, my mother’s reception as a Friend, Jesus will be your Friend. He – money, properties, influence. able to do so,” she said. be able to accept what had of Holy Communion was soon worked out perfect God and perfect Man – who was born “Then a miracle happened, happened to me. So what after making arrangements with the parish and worked and wept; who has stayed in the Embezzlement case I was touched and salvaged by that I was a single mother? in our community. Eucharist; who suffered and died for us!” It all changed after she was God’s love. I was able to forgive So what if society shunned The weekly visits by the Eucharistic On Sunday, my mother and I will attend wronfully implicated in an all who wronged me because of me? I still have ten fingers, minister have been going on for four Sunday Mass in church again for the first embezzlement case involving God’s grace,” she added. a perfect body, and a sound months now, and while one may fall into time in many months. Her health has millions. It was Christmas day of mind, didn’t I? I couldn’t go momentarily taking them for granted, improved significantly; she has ditched Making matters worse was 1989. back and relive or change the implication of those few minutes that the wheelchair for some time now and the fact that she was framed She remembered hearing my past, but I could live the Brother Gil – the Eucharistic minister -- is comfortable walking slowly--and over by a former colleague and the voice of a Person telling present, and share my future.” spends with us is not lost to me. They may be short distances--with the aid of her cane. employees, and became a her not to give up because in On June 2, 1996 at the brief – not more than 10 or 15 minutes each This Sunday instead of the Lord “making “non-person”. She was hurt. the end, truth will prevail. Ursuline chapel in New time – but who is timing when one realizes the trip” to our home, we will be going “I was a forgotten York, Mativachranon Who really enters the gate, is carried up the to His house, taking part in the Liturgy, woman, broken spiritually, Vindicated formally entered the few steps toward the front door and waits worshipping with the community, and physically, and financially,” Facing her court case, she Catholic Church. patiently to be received into a soul ready for approaching the altar to receive Him in she recalled. realized her lawyers weren’t Since then, she has such an important Guest? the Holy Eucharist. For a long time, it was For years, Mativachranon really doing much to help her refocused her energy on One Sunday, as Brother Gil walked into He approaching us, and from time to time led the life of a fugitive, having gain justice, and took up her serving God and others by the living room and cheerfully greeted my we, sadly, took this act of love for granted. no means to be able to bail case only for the money they founding a hotline under mother, I felt somewhat overwhelmed. “I Fortunately, such instances are temporary; herself out once caught. were expecting to get. the Catholic Association of should’ve done some dusting… straightened apparently, hunger for the Lord eventually While in hiding, she saw the In what seemed like an Thailand. the throw pillows, smoothened the overpowers everything else. Perhaps one life she used to live. epiphany, Mativachranon “I was so busy serving God upholstery…” I quietly lamented, chiding merely needs to experience being deprived of remarked, “I have God. Why that I forgot about myself myself for forgetting the details of preparing that which truly feeds the soul and quenches The unknown God did I need any lawyer?” and my wounds. I found the for the arrival of a Special Guest. In that our thirst, to keep on seeking it. As the Most At this time, she could only In 1994, she was vindicated, pain no longer there. I was moment, I had been mulling over the fact Rev. Robert Barron, DD, said during the find solace in praying to the walking out of court for the last completely healed. Instead that instead of my mother and I making the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu god she knew—she was not time as an innocent person. of scars, my heart was filled effort to approach Jesus in His house, it was City, “We have to remember what is like to yet a Christian—asking him But her suffering didn’t with the love of God, of my God coming to us and entering our home. starve for the Bread of Life.” why he let her suffer terrible end there: Her husband later children, and of others,” she Those moments were immensely humbling, Memories of starvation of this sort things despite her innocence. left her and their children said. and at the same time also very reassuring-- are things I would gladly hold on to. For According to her, she soon after the Thai economy “Life is not perfect, but reassuring of God’s love for us to the point of remembering the hunger seems to be what pleaded to have the courage to collapsed. She felt self-pity, beautiful,” Mativachranon being willing to approach us in those times drives us to keep seeking the Lord in the forgive the people who wished but learned again to forgive added. (Raymond A. we are unable to go to Him. Who would not Eucharist with fervor. her harm. and move on. Sebastián / CBCP News) FEATURES CBCP Monitor January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 A7 ‘Juggling family’ charms IEC crowd

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo is welcomed by nuns of the Missionaries of Charity during his visit to their convent in Cebu City on Jan. 30, 2016. ROY LAGARDE Argentinian juggler Paul Ponce shares a testimony of faith and performs at the 51st IEC with his sons and daughter joining in too. DOMINIC BARRIOS

CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – Catholic Church,” Paul Ponce th st The testimony of conversion emphasized. 7 day of the 51 International and faith by Mr. Paul Ponce What ‘shocked’ him about it and his family was given a all was our freedom to choose standing ovation by the crowd our God who humbly waits. Eucharistic Congress of the 51st International “He was there waiting for us Congress. patiently. I wasn’t obligated Mr. Ponce thoroughly to follow him. I was free – I A SYNTHESIS narrated his authentic story of could love him or not, follow By Felipe Francisco Mary, our companion is with us at another Feast we “Today I am having a special faith, conversion and mission him or not – that was the big Like many events held and call the Lord’s Supper when kind of fever--Jesus Fever-- – always pointing out the role surprise for my conversion,” THE seventh and final session documents issued in our He miraculously changes the kind of fever that I do not of the Eucharist in all of it. he stressed. of the 51st IEC was a short Church, the last day of the bread into His Body and wine want its degree to subside no “The Holy Eucharist in my one but was as eventful as Congress proper is entrusted to His Most Precious Blood,” matter what. I am a faithful life has been very important, Surrendering to a life the previous ones. To sum up to Mary our mother, as Dolan said. servant of God, a happy it has held a key role,” he of mission the day’s talks is to sum up reflected in the final catechesis Mary also made possible mother and grandmother stated. He stated how his life the entire Congress. By this and Congress Statement. the Incarnation of the Word, and a businesswoman--in changed and he went to time it’s clear to 15,000 IEC The Blessed Mother God dwelling with men in the that order,” she said. How he came to be Church everyday. Soon he delegates: the Holy Eucharist accompanies us in the person of Christ, when she The Ponce family has been found himself surrendering sustains Christian life, in Eucharistic path, New said “Behold the Handmaid Emmaus experience in the showbiz industry for everything, pausing his more ways than one. Like the York Archbishop Timothy of the Lord, be it done unto The past week has definitely six generations and he said showbiz life and doing mission. Sacred Host, it is first broken, Cardinal Dolan said in his me according to Thy Word.” been life-changing, and Cebu ‘didn’t start believing in God “I stopped everything in shared, and lived. well-received catechesis, Some people, including Archbishop Jose Palma, the in his early age.’ show business and gave First, it is no ordinary titled “The Eucharist and those who receive 51st IEC president, likened “I came from a family my whole year [being] a lay devotion. Through the Mary.” Cardinal Dolan spoke Communion, snicker at it to the experience of two of entertainers who were missionary. I realized that Eucharist, Christ makes of the Eucharist in its three the Catholic belief of the disciples on the road to Catholic, but weren’t that year was the happiest available to all the salvific dimensions—sacrifice, meal, sacredness of bread and Emmaus. practicing Catholics,” he said. of my life up to then,” he benefits of his suffering and real presence—and how wine when it becomes the Reading the Congress “I wanted to be famous, testified. death on the Cross. The Mary animated each of these Body and Blood of Christ, Statement, he said: “We travel the world, earn a lot Eucharist is Christ himself, as aspects. Mary was in every Dolan said. But not those who are convinced that the Holy of money and have many Inspiring family life evidenced by 1.5 million people major event in the life of walk the Eucharistoc path Spirit sends us forth in order girlfriends from every city – Paul Ponce retold how his who flocked to the Cebu Capitol Christ: Bethlehem, Cana, and accompanied by the Blessed to proclaim the story of I did reach those objectives family came to be. From his and the grand, record-breaking Calvary, he noted. Mother: “We proclaim, with Jesus. This Congress is like but [it] didn’t give me the and Lia Ponce, his wife’s love Eucharistic procession that “Who was there with Jesus Mary, we do believe!” the gathering of the early happiness I was looking for,” story up to when their kids followed. Second, it is not a as He was tortured on the disciples when they joyfully he recounted. were born, inspiring people private devotion. It is meant Cross? Near the Cross stood Eucharist as freedom shared stories of how each of He enumerated some of with their prayer life while at it. to be shared. Receiving the Mary His Mother,” Dolan said Actually, another Mary them encountered the Risen his great achievements and “We find it our vocation Eucharist leads one to a as he discussed the sacrificial ended the congress proper. Lord in the Scripture and in how ‘he always wanted more to travel around the world commitment to share Christ, dimension of the Eucharist. The final testimony came the Breaking of the Bread.” and more – until something because I’m booked to do and the love for Christ leads “You want to be closer to from Mary Sarindhorn, “We are a people on a beautiful happened; He’s shows around the world – one to action. Third, we are not Jesus on the cross at the Holy a Thai businesswoman mission; truly, IEC 2016 confirmation. but we always travel as a alone in the Eucharistic path. Sacrifice of the Mass? Be accused and persecuted is a clarion call to mission family because we think we The Eucharist is communion closer to Mary, because she’s for a crime she did not for all of us. Our Eucharist Conversion story are called to give witness of with others--the poor, the right next to him.” commit. She had her “dark is the source and goal of “It was through those family, life and love, we go marginalized, those outside the Talking about the Eucharist night of the soul” episode. the Church’s mission,” he confirmation classes that I to church everyday we can, comforts of our communities. as meal, Dolan noted that Sarindhorn was born in a added. “May the Blessed started to learn more about and we pray,” he concluded. Archbishop Angel Mary gave birth to Jesus in devoutly Buddhist family. Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. I was overwhelmed (Chrixy Paguirigan / Lagdameo reflected on the Bethlehem. The name of the She found healing in the the Incarnate Word and the by the treasures of our CBCPNews) need to build a Eucharistic city, which means “House Catholic faith, and is now Eucharistic Lord, accompany And That’s the Truth / A4 community during the of Bread,” gives a hint of nourished by the Eucharist. us, missionary disciples, in morning prayer. One way to the Bread of Life. Mary was At the IEC, Sarindhorn order to share Jesus Christ in explanation, the Eucharist still love me in my broken do this is to compete with present at the wedding in became a model of Eucharistic us, our hope of glory. Amen.” then filled me with love for state?” I did not know why one another in showing Cana, which prefigured the action that so many bishops It has been a long week! As everyone, love that expressed I replied, “Of course, Lord, love of neighbor, using Eucharist and showed to and cardinals talked about. we write this synthesis, many itself in goodwill towards I’d love you even more” our God-given talents and us the Blessed Mother’s She wrote a book and IEC delegates, even members everyone without anyone of but perhaps this was what resources. The Eucharistic intercessory role. Mary was became the first Catholic of the media, are raring to go them knowing about it. it meant. The “even more” Lord commanded this. “As also present in the Upper to share her faith on Thai home. Yet there’s separation Again, years later, I would demands that I love not we fulfill that mission, Jesus Room, where Christ instituted television. Rather than keep anxiety, as Archbishop Palma realize in my most silent just Him but His flock as gives us the command to the Eucharist and his holy her Eucharistic devotion and said in the last IEC press moments that I was being well. Jesus showed me His love one another, as He has priesthood. transformation to herself, conference on Jan. 29. Cebu so forgiving of others, even Broken Body—a wounded loved us, and at the same “He would work His first she has been on the lecture has been a wonderful host when reason and other people Church—because He had time, He gives us the grace miracle for that newly- circuit to share her experience and a living testimony of would say I should not be, wanted to give me a forgiving we need to carry out that married couple at Cana in and bring hope to others. For Eucharistic fervor. That is that I should “teach them a heart, not judging anyone command,” Lagdameo said Galilee, by changing water this, the congress gave her a something we will live, share, lesson.” I would smile off such but loving everyone in their in his reflection. into wine, at her request. She standing ovation. and never forget! suggestions, remembering the woundedness—for His sake. Half-a-world Away / A5 Lord’s question: “Would you And that’s the truth.

back better; batter your precious self- Psalms with your morning coffee. You to seminary, perhaps on my prompting. Candidly Speaking / A4 image and whatever else you imagine will snicker with 50 other guys when Yet the message is not new with me. It’s yourself to be, and fling you back onto someone starts the “Alleluia” during what I received some 30 years ago from and socially, spiritually and secular world today. I believe yourself as you fall into the strong and Lent. You will say many times a day, in Cardinal O’Connor, of happy memory, materially, etc. I saw glimpses of the nuances merciful arms of God. Oh yes, as a and out of chapel: “O God, come to my who wrote a column in Catholic New With the Eucharist, we of the art of proclaiming bonus, you will be scandalized by the assistance; O Lord, make haste to help York much like this one: If you are a are already given everything the Gospel while engaging fallible and very human faces of the me.” And he will, if you let Him, often man who loves God and his Church, by our Creator, Savior, and in a continuing dialogue men who are preparing to serve God at at the hand of someone you would least are single, are willing to study hard, Sanctifier to be what we ought with all kinds of people in the altar, starting with the image that expect, and never approach. So go. pray without ceasing, and embark on to be, again individually and different human situations you see in your morning mirror. Best Get thee to a seminary. the greatest adventure a man could socially, spiritually, and and predicaments. of all, you will learn to pray. The daily I have given versions of this message to undertake in this fallen world, then come materially, etc. The IEC somehow has rhythm of the Divine Office, the well- various young men over the years, even and see if you will be God’s priest. What We need to draw the given me a deeper impulse appointed “hours,” will become part of spoken to a group of young Catholic Wall do you say? endless implications of that to be most discerning of the your metabolism. You will imbibe the Streeters. I know a few who have gone Get thee to a seminary. reality about the Eucharist. different spirits behind all For example, how should kinds of developments in our By the Roadside / A4 the Eucharist affect our life life. There are true spirits and of prayer, of sacrifice, of deceptive ones, the spirit of With us, Lord’) our world disappear’ [GS 36]. This… 5. We live in a world that an integral part of the Prayer continuing formation? What God that is always shown culture is “characterized in no way detracts from still persecutes Christians as of the Faithful itself for there should it do with regard to with humility, and the spirit as it is by a forgetfulness the legitimate autonomy of well as fellow sincere believers are truly people who, for our family life, our work, our of devil that tries to seduce us of God and a vain pursuit earthly realities, but grounds in moral-spiritual values in one reason or another, see business, and politics, our with giving us appearances of of human self-sufficiency” that autonomy more firmly old and new ways, sometimes it as a calling to make the culture? truth and goodness packaged (MND 26). In response, by setting it within its proper violently, often subtly. In life and liberty of Christians How should it shape and beautifully with sound bytes, the Sacrament of Christ’s limits” (MND 26). The reason response, the Eucharist is as difficult as possible. But, develop our relations with hype, and other worldly allure Body and Blood propels is simple. When we bond with our constant reminder of above all, we must draw our others? Does it lead us to and charm. us to live by what St. John God through Communion in the Persecuted One on the greatest source of strength involve ourselves increasingly The latter spirit seems to be Paul II calls “the Eucharistic the Eucharist, that naturally Cross who “went to his own from the Eucharist itself— in the big issues of the world, getting rampant nowadays as a plan” which he himself has the consequence of and his own did not accept Jesus who suffers, Jesus who or does it only restrict us good number of spiritual leaders explains thus: “Incarnating making him an integral and him” (Jn 1:11) and who from dies, Jesus who rises again. to certain issues without today have the tremendous the Eucharistic ‘plan’ in indispensable part of our that same Cross utters not a Persecution comes with the relating them to the other capacity to mesmerize people daily life, wherever people daily life. That is to say, our curse but a prayer: “Father, territory of true disciples. burning issues of the day, like with their speaking skills and live and work—in families, sense of his presence and forgive them. For they know For we follow the Lord, not climate change, technological other talents, while their actual schools, the workplace, in our constantly recognizing not what they do” (Lk 23:34). the world. But that world is challenges, terrorism and life is a mess. all of life’s settings—means how everything we are and From the example of the passing away. the ever present problems Just the same, the IEC bearing witness that the have comes from him cannot Eucharistic Jesus we gather On the other hand, because of poverty, inequality, and has clearly convinced me human reality cannot be but fill us with a sense of this command: That we must of the Eucharist and through injustice, terrorism, etc.? that while sin may abound, justified without reference gratitude, which is at the always and everywhere pray the Eucharist Christ is “in us” The IEC has given me a God’s grace abounds much to the Creator: ‘Without the heart of the Eucharist as our for people who persecute us. and with Christ “our hope of richer appreciation of the more. There’s always hope, Creator the creature would thanksgiving par excellence. I propose that we make this glory” (Col 1:27). intricacies of evangelizing the my friend! FEATURES A8 January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 CBCP Monitor

Thousands of people packed the Cebu City Sports Center during a Mass presided over by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on the seventh day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. JOHANN MANGUSSAD Church mounts record-setting media coverage for 51st IEC Cebu hosts CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – In well as Fr. Lorenzo Ruggiero and a first in the modern history Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB, as anchors. of International Eucharistic Edwin Lopez, EWTN Asia-Pacific Congresses (IEC), the Church regional manager, put together mounted a massive, multiplatform a team of volunteers including media coverage of the 51st staging of Sydney-based Gerardo Cabellon as the IEC in the Philippines, involving director. ‘World’s Mass’ 15 organizations and 250 personnel. “We have never done media CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016— Cardinal “It’s actually a lot of firsts, in coverage on this scale, ever,” Lopez Charles Maung Bo is capping his broadcast, print, radio and social said in an interview. “In the past, we visit to the Philippines in a fitting media,” said Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, just covered the events and sent the way— with the “Stations of the director of the CBCP Media Office video to the satellite uplink. What World”, a Mass for the masses, on and head of broadcast and media happened here will last beyond our Jan. 31 at Cebu City’s South Road accreditation for the 51st IEC. lifetime. It’s the best gift that the Properties (SRP). It’s the first time for an IEC to have Philippine Church, the Archdiocese The first cardinal of Myanmar is a global satellite broadcast, with 12 of Cebu can give to the next host of expected to see the largest gathering hours of programming including the IEC,” he added. of his week-long tour on Sunday coverage of remote sites in Cebu. Lopez also moderated daily press when he celebrates an outdoor Because the IEC was not just a conferences at the International Mass at 4:00 p.m. to close the 51st Catholic but a major international Media Center, with mainstays International Eucharistic Congress gathering that drew 15,000 such as Cebu Archbishop Jose (IEC). participants from 75 countries, the Palma; Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert More than 1.5 million people Philippine Broadcast Pool under Vergara, chairman of the IEC are expected for the Mass, along the auspices of Radio-Television Communications Department; with more than 15,000 cardinals, Malacañang (RTVM) was activated, Msgr. Joseph Tan; and Fr. Jose bishops, priests, religious, and said Luis Enrico Eleazar, head of Quilongquilong, who provided daily official IEC delegates from at least A fourteen-year old girl with Down’s Syndrome receives Holy Communion for the first time during a Mass RTVM’s Media Production Division summaries of IEC proceedings. 75 nations around the world. for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at the Cebu City Sports Center on Jan. 30. Around 5,000 and Information and Technology EWTN itself broadcast IEC students from different schools, some 500 of them are street children from all over the country, receive their First Communion. ANA PERUCHO Section. events to 230 million homes in 144 Message from Pope Francis? “The plan was for a papal visit- countries. Thirteen satellites picked Local IEC organizers earlier hinted ferrying parishioners along the available at the area to shuttle the style coverage,” Eleazar, a veteran up the signal and as a result, IEC at a possible message from Pope 1.4-kilometer stretch beside Pond F. pilgrims to the SRP Templete. who assembled the broadcast events were viewed in China, France, Francis at the gathering. However, and another 100 slots along Pardo Those coming via buses and operations for last year’s historic visit Italy’s RAI, and CTV or Centro it is still unclear as of this posting Access Road are ready for the event. jeepneys from the North of Cebu are of Pope Francis and the Philippines’ Televisivo Vaticano, Lopez said. whether it will be through live feed advised to travel up to the Maritima successful APEC hosting, told CBCP In yet another first for the or taped video. Transportation protocol Building (near the City Hall area) News. “Iba ang tama sa akin ng IEC, CBCP News and Areopagus “Let us be surprised by Pope “Traffic routes at the SRP will not area only. Buses are available at the papal visit (the papal visit made Communications produced daily Francis who will speak to us. I think be closed except for huge container area to shuttle the pilgrims to the lasting impression on me). After that special editions of the CBCP that is what we should look forward vans and trucks while the activity is venue. experience, excited kaming gawin Monitor. Stories were also uploaded to,” Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, going on,” organizers said. Those travelling via private and ito (I was so excited to do this),” he round the clock on www.cbcpnews. who heads the IEC’s communications This means only delegates’ light vehicles may enter the SRP area said in an interview. com/iec2016, the website for the committee, earlier said. buses of the delegates as well as and use the available parking space State-of-the-art facilities and CBCP News special coverage of the Anticipating a mammoth crowd, IEC committee heads’ and VIPs’ at SM Seaside City. equipment, first used for the APEC 51st IEC, and shared on its official the SRP area will be open to the vehicles are allowed to park near The organizers issued an advisory meetings in Cebu, were again Facebook and Twitter accounts. public as early as in the morning. the Templete. for those attending the Mass “to deployed for the IEC. The broadcast As of this writing, the Facebook Local authorities have also Those travelling via buses and bring with them their own chairs team put up the “IEC Channel” that page IEC2016SpecialCoverage outlined their steps for the crowd jeepneys from the South of Cebu since the ones being prepared are carried 12 hours of programming, has generated more than 26,000 likes, and traffic control for the Mass. are advised to travel up to the reserved for the IEC delegates only.” featuring all major IEC events and while the hashtag #EucharistPH At least 200 parking lots for buses Kawit Island area only. Buses are (Roy Lagarde / CBCP News) live and tape-delay broadcasts. generated as much as 37,235,807 RTVM took charge of events at the impressions, Quitorio said. IEC Pavilion and the International “As a result, Church media became Media Center, aside from running the news leader and a reliable source the TOC or control room including of information on the IEC for the Meet IEC ‘adoration guardians’ the master switcher. The People’s secular media,” he added. Television Network was in-charge CBCP and Areopagus deployed CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – Amid [that] what we are looking for is in Retelling an amusing incident, of outdoor broadcasts. 25 personnel to Cebu, including the hustle and bustle of the the tabernacle, the real presence he said: “A Spanish lady asked In all, there were 17 TV cameras, volunteers from Couples for Christ 51st International Eucharistic of our Lord in the Blessed me for a Spanish confessor and one ENG van, one OB van and four Global Mission Foundation who Congress (IEC), the Adoration Sacrament,” explained Lance I replied to her: ‘I do not speak switches. handled media accreditation using the Chapel of the IEC Pavilion serves Patrick Inad, another seminarian Spanish’ – in Spanish! And there Satellite operator Apstar Global Media Accreditation and Management as a reserved space for time stationed at the IEC Chapel. she was laughing at me.” provided the main satellite uplink System developed originally for the with the Lord in the Blessed “The thing we like most is that “Most people come to confess with the assistance of the Supreme papal visit by Roman Paul Tesoro. Sacrament. Unknown to the we are always with our Lord in the after talks, people consistently Office of the Knights of Columbus. The Society of St. Paul also rolled countless who went there to Blessed Sacrament,” he added. come and go [to] the chapel to “We got a satellite that can reach up out its own social media coverage, pray, adore, and confess their Jemiel Marc Pardo, the third adore the Lord too,” said Paconla. to Italy and also the US,” Eleazar said. a new territory for the congregation sins are three young seminarians seminarian stationed at the IEC Video was also streamed live online known for its media apostolate, assigned to serve priests and chapel, also shared about the Always something new and carried by top media outlets, said Fr. Restie de la Peña, SSP. pilgrims coming to the IEC grace of serving in their post. When asked about the whole receiving positive comments from St. Paul’s deployed an army of 88 Chapel throughout the duration “I encountered our Lord, the experience the three answered netizens all over the world. Manny volunteers including three priests, of the congress. comforting presence of our Lord with much enthusiasm. Pangilinan-led PLDT provided two perpetually professed brothers, Samuel Paconla, one of the in the Blessed Sacrament and in it, “Everyday there is something generous bandwidth, with 1 GB alone 23 seminarians, and students from seminarians at first “thought I felt my burdens lighten,” he said. happening, something new – we made available to the TOC. the University of San Jose-Recoletos. [this] was a burden because our are happy that everything falls in The IEC broadcast was picked up “Our Facebook page had a total other classmates are [on’ vacation Duties in watching the Lord place, we see so many bishops and by Cignal TV and broadcast on two reach of 3 million in just two weeks,” while we are here working.” He We have to be here earlier than high-ranking officials from the channels: Channel 99 for standard de la Peña said. later realized that as the hours and seven [in the morning], regardless Church,” said Inad. definition and Channel 199 for St. Paul’s and the Order of days passed they “didn’t want this if we lack sleep, we have to be “For us, it’s a wonderful high definition. TV Maria likewise Augustinian Recollects also encounter to end.” here the whole day, we serve experience to serve God, I carried the broadcast while the produced video clips such as daily ”It was a nice experience to serve every hour and we have shifts,” learned that in the Christian Cebu Catholic Television Network or summaries, shown on giant screens God every hour, and meeting new said Inad. community, we are all brothers CCTN beamed it to viewers in Cebu, at the IEC Pavilion. people while at it,” he added in They witness people come and sisters in Christ so anywhere Mindanao and Asian clients. EWTN’s Lopez said that what’s Filipino. and go to receive the sacrament we live, any nation, any state, we For radio, Radyo Veritas broadcast different this time was that Catholic of Reconciliation, or stay for are all one in the eyes of God,” IEC events to listeners in Luzon media organizations were more Where the Lord is adoration. The seminarians act added Paconla. while DYRF handled Visayas and cohesive than ever. While on service at the chapel, as guides throughout their visit “Every thing was a memorable Mindanao on top of the stations of As with every major undertaking one of the seminarians recounted to the chapel. experience. It’s a great experience the Catholic Media Network. involving several organizations, that he realized people seek the “What was challenging was to meet new people from other EWTN, the global Catholic things tended to get disorganized presence of Christ in their lives. directing people to confession places and meeting a lot of network, was tapped for live and at first. “My takeaway from the IEC “[Many] people are still acting as traffic police, some bishops and clergy,” concluded tape delay content, with Ma. is this: that grace and freewill can searching for our Lord, we have personalities were challenging,” Pardo. (Chrixy Paguirigan / Mercedes Robles, Angelique Lazo cooperate,” Lopez said. (Felipe to pause for a moment and see shared Inad. CBCP News) and Bernard Factor Cañaberal as Francisco/CBCP News)