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History of Holy Week

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Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-9), when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest on Holy Thursday and His Crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent, and the week in which Christians celebrate the mystery of their salvation through Christ’s Death and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

History of Palm Sunday
Beginning in the fourth century in Jerusalem, Palm Sunday was marked by a procession of the faithful carrying palm branches, representing the Jews who celebrated Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. In the early centuries, the procession began on the Mount of the Ascension and proceeded to the Church of the Holy Cross.

As the practice spread throughout the Christian world by the ninth century, the procession would begin in each church with the blessing of palms, proceed outside the church, and then return to the church for the reading of the Passion according to the Gospel of Matthew. The faithful would continue to hold the palms during the reading of the Passion. In this way, they would recall that many of the same people who greeted Christ with shouts of joy on Palm Sunday would call for His Death on Good Friday-a powerful reminder of our own weakness and the sinfulness that causes us to reject Christ.

In different parts of the Christian world, particularly where palms were historically hard to obtain, branches of other bushes and trees were used, including olive, box elder, spruce, and various willows. Perhaps best known is the Slavic custom of using pussy willows, which are among the earliest of plants to bud out in the spring.

The faithful have traditionally decorated their houses with the palms from Palm Sunday, and, in many countries, a custom developed of weaving the palms into crosses that were placed on home altars or other places of prayer. Since the palms have been blessed, they should not simply be discarded; rather, the faithful return them to their local parish in the weeks before Lent, to be burned and used as the ashes for Ash Wednesday.
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Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
The Commemoration of the Last Supper
Holy Thursday is the day on which Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Only hours after the Last Supper, Judas would betray Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, setting the stage for Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday.

History:
Holy Thursday is more than just the lead-in to Good Friday; it is, in fact, the oldest of the celebrations of Holy Week. And with good reason: Holy Thursday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass. During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very words that Catholic and Orthodox priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass and the Divine Liturgy. In telling His disciples to “Do this in remembrance of Me,” He instituted the Mass and made them the first priests.

Near the end of the Last Supper, after Judas had departed, Christ said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” The Latin word for “commandment,” mandatum became the source for another name for Holy Thursday: Maundy Thursday.

On Holy Thursday, the priests of each diocese gather with their bishop to consecrate holy oils, which are used throughout the year for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. This ancient practice, which goes back to the fifth century, is known as the Chrism Mass (“chrism” is a mixture of oil and balsam used for the holy oils) and stresses the role of the bishop as a successor to the apostles.

Except in very rare circumstances, there is only one Mass other than the Chrism Mass celebrated on Holy Thursday in each church: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which is celebrated after sundown. It commemorates the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and it ends with the removal of the Body of Christ from the tabernacle in the main body of the church. The Eucharist is carried in procession to another place where it is kept overnight, to be distributed during the commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. After the procession, the altar is stripped bare, and all bells in the church are silent until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

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What Is the Easter Triduum?
The final days of Lent
The Easter Triduum (sometimes also referred to as the Paschal Triduum) is the proper name for the liturgical season that concludes Lent and introduces us to the joy of the Easter season. Starting with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday, continuing through the Good Friday service and Holy Saturday, and concluding with vespers (evening prayer) on Easter Sunday, the Easter Triduum marks the most significant events of Holy Week (also known as Passion tide).

The Easter Triduum is often commonly referred to simply as the Triduum (with a capital T). However, a triduum is simply any three-day period of prayer, recalling the three days that Christ spent in the tomb.

Encompassing the final three days of the discipline of Lent, the Easter Triduum has traditionally been observed with even stricter fasting and abstinence, as well as prayer and alms giving. Since 1956, however, the Paschal Triduum has been regarded as its own liturgical season, and thus liturgically Lent ends before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

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Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorates the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. Good Friday is the second of the three days of the Easter Triduum.

History
From the earliest days of Christianity, no Mass has been celebrated on Good Friday; instead, the Church celebrates a special liturgy in which the account of the Passion according to the Gospel of John is read, a series of intercessory prayers (prayers for special intentions) are offered, and the faithful venerate the Cross by coming forward and kissing it. The Good Friday liturgy concludes with the distribution of Holy Communion. Since there was no Mass, Hosts that were reserved from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday are distributed instead.

The service is particularly solemn; the organ is not played, and all vestments are red or (in the Traditional Latin Mass) black.

Since the date of Good Friday is dependent on the date of Easter, it changes from year to year.

Fasting and Abstinence
Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and abstinence. Catholics over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Good Friday.

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PASSOVER SEDER MEAL By Cristina Teehankee

12It is the Lenten season once again and that time of the year where Parishioners offer sacrifices and thank our Almighty God, break bread and celebrate one of the oldest Hebrew Liturgical festival . . . the Passover Seder Meal. Fr. Reu Jose Galoy, OFM, Parish Priest in coordination with the Liturgical Committee headed by Edmund Lim, PPC Vice President and assisted by Crissy Castillo, invite families and friends to the celebration of the Passover Seder Meal on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, after the 6:00 PM Mass at the Parish Center Social Hall. The family of Rafael (Ai-Ai) Galvez, Head of the Extra-Ordinary Ministry of Holy Communion is this year’s lead family.
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The celebration remembers the Passover night when God rescued the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Moses explains in Exodus 12:24-27 the significance of observing this perpetual Jewish ordinance as our way of showing our gratitude to our God Almighty for having passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck down the Egyptians but sparing the Jewish houses.

Thus, the Seder Meal is the re-enactment of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt affirming God’s redemptive liberation of Israel from slavery and spiritual misery. The purpose of the Seder Meal and the directed conversation at table is to draw relationships between the Passover and important New Testament truths. It is vital that we recognize that Jesus was a faithful Jew who observed Judaic laws. It was within Judaism that Christianity was born and essential elements of Christian faith founded.

The Passover Seder Meal costs P500.00 per head. We can choose lamb, beef, chicken, or fish for our main dish. We invite all Ministry Heads, Members, Parishioners and friends to attend as part of our Parish Lenten activity. Do not miss this important celebration to understand better the roots of our faith. Reserve a table and bring the entire family! Register now at the Parish Office or your Ministry Head.

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SSAP DELEGATION PLANS FOR PAPAL VISIT

SSAP PAPAL MASS DELEGATION UPDATE

For those who have registered to join us for the Papal Mass in Luneta, we plan to meet at SSAP at 3AM on Sunday, January 18 and go to Luneta at 4AM sharp and wait it out until the 4pm mass. Pls. click and read this Primer-for-the-Papal-Mass carefully for specific instructions.

The Route plan tomorrow for Papal Mass delegates: Be driven to Philippine Sports Comm. From there, walk down Adriatico until Faura (past PGH), right on Faura and then left on Maria Orosa Ave.
Plan B: if we cannot enter Luneta, we will turn left and start heading towards Roxas Blvd, where pope francis will be passing.

 

PAPAL FOR WEB lower

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CANCELLATION OF AFTERNOON/EVENING MASSES ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

In solidarity with all Philippine Churches and to show our fraternal support to the pastoral visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, afternoon/evening masses 4:30PM and 6:00PM in the main church and 7PM in Urdaneta Village have been cancelled on Sunday, January 18.

Please come to the anticipated masses scheduled on Saturday, January 17 or the morning masses on Sunday, January 18 to fulfill your Sunday mass obligation. Thank you for your kind understanding!

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LIVE BROADCAST FEED AT
ST. BONAVENTURE, CONVENTO HALLWAY

A live broadcast feed of the Papal mass celebrated by The Holy Father Pope Francis on Sunday, January 18 from 3PM will be held at the St. Bonaventure in the Convento Hallway. Pls. note that this DOES NOT fulfill the Sunday mass obligation and NO communion will be distributed.

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ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING 2014

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An ecumenical thanksgiving service and dinner was celebrated November 23 at the Holy Trinity Church, Mckinley Road., Forbes Park. The event was sponsored by Santuario de San Antonio Church, Union Church of Manila and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity. Officiants of the thanksgiving service were Pastor Charlie Pridmore, Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM – represented by Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM – and the Rt. Rev. Dixie Taclobao.

The readers were: Old Testament – Lance Masters; New Testament – Rebecca Oxley ; Gospel – HE Ambassador Akinyemi Farounbi. The address was given by Pastor Steve Ruetschle. Music was provided by the joint choirs of the Union Church of Manila; Santuario de San Antonio and Holy Trinity Church, with choir directors Eudenice Palaruan, Bob Grant and Domino Marcos. The guest choir – The Singing Christians under choir director Domino Marcos -gave an inspiring performance. Organist Ricky Salazar accompanied the choirs in their beautiful songs.

Special guests were HE Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Ambassador of the United States of America; HE Ambassador Asif Ahmad, Ambassador of the United Kingdom; and Ms. Tshireletso Ku, Charge d’Affaires Embassy of South Africa. An offering of thanksgiving from Leviticus 7:11-15 and its importance was the theme of the worship service. Pastor Steve in his sermon gave ways on how to give thanks offering:

(1) Give multiple thanks.
(2) Give thanks even for the sour things of life.
(3) Giving thanks is lifting it up to God.
(4) Give thanks for the atoning sacrifice – Jesus.
(5) Give thanks every day.

Concrete ways to practice thanksgiving such as saying thanks at every meal, keeping a thanksgiving journal, saying thank you in the morning upon waking up were a few of the practical suggestions given by pastor Steve.

A traditional thanksgiving dinner of turkey with stuffing, and cranberry, mixed vegetables, candied yams, pumpkin and apple pies with Caesars salad was served to the guests after the service.

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CORO DE SAN ANTONIO HONORS ITS DEAD by Amelita Guevara

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On Sunday Nov. 2, on the feast of All Souls Day, the CORO DE SAN ANTONIO would like to honor all its members and their relatives who have died since its inception in 1962.

The CORO has been blessed with members who had, literally, life-long commitments. To prove this, some members have passed on to the next life and received their Creator’s reward “with their boots on”(while still active members of the Coro).

1973 – Our first big emotional loss was (1) Cesing Lopez, who suddenly died a few days before Christmas, and he was the lead tenor at the time. All we could sing then for his funeral were Christmas carols. His wife, Tining Lopez, continued to serve the Coro for many more years after Cesing’s death.

1980 – (2) Diding Panlilio, the power behind the first organized yearly Christmas choir. It was made up of a small group, She was the one that recruited me to conduct the choir in 1962, when she found out I was going to move into the community. After 18 years of service to the Coro, she passed away in July, a month short of when the Coro, through the instigation of Fr. Hugh, became a weekly choir.

1993 – (3) Lita Malixi kept coming until she was too weak to make it to Church. This kindly soul is remembered very deeply by all those who knew her.

1997 – We lost two of our most valuable members:
(4) Enteng Antiporda, our lead baritone, who religiously came all the way from Binan,
Laguna, on March 30 the morning after our Easter Vigil service. He literally accompanied the Resurrected Lord to heaven.

(5) Medong Favis, fondly dubbed as the Coro’s “First Lady.” She suffered through a long period of dialysis and the CORO used to greet her in song every Nov. 22, her birthday, until she passed away, on Sept. 25.

1998 (6) Primo Santos, singlehandedly had built first choir risers in the choir loft. He was already in a wheel chair and still came to choir.

1999 – three more members painfully left us:

(7) Charito Gidaya, who invited us to the inauguration of the Church of the Twin Hearts in Quezon City. She still sang with us at the Fiesta of San Antonio and the special Memorial Mass for Mrs. Eva Macapagal with hardly a premonition that she would pass away so soon after that. She died on Aug. 1.

(8) Ditas Lichauco – Nov. 23. No one could ever guess that this frail looking wheel-chaired lovely lady could sing with such beauty of sound. She could sustain hours of rehearsals week after week. She was involved in many other activities of the Parish, having started the Sunrise Service of St. Francis in October.

(9) Aster Favis, the CORO’s President for life, from the inception of the Coro, until he sank into a coma within the year of the death of his beloved wife, Medong. He died on Dec. 30.

2002 (10) Mario Calasanz, most faithful and reliable tenor, who learned to read notes by just looking at the movement of the musical lines without knowing their names.

2005 (11) Titang del Rosario, sang in the soprano section until she moved to the States to join her daughter, Grace. Died of cancer.

March of 2004 was saddest year for the Coro We lost four members in the same year.

(12) Celing Batungbakal who was faithfully coming to choir in spite of her regular dialysis for a long time. She is responsible for recruiting many members who are still in the Coro today.

(13) Greg Alcaraz, the oldest among the bass section, faithful as he was faithful and loving to his wife, Maggie, alto, who has retired from the Coro due to illness.

(14) Purita Trajano – lovable lady, more concerned in bringing us various things to eat, than being a lawyer.

(15) Arie Samson, who had taken care of all the schedules of the Coro and reminded us of all coming events, including birthdays of each member. She listed down all the activities of the Coro every year, even while undergoing chemo and radiation.

2006 (16) Lourdes Wong fought bravely her illness for several years, coming to choir as long as her health permitted. She would house most of our members who lived far when we need to serve until late at night or early at dawn. She died in September. Her daughter, Judy and son-in-law Eddie are still members of the Coro.

Jan. 30, 2008
(17) Manny Gregorio, who was our first Vocal Coach and soloist, a most valuable asset, way back in the 60’s passed away, after a long bout of diabetes. His wife Lourdes, a pianist and the nations leading harpist, still comes, when needed, to accompany the Coro.

2008 (18) Luz Santos, beloved wife of Primo Santos, who built our first choir risers.

2009 (19) Nori Ongsiako, very talented alto who played her accordion for many events.

July 27, 2010 (20) Arturo Navera, our Prime Tenor soloist for many years, died after a devastating experience during typhoon Ondoy.

Oct. 27 2013 (21) Ginny Abello, one of our most dedicated and reliable sopranos. She still sang at choir the night before she died suddenly. She used to go with her husband (died 2011) to Lourdes, France, faithfully to serve for 22 years.

Jan. 4, 2014 (22) Jana Mora, alto.

Jan. 10, 2014 (23) Fely Guevara, soprano.

The Coro sang at the funerals of all its members and their direct relatives.

1. 2007 – Jess Jalandoni, husband of the oldest member of the Coro, Angelita, age 90, who still comes to sing with the Coro to this day.
2. 2007 – Edgardo Guevara, husband of Coro member Fely and father for several Coro members: Edgardo, Jr. & Letty G. Allado.
3. 2013– Cards Guevara, Husband of Amelita Guevara, conductress of the Coro de San Antonio.

We ask you for prayers for the CORO as we continue in our service to the Lord, to our Parish and to the community. May new members be enticed to join us. All one needs is love for the Lord through song and the commitment to come for weekly rehearsals every Sunday afternoon.

This Nov. 2, 2014, Sunday 6:00 p.m. mass is being offered for our departed Members as well as for all the departed members of our Parish.

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EXORCISM AND THE MINISTRY OF LIBERATION

2Archdiocese of Manila’s Chief Exorcist, Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia

The Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism (AMOE) was established in 2006 in order to address the growing number of cases who need liberation from extraordinary demonic attacks/bondages.

Exorcism and Deliverance falls under the Ministry of the Sick. The whole thrust of this ministry is to guide the afflicted person to grow in holiness by bringing him to an intimate relationship with Jesus. This may entail exorcism prayers, guidance and counseling, evangelization of the person and his family, introduction to a community where the patient can find support and regular evaluation of progress in both his spiritual life and liberation.

The major focus of the ministry of liberation is to help the person make the proper response to the Lord’s call for a personal relationship. We aid others in taking responsibility for their lives. Prayer is the overall context of liberation.

To contact the ministry or to read more on types of extraordinary demonic attacks, sacraments, sacramentals and prayers, check out the AMOE website: exorcismphilippines.org

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2nd Living Rosary at SSAP By Karen C. Limpe

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In celebration of the month of the Holy Rosary, CWL hosted another Living Rosary last October 17 at the main church. The Living Rosary is a very beautiful practice which began in Lyon, France in 1826 by Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot. It is a powerful devotion dedicated to Our Lady and Her Immaculate Heart.

Our parish community, headed by Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM, gathered together for this meaningful service to pray for peace and unity. Special thanks to overall chairperson Zari Poe and members of the Altar Environment Ministry for organizing this event; Anton Barretto for the beautiful floral arrangements; Cathy Floro, Miguel Santos and Brielle Rodriguez for lending us their musical talents and also to Amb. & Mrs. Ma. Paz Bautista, Petrona Lim, Bel Poe, Beth Santos, Tina Teehankee and Jeanette Zulueta for providing the simple salu-salo after the service.

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Magnifikids

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The Family Life Ministry would like to announce the start of Magnifikids, a special children’s liturgy. There will be 3 sessions this year Oct 26, Nov 23 and Dec 14. This will be held weekly beginning on Jan 11, 2015.

Magnifikids is a celebration of the Liturgy of the Word that is designed for children ages 4-7. It is not catechism class nor is it childcare; it is a liturgical celebration. At the 10:30am Sunday mass, the priest presider calls the children forward and then they are sent forth to hear the Word of God. The children proceed to rooms in the Parish Center where they gather with a trained lay presider. The same Scripture readings proclaimed to the larger assembly in the Church are read to the children, using the Children’s Lectionary. This lectionary shortens the readings and uses language and vocabulary that is easily understood by children.
 The lay presider shares the homily, leads the children in a shared discussion, activity, and reflection of the readings. The children share their own understanding of what they heard and how to relate it to their everyday lives. Our purpose is for the Church to show special concern for baptized children who have yet to be fully initiated thru sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Also to ensure that the assembly’s children (ages 4-7) experience meaningful, inspirational, and spiritual celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word through careful, reflective planning, and preparation by our lay presiders.

If you would like more info or would like to volunteer in this ministry, please call Shelli at 09175322839 or email at shelliaway@yahoo.com

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October at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto

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The Silver Society held its regular monthly celebration Oct. 11 at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Holy mass was presided by Fr. Baltazar ‘Tasang’ Obico, OFM. A sumptuous merienda spread was provided for everyone by the Society’s October celebrants Fredy Consunji, Lita Ascalon and Marrot Moreno.

The Silver Society celebrates the Holy mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes every 11th day of the month. The grotto is situated behind the Adoration Room or the Porziuncula chapel beside the Convento building.

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Blessing of Animals from americancatholic.org by Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M.

Fr. Efren(EJ) Jimenez, OFM blesses a dog during St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day last Oct. 4. The blessing of pets is an annual tradition of the parish.

A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets.

This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!

For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.

No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

A Franciscan friar welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We askyou to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all yourbeauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

As the prayer is offered, the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water.

Usually the Blessing of Pets is held outdoors. Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People aremore important, they say. Care for poor people instead of poodles. And certainly our needy fellow humans should not be neglected.

However, I believe every creature is important. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.

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