Thursday, August 24, 2006

Bishop Pabillo

Congratulations to the new auxiliary bishop of Manila, His Excellency Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D. Bishop Pabillo was ordained in his rural parish of San Ezekiel Moreno in Macarascas, Palawan last August 19, 2006 by his Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales, Archbishop of Manila. The new bishop has chosen for the motto of his episcopate, Fides in Caritate, Live Faith in Love.

His liturgical reception at the Manila Cathedral is scheduled on September 12.

Below are some links from the official website of the Archdiocese of Manila:

News of the election of a new auxiliary bishop for Manila
Interview with (then) Bishop-elect Pabillo
Coat-of-Arms <bgsound src="http://romaaeterna.jp/misc/mis001.mid" loop="infinite">

Monday, August 21, 2006

Queenship of Mary

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Queenship of Mary. An old joke says that it took seven days, exactly a week, for the humble maid of Nazareth to learn the intricacies of protocol and decorum in the heavenly court, as well as for the angels to make her the most splendid gown ever seen in heaven and earth.

Mary is Queen in her sharing the Kingship of Christ her Son. I cannot help but be reminded of that lovely scene in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where having attained final victory, all four children sat with Great Aslan, and were crowned together with him. This includes not only pure Lucy, or brave Peter, or caring Susan but even Edmund, who by giving in to the deception of the wicked White Witch, unwittingly brought the death of Aslan, who nevertheless rose again to defeat the Witch's evil curse and bring back the glory of spring.

The crown that shines on Mary's head is the crown of Christ's triumph. Because she believed, persevered and followed her Son to the end, Mary gained the promised reward of life everlasting.

Now, Mary sits with Christ, in the company of all the saints and angels, pleading on our behalf. But although she is Queen, raised above all creation, she is still Mother to all of us. In fact, as Saint Therese observed, "more a Mother than a Queen."

If we persevere with Christ until the end and turn from our wicked ways, then we too shall reign with him forever as our Mother and Queen already does. And in this painful and difficult struggle, there is reason to be brave and confident in hope, for our Mother is already there-waiting and interceding for us. <bgsound src="http://www.romaaeterna.jp/liber1/lu0279.mid" loop="infinite">

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

San Roque, Healer

Today is the memorial of San Roque, the patron saint of our parish in Sampaloc, and a very popular saint in the Philippines, where many parishes are named after him and his day is observed as an obligatory memorial.

Saint Roque, Roch or Rock was the son of the governor of Montpellier in France. He was twenty when his parents died. He gave away his inheritance to the poor, handed over government of the territory to his uncle, and desired to go on pilgrimage to Rome. However, as he passed by a plague stricken town along the way, called Aquapendente, he decided to devote himself to care for the sick and to bury the dead. His charity was as prodigious as his healing power. Because of his dedicated efforts and infectious compassion, the plague disappeared wherever he went throughout Italy, all the way to Rome.

However, he himself caught the disease in Piacenza and, not wishing to burden others, went on a solitary retreat. His hiding place was only discovered by a gentleman named Gothard by following the trail of a dog that came daily to bring him food and lick his sores. Gothard then brought him into his home and cared for him until he finally recovered.

After his convalescence, Roque returned to his town of Montpellier, where he refused to disclose his noble identity. Unfortunately, he was mistaken for a spy and cast into prison. All the while suffering in silence, he died unrecognized, until the guards uncovered his distinctive birthmark-the miraculous cross on his breast-which finally revealed who he really was. He was thus given a proper funeral and the people continued visiting his tomb to seek his intercession and many were cured of their afflictions.

Thus he is known to us now as a protector against pestilence and other contagious diseases, and a model of selfless charity and unassuming humility.


His Office and Mass is taken from the Common of Holy Men: those who carried out works of mercy/ worked for the underprivileged. Below is the proper Collect for his memorial:

Merciful God,
you healed those afflicted by pestilence
through the ministry of your servant, Rock.
Give us the same spirit of compassion
that inspired him to sacrifice his own life
in the service of those impaired by disease.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

This blog is fondly dedicated to Fr. Roque J. Ferriols, SJ who celebrates his birthday today.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

Ave, Regína caelórum,
Ave, Dómina angelórum:
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, Virgo gloriósa,
Super omnes speciósa:
Vale, O valde decóra,
Et pro nobis Christum exóra.
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The following is an excerpt from yesterday's column Moments of Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

What “bread” are we feeding our children?

For many households, the most available, the most convenient “bread” is that which comes from television.

Here’s a modern-day translation of Psalm 23:

“The TV is my shepherd,
I shall not want,
it makes me lie down in the sofa,
it leads me away from the faith,
it destroys my soul.

It leads me in the path of sex and violence
for the sponsor’s sake.
Yeah, though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
there will be no interruptions, for the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote control—they comfort me.

It prepares a commercial before me
in the presence of my worldliness;
it anoints my head with humanism and consumerism.
My coveting runneth over,
surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.”


Let us be sure to nourish ourselves from the Lord's table with the finest of wheat, so that we in turn may become bread to feed the hungry of the world who long, not only for food, but for God's Word.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, during our annual fellowship with the college seminarians of UST Central Seminary and San Carlos Major Seminary, we celebrated the Mass of Our Lady, Mother of Divine Hope. Indeed, it was a grace-filled celebration, with a very profound and inspiring homily given by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ who talked about the visitation of Our Lady as an experience of being moved from desolation to hope by a tender visit of God's loving mercy.

Indeed, that is what the mystery of the Assumption is about. The Virgin Mary, in her lowliness, was chosen and favored by God. She was thus empowered to bear hope, not only to Elizabeth, but to all of us, who look to her, a sister to all of us, raised in glory to the bosom of the Lord. Where she is now, we hope to be also, for she precedes us as the first and most perfect fruit of our redemption won by Christ. That is why the Church has always looked to Our Lady as a Star pointing us all, seafarers in the bark of Peter, safely to our heavenly destination. If we follow her in following her Son, then we shall arrive to the glory she now shares with him.

As we prepare to celebrate Our Lady's assumption, in these difficult times, with despair and violence surrounding us, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who leads us, as he did our Mother and his, from the Cross, to fullness of life.

Here is a very beautiful song, easy to learn, that we can probably sing during the solemnity of Our Mother's entrance into heaven, hoping to join her someday in singing God's praises in the eternal Kingdom, where strife and war shall be no more, endless peace and joy for ever.

Mary, our Mother, our hope, assumed into heaven, pray for us!

Who is she ascends so high,
Next the heav'nly King,
Round about whom angels fly,
And her praises sing?

Who is she adorned with light;

Makes the sun her robe?
At whose feet the queen of night
Lays her changing globe?

This is she in whose pure womb

Heaven's Prince remained;
Wherefore in no earthly tomb
Could she be contained.

Heav'n she was, which held that fire,

Whence the world took light,
And to heav'n doth now as pire:
Flames with flames unite.

She that did so clearly shine,

Our Day once begun,
See how bright her beams decline,
Sitting with the Sun.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Outrage

Who will not be moved?

As we see the body of Christ pierced and wounded, and led to death in the most violent manner, in the suffering people of the world, who will not be shamed?

After lunch, I sat to read the news and saw an image in the frontpage of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, of a little girl, mercilessly battered, brutally disfigured, by a bomb in Lebanon. Soldiers, packing relief goods for people evacuated to safety from the pending threat of the eruption of Mayon Volcano, were suddenly attacked by rebels.

There is venue in liturgy for outrage. Let us bring to God our pain as we mourn the violence we have brought to the face of the earth.

Let us continue to pray for peace.

Stabat Mater dolorósa
Juxta Crucem lacrimósa,
Dum pendébat Filius.

Cujus ánimam geméntem,
Contristátam et doléntem,
Pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigéniti!

Quae maerébat, et dolébat,
Pia Mater, dum vidébat
Nati poenas inclyti.

Quis est homo, qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si vidéret
In tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristári,
Christi Matrem contemplári
Doléntem cum Filio?

Pro peccátis suae gentis
Vidit Jesum in torméntis,
Et flagéllis súbditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriéndo desolátum,
Dum emisit spíritum.

Eja mater, fons amóris,
Me sentíre vim dolóris Fac,
ut tecum lúgeam.

Fac, ut árdeat cor meum
In amándo Christum Deum,
Ut sibi compláceam.

Sancta Mater,
istud agas Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo válide.

Tui nati vulneráti,
Tam dignáti pro me pati,
Poenas mecum dívide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixo condolére,
Donec ego víxero.

Juxta Crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociáre
In planctu desídero.

Virgo vírginum praeclára,
Mihi jam non sis amára:
Fac me tecum plángere.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem,
Passiónis fac consórtem,
Et plagas recólere.

Fac me plagis vulnerári,
Fac me Cruce inebriári,
Et cruó re Fílii.

Flammis ne urar succénsus,
Per te, Virgo, sim defénsus
In die judícii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exíre
Da per Matrem me veníre
Ad palmam victóriae.

Quando corpus moriétur,
Fac, ut ánimae donétur
Paradísi glória. Amen.



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Cardinal Rosales' Birthday

Today is the 74th birthday of His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila.

Let us continue to pray for the person and ministry of our beloved Archbishop, that he may persevere in the ardent proclamation of the Gospel, the authentic witness of life, and the active charity towards the poor that he shares with the great deacon and martyr, Lawrence, whom we celebrate today.

May Mary, Mother of the Church and Patroness of the City of Manila, preserve him always under the mantle of her maternal protection and place him always with her Son.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Namnama Mass


Blessed are you for firmly believing
that the Lord’s promises will be fulfilled.
(Lk 1, 45)
***
***
MASS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mother of Divine Hope
*
*
Introductory Rites
*

Antiphon Hail, Virgin Mary, hope of God’s people: you come to the aid of all who have no hope, you look with love on all who seek your help.


GREETING

Presider:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And also with you.


INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION

The celebrant introduces the celebration in these or similar words.

Beloved brethren,
it is good to gather in these times of division
to be a sign of unity and faith.
It is good to gather in these times of disillusionment,
to reaffirm our hope in the Risen Lord
and recommit to our vision of fullness of life for his people.

Through the intercession of Our Lady,
Mother of Divine Hope,
let us ask for healing and renewal from the Lord
for ourselves and our broken nation
that we may have the strength and courage
to work together for God’s reign in our land.

A pause for silent reflection follows.


PENITENTIAL RITE

UST-CS Representative:

Lord of hope,
you gathered us in unity,
for united in you, we find our strength.

Forgive our sins of distrust,
for the times we give up on ourselves,
on one another and on you.

Pause for a brief moment of silent reflection. (1-2 seconds)

By the power of your Resurrection,
give us hope to believe in you.

Presider, or cantor:

Panginoon, maawa ka sa amin.

All respond:

Panginoon, maawa ka sa amin.

The representative of UST-CS lights a lamp in front of the crucifix.


SCS Representative:

Lord of hope,
you bore our sufferings and shared our death,
to show us the path that leads to eternal life.

Forgive our sins of discouragement,
when in the darkness, we let ourselves be overcome by fear,
instead of seeking your light.

Pause for a brief moment of silent reflection. (1-2 seconds)

By the power of your Resurrection,
give us hope to embrace your Cross.

Presider, or cantor:

O Kristo, maawa ka sa amin.

All respond:

O Kristo, maawa ka sa amin.

The representative of SCS lights a lamp in front of the crucifix.


SJS Representative:

Lord of hope,
you came to share our weakness
to give us your strength.

Forgive our sins of despair,
for the times we refuse to believe in our nation,
and no longer dream of your Kingdom in our midst.

Pause for a brief moment of silent reflection. (1-2 seconds)

By the power of your Resurrection,
give us hope to strengthen one another.

Presider, or cantor:

Panginoon, maawa ka sa amin.

All respond:

Panginoon, maawa ka sa amin.

The representative of SJS lights a lamp in front of the crucifix.


The Presider says the absolution:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

R. Amen.


OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray.

All pause for silent prayer.

Lord God,
you have given the Blessed Virgin Mary to your Church
as a beacon of unfailing hope.

In your goodness,
grant that all who are burdened by life’s cares
may find in her consolation and strength
and those who despair of salvation
may find their hearts warmed and uplifted
as they turn to her in their need.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

***

Liturgy of the Word

***

FIRST READING

***

A star from Jacob will arise, and a scepter will come forth from Israel.

A reading from the book of Numbers 24, 15-17a

Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle:
The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,
the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
the utterance of one who hears what God says,
and knows what the Most High knows,
of one who sees what the Almighty sees,
enraptured and with eyes unveiled.

I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.

or,

Hope in the Lord in your affliction.
$
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 51, 1-7a

Listen to me, you who pursue justice,
who seek the LORD;
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
to the pit from which you were quarried;
Look to Abraham, your father,
and to Sarah, who gave you birth;
when he was but one I called him,
I blessed him and made him many.

Yes, the LORD shall comfort Zion
and have pity on all her ruins;
her deserts he shall make like Eden,
her wasteland like the garden of the LORD;
joy and gladness shall be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of song.

Be attentive to me, my people;
my folk, give ear to me.
For law shall go forth from my presence,
and my judgment, as the light of the peoples.

I will make my justice come speedily;
my salvation shall go forth
(and my arm shall judge the nations);

In me shall the coastlands hope,
and my arm they shall await.

Raise your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth below;
though the heavens grow thin like smoke,
the earth wears out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies,
my salvation shall remain forever
and my justice shall never be dismayed.

Hear me, you who know justice,
you people who have my teaching at heart.

The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM Based on Psalm 62

Response:

My soul finds rest in God alone. My salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress.
I shall never be afraid. I shall never be afraid.

1. Trust in Him at all times, O people of God;
pour out your hearts to Him.
He is our refuge and He is our hope.

2. Rest your heart not in riches nor honor of the world.
Weighed out with the heart of God,
these blow to nothingness, vanish like breath.

3. You Yourself, Lord, have said:
“I am your strength, I am your deliverer,
loving and merciful, Father of all.”


SECOND READING

***

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 12, 9-16a

Brethren: let your love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.

or,

Our hope does not disappoint.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 5, 1-5

Brethren, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION See Lk 1, 45

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for firmly believing
that the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


GOSPEL

Mary and Elizabeth find in Jesus the fulfillment of their hope in God’s promise.

The Lord be with you.

R. And also with you.

V. + A Reading from the holy gospel according to Luke 1, 39-56

R. Glory to you, O Lord.

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste,
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
The Lord has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.

The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.


HOMILY

Following the reading of the Gospel, the Presider gives a homily, After the homily, a period of silence is observed.


PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Presider:

Happy are those whose help is Jacob’s God,
whose hope is in the Lord, their God.
(Ps. 146, 5)

With faith and confidence,
let us come to the Father of Jesus
and cry out to him in hope.

R. May your kindness, Lord, be upon us;
we have put our hope in you.
(Ps. 33, 22)

1. For the Holy Church,
that she may carry out her prophetic mission,
by courageously denouncing evil
and steadfastly proclaiming the vision
of the coming reign of God.
Let us pray to the Lord.

2. For our nation,
that in the midst of growing disillusionment
among our people,
we may find new faith
in our capacity for change
and our potential for a just and peaceful society.
Let us pray to the Lord.

3. For an increase of priestly and religious vocations,
that the Lord may call to his side,
men and women of worthy desires,
to lead his people into the Kingdom
and strengthen them in their struggle here on earth.
Let us pray to the Lord.

4. For life-term prisoners and those who are terminally-ill,
for all who desperately yearn for God’s assuring presence in their lives.
That they may not lose confidence in the Lord’s abiding mercy
but continue to trust in his loving plan for them
even when the Lord seems distant and absent.
Let us pray to the Lord.

5. For peace in the Middle East.
That the Lord may deliver the helpless
from the violence of war
and move conflicting parties
to repentance, solidarity and forgiveness.
Let us pray to the Lord.

6. For all of us here gathered,
that sustained by the grace of the Risen Christ,
we too may become ministers of hope
and strengthen one another in faith
to persevere in the work of healing our land
and building the Kingdom of God.
Let us pray to the Lord.


God of the lowly,
helper of the oppressed,
supporter of the weak,
protector of the forsaken,
savior of those without hope,
(Jud 9, 11)
none who hope in you shall ever fail in strength. (1 Macc 2, 61)

Through the prayers of Mary,
strengthen our hope and increase our faith
in these trying and difficult times.
Open our eyes to see the vision of your Kingdom
and open our hands to work for your reign.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.


Liturgy of the Eucharist

***

PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND OF THE GIFTS

The Presider takes the paten with the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar says:

Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation.
through your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.

R. Blessed be God forever.

The Presider, or a concelebrant, pours wine and a little water into the chalice saying inaudibly:

By the mystery of this water and wine
may we come to share in the divinity of Christ,
who humbled himself to share our humanity.

Then the Presider takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar says:

Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to offer,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become our spiritual drink.

R. Blessed be God forever.

The Presider says inaudibly:

Lord God, we ask you to receive us
and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you
with humble and contrite hearts.

He may now incense the offerings and the altar.

Afterwards, a minister incenses the Presider, concelebrants and the congregation.


Next, the Presider stands at the side of the altar and washes his hands saying inaudibly:

Lord, wash away my iniquity;
cleanse me from my sin.

Standing at the center of the altar, facing the people, he extends and the joins his hands, saying:

Pray brethren, that our sacrifice
May be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

R. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his Church.


PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Lord,
receive with this offering
the prayers of your people
so that, through the intercession of Blessed Mary,
the mother of your Son,
no request of ours may go unanswered,
no petition uttered in vain.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

***

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Mary is an example of hope in God.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
We do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
with all our hearts
for your gift to our human family
of Jesus Christ, the author of our salvation,
and of Mary, his Mother, the model of divine hope.

Your lowly handmaid placed all her trust in you:
she awaited in hope
ánd conceived in faith the Son of Man,
whom the prophets had foretold.
With untiring love, she gave herself to his service
and became the mother of all the living.
Mary, the fairest fruit of Christ’s redeeming love,
is a sister to all the children of Adam
as they journey toward the fullness of freedom
and raise their eyes to her,
the sign of sure hope and comfort,
until the day of the Lord comes in glory.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven,
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise.

The choir and the assembly together sing the Sanctus.


SWISS SYNOD EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The Presider, with hands extended, says:

Blessed are you,
O God of holiness:
you accompany us with love
as we journey through life.
Blessed too is your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is present among us
and whose love gathers us together.

As once he did for his disciples,
Christ now opens the Scriptures for us
and breaks the bread.

He joins his hands and holding them outstretched over the offerings, says, with the concelebrants:

Great and merciful Father,
we ask you to send down your Holy Spirit
to hallow these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may become for us

He joins his hands and, making the sign of the cross once over both bread and wine, says:

the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands, and continues:

On the eve of his passion and death,
while at table with those he loved,

He takes the bread and, raising it a little above the altar, continues:

he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
He bows slightly.

Take this, all of you and eat it:
this is my body
which will be given up for you.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it on the paten, and genuflects in adoration.

Then he continues:

When supper was ended, he took the cup;

He takes the chalice and, raising it a little above the altar, continues

again he gave you thanks
and, handing the cup to his disciples, he said:

He bows slightly.

Take this, all of you
and drink from it;
this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new
and everlasting covenant.
It will be shed for you and for all
so that sins may be forgiven.

Do this in memory of me.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

The choir and the assembly sing the Acclamation.


Then with hands extended, the Presider says, with the concelebrants:

And so, Father most holy,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son,
whom you led through suffering and death on the cross
to the glory of the resurrection and a place at your right hand.
Until Jesus, our Savior, comes again,
we proclaim the work of your love,
and we offer you the bread of life and the cup of eternal blessing.

Concelebrant One:

Renew by the light of the gospel
the Church of the diocese of Cubao,
strengthen the bonds of unity between the faithful and their pastors,
that together with Benedict our pope, Honesto our bishop.
and the whole college of bishops,
your people may stand forth, in a world torn by strife and discord,
as a sign of oneness and peace.

Concelebrant Two:

Be mindful of our brothers and sisters,
who have fallen asleep in the peace of Christ,
and all the dead whose faith only you can know.
Lead them to the fullness of the resurrection
and gladden them with the light of your face.

When our pilgrimage on earth is complete,
welcome us into your heavenly home,
where we shall dwell with you for ever.
There, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,
Joseph her most chaste spouse, with the apostles,
the martyrs, Thomas and Charles and all the saints,
we shall praise you and give you glory.

He joins his hands.

through your Son, Jesus Christ.

The Presider takes the paten with the host and the chalice. Lifting them up, he sings or says, joined by the concelebrants:
­­­­­­­
Through him,
with him,
in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

The choir leads the people in their response:

DAKILANG AMEN
Francisco, SJ

Amen! Amen! Amen!
Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!


Communion Rite

***

THE LORD’S PRAYER

The Presider introduces the Lord’s prayer in these or similar words:

Jesus taught us to call on God our Father.
And so, with confidence,
we pray the prayer he himself gave us.

The choir leads the assembly in the singing of the Lord’s Prayer.

AMA NAMIN
Hontiveros, SJ

Ama namin,
sumasalangit Ka,
sambahin ang ngalan Mo,
mapasaamin ang kaharian Mo,
sundin ang loob Mo
dito sa lupa para nang sa langit.

Bigyan Mo kami ngayon ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw,
at patawarin Mo kami sa aming mga sala,
para nang pagpapatawad namin sa nagkakasala sa amin.
At h’wag Mo kaming ipahintulot sa tukso
at iadya Mo kami sa lahat ng masama.

The Presider with hands extended, continues alone:

Deliver us Lord from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin
and protect us from all anxiety
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

R. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.


SIGN OF PEACE

The Presider, with hands extended, says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you,
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

The Presider, extending and joining his hands, adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

R. And also with you.

Then the Presider may add:

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

All present make an appropriate sign of peace.


BREAKING OF THE BREAD

KORDERO NG DIYOS
Aquino, SJ

Kordero ng Diyos na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan,
maawa Ka sa amin, maawa Ka sa amin.

Kordero ng Diyos na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan,
maawa Ka sa amin, maawa Ka sa amin.

Kordero ng Diyos na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan,
ipagkaloob Mo sa amin ang kapayapaan.


Meanwhile, the Presider takes the Host and breaks it over the paten. He places a small piece in the chalice, saying inaudibly:

May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.


PRIVATE PREPARATION

The Presider says inaudibly:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit
your death brought life to the world.
By your holy Body and Blood
free me from all my sins and from every evil.
Keep me faithful to your teaching,
and never let me be parted from you.


COMMUNION

The Presider genuflects. Taking the host, he raises it slightly over the paten and facing the people says aloud:

This is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.
Happy are those who are called to his supper.

R. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.

The Presider says inaudibly:

May the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

He reverently consumes the body of Christ. Then he takes the chalice and says inaudibly:

May the blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

He reverently drinks the blood of Christ.

After this he takes the paten or other vessel and goes to the communicants. He takes a host for each one, raises it a little, and shows it saying:

The Body of Christ.

R. Amen.

Communion Antiphon: Let us live holy and devout lives in this world
as we look forward in blessed hope
to the joyful coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2, 12-13)

While the faithful receive communion, Eucharistic songs are sung.

The vessels are cleaned by the priest or acolyte after the Communion or after Mass, if possible at the side table.

Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart.
May they bring me healing and strength, now and for ever.

A period of silence may be observed after communion, or a psalm or song of praise may be sung.

***

Concluding Rites

***

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray.

Pause for silent prayer.

Lord God,
we have received this sacrament
of faith and salvation;
as we honor the Blessed Virgin, mother of our hope,
we pray that we may come to share with her
in your own divine love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.


HYMN TO MARY

All face the image of Our Lady as the Presider intones the Marian hymn and the choir continues with the people. Meanwhile, the Presider may incense the image of Our Lady.

Salve Regina,
Mater misericordiæ,
Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve!
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevæ.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis, Virgo Maria!

or,

STELLA MARIS
Silvino Borres Jr., SJ - Manuel V. Francisco, SJ

1. Kung itong aming paglalayag, inabot ng pagkabagabag.
Nawa’y mabanaagan ka, hinirang na tala ng umaga.

2. Kahit alon man ng pangamba, di alintana sapagkat naro’n ka.
Ni unos ng pighati at kadiliman ng gabi.

Koro: Maria, sa puso ninuman,
ika’y tala ng kalangitan.
Ningning mo ay walang pagmamaliw.
Inang sinta, inang ginigiliw.

3. Tanglawan kami, aming ina, sa kalangitan naming pita.
Nawa’y maging hantungan; pinakamimithing kaharian.

*

V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.


Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosae Virginis Matris Mariae corpus et animan, ut digni Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto cooperante praeparasti: da, ut cuius commemoratione laetamur; eius pia intercessione, ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.

V. Amen.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, you prepared the body and soul of Mary, glorious virgin and mother, to become the worthy habitation of your Son; grant that by her gracious intercession, in whose commemoration we rejoice, we may be delivered from the present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord.

V. Amen.


FINAL BLESSING

Presider:

The Lord be with you.

R. And also with you.

He invites the people to bow their heads and invoke the blessing of God.

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.

He then prays with hands extended over the people:

May the Father of mercies bless you
through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever virgin,
through whom he chose to remedy the fall of our first parents.

R. Amen.

May Jesus Christ,
who in the womb of the Blessed Virgin,
became our brother and our Savior,
free your hearts from every trace of sin.

R. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit
Increase you in the grace of true faith and of hope for heaven,
that you may walk in the ways of the Gospel
and so reach your eternal home.

R. Amen.

May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

DISMISSAL

The Mass is ended,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

After the solemn blessing, a fitting final song is sung.




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Thursday, August 03, 2006

Panalangin kay San Juan Maria Vianney










On this feast of the patron of all pastors, let us turn once more to Saint John Mary Vianney, asking for his intercession, that we may be good shepherds imbued with a deep love for Jesus and a sincere concern for the flock.


PANALANGIN KAY SAN JUAN MARIA VIANNEY

San Juan Maria Vianney,
Pintakasi ng tanang mga pastol ng kawan,
huwaran ka ng lahat ng nagnanais na magsilbi sa Diyos
at maglingkod sa kanyang bayan,
ipanalangin mo kami!

Walang kawalang pag-asa,
paghihirap o pagsubok ang humadlang sa iyo;
walang pag-uusig, pagdaralita o pagtitiis
ang kailanman nakasiphayo
sa iyong nag-aapoy na pagnanasang maglingkod.

Sapagkat ini-ugat mo ang iyong sarili
sa isang matibay at matatag na saligan-
sa taimtim na pananatili kasama si Hesus
na siyang pinagmumulan ng iyong lakas
at kumakatig maging sa iyong karupukan at kahinaan.

Turuan mo kami at tulungan
sapagkat mahirap ang aming mga panahon.
Maraming pagsubok at pangamba
at nanganganib kaming ianod at tangayin sa kawalan.
Akayin mo kaming kumatig lagi sa pagmamahal ng Panginoon
upang ang aming pagsisilbi ay magkaroon ng tunay na pamumunga.

Yayamang sinabi mo,
“Ang pagkapari ay ang pagmamahal ng puso ni Hesus”,
ipamagitan mong ipagkaloob sa amin gaya ng ginawa sa iyo
ang isang pusong hinubog ayon sa puso ng Panginoon
upang mahalin namin ang aming kawan
ayon sa wagas na pag-aalay ng sarili ni Kristo.

Ang puso ni Hesus ay marunong makinig
at makiramdam sa kilos ng Espiritu na nagpapakita sa kalooban ng Ama,
kumilatis nawa kami sa aming mga panahon
at hanapin ang landas na ipinatatahak sa amin.

Ang puso ni Hesus ay pusong nag-aapoy para sa Kaharian ng Diyos, magsumikap sana kami na maibigay ang aming abot kaya upang maiambag para maipagkamit ng katarungan at kapayapaan.

Ang puso ni Hesus ay handang mag-alay ng buhay para sa tupa, gaya mo, ihandog nawa namin ang aming sarili para sa kawan, tulad ng ating Mabuting Pastol. Amen.


Other related resources from this blog:

Saint John Mary Vianney
Triduum in honor of Saint John Mary Vianney
Prayer for Vocations

To go to the Official Website of the Sanctuary of Ars:

Sanctuaire d'Ars
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Saint John Vianney

I love You, O my God,
and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life.

I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You,
than live without loving You.

I love You, Lord
and the only grace I ask
is to love You eternally...

My God,
if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,
I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

-St. John Mary Vianney

Together we wish to thank Christ, the Prince of Pastors, for this extraordinary model of priestly life and service which the saintly Curé of Ars offers to the whole Church, and above all to us priests. How many of us prepared ourselves for the Priesthood, or today exercise the difficult task of caring for souls, having before our eyes the figure of Saint John Mary Vianney! His example cannot be forgotten.
*
More than ever we need his witness, his intercession, in order to face the situations of our times when, in spite of a certain number of hopeful signs, evangelization is being contradicted by a growing secularization, losing sight of the Kingdom of God, when often, even in the pastoral ministry, there is a too exclusive concern for the social aspect, for temporal aims.

Those who are already priests, those who are preparing for the Priesthood and those who will be called to it must fix their eyes on his example and follow it. The faithful too will more clearly grasp, thanks to him, the mystery of the Priesthood of their priests.
*
No, the figure of the Curé of Ars does not fade.

–John Paul II, Letter to My Brother Priests, Holy Thursday 1986

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Triduum in Honor of Saint John Mary Vianney

TRIDUUM OF PRAISE IN HONOR OF
ST. JOHN MARY VIANNEY
Patron of Priests


Ecce Sacerdus Magnus
Qui in diebus suis placuit Deo.
Benedictionem omnium gentium
dedit illi
et testamentum suum
confirmavit super caput eius.

Day 1
A Model of Priestly Fidelity

“Ah! My friend, virtue demands courage, constant effort
and help from on high.
You should work and fight as long as you are in the world."


EXPOSITION OF THE RELICS

Relics of St. John Mary Vianney are brought to be exposed for the veneration of the faithful throughout the triduum. They are displayed prominently beneath his image suitably decorated for the occasion. The presider carries them to the place of exposition assisted by two ministers bearing candles. Standing, he may incense them. A fitting hymn is sung.

DAILY PRAYER

O St. John Mary Vianney, Patron and Model of All Priests, you show us what it means to be a priest after the Heart of Jesus.

O Holy Priest of Ars, you lived a life of total dedication to Christ and His Church. You spent your life wholly at the service of the flock, devoting your self entirely to the work of the ministry. Day and night you labored for souls, ministering to them and praying in their behalf. Nothing could weary your generous heart.

You never gave up on your flock even when they seemed impossible. You shunned all riches and honor so only Christ will be your treasure and crown. With joy you embraced the radical poverty of the Gospel so with empty hands you can freely embrace God’s people.

You rooted yourself on Jesus, always fixing your eyes on him in every task or trial. Even when times were most difficult, you anchored yourself to the Eucharist and to Mary, your pillars of strength. In prayer and sacrifice you found holiness, your most powerful tool in drawing the flock to Jesus.

Teach us your example that we who aspire to be priests may become holy shepherds for God’s people. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers to gather his people into the fold and nurture the flock. Ask our High Priest to sanctify his priests so our Holy Church may ever increase in holiness under the guidance of holy pastors. Amen.

READING
1 Cor 9, 16-19. 22-23.

Preaching the Gospel is not the subject of a boast; I am under compulsion and have no choice. I am ruined if I do not preach it! If I do it willingly, I have my recompense; if unwillingly, I am nonetheless entrusted with a charge. And this recompense of mine? It is simply this, that when preaching I offer the Gospel free of charge and do not make full use of the authority the Gospel gives me.
Although I am not bound to anyone, I made myself the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became a weak person with a view to winning the weak. I have made myself all things to all men in order to save at least some of them. In fact, I do all that I do for the sake of the Gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings.

SHARING

The presiding priest or another priest imparts a short reflection. After the sharing, a song may be sung.

Hymn: Kung ‘Yong Nanaisin (Francisco, SJ) / Narito Ako (San Andres)

MEDITATION

“The Curé of Ars is truly a model of strong will for those preparing for the Priesthood. Many of the trials which followed one after another could have discouraged him: the effects of the upheaval of the French Revolution, the lack of opportunities for education in his rural environment, the reluctance of his father, the need for him to do his share of work in the fields, the hazards of military service. Above all, and in spite of his intuitive intelligence and lively sensitivity, there was his great difficulty in learning and memorizing, and so in following the theological courses in Latin, all of which resulted in his dismissal from the seminary in Lyons. However, after the genuineness of his vocation had finally been acknowledged, at 29 years of age he was able to be ordained. Through his tenacity in working and praying, he overcame all obstacles and limitations, just as he did later in his priestly life, by his perseverance in laboriously preparing his sermons or spending the evenings reading the works of theologians and spiritual writers. From his youth he was filled with a great desire to "win souls for the good God" by being a priest, and he was supported by the confidence placed in him by the parish priest of the neighboring town of Ecully, who never doubted his vocation and took charge of a good part of his training. What an example of courage for those who today experience the grace of being called to the Priesthood!
–Pope John Paul II, Letter to Priests on Holy Thursday 1986

A brief period of silence is observed.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

O St. John Mary Vianney, Our Model of Priestly Fidelity, no cross was too heavy to prevent you from following your Master.

Your faith remained ardent and your vocation even blossomed amid spiritual slackening and religious persecution in your youngest years. A difficult and trying formation did not hinder you from following God’s call to service. You were given a parish that seemed desperate to all but which was to you a sweet yoke that you accepted ungrudgingly, even with joy. The bitter persecution, even of your brother priests and beloved parishioners, was not enough to exhaust your admirable patience. Not even the devil with his most violent manifestations could sway you away from your Lord nor distract you from your mission. You surpassed the dark night of spiritual trial, with your enduring love for Jesus and consuming desire for the good of the flock.

Teach us to be like you especially in these difficult times. Help us realize that true discipleship is to take up the Cross of Jesus and to follow him in the way to Calvary. Only then, in dying to ourselves, we can give life to the flock as you and your Master did. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER
By the presider

V. Pray for us, blessed John Mary Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Father, you give us St. John Mary Vianney as patron and model for all priests. May we who honor you by celebrating his memory profit by his example and grow in our knowledge and love of you and our desire to serve your people through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Day 2
A Model of Priestly Service

“When the heart is pure, it cannot stop loving,
because it has rediscovered the source of love, which is God.”

VENERATION OF THE RELICS

Standing, the presider may incense the image and relics of St. John Mary Vianney. A fitting hymn is sung.

DAILY PRAYER

O St. John Mary Vianney, Patron and Model of All Priests, you show us what it means to be a priest after the Heart of Jesus.

O Holy Priest of Ars, you lived a life of total dedication to Christ and His Church. You spent your life wholly at the service of the flock, devoting your self entirely to the work of the ministry. Day and night you labored for souls, ministering to them and praying in their behalf. Nothing could weary your generous heart.

You never gave up on your flock even when they seemed impossible. You shunned all riches and honor so only Christ will be your treasure and crown. With joy you embraced the radical poverty of the Gospel so with empty hands you can freely embrace God’s people.

You rooted yourself on Jesus, always fixing your eyes on him in every task or trial. Even when times were most difficult, you anchored yourself to the Eucharist and to Mary, your pillars of strength. In prayer and sacrifice you found holiness, your most powerful tool in drawing the flock to Jesus.

Teach us your example that we who aspire to be priests may become holy shepherds for God’s people. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers to gather his people into the fold and nurture the flock. Ask our High Priest to sanctify his priests so our Holy Church may ever increase in holiness under the guidance of holy pastors. Amen.

READING
John 12, 24-25

Jesus said:
“I am the Good Shepherd.
I Know my sheep and my sheep know me
in the same way that the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
for these sheep I will give my life.”

SHARING

The presiding priest or another priest imparts a short reflection. After the sharing, a song may be sung.

Hymn: Ang Mabuhay sa Pag-ibig (Tabuena-Hontiveros, SJ) / Ang Mabuting Pastol (Hontiveros, SJ)

MEDITATION

“The confessional, the answering of letters, and the woes of others, good works, debts to be paid, his curate’s temper, the tricks of Satan, toothache and gastric pains, the maddening pricks of the hair shirt, want of food and sleep: add to that doubts as to his vocation and a pressing feeling of his unworthiness—for we must put all these things together, since all were pressing on him at once—did ever man have so many crosses? M. Vianney was a poor man with a poor body and his poor body could hold out no longer. Yet the poor body stayed at its post, hung on somehow. The whole thing is mysterious. He no longer had that minimum which is necessary for life itself yet his intense activity never slackened. Sometimes, when he was driving himself back to the task in hand—mounting into the pulpit, maybe, or entering the confessional—he was seen to crumple up, as though he was being squeezed dry of his very substance. Then suddenly his task would pull him together; grace gave back the strength that was wanting, the priest revived the man.”
–G.K. Chesterton, The Secret of the Curé d’Ars

A brief period of silence is observed.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

O Saint John Mary Vianney, our Model of Priestly Service, like a good Shepherd you gave your life for your sheep.

You spared nothing for yourself and gave your all to your people. All your time and strength you spent, feeding them at the Lord’s banquet, preaching to them His Word, hearing their confessions, counseling them, teaching them catechism, caring for their poor and orphans, visiting their homes and farms, curbing the ills of society, even extending your aid to other sheep when helping your brother priests in their parishes. You pleaded to God in their behalf and offered for them your many sacrifices. Nothing can weary your zeal. Nothing for you was ever too much in the service of God’s people.

Teach us to be selfless and generous, to serve God and his Church with all our heart, all our mind and all our strength. Let us never grow tired and weary of serving the Church. May we always be ardent ministers on fire with the love of Jesus and zealous for the salvation of souls. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER
By the presider

V. Pray for us, blessed John Mary Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Father, sustain the good work we have begun in your Name. May we who keep these days in honor of St. John Mary Vianney, faithful priest of your Son, enjoy his help and protection in our own pilgrimage to you and service to your people though Christ our Lord. Amen.


Day 3
A Model of Priestly Spirituality

“You open your heart to him
and you feel happy in His Holy Presence.
This is the best of all prayers.”


VENERATION OF THE RELICS

Standing, the image and relics of St. John Mary Vianney may be incensed by the presider. A fitting hymn is sung.

DAILY PRAYER

O St. John Mary Vianney, Patron and Model of All Priests, you show us what it means to be a priest after the Heart of Jesus.

O Holy Priest of Ars, you lived a life of total dedication to Christ and His Church. You spent your life wholly at the service of the flock, devoting your self entirely to the work of the ministry. Day and night you labored for souls, ministering to them and praying in their behalf. Nothing could weary your generous heart.

You never gave up on your flock even when they seemed impossible. You shunned all riches and honor so only Christ will be your treasure and crown. With joy you embraced the radical poverty of the Gospel so with empty hands you can freely embrace God’s people.

You rooted yourself on Jesus, always fixing your eyes on him in every task or trial. Even when times were most difficult, you anchored yourself to the Eucharist and to Mary, your pillars of strength. In prayer and sacrifice you found holiness, your most powerful tool in drawing the flock to Jesus.

Teach us your example that we who aspire to be priests may become holy shepherds for God’s people. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers to gather his people into the fold and nurture the flock. Ask our High Priest to sanctify his priests so our Holy Church may ever increase in holiness under the guidance of holy pastors. Amen.

READING
John 15, 5-7

Jesus said:
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who lives in me and I in him will bear fruit abundantly,
for apart from me you can do nothing.
A person who does not live in me is like a withered rejected branch,
picked up to be thrown in the fire and burnt.
If you remain in me and my words in you,
you may ask whatever you want and it will be given you.
My Father is glorified in your bearing much fruit
and becoming my disciples.”

SHARING

The presiding priest or another priest imparts a short reflection. After the sharing, a song may be sung.

Hymn: Pagkakaibigan / Pastorale (Francisco, SJ)

MEDITATION

The Curé of Ars is a model of priestly zeal for all pastors. The secret of his generosity is to be found without doubt in “his love for God”, lived without limits, in constant response to the love made manifest “in Christ crucified”. This is where he bases his desire to do everything to save the souls ransomed by Christ at such a great price, and to bring them back to the love of God. Let us recall one of those pithy sayings which he had the knack of uttering: "The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus." In his sermons and catechesis he continually returned to that love: "O my God, I prefer to die loving you than to live a single instant without loving you... I love you, my divine Savior, because you were crucified for us... because you have me crucified for you." For the sake of Christ, he seeks to conform himself exactly to the radical demands that Jesus in the Gospels puts before the disciples whom he sends out: prayer, poverty, humility, self-denial, voluntary penance. And, like Christ, he has a love for his flock that leads him to extreme pastoral commitment and self-sacrifice. Rarely has a pastor been so acutely aware of his responsibilities, so consumed by a desire to wrest his people from the sins of their lukewarmness. "O my God, grant me the conversion of my parish: I consent to suffer whatever you wish, for as long as I live." Dear brother priests, nourished by the Second Vatican Council which has felicitously placed the priest's consecration within the framework of his pastoral mission, let us join Saint John Mary Vianney and seek the dynamism of our pastoral zeal in the Heart of Jesus, in his love for souls. If we do not draw from the same source, our ministry risks bearing little fruit!
“–Pope John Paul II, Letter to Priests on Holy Thursday 1986

A brief period of silence is observed.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

O St. John Mary Vianney, Our Model of Priestly Spirituality, you lived a life firmly rooted on Jesus, your source of strength.

You said the Mass with all the love of your heart and your prayers with all devotion. You celebrated the feasts of the Church with great care and solemnity and led your people with joy to the Lord’s Banquet. In the early hours of the morning and the late watches of the night, you stood before the tabernacle, gazing at Jesus while Jesus gazed at you. With filial confidence you tenderly embraced the Mother of Jesus and made the saints of God your friends. You shunned no hardship or sacrifice which you offered to God for your flock, like a shepherd who lays down his life for the fold.

It was with this holiness, shining beyond your humble appearance, that you drew your people to Jesus. It was from this inexhaustible fount of wisdom that you drew knowledge and counsel to instruct and guide your flock. Nothing could weary you because you drew from Jesus, your infinite source of strength.

Teach us always to cling to Jesus, as branches to the vine. That nourished by his grace and especially through His Holy Sacraments, we may grow in holiness and be able to sanctify others also. Let us never shrink from our weakness or rely too much on our strength. Make us always realize that without God we are nothing. Let us always trust that we God we can do everything. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER
By the presider

V. Pray for us, blessed John Mary Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Father, bless us as we (prepare for tomorrow’s feast to) honor John Mary Vianney, your lowly servant who by his holiness of life and faithful service shepherded the flock after the Heart of your Son. May we who implore his intercession on earth be granted a share of his spirit, be able to share his mission and so one day come to partake of his heavenly crown through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Individual veneration of the relics may follow. Meanwhile, suitable hymns are sung and/or the Litany in Honor of St. John Mary Vianney may be recited.

LITANY IN HONOR OF SAINT JOHN VIANNEY

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Saint John-Mary Vianney,
St. John Vianney, endowed with grace from infancy,
St. John Vianney, model of filial piety,
St. John Vianney, devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
St. John Vianney, spotless lily of purity,
St. John Vianney, faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ,
St. John Vianney, abyss of humility,
St. John Vianney, seraph of prayer,
St. John Vianney, faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
St. John Vianney, ardent lover of holy poverty,
St. John Vianney, true son of St. Francis of Assisi,
St. John Vianney, exemplary Franciscan tertiary,
St. John Vianney, tender friend of the poor,
St. John Vianney, penetrated with the fear of God's judgment,
St. John Vianney, fortified by divine visions,
St. John Vianney, who was tormented by the evil spirit,
St. John Vianney, perfect model of sacerdotal virtue,
St. John Vianney, firm and prudent pastor,
St. John Vianney, inflamed with zeal,
St. John Vianney, faithful attendant on the sick,
St. John Vianney, indefatigable catechist,
St. John Vianney, who preached in words of fire,
St. John Vianney, wise director of souls,
St. John Vianney, especially gifted with the spirit of counsel,
St. John Vianney, enlightened by light from Heaven,
St. John Vianney, formidable to Satan,
St. John Vianney, compassionate with every misery,
St. John Vianney, providence of the orphans,
St. John Vianney, favored with the gift of miracles,
St. John Vianney, who did reconcile so many sinners to God,
St. John Vianney, who did confirm so many of the just in the way of virtue,
St. John Vianney, who did taste the sweetness of death,
St. John Vianney, who does now rejoice in the glory of Heaven,
St. John Vianney, who gives joy to those who invoke thee,
St. John Vianney, heavenly patron of parish priests,
St. John Vianney, model and patron of directors of souls,

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, blessed John Mary Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray

Almighty and merciful God,
you bestowed upon
blessed John Mary Vianney
wonderful pastoral zeal
and a great fervor for prayer and penance,
grant, we beseech you,
that by his example and intercession
we may be able to gain the souls
of our brethren for Christ,
and with them attain to everlasting glory,
through the same Lord Jesus Christ
your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.



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