Ang salitang “Lent” ay hango sa Anglo-Saxon na salitang, “lencten” o spring kung saan umuusbong ulit ang kapaligiran pagkatapos ng winter o tag-lamig. Dahil dito, ang panahon ng Kuwaresma ay ukol sa paglago at pagbabagong-buhay. May kasabihan na hindi na bumabalik sa dati ang mundo sa bawat pag-ikot ng panahon. Ang paglaki ng isang kahoyContinue reading “Natutuklasan Natin ang Ating Kakaibang Galing sa Bawat Pagsubok.”
Category Archives: Liturgy & Music
Lent: Re-choosing Our Commitment to God
Naranasan niyo na ba ang pagkakalat? Yung panahon na hindi mo na alam kung ano ang pinatutunguhan ng iyong mga ginagawa. Yung sabi ng karamihan, parang kang robot na naka-program na lamang ang ginagawa araw-araw. Habang tumatagal, nawawala na rin tayo sa ating tunay na sarili. Kailangan natin balikan ang tunay nating landas sa buhay. Continue reading “Lent: Re-choosing Our Commitment to God”
Baguhin ang Pagtingin sa Kuwaresma
Tradisyon na ang pagtingin natin sa Kuwaresma ay mga panahon ng pagtitiis, pagsasakripisyo, at pag-iiwas sa ating mga paboritong pagkain. At tama naman ang ganitong pagtingin. Hindi natin maisip-isip ang kakaibang saya na nakakubli sa panahon ng Kuwaresma. Isang pagkitil sa kasamaan ang panahong ito. Ngunit maaari din nating isipin na ito ang panahon upangContinue reading “Baguhin ang Pagtingin sa Kuwaresma”
Gawing Makahulugan ang pag-aayuno
Isa sa mga gawain sa panahon ng Kuwaresma ang pag-aayuno o fasting, kung saan isang kumpletong pagkain lamang sa isang araw ang pwede; o abstinence, kung saan iniiwasan natin ang anumang uri ng karne, bilang sakripisyo at pakikiisa sa pagpasan ng krus ni Hesus para sa ating kaligtasan. Nguni’t maaari nating mas gawing makahulugan angContinue reading “Gawing Makahulugan ang pag-aayuno”
Absence and Significance
“When you do not receive communion, and you do not attend mass, you can do a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice, by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.” –St. Teresa of Avila Absence makes us realize the significance of that which is not present. In UP DilimanContinue reading “Absence and Significance”
Why Do Catholic Schools Begin the School Year With The Mass of the Holy Spirit?
Why do we begin the school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit? My answer is simple: education is the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the inspiration and aid of the Holy Spirit, we are able to learn, teach and inspire others in school. Every one is given the power to participate inContinue reading “Why Do Catholic Schools Begin the School Year With The Mass of the Holy Spirit?”
What Questions to Ask in Choosing Liturgical Songs
There is a knock on the door of my office. Two campus ministers want me to check the list of songs for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. TJ Sunga, our campus minister, hands me the list of songs. I scan the list thoroughly. I have to be sure that each song fulfils its “ministerialContinue reading “What Questions to Ask in Choosing Liturgical Songs”
If the mass is in English, should the song repertoire be all English?
In the growing concern for good liturgy, many music ministries, whether in the parish, school or local community, would like to know how to choose appropriate songs for the mass. One of the concerns is the use of language. In a repertoire for a particular liturgy, should we use one language according to the tongueContinue reading “If the mass is in English, should the song repertoire be all English?”
How to Choose Songs for the Mass
Christmas is notorious for inappropriate song choices for mass. In the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice in the University of the Philippines, we were aghast when a choir sang, “Silver Bells” for communion, or “We, Three Kings” during the Season of Advent. In a remote island in Quezon Province, a Jesuit volunteer said that theContinue reading “How to Choose Songs for the Mass”
How to Prepare for Mass
We sometimes forget what is pretty obvious. But sometimes what is common sense, may not be common after all. So this post is a friendly reminder just in case we come to worship routinely. 1. Plan when to attend mass. Just as we schedule events in our calendars, affixing the date and time for massContinue reading “How to Prepare for Mass”
Why We Sing at Mass
Is worship participation influenced by economic status? In my years of experience, the poor sing and participate more than the affluent. There is no statistics that would prove this, but having said masses in congregations raging from the rural and urban destitute to the high-brow, a priest cannot help but wonder. It is easier toContinue reading “Why We Sing at Mass”
