ABOLITION OF FIXED DONATION ON SACRAMENTS

How much is baptism? How much are we going to pay for church marriage rites? If you are going to stay at the parish office, you would be hearing these questions asked by parishioners. If you would conduct survey on why people are living together without sacramental blessing, one of the reasons is money. Many people think that sacraments have an equivalent amount of price. It is as if sacraments are for sale. This is a reality we cannot hide. As a result, many poor families have thought that they could not afford it.

Church and Fixed Donation

The church has been dependent on the fixed donation for the sacraments. It is true that such way has been a security for the church. It has supported the church financially. From it, the church sustains the stipends of the priests, parish or diocesean ministries and the sustenance of the convent. However, I propose to you today the idea of the eradication of fixed donation.

Instead of putting a fixed amount on the sacraments, the church should accept anything that the parishioners could voluntarily give. If a person could not give anything, then so be it. He or she can still receive the sacrament. Sacraments have no corresponding monetary values. All people should receive them as Jesus instructed His disciples.

Work of Jesus

Fixed donation is just a coating of the reality that we have neglected for centuries. The truth remains that donation is never a force thing to do. If the Church really wants to serve, then no amount should be asked before service. Sacraments are blessings from God. Jesus had given the Church the duty of administering it. He did not tell the Church to collect first before administering. When Jesus was performing miracles, did he ever ask for something in return? He did not. We cannot find anything in the Bible that speaks of collecting fees first before receiving God’s blessings.

Generosity over Poverty

Some of us may already be thinking that it will make the church finically amputated. With the abolition of fixed donation system, the church will not get poor. It is true that the Church has been dependent on it, but without it, the church would survive.

Today, I believe there are many people who are generous enough to the Church. Many have been pampering their priests. They give them electronic gadgets, trips, dogs and other material things. People are generous enough that the Church would survive. With proper guidance and instructions, the Church can sustain its financial responsibilities through the generosity of the parishioners. Giving to the Church must become a regular habit, with or without the sacraments.

JESUS’ DEATH NOT CHEAP AND FREE

The abolition of fixed donation is an adventure of a new Church and a deviation from the old system of Church sustenance. This should remove from the mindset of the parishioners and the faithful that the sacraments have a monetary equivalent; however neither must it be replaced by another mindset that the sacraments are cheap and require nothing on our part. The sacraments are not free. They have been paid by the precious passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. God has given it to us. People should receive it. The Church has responsibility to provide it.

Eradication of fixed donation is putting our needs into the hands of God. Whenever we work hard for the ministry of the Church, whenever we orient people on the need for generosity, whenever people know their responsibility on the Church, then we can always be assured that the financial needs of the Church will always have solution. With God, nothing is impossible. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippinans 4:13

ARCHBISHOP SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS: A FOLLOWER OF JESUS

“With great power comes great responsibility.” This is a wonder line in a Spiderman movie. Moreover, I would like to rephrase such line by saying, “Great power needs great humility.” This is applicable to a great man whom I would like to talk about briefly.

Though an Archbishop, people call him “Fr. Soc.” This is not a lack of respect to his authority, rather, it is what he prefers to be called. He would reason out that no matter what position he is entrusted with, he would always be a simple priest forever.

Fr. Soc is a spiritual person. His routine in praying is something astonishing. If you would send him a message at five in the morning, you would get a reply quickly. This is because he would wake up early and pray at four o’clock in the morning until five o’clock in a small chapel adjacent to his room for adoration. He would remind us, his beloved seminarians, that we need to have time for a holy hour a day for the Lord.

Before he goes out of the Archbishop’s house, he visits first the adoration chapel adjacent to the Cathedral to pray for some minutes. Not only that, if you are going to ride with him, be sure that you have a rosary with you, for he will surely invite you to pray with him the mysteries of the rosary for the day before having a casual conversation. Moreover, he is actually a devotee of Our lady of the Most Holy Rosary. He prays the twenty mysteries of the rosary every day. Despite his busy schedule as an Archbishop and as the CBCP President, he remains consistent with his prayer life.

Fr. Soc is a simple person. He does not care about luxurious things. What he needs is all that he has. It is a fact that many people give him gifts. His brothers and sisters provide him clothing. However, when he knows that he has enough of the basic things, he actually gives it to other people like his seminarians. I, myself, have received many.

He is not choosy of food to eat. Some may be wondering what he is eating. Some have judged him as someone elite due to his looks and bearing. However, he eats what we also eat. He is like anyone else. He also eats burger in a fast-food. He is a simple person.

With great responsibility, it is natural to have an assistant or secretary. However, this is not the case with Fr. Soc. He is a person in authority who does not need a secretary. When asked for a speech or message, one would be assured that Fr. Soc is the one making it. He is the one writing all the letters and documents that he needs. He would tell us that he does not need a secretary for he had been a secretary for a long time. He is a responsible person.

He is a loving Father to his sheep, to his seminarians and priests. Though busy, he sees to it that he has time for all of us. He knows his seminarians well that he can name all 120 seminarians by heart. He makes sure that he talks to them, be with them on Christmas and Easter and he visits them in the seminary. He even has a room in the seminary where he sleeps for a day during his visits. It is also the case with the priest and his sheep.

Fr. Soc, a spiritual man. Fr. Soc, a simple man. Fr. Soc, a responsible man. Fr. Soc, a loving father. Such descriptions may not be enough to describe the person of Fr. Soc. A seven-minute speech may not be enough to narrate all about him. If you would be walking with Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, you are like walking Jesus for Fr. Soc is a faithful follower of Jesus.

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

“Ought I wear a golden diadem in a place where I behold Jesus Christ crowned with thorns" – St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as St. Elizabeth of Thurigia was born probably at Pressburg, Hungary in 1207. However Historians have disputed on the place of her birth. She came from a royal of King Andrew II, king of Hungary. Her descendants are also saintly. She is related to two saints namely St. Hedwig, sister of her mother and St. Elizabeth of Portugal, her great-niece.[1]

Her parents taught her works of mercy. They were a figure of great piety. At an early age, little Elizabeth had already exhibited such character. She had engaged herself naturally with delight in prayer, almsgiving, retirement, and recollectedness. Such character continued throughout her life.[2]

Her happy childhood was interrupted at an early age of four when she was arranged for marriage with young Louis or Ludwig (eleven years old), son of Count of Thuringia, one of the most powerful of the princes of Germany. Such marriage was arranged due to her heavenly characters that have reached the ears of the Count. The Landgrave or Count of this region was one of the richest and most influential sovereigns in Europe at the beginning of the 13th century and his castle was a centre of magnificence and culture. In order to solidify the arranged marriage, little Elizabeth was sent immediately to the Court of Thurigia.

Upon her arrival, which was greeted with festivity, she has remained to be faithful to her bethroned. Young as Elizabeth and Louis were, they were used to call each other as brother and sister even after their marriage.[3]

Her Father-in-law Landgrave Hermann, a true religious man, had a great smile whenever he sees Elizabeth practiced her works of mercy. Not all, however, were pleased with the works of mercy of Elizabeth. After three years since she arrived, Hermann died. Elizabeth’s sister-in-law, Agnes and Sophia, her mother-in-law became her crosses. Though, Louis succeeded his father, he was still dependent on her mother, Sophia. He was most of the time absent from the court, as a result Sophia and Agnes continued to torment Elizabeth.[4]

An example of an event of her persecution was during the festival of the Assumption. Elizabeth received an order to dress royally in attending the Mass with sumptuous robes and golden crown. Elizabeth obeyed. However, upon entering the Church, she removed her crown. Agnes noticed this act of Elizabeth and tried to stop her and asked her. Elizabeth with humility replied, “Madam, ought I wear a golden diadem in a place where I behold Jesus Christ crowned with thorns?”[5]

This event triggered more the persecution of Elizabeth from Agnes and Sophia. They even told her that she should not expect that Duke Louis will marry her. Agnes even insulted her more with the words, “you are not fit to be the wife of a prince.” Duke Louis, however, knew the sincerity of the love of Elizabeth comforted her secretly.[6]

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and Elizabeth was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse.  It was then alleged that Elizabeth had embarrassed the treasury by her almsgiving, that it was necessary to re-establish the exhausted finances, that Prince Hermann, son of the deceased Landgrave, was too young to take the reins of government, that some one capable of protecting the domains of the State should be selected, and they finally concluded that the only one fit for this important duty, was Henry, the uncle of Hermann.[7]

The aristocracy succeeded in winning the sympathies of the populace, and Henry, therefore, seized the reins of government. His first act was to expel Elizabeth from her palace, and his cruelty was so excessive, that he refused her the very necessaries of life. Furthermore, he forbade all persons inhabiting his cities, to receive or succor her. The princess suffered all this outrages and cruelties with admirable patience, and not a word of murmuring or repining ever fell from her lips.[8]

The Bishop of Bamberg, her uncle, presented her with a mansion situated near his palace. The prelate, thinking that a new alliance was the only means by which she might be enabled to recover her own and children’s rights, counselled her to marry again; but the Saint informed him, that after her husband’s decease she had made a vow to remain a widow for the rest of her life, and that her only desire was to consecrate the remainder of her days to God alone.[9] 


Elizabeth then related to the knights who had accompanied her husband’s mortal remains, the sad story of her sufferings. She besought them to plead her cause and that of her children, and to obtain justice for them and her from her brother-in-law.[10]

On their arrival in Thuringia, the nobles energetically reproached Prince Henry with the disloyalty of his conduct. “Remember,” said they to him, “that there is a God who sees all things. What crime has this woman committed? Is not the weakness of her sex quite enough to prevent her undertaking any emprise injurious to the State? Know you not that she is distinguished for her wonderful piety and many inestimable virtues? What have her children, your own blood, done to you? Ought not their age plead in their favor? You, who should have been their protector, have proved yourself their unrelenting enemy. Have you not violated all laws, human and divine?”[11]

The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.[12] After being reinstalled to her proper place she continued her works of charity.  She founded a hospital in honor of St. Francis of Assisi at Marburg and donned the gray habit of the Franciscan tertiaries and devoted herself to the care of the sick.[13]

In November 1231 she was stricken with a high fever. When the news of her illness spread, may people flocked to see her. After about 10 days, she asked for the doors to be closed so that she might be alone with God. In the night of 17 November, she fell asleep gently in the Lord. The testimonies of her holiness were so many and such that after only four years Pope Gregory ix canonized her and, that same year, the beautiful church built in her honour at Marburg was consecrated.[14]

[1] Michael Bihl, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/05389A.HTM.

[2] ________, Patron Saints for Girls – The Life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow, http://catholicsaints.info/patron-saints-for-girls-the-life-of-saint-elizabeth-of-hungary-widow/.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Michael Bihl, St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] ________, Patron Saints for Girls: The Life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Enzo Lodi, Saints of the Roman Calendar including Feasts Proper to the English-speaking World, Translated and adapted by Jordan Aumann, OP (St. Pauls: Makati City, 2013), 375.

[14] Benedict XVI, General Audience, October 20, 2010: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20101020.html.

MY DIACONATE ORDINATION AT THE SANCTUARIO DE SAN JUAN DE EBANGHELISTA LAST MARCH 19, 2015 (by BUJAYPHOTOGRAPHY)

WHO IS CHRIST TO YOU?

Who is Christ to you? In our Gospel today, we heard what Jesus said regarding the perspective of David on who Christ is. Jesus explained, “David himself calls him 'lord…’” If in the eyes of David, Christ is Lord, how about us? Who is Christ for us?

Some people hold that Christ is a friend who is always there. Others cling to that Christ is an older brother who guides in becoming mature. Still others embrace that Christ is a professor who teaches about almost everything. The answer does not necessary be the same with others. Your answer maybe different from my answer. My answer maybe different from other people’s answer. So what the point then in knowing who Christ is for us?

We may have different viewpoints on who Christ is. Yet one thing is always the same no matter who Christ is, our views affect our lives. The outlook we hold onto is our way of life. If Christ is a friend then we also treat others as friends. If Christ is an older brother then we treat others as family. If Christ is a professor then we treat others as classmates. Whether Christ is a friend, brother, professor, companion, coworker or mentor, our view on who Christ is greatly affects our view on other people. If Christ is someone we value then it is proper to say that we also value other people.

Who then is Christ to you?

MY DIACONATE ORDINATION

POPE FRANCIS: THE VIST

Thrill of seeing, cheers with the crowd, soaked under the rain, long hours of waiting, and a glimpse of Pope Francis. I did not experience all of these during the visit of Pope Francis. I was home eagerly waiting live feeds from television stations his every move and the people’s emotions. It was not because I did not want to see him. I made a choice to give my slot at MOA to a fellow seminarian. It came to me that it was the right decision. God may have other plans for me.

Although I may not be present on any of the events, I felt I was there after all as I watched it all live even the press conferences. I still felt blessed after watching all the events on television. I may not have seen him personally but I have heard clearly all what he had said and wanted to impart to us Filipinos.

The question that we will try to reflect on is what is the meaning of Pope Francis to me? With all the sermons that Pope Francis left us, two have struck me. First was during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Bishops, priests and religious at the Manila Cathedral. What hit me were His challenges to the congregation. His challenges were not new. A week before, Archbishop Socrates Villegas has given a pastoral letter to the clergy of the Archdiocese. In it were almost the same challenges left by Pope Francis. Was it coincidence? I believe it is the will of God. It is God who is reminding me of these challenges, as I will take the step of becoming his instrument.

Second was his message during the encounter with the youth. Let me concentrate more on this message and what it means to me and to the country. LANGUAGES. This came from Pope Francis in his speech at the University of Sto. Tomas University during his encounter with the Filipino Youths. Let us then try to reflect with these three languages.

Language of the mind. The Pope has encouraged all of us to use our minds in knowing God more. Our minds are given by God to us to be used. They are not for display or for evil doings. They are to be used for good. We are challenged to contribute to the intensification of spreading the Gospel.  Let us be apologetics of the Gospel. Let us guard the faith by using our minds. It is not proper to say that only the scholars, only the theologians, only the priests and religious have the sense of duty to use their mind for the Lord. We are considered people of God upon baptism. We as Catholics have the obligation to defend the Church and to help in the propagation of the faith. I am reminded by Pope Francis to use my theological studies to a great cause.

Language of the heart. The Pope is not only asking us to use our minds in thinking. Moreover, he is inviting us to use our hearts. This means that we need to feel. The question then is what do we need to feel? Joy? Sadness? Anger? We need to feel the need of our dear brothers and sisters. We need to undergo what our poor brethrens are feeling. Today, we are called not just to identify what their situations are, but also sensitivity on what they feel. We need to be immersed to the emotions of others. Learning things is not only from books or schools. There are also times that we learn when we know how to feel. Feeling is an important language we need to develop as Catholics. We need to feel the needs of our brothers and sisters. It is by feeling that we become selfless.

Language of the hands.  It is not enough to know and understand. Pope Francis in his speech stressed that we need to do something for our brethrens. As Catholics, Christ is asking us to give ourselves for the service of God and others. Love is not love when we do not know how to give, when we do not know how to do something for others, when we do not know how to be selfless. Love is love when all our actions are selfless. We have hands not only to grasp on things but also to open it so that others can reach what it is holding. Upon receiving Christ in our life we have to share Him to others. Reach out. Give. Let us however take note that the true meaning of giving is not letting go of the excess that we have. Giving is letting go even those that we have hard time letting go especially those we value most. It is only then that we can say I have given up everything for you oh Lord.

Language of the mind, of the heart and of the hands. We can only say that we are authentic Catholics when we live out these three languages. This is so because Christ our Lord whom we follow did them. He selflessly practiced these languages. He is our model. As followers, we have to do the same. It is hard to practice the languages but they are not impossible to do. I am challenged to PRACTICE THE LANGUAGES!

Last is his constant message that the focus is not he but Christ. I wanted to become a priest not for my own attention but to bring the attention of people towards Christ. His message struck me repeatedly. He did not only mention it once but most of the time.

With all of these, what is his visit to me? One word that I have mentioned the most is CHALLENGE. Yes, it was inspiring. Yes, it was heart-warming. However, for me it was challenging. He challenged me to stand and take part of the action. Yet, this challenge is also for all Filipinos. We are challenged to become true Catholics. We are proud to say to the world that we are a Catholic nation. We must then live as one. We are challenged to become a light. The visit of Pope Francis is truly a CHALLENGE to all of us. It does not matter whether we are poor or rich, whatever culture we have come from. The CHALLENGE remains. Are you ready to take up the challenge?