Last Church Standing

World War II is the greatest plague of all the plagues that infested the country (aside from the current administration LOL!) . I use to call it as "The Rape of Manila". Centuries of cultural heritage, ecclesiastical jewels and historical marvels all became powderized, polvoron style. Good thing one jewel left after the tremendous razing of the buildings that were showered by bullets and artilleries. No other than the mother church of the Augustinians in the Philippines, La Iglesia del San Pablo or more known as San Agustin Church!

St. Augustine's portrait that hangs at the clausura (cloister)

The titular patron is actually St. Paul (you know, the epistles? the love is patient,love is kind guy. he is the one) Why then it became San Agustin? Well (according to an old TV series I watched) it just happened that people like to call it that way because of the Augustinian friars there. that's all. yeah, not much of a story no? Maybe because Filipinos back then are used to call the mother churches of the different religious orders at Intramuros by their titulars (which most of the time is the founder of the order). Ok, let us leave it that way. The friars seems to enjoy devotions to Holy Father Augustine being propagated that way so be it.

Being a student within the confines of Intramuros, San Agustin is towering with its then orange paint. i longed to visit it actually but whenever I will by, its either its close or a wedding is being held inside. My first time to enter it is by an accident. June 24, 2011 is Araw ng Maynila. We are asked to go to Bonifacio Monument near Manila City Hall for a mass but the weather is behaving in uneasy mood and so the organizers moved it there. What is the connection of it with Manila's history? It just happened that Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, El Adelantado, is buried there. Oh by the way, he is the founder of Manila. Long story short, I got the chance to enter San Agustin but not the famed museum. It could wait anyway

Waiting...

So that great day came, I guess its examination week so i got plenty of time exploring the museum. My jaw dropped at the ivory figures, the age old books, the regal trompe l'oeil ceiling and other wonderful ecclesiastical treasures. It contains great variety of stuffs and trinkets of interest. I won't say it, better find it for yourselves dear readers, i'll just present some ;)

trompe l'oeil ceiling details

Silver works

an old tabernacle

honestly I do not know what this is. is it a lavabo dish? or maundy dish?

this one too. anyone can identify these?

Paintings

Martyrdom of an Augustinian priest. I believe he is Canonized or atleast beatified.

San Agustin Museum holds a vast collection of paintings and works of art. Its mostly religious in nature and portrays the martyrdom and greatness of the Augustinians in their missionary works. Most of the time, the said martyrdom paintings involved priests being impaled, crucified and like the one above, burned alive.

The best part of the museum/church tour is the Choir area. the Augustinians preserved a wonderful organ and a large cantorale with the original vellum (or parchment?) chantbooks. There is a legend that a friar was killed by another friar during the Spanish times and to determine who the culprit is, they hang the friar's corpse; with his finger extended and pointing, in the sentry of the choir which, by the way, they use for the Divine Office, and whoever exhibits "signs of guilt" is the killer. i do not know what signs they are looking for but it made my experience quite creepy. Also, one of the greatest Filipino musician, Marcelo Adonay also worked here as conductor and during his childhood, a tiple (choirboy)

A chapel before the choir. It is said that friars, wanting to leave the Order must say it in choir and leave immediately thus passing here and contemplate. It then gained the reputation of being a "go or stay" cross.

Hardwood chairs, elaborately carved

Anyone knows the song? I wish its Magne Pater Augustine!

I want something like this at home. LOL

The church is a treasure chest. It gives you a perfect image of how great the Roman Catholic Church's influence and grandeur back then. It encompasses alot of disciplines including science and the arts just like the following artifacts.

A wooden image of a saint

broken porcelain from China, perhaps from Ming dynasty

Priestly vestments. Imagine the number of items they need to wear whenever offering the Mass during the summer season. Whew!

Famed book, Flora de Filipinas, written by renowned Fr. Blanco, OSA 

One more place that may mark your cerebrum is the crypt. Here lies many Filipino, Spanish and foreigners belonging to the alta sociedad (elite class). this is a location of murders and tortures during World War 2. It really made my hair rise and look for the escape quickly (hey,i'm alone inside the crypt then with long dead persons!) . Some famous persons interred here are painter Juan Luna and pedro Paterno. those rich enough to afford a personal chapel or atleast famous enough is interred at the church' side chapels. When you entered San Agustin, you may be stepping on a gravestone without knowing it. The rich merchants Zobel de Ayalas are some buried at the side chapels.

Visiting San Agustin is a wonderful experience. Walking along the very same corridors where friars, prince and princes (then Prince Juan Carlos and Sofia of Spain visited the museum) and many others gives you a sense of pride being a Catholic but also a hint of bitterness with the great loss we had back then. the rooms where the friars processed singing De Profundis for a dead brother, the one used by Gov. Gen. Fermin Jaudinez to draft the terms of surrender to the British and those tiles sanctified by great Filipino talents, labors and devotions through time. I pray to God that someday, intramuros, the Paris of the East, will be resurrected and like the phoenix, rise from the ashes.

One last thing, a Fu dog! a chinese symbol of evil dispelling creature (which is like a shih tzu) guards the Church. A dear friend, Fr. Norlito Concepcion, OSA told me that the Spanish friars really want gargoyles but when the chinese artisan delivered his work, poof! fu dog arrived.

Busy as a bee

Well Im on my fourth and last year in college and that means one thing.

so I hope you dear readers won't mind if I do not post anything new for quite some time but I promise, I'll catch up soon. For the mean time, 

Latin Madness! Introibo ad altare Dei

After the wait, it is now tome to go to Sto. Domingo. Adrenaline rush, the feels! I arrive quite early and met an Fb friend so I hang out with him. We sat the the front pew to have a better look of the Mass then prayed for the Holy Father's intention (for the indulgence hehe). The TLM attracted large crowds! Dominican friars in their immaculate habits, the ladies in their flowing veils, several people kneeling while praying the rosary and of course, the youth! Well, in my observation, they composed a large chunk of TLM attendees. Perhaps they are into the "sense of the sacred". Whatever their reason is, I hope they appreciated the patrimony of the Church.

The side altar of La Naval de Manila

The Mass was offered by the First Secretary to the Papal Nuncio, Right Rev. Msgr. Seamus Horgan, P.A. He arrived in his white cassock carrying a suitcase and knelt in front of the tabernacle to pray. well let me say that holiness and simplicity truly radiates from him. I was honored to have a talk with him several times (which needs a separate entry hehe) and I can testify he is such a simple yet pious servant of the Lord. He went to the sacristy and afterwards, bell began ringing

 Msgr. Horgan (photo from Custos Pro Mitra Fb page)

The choir for that Mass was the Tiples de Sto. Domingo, the oldest boys choir in Manila (am not sure if also in the whole archipelago). They sang Handel's Canticorum Iubilo. Meanwhile the servers looking smart in their surplice and black cassock slowly inched their way to the altar, Msgr. Horgan on the other hand, is vested sans cope. After reaching the altar, he intoned the Asperges Me and started the sprinkling rite.

During the entrance procession (photo from Custos Pro Mitra Fb page)

After the asperges rites, he vested in wonderful rose vestments (its Laetare Sunday remember?) Mass followed immediately. I will give a general observation of the Mass a s a whole, can't remember details quite well. So its a Missa Cantata (a Mass that is mostly sung). The Tiples rendered a wonderful performance for the Missa VIII (de Angelis, the most famous tune) and of the propers of the Mass.

How am I doing? The situation improved quite well since I have several friends assisting me where to find the parts I am having a hard time to find. the music also soothes the soul, really. Honestly, I prefer Sung Mass even in the Ordinary Form. I can feel the reverence and God's majesty through the songs and incense being utilized. As St. Augustine puts it, "Singing well is twice praying".

The Mass went well, and oh, there is an Augustinian deacon attending in choro (he is not serving per se but there to help in distributing communion), Rev. Norlito Concepcion, O.S.A. He is now an ordained priest and also offers TLM sometimes :)

Deacon (back then) Concepcion distributing communion 

(photo from Custos Pro Mitra Fb page)

Ok now for the real stuff, its time to go to the altar rail. I knelt there feeling nervous. After years, I will receive the Christ once more! Such a happy reunion and what a bonus it happened in front of Mother Mary AND at a church dedicated to Holy Father Dominic! That tremendous joy filling my heart as i walk back to the pew, indescribable! Just imagine that scene while the choir is singing Panis Angelicus, heavenly isn't it?

The Mass ended and we all sang Salve Regina to honor the Queen of the Holy Rosary. The experience is quite well compared last time. Yes, there are still flaws and several "surprise" moments but that is really how it goes. My friends told me it will go better as I attend more TLM. of course, its just the start.

I am very grateful that God gave this wonderful opportunity not just for me but for everyone else longing for the TLM. It marks the start of my wonderful journey having a closer relation to God, deeper devotion to Mother mary and the Saints and meeting wonderful and interesting people. Such a great wonder it is!

The Faithful lining up for communion (photo from Custos Pro Mitra Fb page)

Latin Madness! Preparation

Sorry dear reader, my phone's "soul" returned to the manufacturing factory plus the busy meetings for the past days that I didn't managed to create a new entry. Anyway here is the continuation. In illo tempore...

While searching the newest craze on the internet known to me back then, I came across a poster for a Latin mass scheduled during the October festivities at Sto. Domingo Church (you know, that building where the La Naval aka Gran Senora de las Islas Filipinas resides and the mother house of the Dominican Order in the country) but in the evening! Happy to learn that *some* Dominicans are open to the TLM, yes. Same feelings with the schedule? NO! Long story short, I dismissed the idea going to that Mass. Luckily a certain group known as SEDSI (here is their Fb page https://www.facebook.com/edssj.uvphils?fref=ts) together with some Dominican Fathers organized a monthly TLM (every second Sunday of the month unless a change of schedule is announced) at the side altar of the La Naval starting March 2012 @ 1:30 pm! Hey, that is the perfect time for me. Just imagine how my heart jumped around my chest with the arteries and veins going gaga how to control the rapid gush of blood from my excitement. Ok, after calming down I decided to give it a shot but this time let me partake of the Sacred Species. By the way, the first TLM at Sto. Domingo fell on March 18, the fouth Sunday of Lent or more known as Laetare Sunday (Laetare meaning "be joyful" taken from the incipit of the Introit) and oh Sto. Domingo is a designated Pilgrim Church for the Year of Faith so I also got the chance to obtain some indulgences :)

The introit incipit

Learning of the the indulgence alert, my decision to go to confession after a very looooooong separation blazed more than ever. Of course its not the sole reason, but a contributing factor for a sincere and much needed Sacrament of Penance. I went to Tondo Church after school and luckily, a priest is available to hear mine. Off I went to the confessional! I can't explain the feeling standing there and slowly opening the door. The nerves! but hey, its too late to back up and would I let my Savior down again? I composed my self entered it and confessed EVERYTHING. Its quite long and tedious actually but when I emerged out of the confessional, i felt like a new man. God really loves everyone despite our sinfulness. I performed my assigned penance and went home. Two days after, its showtime!

Yeah, I told you so ;)

Latin Madness! The St. Therese Experience

 a prologue first :)

The one and only Rev. Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, priest extraordinaire and guardian of timeless traditions

(photo from the SEDSI Fb page)

In one of the boring days while flipping the channels on the TV, I came across Channel 9 featuring a Mass. Its weird actually because it seems so quiet, I first thought its just a documentary but wait! Hey, its a Latin Mass offered by a Priest named Fr. Mitchell Joe "Jojo" Zerrudo. At that time it was at Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy at Anonas, Quezon City (am I right? never been there. just heard it from a friend). The old fervor burned brighter tan never before. So after the telecast, I ran to the computer rental shop and did a quick search where I can attend a Latin Mass. However its quite disappointing to see the results. I need to travel aboard 3 jeepneys and ride the LRT 2 just to go at the nearest Church catering it. The Archdiocese of Manila, for unknown reason , is not much interested in it. So what happened after the search? NOTHING! I went home poker faced but i still hope there is still chance. Until that fateful day of Christmas Eve, 2012 arrived

The photo banner of the event (from the SEDSI Fb page)

Thank God for Facebook, I saw this wonderful opportunity experience it first hand. I ran search regarding the location and its fairly easy to go to. So I went to my aunt, fetched a missal (which is a 1965 "transitional" missal; the translated 1962 missal) and armed with an itsy bitsy knowledge went to the See of Cubao. 

Actually,  the travel itself is quite a hassle for me. I asked for directions from the group members in Fb so they gave me but what I found out later on as I went home is a much easier route that needs a mere 10 minutes walk instead of the dizzying jeepney ride not to mention the additional energy wasted on finding that jeepney terminal. Oh my, what an experience hehehe. Honestly, I almost want to go home but my spirit told me to go on and do not lose hope and voila! Veni, vidi, vici! 

Cubao Cathedral (iammingmhei.wordpress.com)

I arrived there and the congregation is nearly a hundred with families and different people from all walks of life. The ladies veiled their heads and the gents looking smart with their polos and long sleeves. Since its still early, i took the opportunity to venerate the relics of the Doctor Amoris. This marked the start of my devotion to her.

Ok, go on to the experience. i am holding a missal but to tell every the truth, I was dumb struck and lost with the pages of the missal. Why? First, I brought a SUNDAY MISSAL so the text for the mass (which is a weekday) is nowhere to be found. Second, I never thought that most of the prayers are spoken inaudibly by the priest. Am really not prepared for this. Third, the phasing of the events bewilders me. After the Sanctus, the silent Canon started so we knelt and I am trying to find what is the next thing to do when out of nowhere, bells and incense showed up. Its already the consecration! Good thing going to the comfort room is not an option then hehehe.

I am not at the state of grace back then so I am just sitting at the pews looking at how people line up, kneel down and receive Jesus. Its been years since my last confession (that was in my elementary days, I'm a college sophomore when this happened). Yet that wonderful sight together with melodious hymns didn't failed to instill in my soul that hunger, the longing for the Divine. The years I have abandoned a friend seemed like eternity. However a deep thought rung to my mind. Jesus is always at our side, waiting for us to return to Him. Just like how St. Therese longed for her spouse, and so am I with the Master at those very moment.

Some things more, the missal contains some prayers in Latin but not the posture so I need to look at what others do hahahaha. Yes, not that good for a first time but hey, its FIRST time right and I went there with a wholly PERSONAL (and as I found out later on, its awfully lacking) knowledge about the Mass and its history but not the rubrics. 

I can't call the experience "good". I felt silly. As I went home looking at the people rushing for the Christmas festivities, I swore to myself that the experience I had will never be the last time. Jesus might have noticed my awkward feelings back then in the eve of His birthday and the following year, He gave me a wonderful gift :)

P.S. And since that day, I adopted St. Therese as one of my primary patrons. Eventually, she worked really hard for my intentions, promise. Try asking her help too, dear reader ;) 

Latin Madness! Initium....

The Traditional Latin Mass in all its grandeur and beauty

A lot of my friends will testify over their very own dead bodies how crazy I am with Latin Mass. Actually this craze rages on that even my thesis is about it hehehe. a lot though is not that appreciative of the old rite or as Pope Benedict XVI calls, Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The picture above shows a typical Solemn High Mass (usually sung) and needs at least three ministers aside from the army of servers. Let me tell you how my love affair with this form of the Mass started

During my childhood days, whenever Todos los Santos approaches, my spinster aunts will usually call for some women for a certain novena offered for the souls in purgatory. Normally they are said in the afternoon and in flickering lights of yellow candles atop a temporary altar with pictures of deceased relatives. This will go on till November. So fast forward to the cemetery visitation (which is a custom here in the islands), those same aunts of mine will get their novenarios (Pagsisiyam sa mga kaluluwa sa Purgatoryo) and recite the prayers and litany which has a substantial amount of Latin texts. I am amazed then how they respond to each supplication with Miserere, Requiem Aeternam etc. Oh by the way, have I mentioned they know by heart the WHOLE novenary in Tagalog? So there, what is its connection with the Latin Mass apart from the text? Well, their novenary booklets feature a mass celebrated in the old way (Traditional Latin Mass) with the priest facing the altar. You know, that old and crisp white booklet containing very deep and almost defunct Tagalog words and sometimes even the spelling? Many Filipinos even today might have noticed this too. In fact, the novenary is still printed with that image as its cover. This caught my attention and imagination."Why is it that way?" I was born waaaaay after Vatican 2 and so is my Mother (Dad is an Agnostic) so we both have no ideas what is it all about. My aunts, on the other hand, lives far from our humble abode hence they can not answer much of my questions (and with the passage of time and their age, they tend to forget a lot).  For years, I was left wondering about that picture. 

The novenario cover is somewhat similar to this picture

What's with the name?

After months and several failed attempts, here I am once more and created a blog. Anyway, this one will be different. Am going to make sure it will be taken care of hehehe

So first stop, what is IN ILLO TEMPORE?

In illo tempore is a Latin phrase commonly found in the Gospel to mark undetermined time. It means "during those time". I chose the name for several reasons. Let me enumerate it

• I'm a notorious person easy to forget dates. So to save everyone's precious energy when someone asks me when did a certain event happened let us just say "In illo tempore"
• It seems my idea for a blog name is a common one. Imagine, I need to attempt registering several times because the domain name is already taken! I don't want a silly name so OK, since I'm a silly and forgetful person let us just say again, "in illo tempore"

Yeah, quite few no? The name actually just pop out of my mind and there you go, a new blog!

Almost every Sunday whenever I'm at a Church and the priest reads the Gospel, he usually cries out "In those days". This blog attempts to expose the views of a young man, his adventures and opinions about the world, culture and traditions. Things that shaped mankind as we know today. events that happened, IN ILLO TEMPORE!