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!
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 ()
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 ;)
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 ;)
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