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TODAY, THE FOURTH SUNDAY of October, the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus is celebrating its 30th year anniversary with a special Mass at 9 a.m. at the Sto. Niño Chapel in Violago Compound on E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. Officiating priest is Rev. Fr. Rodel Lopez, OMI, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Caloocan City.
According to Dennis Maturan, a member, the group was formally established on Oct. 27, 1979 with the guidance of the Carmelite nuns and the blessing of the late Cardinal Sin.
The “Nombre” the title given to the Sto. Niño, is enshrined in the beautiful rococo-baroque chapel loaned by Oscar and Boots Violago for the liturgical services of the Congregacion. Masses are held every Monday at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, First Fridays and Sundays, also at 6:30 p.m.
For the past 29 years, the Congregacion has been putting up the “Sto. Niño Fiesta” exhibit in January. For the past years, the exhibit is being held at the PNB Financial Center where nine novena Masses are held.
Many devotees bring their images bringing to a total of 400 the number displayed for everybody to see. The last Sunday of January marks the long procession of images from the Philtrade to the Quirino Grandstand. It is a religious event that people look forward to.
In addition, the Congregacion holds charitable causes like the forthcoming Fashion for a Cause (tel. 5248439) for typhoon victims on Oct. 28, 6 p.m., at the PICC Plenary Hall. Twelve fashion designers’ groups are participating, not counting the independent designers. Models are giving their services for free. This is the 10th fashion for a cause that the Congregacion is going to do.
Presently, there are 37 members of the Congregacion, excluding the six who have passed away. Those who died were Leo Limpo, Jay Cariño, Manny Punsalan, Rey Gutierrez, Nanding Marasigan and Pol Capistrano.
Members include Ben Farrales, Mel Chionglo, Steve de Leon, Abraham de Castro, Chito Ilagan, Nolie Hans, Dingdong Bautista, Ricky Miranda (president), Totoy Bayabo, Donnie de Lima, Jing Chua, Dennis Maturan, Toni Galang, Benson Nobrera, Albert Zabala, Deo Pamilar, Manolo Estrella, Jessie Salgado, Terry Layacan, Mario Buela and German Malabanan.
Other members are Bobby Valdomar; Jesse Nell; Ogee Atos; Rommel Elepaño; Dom Martin de Jesus, OSB; Ferdie Esguerra and Chito Sayo. Those living abroad are Noel Hermogeno, Henry Manlulu, Efren de Jose, Bambi Logarta, Jun Regalado, Rommel Ortin, Willi Buhay, Real Mape and Val de Mesa.
Religious artist Joey Velasco, the man behind the famous “Hapag ng Pag-asa” painting of Christ with streetchildren, will open his new solo exhibit, “Kenosis,” today, 10:30 a.m., at Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati.
Sponsored by Code Red, the opening will also launch Velasco’s 2010 calendar for the benefit of the Salesian missions.
“Kenosis” is the Greek word for self-emptying. It is inspired by St. Paul’s description of God’s becoming a man. “He did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather he emptied himself, took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of man” (Phil 2:7-11).
In his artist’s notes, Velasco says: “Kenosis is a challenge to man to empty himself not just for the sake of creating a vacuum but for the purpose of opening up to God a wholeness of space that he may dwell in his person and reveal Himself and His perfect will. It is following the trails of the Divine who has shown us first what real emptying meant.”
The efforts to organize the Living with the Saints seminar at the Veritas Parochial School in BF Homes, Parañaque are, indeed, laudable. Done the second time, parents and faculty were able to gather at least 170 high school students to listen to three priests tell stories of saints assigned to them.
The last speaker was Fr. Lorenz Festin, dean of studies in San Carlos Seminary. He explained how important Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is in relation to the Eucharist. High school student Anthony Nietes took photos to serve as a memorabilia of this beautiful event.
Parents of priests are performing on Nov. 20, 7 p.m. at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium. A Night of Music (tel. 8958855) intends to raise funds to help in priestly vocations, the sick and elderly priests., as well as various charities undertaken by the association. President is Letty Syquia, mother of Fr. Jocis Syquia, exorcist of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Bro. Doming Deauna, a mariologist, says it was only faith that made him survive the recent Tropical Storm Ondoy. He composed a prayer that he would like to share with readers. (If you wish to invite him to speak in your seminars, call 5224215 or text 0905-3524386).
The Eucharistic Adorers’ League and Pink Sisters will hold the 22nd Eucharistic Congress on Nov. 28, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. at the St. Joseph Convent on Hemady St., New Manila. The theme this year is “Celebrating the Eucharist in the Year of the Priest”. Speakers are Fr. Apolinario Ty, SSS; Fr. Rolando de La Rosa, OP; and Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD.
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu will celebrate the Mass in honor of the Holy Souls in Purgatory on Nov. 2, l0 a.m. Live over NBN-Channel 4. Producer is Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls. Cardinal Vidal is their Cardinal Protector.
