If not for Fr. Stephen Simangan, military chaplain of the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila,  I would not have known that we have 132 priests assigned as chaplains to various military jurisdictions all over the country.  They celebrate Masses on Sundays, hold baptisms, celebrate the sacrament of matrimony and listen to Confessions of soldiers, especially during Holy Week.

It was more of a surprise  when I learned that the Military Ordinariate headed by Bishop Leopoldo  Tumulak marked its 25th with its  first Diocesan Synod on July 18-22 at  the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Villamor Airbase.   Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales concelebrated with the Papal Delegate, nine bishops and 148 priests.

Synod liturgical booklet

The cover of the Synod liturgical booklet shows Mary above looking down  on the soldiers, with the motto “Journeying together in the  life and mission  of the Church.”

Sem. Jake Aniwasal Bilbao and Sem. Marlo Rich Tan Lacsarom  designed  the cover  through the guidance of  Fr. Arthur Buensuceso Orense.

The Holy Eucharist is at the center, into which Mary looks intently on  as the Mother of the Church.

The various jurisdictions are  represented by their respective logos: the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Pope Benedict XVI sent his apostolic  blessing to  the synod, particularly to the priests, so that they may be filled with the grace to take care of the spiritual needs of those given to their care.

St. John Mary Vianney

St. John Mary Vianney Parish in Brgy. Cembo, Makati City, celebrates July 26 to Aug. 4 the feast of its patron saint, St. Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859), also the patron saint of parish priests, confessors and penitents.

Cardinal Rosales will officiate the Concelebrated Mass   Aug. 4, 6 p.m.  The parish is nine years old.  Fr. James S. Marquez is parish priest.

The church is undergoing a much-needed renovation and needs the support of generous people to complete the work.  For more information, call 8815078.

Ermita Church

Fr. Sanny de Claro will officiate the  People’s Mass in honor of St. John Mary Vianney on Aug. 7, 10 a.m. in Ermita Church.  Triduum of Masses is Aug. 4-6, 6 p.m. The public is invited.

It was St. John Mary Vianney who reminded us that without the priest, there would be  no Holy Mass and the celebration of the Sacraments.

St. Philomena, patron of youth

A number of bishops will celebrate the Novena Masses to   St. Philomena, Aug. 2-10,  6 p.m., and her fiesta on Aug. 11 at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Malac St., Masambong, QC.

The bishops and themes of the Masses: Ipil Bishop Julius Tonel  (Aug. 2; theme: “St. Philomena, brilliant light of holiness”); Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian (Aug. 3;  “Philomena, marvel of fortitude”); Infanta Bishop-Prelate  Rolando Tria Tirona (Aug. 4; “St. Philomena, temple of perfect humility”); Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas (Aug. 5: “St. Philomena, martyr of purity”);  Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense (Aug. 6; “St. Philomena, perfect in virtue and wisdom”);  Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera (Aug. 7; “St. Philomena, faithful and obedient to the Roman Catholic Church”; procession at 3:30 p.m.);   Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez (Aug. 8; “ St. Philomena, filled with the purest charity”); Naval   Bishop Filomeno Bactol (Biliran Island; Aug. 9; “St. Philomena, shining model of prayer”);  Palo Archbishop Emeritus Pedro Dean (Aug. 10: “St. Philomena, mirror of patience in suffering”; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the Mass).

Fr. Clod Bagabaldo, parish priest, will concelebrate in every Mass and will read testimonies of miracles wrought by God through the intercession of the saint.

Other Masses

Fiesta Masses:   6 a.m., by Msgr. Sabino Vengco Jr.  (Filipino);  9 a.m. (English), Fr. Eli Mata, SVD, Shrine of the Divine Word;  12 noon (English),   Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes;  4 p.m. (English), Fr. Orlando Aceron, OP, spiritual director of the Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena;  6:30 p.m. (English), Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, spiritual director of the Living Rosary Association.

Our Lady of Mercy

The people of Bahay Pare in Candaba, Pampanga, would celebrate the Mercedarian Festival  commemorating the  apparition of Our Lady of Mercy on Aug. 2, 1218, to Sts. Peter Nolasco, Raymond Peñafort and James of Aragon, giving them her scapular that would save them from the Moors who were killing Christians.

The Kapampangans call her “Apung Nuestra  de Merce,” but the young people simply call her “Nuestra.”

In their processions carrying the Virgin in a carroza from barangay chapel to chapel, the youth would shout “Viva Nuestra.”

“Nuestra” would take care of all their needs like healing, financial difficulties,  relationship problems and more, even if the Mercedarian festival is no more.

Holy Land pilgrimage

Fr.  Faustino Mora who inspires us with his moving homilies in Ermita Church is leading a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land, Egypt and Jordan in November.

During these troubled times, we need to seek Jesus in places where He lived and preach.  Text  0917-8350810 or call  5214965 or fax  5214022.