austraLasia

?

Shortcut

PrevPrev Article

NextNext Article

Larger Font Smaller Font Up Down Go comment Print Attachment
Views 2051 Comment 0

20160222_FIN.jpg


By Dcn. Donnie ​Duchin Duya, SDB
Photos Mr. Alexander Amora Juni


Manila Cathedral, the Philippines, 20 February 2016 - Whoever thought that once upon a time, in the pre-war Manila Cathedral, a statue of Don Bosco's Madonna had been enshrined in one of its side chapels? No one perhaps.


But if there is one thing that is most fascinating in the recent re-enthronement of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Help of Christians (MHC) in her very own chapel is that MHC is deeply venerated in one of the most historic churches of Catholic Philippines.


Hence, when the news came out that the MHC image would be re-enthroned, the members of the Salesian family along with devotees of the Blessed Mother under this title came in droves, packing the Manila Cathedral full.


No less than His Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, presided the Holy Mass. He also led the rites of the re-enthronement of our Lady. In his homily, he thanked the “wide and dynamic Salesian family” for this "homecoming," and clarified that “Mary did not leave the Cathedral for she never leaves any home. Symbolically, “This re-enthronement makes us feel more at home since we have an assurance that our Mother is our Helper, too.”

After the post communion prayer, Fr. Paul Bicomong, SDB, Provincial Superior of the Salesians in the FIN Province thanked the Cardinal, and the rector of the Manila Cathedral Fr. Reginald Malicdem for their solicitude.


Months ago, Fr. Malicdem immediately said yes to the request of Fr. Remo Bati, SDB, director of the Marian Affairs of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians if he could grant them the possibility of having the MHC image re-enthroned in the Cathedral.


The rector, noting the historic value of the event, suggested to invite Cardinal Tagle to preside the celebration. Fr. Bati heeded the suggestion, wrote the Cardinal, and similarly, he also received an immediate affirmative response.


In the event, Fr. Bati honored two Don Bosco alumni for their contribution in the spread of the devotion to Mary Help of Christians, Mr. Tom Joven (DB Academy Pampanga) and Mr. Nolan Angeles (DB Mandaluyong).


After the Mass, the statue was brought in procession to the side chapel dedicated to Her. One enthroned, the Cardinal led the prayer composed by St. John Bosco himself to MHC. The congregation sang in chorus “O, Help of Christians.”


Historical Background


Pope Pius XI appointed Bishop Willam Piani–himself a Salesian–as Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines on Feb. 17, 1922. He would serve the same office for 26 long years, up until 1948.


According to Bishop Louis Morrow, then a Salesian priest when he served as Bishop Piani’s secretary, because of Bishop Piani’s distinctive Salesian devotion to MHC, he established the Archconfraternity of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in many parishes.


No wonder, many bishops declared MHC as the secondary patroness of their dioceses. Medals, prayer novenas, images and statues of MHC were widely distributed, apparently copied from the original ones he had at his Delegation House in Malate, near the Parish Church of La Nuestra Senora de los Remedios.


Among the most privileged and prioritized places chosen by Bishop Piani to enthrone a statue of Mary Help of Christians for veneration, was the Manila Cathedral itself. The first chapel facing its main altar was dedicated and named after Her. This was done in coordination with the Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Michael O ‘Doherty (1916-1949). (Cfr. the Cathedral map guide at the entrance of the church).


But then in 1942, due to the Japanese occupation, the statue of MHC in Manila Cathedral was brought for safety to Our Lady of Loreto, Sampaloc Manila. Later on, when the Parish Church of MHC in Better Living, Paranaque was proclaimed by the CBCP as a National Shrine on Aug. 24, 1985, the said statue from Sampaloc was solemnly transferred to Her new Shrine in Better Living in 1994.


Hence, from 1942 up to 2015, 73 years had passed in which the statue of MHC was away from the Manila Cathedral, particularly the Chapel, which up to now is still dedicated to Her.

It is for this reason, in view of the Bicentenary of the Liturgical Feast of Mary Help of Christians (1815 -2015 ) that we have requested the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence, Cardinal Tagle, together with the Rector of the Cathedral, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, the permission to enthrone Mary Help of Christians once again in the Chapel dedicated to Her for almost a century already.


Historical background is based on the research made by the historian Fr. Gregorio Bicomong Jr. SDB in his book “The Arrival of Don Bosco in the Philippines”, published in 2001. (Cfr. Chap. 4, pp.69 -108).





20160222_FIN1.jpg


20160222_FIN2.jpg


20160222_FIN3.jpg


20160222_FIN4.jpg


20160222_FIN5.jpg


20160222_FIN6.jpg


20160222_FIN7.jpg


Attach

Drag and drop your files here, or Click attach files button.

Maximum File Size : 0MB (Allowed extentsions : *.*)

0 file(s) attached ( / )

  1. 5329_The 'Parasite' movie: Oscar and poor young people

    What make the "Parasite" (기생충 - Gisaengchung) so attractive? By our own correspondent EAO Region, 28 February 2020 -- Although the 'Parasite' Korean movie hit was released already last May 2019, until the recent 'Oscar' A...
    Date2020.02.28 CategoryEAO Reply0 Views936 file
    Read More
  2. 5328_GC28 like a (Samoan) canoe with the fire of the Spirit

    ALA_5328 By our own correspondent Valdocco, Turin, 27 February 2020 -- On 25 February, one of the members of the Preparatory Commission of the GC28, Fr Andrea Bozzolo (Italy-Piedmont province, ICP) used a clear Prezi presentation to introdu...
    Date2020.02.27 CategoryWorld Reply0 Views876 file
    Read More
  3. 5327(IV)_How do you want to live the Lenten season 2020?

    ALA_5327 Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2020 Vatican City, 26 February 2020 -- The 2020 Lenten Message of Pope Francis calls our attention to a very concrete conversion: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20),”...
    Date2020.02.26 CategoryWorld Reply0 Views841 file
    Read More
  4. 5327(III)_Celebration of Salesian Protomartyrs at Valdocco with the Rector Major

    ALA_5327 By our own correspondent Valdocco, Turin, 26 February 2020 -- On 25 February 2020, during the second week of the General Chapter, the annual celebration of this Feast day was graced by the presence of the Rector Major, Fr Angel F. ...
    Date2020.02.26 CategoryWorld Reply0 Views914 file
    Read More
  5. 5327(II)_Taipei Salesian Family Celebrates 90th Anniversary of Salesian Proto Martyrdom

    ALA_5327 By Fr. Fei Taipei, Taiwan, 26 February 2020 -- On Tuesday 25 February 2020, the Taipei Salesian Family gathered together in St John Bosco Parish to inaugurate the year-long celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of th...
    Date2020.02.26 CategoryCIN Reply0 Views641 file
    Read More
  6. 5327(I)_The celebration of the feast of Sts Luigi Versiglia and Callisto Caravario at Baucau, Timor Leste

    ALA_5327 By Fr. Joao da Costa Boavida Baucau, Timor-Leste, 26 February 2020 -- On 25 February 2020, the Salesian Family of Baucau area came together to celebrate the feast day of Salesian proto-martyrs, Sts Luigi Versiglia and Callisto Cara...
    Date2020.02.26 CategoryTLS Reply0 Views1118 file
    Read More
  7. 5326_(II)Wonderful opportunity to get deeply motivated - GC28

    ALA_5326 Come, Holy Spirit and move the hearts of the Salesians By our own correspondent Valdocco, Turin, 24 February 2020 -- First week of the GC28 is over, but the robust and highly inspiring talks and experience of the Spirituality Days ...
    Date2020.02.25 CategoryWorld Reply0 Views759 file
    Read More
  8. 5326_(I)Statement on the Crisis of COVID 19 By Cardinal Charles Maung Bo.

    ALA_5326 Archbishop of Yangon and The President of the Asian Bishops Conference By Cardinal Charles Maung Bo 25 February 2020 Dear Friends, Peace of Christ. The world is confronted today with a dangerous Coronavirus COVID 19 affecting 36 co...
    Date2020.02.25 CategoryEAO Reply0 Views2079 file
    Read More
  9. 5325_How do find we out about the GC28 in the EAO provinces?

    ALA_5325 Communicative challenge and grace of GC28 By our own correspondent Valdocco, Turin, 24 February 2020 -- How do you can follow the General Chapter 28? There are many ways, methods and channels. Depends on your interest, language ski...
    Date2020.02.24 CategoryWorld Reply0 Views605 file
    Read More
  10. 5324(II)_New deacon from Samoa - servant for common good

    ALA_5324 By Cl. Peter Duc Nguyen, SDB Suva, Fiji Islands, 23 February 2020 -- On Saturday 22 February 2020, three young men - Sinapati Ioane (SDB), Aminiasi Ravuwai (Society of St. Columban) and Iosefu Wailoa (Archdiocese of Suva) - were or...
    Date2020.02.23 CategoryAUL Reply0 Views586 file
    Read More
List
Board Pagination Prev 1 ... 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 ... 533 Next
/ 533