Blessing of Renovated Church

September 8, 2018 — A Day of Grace and Celebration

It was a day of joy and thanksgiving—the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady and the blessing of our newly renovated church. For days beforehand, rain had poured over the metropolis, and fervent prayers rose from the faithful, imploring Divine Providence for fair weather. The Lord, in His goodness, heard the pleas of His people. As the afternoon unfolded, the skies cleared and the sun shone warmly upon the gathering—a fitting and tender gift for so blessed an occasion.

The Preparation

Early in the afternoon, the church came alive with the sound of voices in harmony as choirs gathered for their final rehearsal. It was the prelude to a sacred celebration. Present were the choirs of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish, the Alab Vocal Ensemble of St. Andrew’s Cathedral-Parish, the St. Paul University College of Music, and the Las Piñas Boys Choir—sixty-five voices in all, united in one purpose: to honor Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother.

Months of devoted preparation had gone into every note and phrase. Under the direction of Oliver Neil Rodriguez, Music Ministry Coordinator, the choirs’ distinct tones blended into a single, soaring hymn of praise.

Meanwhile, in the sanctuary, Fr. Jeff Manlapig, Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, guided the lay liturgical ministers through their final rehearsals, carefully unfolding the meaning and movement of each part of the rite. His gentle instruction helped shape not only the flow of the celebration but the spirit of reverence that would fill the liturgy.

Beyond the church doors, the same anticipation stirred. Volunteers moved about with quiet joy, attending to last details, hearts light with excitement. After ten months of renovation, Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Church stood renewed and resplendent—ready to be blessed once more by The Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque. The air was alive with gratitude, wonder, and the unmistakable sense that grace was about to unfold.

The Choral Singing

At 4:30 p.m., the Grand Choir began their prelude—a radiant outpouring of praise that filled the church with beauty and anticipation. Under the direction of Oliver Neil Rodriguez, the combined choirs offered a moving repertoire: Look at the World by John Rutter, The Lord is Gracious by Rodriguez, Stella Maris by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, and the beloved Hymn to Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Each piece rose like prayer—uplifting, contemplative, and filled with gratitude. By 4:50 p.m., the final notes lingered briefly in the air before fading into reverent silence, leaving hearts still and expectant, ready for the sacred rites that were about to unfold.

Blessing of the Grotto.

Ten minutes before five o’clock in the afternoon, Bishop Jesse E. Mercado began the Blessing of the Icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel in the church courtyard. The gentle hum of the gathered faithful gave way to quiet reverence as prayers rose to heaven.

The newly blessed grotto was envisioned as a place of silent prayer and refuge—a sanctuary for weary hearts and troubled souls, especially in the stillness of the night. Beneath her tender gaze, Mary, our Mother of Good Counsel, gently leads her children along the path that draws them ever closer to Jesus, her Son.

As Pope Leo XIII once exhorted the faithful, “Children, listen to her counsel.”, in this sacred corner of our church grounds, that counsel continues to whisper softly—words of comfort, of guidance, and of peace.

Blessing of Church Doors.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, the Bishop and his ministers made their way to the colonnade for the Blessing of the Church Doors. The faithful watched in stillness as the ancient rite unfolded—a moment both symbolic and sacred. The doors, once merely an entrance of wood and stone, now stood as a threshold of grace, marking the passage from the world into the house of God.

With each prayer and gesture, the Bishop invoked the Lord’s blessing upon all who would cross these doors—that they may find peace, healing, and renewed faith within. The air was thick with reverence as holy water fell upon the newly restored threshold, sanctifying it as the gateway through which God’s people would once again gather to worship, to celebrate, and to be sent forth in mission.

The doors of a church—especially the great main doors—hold a profound symbolism. Together with the narthex, the entranceway forms the sacred threshold between the world outside and the dwelling place of God. To pass through these doors is to move from the ordinary to the holy, from the noise of daily life into the stillness of worship.

It is here, at the threshold, that the stranger first meets the Church at prayer, and where the Church, in turn, extends her first gesture of welcome—not merely into a building, but into the embrace of a believing community.

Through these same doors, baptismal and wedding processions enter, greeted with joy as they approach the sacraments of new life and love. And here, too, families who mourn are received with tenderness, as the coffins of their beloved are sprinkled with holy water—a reminder of their first dying and rising with Christ in Baptism, and the promise of glory that awaits beyond death.

It is also through these doors that the penitent steps forth toward the grace of reconciliation, seeking anew the mercy of the Lord.

Thus, the church doors are more than an architectural element—they are a sign of passage and transformation, a meeting point between heaven and earth, between the seeking heart and the God who welcomes all.

After the prayers were offered, the Bishop sprinkled holy water upon the church doors, sanctifying them with the sign of cleansing and renewal. He then incensed the portals, enveloping them in fragrant smoke—a symbol of prayer rising to God.

Then, raising his crozier, the Bishop struck the doors three times. The threefold knock—ancient sign of the Holy Trinity—resounded through the courtyard like a summons of faith. To knock is to seek, to plead, to desire entry into the mystery of God.

In that sacred act, the Bishop stood as the voice of the whole Christian community, humbly acknowledging our dependence on God’s mercy and grace.

When at last the doors opened, they became a powerful sign of heaven unveiled to humanity. The Entrance Procession then began—ministers, choir, and faithful crossing the threshold into the dwelling of God, where prayer and praise ascend as one harmonious offering.

The Solemn Mass. The liturgy of the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary was used for the celebration. The Bishop, together with the concelebrating priests and other ministers, processed into the church amid soft, dimmed lights—an atmosphere of quiet reverence. They entered the sanctuary without venerating the altar, for it was yet to be blessed.

The solemn procession was accompanied by the grand singing of the Jubilee Song, Isang Bayang Binuklod, joyfully taken up by the entire assembly. Following the Greeting, the Asperges rite began. Msgr. Melchor David and Fr. Jose Miranda moved through the congregation, sprinkling holy water upon the faithful as the choir sang Vidi Aquam (I Saw Water)—a stirring composition by Fr. Benildus Maramba, OSB, and Oliver Rodriguez.

The Gloria resounded soon after, its radiant melody filling the newly blessed space, followed by the Liturgy of the Word. The Gospel, proclaimed by Fr. Santi Fernandez, recounted the birth of the Lord—a reminder that Mary’s own nativity heralded the dawn of salvation. The Bishop then delivered his homily, drawing the faithful into deeper reflection on the mystery of Mary’s birth and her enduring role as Mother and model of the Church.

Following the Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful, the Blessing of the Altar took place. The Bishop offered prayers of consecration, then incensed the altar with graceful solemnity. The fragrant smoke rose heavenward—an ancient sign of reverence and prayer—while Msgr. Melchor David went around the entire church, incensing the people and the sacred space. As Scripture reminds us, “Let my prayer rise before You like incense” (cf. Ps 141:2; Rev 8:3).

The altar linens were then brought forward by members of the Mother Butler Guild, lovingly spreading purity and beauty upon the newly blessed table of sacrifice. Members of the Finance Council followed, offering flowers as tokens of thanksgiving and devotion.

Next came Architect Amado De Jesus and Engineer Hermie Pavino, the men who helped shape the vision of the church’s renovation. With reverent care, they placed the candlesticks upon their stands. At that moment, the lights of the church were turned on—revealing in full splendor the renewed house of God, radiant in grace and beauty.

Finally, the Procession of Gifts began, led by the Hermano and Hermana Mayor for the Parish’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Balagtas, who offered the gifts with hearts full of gratitude to the Lord.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist was celebrated in the usual manner, with the Second Eucharistic Prayer lending its solemn cadence to the celebration. Its sacred rhythm reached its height in the Institution Narrative, when Christ’s own words once more became life and presence among His people. As the grand choir sang Hidden God, the faithful approached to receive Holy Communion, distributed by the concelebrating priests—Frs. Ricardo Llorag, CFIC; Rene Lagaya, SDB; Henry Bonetti, SDB; Roberto Roxas, SDB; Santi Fernandez; and Jose Miranda. Following the Post-Communion Prayer, the Most Blessed Sacrament was reverently reposed in the tabernacle, while the assembly joined in singing Isang Bansa by the late Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ—a hymn of faith and unity that stirred the hearts of all and echoed within the renewed walls of the church.

Then, as the final notes gently faded, the lights upon the center wall were illuminated, revealing the full splendor and majesty of the Eucharistic Lord, enthroned at the heart of His sanctuary. A profound silence filled the assembly—a silence of awe and gratitude. Msgr. Melchor David then offered heartfelt words of thanksgiving, expressing deep appreciation to all who shared in the labor, love, and prayer that brought this moment to fulfillment. The celebration concluded with the Blessing and Dismissal, sending the faithful forth renewed in faith, hope, and joy—bearing in their hearts the light of Christ who dwells among His people.

Dismissal and Reception. The Mass ended around 6:30 PM, and the Bishop stayed on to greet the community. Pictures were taken amidst the jubilant spirit of everyone. Dinner reception was held at the courtyard, where everyone partook of the thanksgiving meal. Truly, it was an evening filled with light and gratitude—a living testimony to the words of the Psalmist: “Oh, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1)

As the evening lights softly illumined the courtyard, hearts overflowed with gratitude—for the gift of faith rekindled, for the beauty of a renewed sanctuary, and for the abiding presence of Mary, Our Mother of Good Counsel, who has journeyed with this community through the years. The blessing of the church was not merely the dedication of stone and wood, but the renewal of a people called to be living temples of God’s grace. Strengthened by the Eucharist and bound in communion, the parish of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel looks ahead with hope, ready to listen once more to her gentle counsel and to follow her Son with steadfast hearts.