Blessing of Renovated Church

September 8, 2018. A wonderful day to celebrate our Lady’s Birthday and the Blessing Rites of our Renovated Church. Rains drenched the metropolis days before. Prayers were said, seeking Divine Providence for fair weather. The Lord heard the community’s prayers. It was a warm afternoon.

The Preparation. An early afternoon choir rehearsal of the music pieces to be sung for the Choral Singing and the Holy Mass started the entire preparation proceedings. Present were the choirs of MMGC, Alab Vocal Ensemble of St Andrew’s Cathedral-Parish, St Paul University College of Music and the Las Pinas Boys Choir. They came: all 65 singers to honor Our Lord Jesus and our Lady. Songs were carefully chosen and rehearsed by individual choirs months before. It was time to bring all these voices together into one grand choir. Tasked with this was our Music Ministry Coordinator Oliver Neil Rodriguez.

In the sanctuary, rehearsals and instructions were being given by Fr Jeff Manlapig, Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, on our lay liturgical ministers. The significance of every movement was explained.

Meanwhile, outside the church, preparations were likewise ongoing. Church volunteers were excited. The atmosphere was one of eager joy. After ten months, the church was ready to be blessed by the Bishop of Paranaque, the Most Rev Jesse Mercado.Everyone marvelled at the transformation of our church. The community was in high spirits.

Choral Singing. Promptly at 4:30 PM, the Grand Choir began performing inspirational songs for the assembled community. Led by Sir Oliver Neil Rodriguez, the songs Look at the World (Rutter), The Lord is Gracious (Rodriguez), Stella Maris (Francisco, SJ) and the Hymn to Our Lady of Good Counsel (Traditional) were sang. This prelude music ended by 4:50 PM.

Blessing of the Grotto. Ten minutes before 5 PM, the Bishop started the Blessing of the Icon of our patroness at the courtyard. This area is intended to be a place of silent prayer and solitude especially to weary and troubled souls at night time. Under her maternal gaze, our Mother will show us the way to Jesus, her Son. For as Pope Leo XIII reminds the faithful, “Children, listen to her counsel…”

Blessing of Church Doors. By 5 PM, the Bishop and the ministers proceeded to the colonnade for the Blessing of the Church Doors. The doors of the church– particularly the main doors– and the narthex (the space at the entrance to the church building), together form a threshold which people cross as they make the transition from the ordinary world to the worshipping space. These mark out a place where the stranger will begin their encounter of the Church at prayer and the place where the Church will formally welcome the stranger who seeks admission not just to the building but to the community of the Church. It is at the entrance to the church that baptismal and wedding parties are welcomed as they approach the sacraments; here too families grieving the loss of a loved one are greeted and the coffins of the deceased are sprinkled with holy water as a reminder of their first dying in Christ in baptism which contains the promise that in this second death they will rise with him in glory. It is also through the doors of the church where the faithful begin their journey to receive the forgiveness of the Lord in sacramental Confession. The church door therefore does not just fulfill an architectural function: it is replete with liturgical significance.

After the prayers were said, the Bishop sprinkled holy water on the church doors, incensed it and knocked thrice using his crozier. Three is an ancient symbol of God. To knock is to approach and petition God. The Bishop who stands before the closed door, represents the Christian community who totally depends on the grace of God. The opening of the portals signifies the opening of heaven to humanity. As the portals were opened, the Entrance Procession began.

The Solemn Mass. The liturgy 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 amidst dim lights, entering the sanctuary without venerating the altar since it was yet to be blessed. The grand singing of our Jubilee Song, Isang Bayang Binuklod, was participated by the entire community. The Asperges followed the Greeting, with Msgr Melchor David and Fr Jose Miranda, sprinkling holy water on the people as the song Vidi Aquam (I Saw Water) by Fr Benildus Maramba and Oliver Rodriguez was sung. The singing of the Gloria and the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word followed. The Gospel proclaimed by Fr Santi Fernandez was on the Birth of the Lord. This was followed by the homily of the Bishop.

Following the Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful, the Blessing of the Altar took place. Prayers were said, afterwhich the Bishop incensed the altar; Msgr Mel then went around the entire church, incensing it. In liturgy, incensation is an expression of reverence and prayer, as is signified in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ps 141 [140]:2, Rev 8:3). The altar linens were brought in by the members of the Mother Butler Guild, followed by the flowers offered by the members of the Finance Council. As the candlesticks were reverently placed on the stands by two men responsible for the design of our renovated church, Architect Amado De Jesus and Engr Hermie Pavino, the lights of the church were turned on. The wonder of the church was revealed. This was followed by the procession of gifts offered by the Hermano and Hermana Mayor for the Parish’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Mr and Mrs Francis Balagtas.

With the Liturgy of the Eucharist celebrated in the usual manner, the Second Eucharistic Prayer was used, highlighted by the Institution Narrative. As the grand choir sang Hidden God, Holy Communion was distributed by the concelebrating priests, Frs Ricardo Llorag CFIC, Rene Lagaya SDB, Henry Bonetti SDB, Roberto Roxas SDB, Santi Fernandez and Jose Miranda. After the Post-Communion Prayer, the Eucharist was solemnly reposed on the tabernacle amidst the community singing of Isang Bansa by the late Fr Eduardo Hontiveros. The lights on the center wall were then turned on, revealing the full splendor and majesty of the Most Blessed Eucharist. This was followed by the thanksgiving message of Msgr Mel. The Blessing and Dismissal followed.

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. With the Psalmist, we say, “Oh how good and how pleasant it is, brothers (and sisters) dwelling in unity!” (Ps 133)

The solemn celebration of sacred liturgy was an experience that brought the community to the Cross, the source of our redemption. In this celebration, our renovated church was inaugurated and our faith strengthened. It was truly an occasion of grace.