Monday, February 25, 2013

St. Joseph Parish, Las Pinas City

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I have always known that the Bamboo organ is in Las Pinas, little did I know that the organ is housed in St. Joseph Parish. The church is made of sturdy adobe and has withstood the test of time for centuries.

The church was founded by Father Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen who is also believed as the brains behind the creation of the bamboo organ. His legacy is further immortalized in a beautiful monument outside the Parish.

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The church is made from adobe (volcanic) stones in the Earthquake Baroque architectural style.

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Besides the parish is a convent converted to a small museum showcasing the history of the Bamboo Organ and the parish, it also contains a gift shop selling audio recordings of music played using the infamous instrument.

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Parish grounds and Fr. Diego Cera's monument.

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Although it has been renovated in the past, the church still embodies an old world feel, a feeling that you are stepping in history while inside. It has a particular musky, earthy smell that further transports you back in time. The parishioners also did a good job maintaining an indigenous theme for its Christmas decorations.

The Church Interior

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Images of the Parish

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The patron of the church, St. Joseph. 

O most poweful patriarch, Saint Joseph, patron of that universal Church which has always invoked thee in anxieties and tribulations; from the lofty seat of thy glory lovingly regard the Catholic world. Let it move thy paternal heart to see the mystical spouse of Christ and His vicar weakened by sorrow and persecuted by powerful enemies. We beseech thee, by the most bitter suffering thou didst experience on earth, to wipe away in mercy the tears of the revered pontiff, to defend and liberate him, and to intercede with the Giver of peace and charity, that every hostile power being overcome and every error being destroyed, the whole Church may serve the God of all blessings in perfect liberty. Amen.

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An offering for the beloved protector; image of a Franciscan Saint; image of St. Anthony of Padua

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Santo Entierro, San Lorenzo Ruiz and Sta. Lucia

The Bamboo Organ

On November 24, 2003, it was given this recognition by the National Museum of the Philippines since “it is the only 19th century Bamboo Organ in the Philippines that has survived and is still functioning.” This unique musical instrument is composed of 1,031 pipes, and 902 of which are made out of bamboo while the rest are metal. Read more on the history of the Bamboo Organ, see link.

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The Parish Museum

Near the entrance of the Parish is a small museum which houses memorabilia relating to the history of the church and of course the Bamboo Organ. This is also the entrance to the choir loft which will enable you to see the organ up close.

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Christmas in CTK

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Christmas at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel

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Our community's entry in the Parish-wide wreath making contest and Belen contest.

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Christmas Day mass.

The Sto. Rosario of Pasig

December 25th- This was my first time to come to work on the 24th (night shift, until morning of the 25th), no Noche Buena this time around for me...but as I always say, I'd rather give up my Christmas but never...I say never take my Holy Week off from me...so after work, instead of attending the midnight mass which has been my family's custom since I was young...I attended mass at Sto. Rosario, Pasig.

I have always heard of Rosario, Pasig but I didn't know that at the heart of this busy and always congested road is a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary (now I don't know if the road was named Rosario after the church was built or the church was named Rosario because the area was always known to be that way). It is a relatively small parish but let not it's size fool you of the faith of its parishioners who regularly flock the church's hall...

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Parol and LED's, "the new color of Christmas," decorate the facade; (Right) Church grounds, a grotto and a small parking area in front of the church

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On the right side of the church,  a covered extension was built to accommodate the parish population.

The Church Images

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(From L-R, T-B) Crucified Christ, San  Jose, Nuestro Padre Senor Nazareno, Sto. Nino, Divine Mercy, San Antonio and another Marian image

The Church Interiors (taken from the Parish Archives)

From a decree the late Archbishop of Manila, His Excellency Rufino Cardinal Santos on February 23, 1963, the Parish of Santo Rosario de Pasig was erected and separated from the Immaculate Conception Parish of Pasig. The jurisdiction of the parish is as follows:  Santolan (North), Marikina River (West), Maybunga San Miguel (South), Cainta (East)

The primary means of livelihood of the residents were farming and clay-pot making. With the expansion of Manila and the construction of Rosario Bridge at Ortigas Ext. and with the building of new factories and residential subdivision, the number of residents increased and the mode of living changed.

Fr. Vicente M. Planta was installed as its first Parish Priest.  When plans were made to construct a bigger church, the Archdiocese of Manila bought 2,000 square meters of lot last 1965. Last February 10, 1967, Fr. Teodoro Perez, parish priest at that time, strove to build the new church and convent  with the money that was obtained from selling a lot that was previously a property of Immaculate Conception in Pasig.  The people worked to together and with the participation of the Pastoral Council under Sebastian Sandoval, the Church was built.  J. Mijares Constructions won the bid to construct it.

The first mass was held last October 10, 1970, eve of the feast of our dear Patron, under the supervision of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council headed by Oscar F. Zapanta. The Church was blessed last February 29, 1971 by the late Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence, Rufino Cardinal Santos, under the Patronage of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, its feast falling on a Sunday closest to October 7.

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The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of the Rosary

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The Christmas Story

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Marikina's Alay kay Maria 2012 Procession

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech Thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee forever, my only desire being to love thy Divine Son, Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.

December 8, 2012- Images bearing the various titles of Mary, mother of God, gathered once again at the  Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, "Alay kay Maria."

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Around 3:00 pm, waiting for the procession to start, one by one the images arrive

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O God, who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.

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Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina

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The Canonically Crowned image of Our Lady of the Abandoned of Marikina serenely waits for the start of the procession.

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Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your
motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have helped Christians in
times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the
Refuge of Sinners, the Hope of the Hopeless, the Consoler of the Afflicted, and the
Comforter of the Dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son,
to proclaim His Good News of God's love for all people, and to work for peace and
justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our
family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the dying. Grant, O Mary,
Help of Christians, the graces in which we stand in need. (Mention your intentions)
May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and out loved ones to
attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven.
Amen.

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Checking out the Images joining the procession

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The most beautifully arranged carroza among the bunch, every side is a wonder to behold...although I feel the addition of the birds has become too passe.

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I am not sure what the title of the image is, it appears as Our Lady of Guadalupe with the rays at the back and the moon at its foot; but this can just be an image of the Immaculate Conception (plus she is wearing gold, a bit confusing in terms of iconography)...

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Another image of Our Lady of the Abandoned.

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Our Lady of La Sallette, the carroza is decorated with symbols pertinent during her apparition...chains, potatoes and roses.

Remember, dear Lady of La Salette, true Mother of Sorrows, the tears which thou didst shed for me on Calvary; be mindful also of the unceasing care which thou dost exercise to shield me from the justice of God; and consider whether thou canst now abandon thy child, for whom thou hast done so much. Inspired by this consoling thought, I come to cast myself at thy feet, in spite of my infidelity and ingratitude. Reject not my prayer, O Virgin of reconciliation, convert me, obtain for me the grace to love Jesus Christ above all things and to console thee too by living a holy life, in order that one day I may be able to see thee in Heaven. Amen.

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Our Lady of La Salette was seen by two children Melanie Mathieu and Maxim Giraud, in the small French village of La Sallette, located near Grenoble, on September 19, 1846. She first appeared emerging from a globe of light, weeping over our sins. Mary then stood before the children, as in the picture at right, and gave them a message to share with the world. She said “For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to him without ceasing; and as to you, you take not heed of it!”She continued that far too many people were offending our Lord with their impieties (such as working on Sundays instead of attending Mass) and general disrespect or indifference towards Him.(She bemoaned at one point those who swore while taking “the name of my Son in vain.” Isn’t it true nowadays as well that some people only say Christ’s name in anger when experiencing some misfortune?)

Our Lady of La Salette warned of chastisements that would fall upon humanity if people didn’t change their ways. And indeed, Europe experienced a terrible harvest in 1847 that led to widespread famine there. Before ascending into heaven she urged the children to pray more and gave each of them a secret that was revealed to Pope Pius IX in 1851 concerning threats to the church and to the world.In spite of her sober message, Our Blessed Mother meant for us to have hope in her Son’s Divine mercy, saying “if they are converted, the stones and rocks will change into mounds of wheat, and the potatoes will be self-sown in the land”, and many people soon made amends. (Taken from A Prayer to Our Lady of La Salette)

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The beloved spouse of Mary, St. Joseph

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Mater Dolorosa 1, there are quite a few Dolorosa's in attendance.

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O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.

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From Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaog to La Divina Pastora

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Kids enjoying the pageantry of the event
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Mater Dolorosa 2

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Mater Dolorosa 3 (also known as Angustia...but still is an image of the sorrowful mother)

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La Divina Pastora, a beautiful image seemingly in motion...

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From being Immaculately conceived to Mother of God, co-redemptionist

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Mater Dolorosa 4, organizers busily checking if the image is on the list and where it should be parked to facilitate a smooth flow of carroza's come procession start.

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Minutes before the procession, the student of MCS come out to participate in the procession.

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Last minute arrivals...Mater Dolorosa 5 and Virgen Alegria...two sides of Mary during Lent

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As the images are slowly making its way out of the Shrine, one more image arrived, Mater Dolorosa 6.

Procession Starts

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