Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

PAMBUBUKING SA PANGGOGOYO NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO TUNGKOL SA MGA LARAWAN

2012-02-02T00:38:00.000-08:00

"Siya Ang Inyong Pakinggan" ni Reb. Padre Enrique Demond, SVD

PAMBUBUKING SA PANGGOGOYO NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO TUNGKOL SA MGA LARAWAN

Minsan may isang kaanib ng Iglesia ni Cristo (1914) ang nagpaskel sa wall ng Facebook account ko ng isang video mula sa Youtube na ang pamagat ay “Kung Bakit ang IGLESIA NI CRISTO Walang Imahen o Rebulto.”[1] Ang pangalan po ng kaanib ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay si ALLAN JOSE DIGIDI. Malinaw po na itong Manalistang si ALLAN JOSE DIGIDI ay nauto ng mga ministro ng Iglesia ni Cristo.

Una sa lahat, isa pong kasinungalingan ang sabihin sa titulo ng video na walang imahen o rebulto sa Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Bakit po? Kasi doon mismo sa video makikita na ang luklukan ng ministro ay may selyo ng Iglesia ni Cristo. Ano po ang nakalagay sa selyo? Inukit na larawan ng kalapati at ng tupa.[2] Hindi ba kasinungalingan na sabihing walang imahen o rebulto sa Iglesia ni Cristo?

Ministrong sinungaling at mapagkunwari: Wala daw imahen o rebulto sa Iglesia ni Cristo?

Tahasang binabanggit sa pamagat ng video na walang imahen o rebulto ang Iglesia ni Cristo. Eh ano ang tawag nila sa monumento ni Felix Manalo sa Central? Hindi ba rebulto? Abot hanggang sukdulan ang pagkamuhi ng mga INC sa mga larawan ng Iglesia Katolika. Bakit meron din sila? Talaga nga namang mapagpaimbabaw ang mga INC! Lapat na lapat sa kanila ang wika ni Apostol Pablo sa Roma 2:1-3:

“Dahil dito'y wala kang madadahilan, Oh tao, sino ka man na humahatol: sapagka't sa iyong paghatol sa iba, ay ang iyong sarili ang hinahatulan mo; sapagka't ikaw na humahatol ay gumagawa ka ng gayon ding mga bagay. At nalalaman natin na ang hatol ng Dios ay ayon sa katotohanan laban sa kanila na mga nagsisigawa ng gayong mga bagay. At iniisip mo baga ito, Oh tao, na humahatol sa mga nagsisigawa ng gayong mga bagay, at ginagawa mo ang gayon din, na ikaw ay makatatanan sa hatol ng Dios?”

Larawan ng kalapati at tupa na nasa sagisag ng Iglesia ni Cristo na nakaukit sa luklukan ng ministro sa mga bahay sambahan ng INC

Kunyari ayaw sa larawan at wala daw larawan sa kanila. Pero mayroon din naman pala. Sa katunayan ang mga bahay ng INC ay may mga larawan ng mga Manalo. Maging sa New Era General Hospital sa Commonwealth nakabungad ang larawan ni Eraño Manalo. Tunay nga na mapagkunwari, mga mapagpaimbabaw at mapagbalatkayo ang mga INC. Talamak po talaga sa kasinungalingan ang INC. Talagang may pinagmanahan. Kanino ba nagmana sa kasinungalingan ang mga ito? Ang wika ng Panginoong Jesus sa mga sinungaling na kagaya nila:

“Kayo'y sa inyong amang diablo, at ang mga nais ng inyong ama ang ibig ninyong gawin. Siya'y isang mamamatay-tao buhat pa nang una, at hindi nananatili sa katotohanan, sapagka't walang katotohanan sa kaniya. Pagka nagsasalita siya ng kasinungalingan, ay nagsasalita siya ng sa ganang kaniya: sapagka't siya'y isang sinungaling, at ama nito.”

Akala ko ba walang larawan sa Iglesia ni Cristo? Eh ano to? Larawan ng diosdiosan?

Monumento ni Felix Manalo sa loob ng Central ng Iglesia ni Cristo

Ang INC ay kilalang taga-usig ng Iglesia Katolika. Halos lahat ng pangangaral ng mga ministro ng pangkat na ito ay umiinog sa pag-aalipusta sa Iglesia Katolika. Bawat buka ng bibig ng mga ministro ay puno ng pamamaratang sa pananampalatayang Katoliko. Pangunahin sa mga paratang na iyan ay ang diumano’y pagsamba natin sa mga larawan na ayon sa kanila’y mga dios-diosan. Subalit hanggang sa ngayon ay wala silang maipakitang opisyal dokumento o aral ng Santa Iglesia na nagtuturong dapat sambahin ang mga larawan. Ni isang katiting na encyclical o kautusan mula sa Santo Papa na nagsasabing sumasamba ang mga Katoliko sa larawan ay hindi mailabas ng mga ministro ng INC.

Sapagkat walang mahagilap na opisyal na dokumento ng Iglesia Katolika ang mga ministro ng INC, pinalalabas nila na ang mga pari daw mismo ang nagtuturo at nagsasabi na ang Iglesia Katolika ay sumasamba sa larawan. Ang sabi po ng ministro ng INC:

Hawak ng ministro ng INC ang aklat ni Padre Enrique Demond, SVD: Wala daw silang larawan sa INC ngunit pansinin na sa ulo niya mismo may larawan ng kalapati at tupa

“Mga kababayan, hindi po ginawa at hindi po gagawin ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang magbintang or magparatang. Kung sinasabi man namin na ang nakagisnang relihiyon, ang Iglesia Katolika Romana, ay sumasamba sa larawan, alam po ba ninyong inuulit lamang namin ang sinasabi ng Iglesia Katolika sa pamamagitan ng mga pari. Sila po mismo, ang mga pari mismo, ang nagtuturo at nagsasabi na ang Iglesia Katolika sumasamba po sa larawan.”

Hindi daw sila nagbibintang o namamaratang. Eh ano ang ginagawa nila kundi puro pagbibintang at pamamaratang? Wala po akong kilalang pari ang na nagsasabi o nagtuturo na ang mga larawan ng Panginoong Jesukristo, Mahal na Birheng Maria at mga santo ay sinasamba at dapat sambahin. Kahit sinong pari ang tanungin ninyo. Guni-guni lamang yan ng mga ministro ng INC.

Akala ng mga INC hindi mabibisto ang kanilang panloloko. Akala nila wala kaming kopya ng aklat na ito: "Siya ang Inyong Pakinggan" ng paring si Enrique Demond, SVD

Pero ang INC po ay sadyang mapanglinlang. Ano ang kanilang ginawa? Naghanap sila ng lumang-lumang aklat na sinulat ng isang paring Katoliko at ginawa nilang referencia para mapanindigan ang iginigiit nilang paratang na tayong mga Katolko ay diumano'y sumasamba sa mga larawan. Sa lahat ng kanilang pamamahayag at pangangaral at pandodoktrina, ginagamit nila ang aklat na ito. Akala ng mga INC ay wala tayong kopya ng aklat na iyan at hindi natin mabubuking ang panlilinlang nila ng kapwa.

Ang sabi pa ng ministro:

“Ano po ang katunayan? Babasahin ko po ang isang aklat Katoliko, Siya Inyong Pakinggan - Ang Aral na Katoliko. Ito po ay isinulat ng paring si Enrque Demond, inilathala ng Catholic Trade School, may imprimi potest at nihil obstat ni Jose Jovellanos, imprimatur ni Jose Bustamante, babasahin ko po ito ito dito sa pahina 12. Ito ang sinasabi ng pari, hindi po kami.”

Ano daw po ang nasusulat sa pahina 12? Ganito po:

“Kung ating sinasamba ang larawan ni Kristong napapako sa Krus, dinadasal natin: “Sinasamba kita at pinupuri, Panginoong kong Jesukristo, na dahilan sa iyong Santa Krus ay sinakop mo ang daigdigan.”

Paboritong panggoyong referencia ng Iglesia ni Cristo

Sapagkat nabasa nila ang mga katagang “sinasamba ang larawan ni Kristong nakapako sa Krus,” ipinalagay na nila na ang mismong larawan ni Jesus ang ating sinasamba. Mali po ang unawa ng mga INC sa bagay na ito. Nagpapatunay lamang na hindi sila mga lingkod ng Dios sapagkat ang tunay na lingkod ng Dios ay humihingi ng unawa: “Ako'y lingkod mo; bigyan mo ako ng unawa; upang aking maalaman ang mga patotoo mo” (Awit 119:125). Salat sa unawa ang mga ministro ng INC na taliwas sa sinasabi sa Kawikaan 1:2: “upang umalam ng karunungan at turo; upang bulayin ang mga salita ng pagkaunawa.”

Si Padre Enrique Demond, SVD ay isang paring Katoliko at ang kanyang aklat ay aklat Katoliko. Kaya dapat ito ay uunawin ayon sa pang-unawa ng may akda at ng mga Katoliko. Sa Iglesia Katolika, maraming ibig sabihin ang “pagsamba” sapagkat nagbabago po ang kahulugan ng salitang ito. Bilang referencia, ihaharap ko ang Catholic Encyclopedia:[3]

New Catholic Encyclopedia

Matutunghayan ang nilalaman sa

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15710a.htm

Malinaw na ayon sa ating unawa:

“The word worship (Saxon weorthscipe, “honour”; from worth, meaning “value”, “dignity”, “price”, and the termination, ship; Latin cultus) in its most general sense is homage paid to a person or a thing. In this sense we may speak of hero-worship, worship of the emperor, of demons, of the angels, even of relics, and especially of the Cross. This article will deal with Christian worship according to the following definition: homage paid to God, to Jesus Christ, to His saints, to the beings or even to the objects which have a special relation to God.

There are several degrees of this worship:

if it is addressed directly to God, it is superior, absolute, supreme worship, or worship of adoration, or, according to the consecrated theological term, a worship of latria. This sovereign worship is due to God alone; addressed to a creature it would become idolatry.
When worship is addressed only indirectly to God, that is, when its object is the veneration of martyrs, of angels, or of saints, it is a subordinate worship dependent on the first, and relative, in so far as it honours the creatures of God for their peculiar relations with Him; it is designated by theologians as the worship of dulia, a term denoting servitude, and implying, when used to signify our worship of distinguished servants of God, that their service to Him is their title to our veneration (cf. Chollet, loc. cit., col. 2407, and Bouquillon, Tractatus de virtute religionis, I,Bruges, 1880, 22 sq.).
As the Blessed Virgin has a separate and absolutely supereminent rank among the saints, the worship paid to her is called hyperdulia (for the meaning and history of these terms see Suicer, Thesaurus ecclesiasticus, 1728).

In accordance with these principles it will readily be understood that a certain worship may be offered even to inanimate objects, such as the relics of a martyr, the Cross of Christ, the Crown of Thorns, or even the statue or picture of a saint. There is here no confusion or danger of idolatry, for this worship is subordinate or dependent. The relic of the saint is venerated because of the link which unites it with the person who is adored or venerated; while the statue or picture is regarded as having a conventional relation to a person who has a right to our homage — as being a symbol which reminds us of that person…”

Salat sa kaalaman sa Biblia ang mga ministro ng INC. Tila hindi nila nabasa ang 1 Cronica 29:20 ng Ang Biblia

Nagkamali ba ang Iglesia Katolika sa unawang ito? Hindi po sapagkat sinasang-ayunan iyan ng Biblia. Sa 1 Cronica 29:20, ganito po ang ating mababasa:

"At sinabi ni David sa buong kapisanan, Ngayo'y purihin ninyo ang Panginoon ninyong Dios. At ang buong kapisanan ay pumuri sa Panginoon, sa Dios ng kanilang mga magulang, at iniyukod ang kanilang mga ulo, at sumamba sa Panginoon, at sa hari."

Sa Inggles:

“And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.”

Nangangahulugan ba na ang pagsamba sa Panginoon at sa hari ay magkaparehas?[4] Hindi po. Ang pagsambang ukol sa Panginoon ay pagsamba sa Dios (adoration, latria) ngunit ang pagsamba sa hari ay pag-galang (veneration) lamang. Hindi po magkasing-hulugan ang dalawa. Ganun din po ang gamit ni Padre Demond sa kaniyang aklat. Ang “pagsamba” sa larawan ng Panginoong Jesus na nakapako sa Santa Krus ay hindi pagsamba (adoration, latria) sa larawang bato o papel, bagkus sa Panginoong Jesukristo mismo gaya ng sinasabi, “Sinasamba kita at pinupuri, Panginoon kong Jesukristo.”

Ang pahina 12 lamang ng aklat ni Padre Enrique Demond ang binabasa ng INC upang igiit na sumasamba ang Iglesia Katolika sa mga larawan. Ngunit mali na naman ang unawa nila dito. Ipinagpipilitan nila ang kanilang baluktot na pagkakaintindi

Ano po ang patunay natin na ganoon nga ang ibig sabihin ni Padre Demond? Hayaan natin na siya mismo ang magpaliwanag sapagkat siya ang may-akda ng naturang aklat. Sa pahina 116 ng kanyang aklat na Siya Inyong Pakinggan - Ang Aral na Katoliko (na ni minsan ay hindi binabanggit ng mga ministro ng INC), ganito po ang paliwanag ni Padre Demond:

“Dapat naman nating igalang ang mga larawan ni Jesukristo at ng mga santo, sapagka’t kung marapat ang mga anak ay gumalang sa larawan ng kanilang mga magulang, ay lalong marapat na ingatan at igalang ang mga larawan ni Jesukristo at ng mga santo. Ang mga larawan ay nagpapaalala sa atin kay Jesukristo at sa mga santo sa langit at habang tumitingin at nagmamasid tayo sa kanila, tayo ay nakapagdadasal ng magaling, ng higit kay sa hindi nakikita ng ating mga mata. Hindi pagsamba sa mga anito o diosdiosan ang lumuhod at dumalangin sa harap ng mga larawan sapagkat hindi tayo dumadalangin sa mga larawang bato o papel, kungdi kay Jesukristo at sa mga santo at ang papuring ibinibigay natin (nalalagay ang mga bulaklak at nasisindihan ang mga kandila sa harapan nila) sa mga larawan, ay hindi natutungkol sa bato o sa kahoy kungdi kay Jesukristo at sa mga santo na siyang nalalarawan sa kanila. Ang mga larawang lalong dapat igalang ng mga kistiyano ay ang larawan ni Jesukristong napapako sa Krus o ang krusifiho, ang puso ni Jesus, ang larawan ni Santa Maria, ni San Jose, ng sagrada familia, ng angel na tagatanod, ng pintakasi ng bayan at iba pa.”

Ang pahina 116 ng "Siya Ang Inyong Pakinggan" ni Padre Enrique Demond na itinatago sa kanilang kaanib. Bakit hindi nila binabasa ito sa kanilang pandodoktrina, pangangaral at pamamahayag? Sapagkat ayaw nilang malaman ng madla ang paliwanag ng may-akdang si Reb. Padre Enrique Demond, SVD

Bakit po hindi binabasa ng mga ministro ng INC sa kanilang pamamahayag ang paliwanag na ito ni Padre Demond? Bakit nila pilit na itinatago ang katotohanang ito? Sapagkat sinasadya nila na makapandaya, makapanlinlang at makagoyo ng kapwa. Nangangahulugan na ang puntirya nila ay makapanira lamang sa mga Katoliko. Gagawin nila lahat ng uri ng panggogoyo tulad ng ginawa nila sa aklat ni Padre Demond upang makaligaw ng kapwa. Kagaya po ng kanilang amang Diablo, walang katotohanan sa kanila sapagkat kapag nagsasalita sila ay puro kasinungalingan lamang kagaya na naman po ng ating napatunayan. Minalas si ALLAN JOSE DIGIDI na nadaya ng mga kampon ni Felix Manalo at ng kaniyang hidwang iglesia.

Salamat sa Dios at sa Panginoong Jesus at nabisto ang matagal nang panlolokong ito ng mga kampon ng kadiliman, ang mga ministro ng huwad na Iglesia ni Cristo na tatag ng pekeng anghel na si Felix Manalo.

Larawan ng anghel sa Pasugo: Bakit hindi si Felix Manalo ang anghel sa larawan?

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfRxd0umqcQ.

[2] http://blog.es-sense.com/2009/09/09/hymn-our-race-we-have-won/.

[3] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15710a.htm.

[4] http://marwil-n-llasos.blogspot.com/2009/01/pagsamba.html.

BRO. MARS PREACHES ON APOLOGETICS AT STA. TERESITA PARISH CHARISMATIC COMMUNITY

2012-02-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Our Lady of Lourdes in Sta. Teresita Parish Church

BRO. MARS PREACHES ON APOLOGETICS AT STA. TERESITA PARISH

CHARISMATIC COMMUNITY

Contemplating the Word of God: Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. reads the Bible before his talk

Bro. Marwil Llasos joins the Charismatic Community in prayer

Last Tuesday evening, January 31, 2012, I was privileged to preach to the Charismatic Community of Sta. Teresita Parish at Mayon Avenue, Quezon City. Brother Nestor G. Limqueco, the Supreme Moderator of the Company of St. Dominic relayed to me the invitation from our beloved sister Sally Zapalo, O.P. of the Dominican Laity, who happens to be an elder of the community.

Bro. Mars Llasos sings and praises with Sta. Teresita Parish Catholic Charismatic Community

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos raises the Holy Bible in praise and worship of the Lord

I am no stranger to Sta. Teresita Parish. As former Spiritual Director of the Refugium Peccatorum and Consolatrix Afflictorum praesidia of the Legion of Mary. These praesidia are under the Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii Curia whose Spiritual Director is a Franciscan Capuchin (OFM Capuchin) from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Retiro, Quezon City. As a parish under the OFM Capuchin, we have had occasions in the past to hold Legionary functions there. Some of the members of the parish Charismatic Community who attended my talk recognized me as a Legionary.

Members of the Sta. Teresita Catholic Charismatic Community praise the Lord

A Spirit-filled community in prayer

I arrived at the parish church at 8:00 in the evening. The praise and worship started at 7:30 in the evening. I first stayed at the back pew because the praise and worship was going on when I arrived. I joined the community in praying and singing. I am very much at home with Charismatic praise and worship because I have been a member of the Charismatic Community in San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish in Commonwealth, Quezon City. In fact, I was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Diocese of Novaliches. I was commissioned on November 26, 2006 by Bishop Antonio Tobias, D.D.

Satcheil M. Amamangpang of the Rosarian Youth Movement joins in the community prayer

Bro. Romy Salazar of the Company of St. Dominic united in prayer with the rest of the community

After the songs and prayers, the Gospel was proclaimed. Thereafter, I was introduced by Sis. Sally as the guest preacher that evening. I started by thanking the Sta. Teresita Charismatic Community for the invitation to preach to the community. I stated how happy I was to be with the community. I mentioned that I share the same charismatic spirituality with them.

Sis. Sally of the Dominican Laity introduce the guest preacher

Members of the Charismatic Community listen to the introduction to the speaker

I introduced my topic for that night – apologetics. I said that apologetics does not mean saying sorry for our faith. It means to defend the faith. I underscored the need for Catholics to stand up for their faith especially in these times when our faith is challenged from all sides. I narrated my own personal experience on how I got into defending the faith. I equipped the members of the community with practical tips on how to best defend the faith from the assault of its enemies. It was gratifying to hear loud shouts of Amen! Amen!

Preacher Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. greets the community

Bro. Marwil Llasos thanks the Charismatic Community for the invitation to preach

I discussed evangelization as proclaiming the faith. I read and expounded the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20) as imperative for every Christian. I explained catechesis as echoing the faith from generation to generation so it will not be forgotten by the faithful. I cited Paul’s instruction to his disciple Timothy to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:13). Finally, I stressed apologetics as defending the faith when it is attacked. I quoted 1 Peter 3:15 “to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” With that I said what is important is not how we want to defend the Church; rather, it is how Christ wants his Church defended.

Defender of the Faith: Bro. Marwil N. Llasos of Defensores Fidei Foundation introduces the topic on apologetics

Bro. Mars Llasos asks if the assembly knows apologetics

I concluded my talk with a spontaneous prayer. I implored the Lord to bless the community and grant the desires of the heart of its members according to His divine will. After my prayer, the praise and worship proceeded to its concluding phase with songs and concluding prayers.

Bro. Mars Llasos explains the meaning of apologetics

Preacher in black and white: Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. shares his faith experience to the community

I was deeply humbled by the reception accorded me by the Charismatic Community of Sta. Teresita Parish. The elders and members thanked me profusely for my time and my preaching. I ascribe back to God all the glory and honor. I am but his miserable servant and useless instrument.

Amen? Amen!: Bro. Mars asks if the community says Amen!

Fiery preacher: "The Catholic Church is under attack on all fronts" - Bro. Marwil Llasos

As Formator of the Company of St. Dominic, I was joined by our Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and our new member Romy Salazar, O.P. as well as Satcheil M. Amamangpang of our Rosarian Youth Movement. As is our wont in the CSD, we celebrated after our apostolate of holy preaching by having dinner together. I look forward to preach again in Sta. Teresita Parish Charismatic Community.

Commissioned Lay Preacher: Bro. Mars Llasos bases his preaching on God's Holy Word

A parishioner jots down notes while the others listen to the preaching of Bro. Mars Llasos

Preacher Power: Bro. Mars Llasos challenges the community to remain steadfast in the faith

"Yes, the Lord is our divine physician! But the Church is the hospital on which he performs His healing! We are all sinners in need of the Lord's mercy, forgiveness and healing love!"

"The Lord Jesus is the doctor and healer of our souls. The Church is His hospital where He heals. And Mama Mary is our nurse! And the seven sacraments are the medicines of God..."

"As long as this Charismatic Community lasts, the Lord will find faith in this parish when He returns. Amen!"

"Evangelization is the proclamation of the Gospel - by preaching God's Word and most especially by the witness of our lives"

"Once the Gospel is proclaimed, there is a need to echo and re-echo it through catechesis so that we can be assured that our faith remains from generation to generation"

"I challenged myself that by I will use the Bible to prove Catholicism wrong. I was proven wrong"

"I find everything I was looking for in the Bible."

The preacher of God's Word anchors his preaching on the Bible

Preacher Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. concludes his talk and invites his hearers to pray with him

"Let us put ourselves in the loving presence of Our Lord God"

Bro. Mars Llasos leads the prayer

Prayer Warrior: Bro. Mars Llasos prays for the intentions of the members of the Charismatic Community

The community joins Bro. Mars Llasos in prayer

Sis. Sally Zapalo, O.P. and the community prays with Bro. Mars

"We pray in the mighty name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ"

"Amen! And Amen!"

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos extends his hands over the love offerings of the members

Bro. Mars Llasos prays over the love offerings and commends the offerors to God who cannot be outdone in generosity

Brothers Romy Salazar, O.P., Nestor Limqueco, O.P. and Marwil Llasos, O.P.

The closing prayer of the Charismatic Community

A member praises God in thanksgiving

Brothers Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Bro. Mars raises his hand in praise and worship

Brothers Nestro Limqueco, O.P. and Marwil Llasos, O.P. joins in the closing prayer

The Church's future: A child in prayer

The Sta. Teresita Parish Charismatic Community with guest preacher Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Lay Dominicans all: Sis. Sally Zapalo, O.P. of the Dominican Laity flanked by brothers Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. of the Company of St. Dominic

Members of the charismatic community ask Bro. Mars Llasos for a photograph with them

Bro. Mars Llasos gestures "Ite ad Joseph"

Members of the charismatic community pose under the statue of St. Joseph

Viva Nuestro Jesus Padre Nazareno!

Bro. Mars Llasos as one of the angels of the Mediatrix of All Grace

Team of preachers from the Company of St. Dominic

Brothers Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P., Romy Salazar, O.P., Satcheil M. Amamangpang of RYM and Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

A community that eats together, stays together: Providencia at KFC Welcome Rotonda

To the Lord Jesus Christ the Pantocrator be the glory now and forever. Amen.

THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC MEETS THE PROMOTER GENERAL OF DOMINICAN LAITY

2012-01-30T00:57:00.000-08:00

Tarpauline welcoming Rev. Fr. Johannes David Michael Kammler, O.P.

THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC MEETS THE PROMOTER GENERAL OF DOMINICAN LAITY

January 28, 2012

Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

Sta. Catherine Hall, Siena College Quezon City

Our Seraphic Mother St. Catherine of Siena

In the evening of January 27, 2012, I was informed by CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. that Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Prioress General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena (O.P. Siena), extended an invitation to the Company of St. Dominic (CSD) to participate in the meeting of the Lay Missionary Associates of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo (LMAMFES) with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity on January 28, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to be held at St. Catherine Hall, Siena College Quezon City. I was excited about the prospect of meeting the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master General of the Order of Preachers. I was tasked to give a brief presentation on the CSD.

CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. ("Bro. David") before the start of the meeting of LMAMFES and CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and the assembly stand for the Opening Prayer

Since the start of the meeting was at 8:00 in the morning, I was at the venue ahead of time. Members of the LMAMFES started to register as early as 7:30 in the morning. As a member of the faculty of Siena College Quezon City and Siena College San Jose Del Monte, I saw familiar faces and recognized some acquaintances and friends. Two members of the CSD who are also members of LMAMFES, namely Dr. Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. (Siena Taytay) and Ms. Fanny Zurbana (Sta. Catalina College-Legarda), were already at St. Catherine Hall when I arrived. They greeted me and ushered me to my seat in front of the hall.

The Opening Remarks

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and LMAMFES members listen to the Opening Remarks

The Promoter General of Dominican Laity, Rev. Fr. Johannes David Michael, O.P., known in the Order of Preachers simply as “Brother David,” was already in the venue. As I took my seat, Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena approached me. Ever the gracious host, Mother Jess (as she if fondly called) introduced me to Bro. David Kammler, O.P. Bro. David, with a ready smile on his face, greeted me “magandang umaga, po.” When he was told by Mother Jess that I am with the Company of St. Dominic, Bro. David was visibly delighted. He informed me that he knew about the Company of St. Dominic because the Master of the Order of Preachers, Bro. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., told him about our Dominican secular institute. The Master General mentioned to Bro. David that he met the CSD when he last visited the Philippines. I was deeply humbled and grateful to God for this great news.

(For information on the visit of Bro. Bruno Cadoré to the Philippines last year, please see: (http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2011/02/csd-meets-master-of-order-of-preachers.html).

Huge turnout: LMAMFES members from Luzon and Visayas attended the meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

LMAMFES members listen to the presentation of each of the Beaterios

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. seemed to be very much aware of the Company of St. Dominic. He told me that we are the first Dominican secular institute with male members. He informed me about a female Dominican secular institute in France and inquired if the CSD has communication with it. I said we are in correspondence with other Dominican secular institutes but I was not quite aware of the one in France. I said that I would google-search the French institute and establish contact with it.

An army of apostles and missionaries inspired by the Servant of God Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes

An LMAMFES member presents the activities of her Beaterio while the whole assembly listens to her report

Bro. David knew that we have permission from the diocese to erect a consecrated secular community. He said that it was the start of the process of our aggregation to the Order of Preachers. As formator of the Company of St. Dominic, I was inspired and overjoyed by the words of no less than the Promoter General of Dominican Laity. He then told me that he is looking forward to my presentation so that he would learn more about the CSD especially about the total number of our professed members.

Hermanas from Beaterio Taytay

An hermana reports on the activities of her Beaterio

The General Assembly of the Lay Missionary Associates of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes (LMAMFES) started at around 8:30 in the morning. The LMAMFES is an apostolate under the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. Composed of lay men and women, LMAMFES members live out the spirituality and charism of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes, the saintly foundress of the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina, now the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. LMAMFES members pray and work for the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes. The basic unit of the LMAMFES is known as “Beaterio” based on the Beaterio founded by Mother Francisca. The LMAMFES has established Beaterios all over the country wherever there is a presence of O.P. Siena sisters.

Another hermana briefs the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and LMAMFES members with the progress of her Beaterio

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P. listen to the presentation of the Beaterios

The opening prayer was led by the members of Beaterio Siena College Taytay through a multi-media presentation. Thereafter, the welcome remarks was given by Hermana Pinky Bustamante. Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P. provided the orientation on the activities of the General Assembly of LMAMFES. The orientation was followed by the reports of LMAMFES activities.

CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. reads the Programme of the meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

The following Beaterios presented their reports:

1. Beaterios Pulilan and Plaridel

2. Beaterios San Jose del Monte and Hermosa, Bulacan

3. Beaterios Taytay, Baguio and Biñan

4. Beaterios Legarda and Bicol

5. Beaterios Generalate and Quezon City

CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. presents his report on the Company of St. Dominic to the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos reads the Fundamental Constitution of the Order of Preachers

The Company of St. Dominic was also given the opportunity to present a report of its activities. As instructed by our Supreme Moderator, I was the one who made the presentation in behalf of the Company of St. Dominic. Essentially, I briefly stated the history of the CSD, its structure, membership and main apostolate. I highlighted our relationship with the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. The Congregation adopted us and took us under its roof and provided us with protection, support and formation. The CSD was, so to speak, born in the bosom of O.P. Siena. My presentation can be found here:

(http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2012/01/presentation-on-company-of-st-dominic.html).

Bro. David Kammler, O.P., General Promoter of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master of the Order jots down notes from the report of the CSD Formator

CSD Formator briefly mentions the history of the Company of St. Dominic

After a short break, the General Assembly resumed with the introduction of the guest speaker by Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P. Then follows the inspirational message of Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P., the General Promoter of Dominican Laity.

Bro. Marwil Llasos briefs the Promoter General of Dominican Laity and the assembly about the apostolate and activities of the CSD

CSD Formator Marwil Llasos, O.P. thanks O.P. Siena and the LMAMFES for the opportunity to report on the CSD to Bro. David Kammler, O.P.

Bro. David Kammler first discussed the apostolate of preaching. According to Bro. David, the ways of preaching is varied. For instance, he mentioned that Fra Angelico preached with his magnificent works of art. Bro. David showed a painting by Fra Angelico of St. Dominic wherein the four fingers of St. Dominic are shown as not pointing on himself but on the words of the Gospel. St. Dominic pointed to Christ. It was at this juncture that Bro. David said that St. Dominic did not want to be a Dominican; he wanted to be a Christian – to live the life of Christ.

During the break, members of the CSD pose for photo-op: Artist Reggie Macapagal shows his portrait of Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P.

In the picture: Standing - Fanny Zurbana, O.P.; seated, from left to right - Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D., Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P., Ph.D., and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.

Flashing the picture of Bro. Bruno Cadoré, O.P. on screen, Bro. David Kammler intimated that he came to the Philippines as a Delegate of the Master of the Order of Preachers. He said that there were instances that when he would fill up immigration forms, he stated as the purpose for his travel as “to visit family.” To Bro. David, the Dominican Family is his family – and he is at home wherever he goes as long as there Dominicans in the place.

Another picture of CSD members: Reggie Macapagal holds his painting of Mother Jesusa Enginco, O.P.

In the picture: Standing - Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P., Fanny Zurbana, O.P.; seated, from left to right - Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D., Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P., Ph.D., and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. discussed the Dominican Family. He showed a picture of St. Dominic taken from a convent in the U.S. A sturdy tree is seen framing the statue of St. Dominic. In the picture, St. Dominic seemed to be the trunk with so many branches, twigs and leaves. Bro. David used the picture to illustrate the great Dominican Family as a tree with so many branches, with St. Dominic as the trunk but its roots sink deep into the Gospel of Christ.

Youth Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P. of the Rosarian Youth Movement

A member of Dominican Laity of Baguio and Bro. Nestor G. Limqueco

According to Bro. David Kammler, Dominicans must be inclusive and never exclusive. We must reach out to others and accept each other as brothers and sisters.

Mother Jess Enginco receives the gift from the Company of St. Dominic through brothers Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and Reggie Macapagal, O.P.

The members of the Company of St. Dominic with the Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena

Bro. David Kammler continued his talk on Dominican way of life by discussing each of the pillars of the Dominican spirituality, namely, prayer, study, community and apostolate. He said that all four are not exclusive to Dominicans. However, we differ from other spiritualities in the sense that the first three pillars (prayer, study and community) are geared for and in the service of the fourth, the apostolate of preaching. Bro. Kammler said that despite the great diversity in the Dominican Family, there is discernible unity. There is a Dominican “family face” so to speak. I fully appreciate the insights of Bro. David Kammler! His preaching on Dominican spirituality made me appreciate and value more our Dominican way of life!

Bro. David Kammler acknowledges RYM Formator Adrian Tambuyat

CSD members with Bro. David Kammler, O.P. Also in picture is Mo. Jess Enginco, O.P.

The Eucharistic Celebration followed the talk of Bro. David. He was also the celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In his homily, Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. stressed the Dominicans’ role as “light of the world” and “salt of the earth.” Once again, Fr. Kammler’s insights are enriching, meaningful and challenging!

CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with the Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of O.P. Siena

CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and O.P. Siena Prioress General Mo. Jesusa Enginco, O.P.

There was a lunch break after the Mass. During the break, Bro. Bruno gave away beautiful postcards of Our Seraphic Mother St. Catherine of Siena and the Angelic Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas from Sta. Sabina in Rome. The members of the CSD proceeded to a nearby fast-food store for lunch. They went back to St. Catherine Hall at 1:30 in the afternoon. The afternoon session started at 1:45 in the afternoon with afternoon prayer and animation led by Beaterio Pulilan. The animation was followed by a detailed and informative presentation of Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P. on the updates on the Cause for Beatification of Mother Francisca Del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes. (As an aside, I just wish to say that I attended the opening of the Mother Francisca’s cause in 2003, long before I became a Dominican and associated in some way with Mother Francisca’s congregation).

Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Delegate of the Master General of the Order of Preachers

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P.

The cultural presentation ensued with the different Beaterios showcasing their talents and presenting the beautiful and colorful cultural heritage of the Philippines. One Beaterio made a “Sister Act” number with the hermanas dressed nuns.

Members of the CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

Another picture of the members of the CSD with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

On the part of the Company of St. Dominic, Satcheil M. Amamangpang of the Rosarian Youth Movement played the organ and serenaded Bro. David Kammler with a beautiful and pulsating rendition of “Eres Tu” and “Dominique.” Bro. David Kammler, O.P. thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the cultural presentations.

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. talks to Youth Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P.

RYM Formator Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P. reports about the Rosarian Youth Movement to the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

Dr. Philip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. of both the CSD and LMAMFES gave the words of thanks. Thereafter followed the Prayer for the Glorification of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes as the closing prayer:

Bro. David Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., Formator of the Company of St. Dominic

“PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER FRANCISCA: "God Our Father, You are glorified in Your Saints for in their lives we see the crowning of Your gifts. We commend to you the life and example of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo. She responded wonderfully to your grace by a life of holiness. As a woman of the Philippines, she drew herself close to you in her service to the sick, the poor and the young. We ask by this prayer in her memory Your special help... (petition)... May her holiness be recognized by the Church as an example of faithfulness for all the people of our land. We ask this through the merits of Jesus, our merciful Saviour and the prayers of Mary, Queen of the Rosary. Amen.”

Bro. David Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity and Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Formator of the Rosarian Youth Movement

Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.

The General Assembly of the LMAMFES and meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity ended with the hymn Francisca de Manila as closing song.

Fanny Zurbana, O.P., Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.

Adrian Tambuyat, O.P., O.P., Reggie Macapagal, O.P., Sr. Felisa Sinobago, O.P., Marwil Llasos, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.

I close this recollection of the blessed day with the words in the Programme:

“Thank you for making this affair memorable as you made your presence felt and visible… May May Mother Francisca’s spirit of prayer, her service to the poor, to the sick and the young, also be ours today and forever!”

WE ARE ONE IN THE SERVICE WITH LOVE.

Bro. Marwil Llasos is glad to know that Sr. Felisa Sinobago reads his blog

Dr. Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. and Mr. Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P.

CSD Supreme Moderator writes information on the CSD requested by Bro. David Kammler, O.P.

Bro. Nestor Limqueco listens to Bro. David Kammler

Animation: LMAMFES members and Mother Jess sway to the music

Students lead the animation

Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P. of CSD join the animation

Students clap during the animation

Bro. David Kammler sits with CSD members Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Adrian Tambuyat, O.P.

Bro. David Michael Kammler, O.P. states that he visits the Philippines as Delegate of the Master of the Order, Bro. Bruno Cadore, O.P.

Bro. David talks about the Dominican Family Tree

Bro. David Kammler, O.P. presents the Dominican Family

"Dominican lay fraternities are just one of the branches of Dominican laity, also included in the Dominican laity are secular institutes..." - Promoter General of Dominican Laity Bro. David Michael Kammler, O.P.

"There is a common face among the members of the Dominican Family" - Bro. David Kammler, O.P.

CSD Supreme Moderator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Mr. Justin Lim, O.P. of the Dominican Laity in Baguio City

The choir from Sta. Catalina College-Legarda

Mass presider Rev. Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P.

An hermana of LMAMFES reads the First Reading

An hermano of LMAMFES sings the Responsorial Psalm

Fr. David Kammler, O.P. proclaims the Gospel

Preacher: Fr. David Kammler, O.P. gives a very moving homily

Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P. stresses the role of Dominicans as "light of the world" and "salt of the earth"

Lord, hear our prayer: An hermana of LMAMFES leads the Prayers of the Faithful

The celebrant prepares the gifts

Fr. David Kammler, O.P. elevates the Sacred Host

The celebrant raises the Precious Blood of Christ

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos receives communion from Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P.

Bro. Kammler greets brothers Harold Eugenio, O.P. and Nestor Limqueco, O.P.

Harold M. Eugenio, O.P., Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and Bro. David M. Kammler, O.P.

Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Mother General of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, presents an update on the process of beatification and canonization of her venerable predecessor and Foundress of the Congregation - the Servant of God Mo. Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes

A dance number of a Beaterio of the LMAMFES during the cultural presentation in honor of the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

Hermano Phillip Ramir Punzalan, O.P. of LMAMFES and CSD gives the Closing Remarks

PRESENTATION ON THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC TO THE PROMOTER GENERAL OF DOMINICAN LAITY

2012-01-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

Rev. Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity

PRESENTATION ON THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC TO THE PROMOTER GENERAL OF DOMINICAN LAITY

BY MARWIL N. LLASOS, O.P.

Formator, Company of St. Dominic

January 28, 2012

Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

Sta. Catherine Hall, Siena College Quezon City

Promoter General of Dominican Laity Bro. David Kammler, O.P. and CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Rev. Fr. David Michael Kammler, O.P.

Mother Ma. Jesus Enginco, O.P.

Hermanos y Heramanas:

Good morning and Mabuhay! To Bro. David Kammler, O.P. maligayang pagdating sa Pilipinas at magandang umaga po sa inyo!

I am Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., the Formator of the Company of St. Dominic of the Archdiocese of Manila. I am tasked, under obedience, to briefly present the Company of St. Dominic and its activities.

CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. presents the Company of St. Dominic to Bro. David Kammler, O.P.

According to the Fundamental Constitution (Book of Constitutions and Ordinations of the Friar Preachers), “[t]he Dominican Family is composed of clerical and cooperator brothers, nuns sisters, members of secular institutes, and fraternities of priests and laity” (1.IX).[1]

The Company of St. Dominic is the first Dominican secular institute in the country. In his message to the members of the CSD dated 8 September 2009, Very Rev. Quirico T. Pedregosa, Jr., O.P., Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, stated: “I am happy and thankful for the birth of the Company of St. Dominic as a new entity of the Dominican Province in the Philippines.”[2]

"The CSD is the first Dominican secular institute in the country," reports Bro. Marwil Llasos to the Promoter General of Dominican Laity

The members of the CSD profess the three-fold vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. In addition, we make a total consecration to the Virgin Mary Immaculate. We live out and give witness to the evangelical counsels in the world in the exercise of our respective secular professions and activities.

The CSD was founded on September 8, 2008 upon the inspiration and vision of the late Rev. Fr. Pablo V. Fernandez, O.P. who died in the odor of sanctity on June 1, 1992. On August 6, 2009, death anniversary of Our Holy Father St. Dominic de Guzman, the CSD was granted permission to erect a consecrated secular community by His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D., then Archbishop of Manila.[3] The CSD is now officially listed in the Directory of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila as a secular institute. With only three years of existence, the CSD now has 50 professed members, more or less, both full-pledged and associates. We are also blessed with more new aspirants each year.

Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. thanks the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena for adopting the CSD under its care, protection and formation

We thank especially the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena for graciously accepting us in its bosom through its former Mother General, Mother Teresa Examen, O.P. We thank Mother General Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P. for continuing the support given us by the congregation (and for this, may I ask everyone to please give Mother Jess a round of applause). The Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena has adopted us and provided us with formation on authentic Dominican spirituality. The CSD is privileged to be under the loving tutelage, protection and formation of O.P. Siena. We have members who are in the faculty of Siena schools like Siena College Quezon City and Siena College of San Jose Del Monte. As we often say, the CSD is “Sienang-Siena!”

We officially hold office at Sta. Catalina Convent, Sta. Catalina College, in Legarda, Sampaloc, Manila. The Self-Directed Recollection[4] and Theology Class[5] are held every second and last Sunday of the month, respectively, in Mother Francisca Formation Hall, Sta. Catalina Convent, Siena College Quezon City.

CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. and Mother Ma. Jesusa Enginco, O.P., Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena

The apostolate of the CSD includes conducting Catechesis in the Parish such as Nuestra Señora de Soledad Parish in Camba St., Binondo, Manila[6] and Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila.[7] True to the charism of the Servant of God Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes, the CSD prioritizes its apostolate to the poorest of the poor in some of the most depressed areas of Manila. The CSD also holds “Catechetical Conference with Mary”[8] in schools and parishes within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM). Recently, we are tasked with directing the Student Catholic Action in some colleges and universities in the RCAM. The CSD has a team of preachers who are invited to give talks in various fora. Finally, the CSD provides secretarial support and staff to Bishop Bernardino Cortez, D.D. (Auxiliary Bishop of Manila) and to Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, D.D. (Archbishop of Manila).

As a response to the thrust of the Master of the Order of Preachers, Bro. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., who visited us last year, the CSD established a youth volunteer movement known as the Rosarian Youth Movement to provide Dominican formation among the youth and inculcate in them love for the Holy Rosary.[9]

Bro. David Kammler, O.P., Promoter General of Dominican Laity, talks with Adrian B. Tambuyat, O.P., Formator of the Rosarian Youth Movement

As a Dominican secular institute, the CSD actively participates in the activities of the Order of Preachers and the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. We report quarterly to the Archbishop of Manila[10] as well as to the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.[11] To guide us in our Dominican way of life, we have our father confessor Rev. Fr. Pedro Traqueña, O.P., our spiritual director Rev. Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, O.P., theological mentor Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, O.P., and formatress Sr. Meriam Litor, O.P.

Once again, I sincerely thank the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and the Lay Missionary Associates of Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo (LMAMFES) for giving me this opportunity to report about the Company of St. Dominic in this wonderful meeting with the Promoter General of Dominican Laity, Bro. David Kammler, O.P. Thank you very much for giving me this one moment in time.

"Thank you O.P. Siena and LMAMFES for giving me this one moment in time"

- MARWIL N. LLASOS, O.P.

[1] http://www.holyrosaryprovince.org/2011/media/essencial/const_lco_en.pdf

[2] http://op-csd.yolasite.com/.

[3] http://bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2009/08/permission-granted-to-la-compania-de.html.

[4] http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Self-Directed%20Recollection.

[5] http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Theology%20Course.

[6] http://bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Catechesis%20in%20the%20Parish.

[7] http://bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Catechetical%20Conference%20With%20Mary.

[8] http://bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Catechetical%20Conference%20With%20Mary.

[9] http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/search/label/Rosarian%20Youth%20Movement.

[10] http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2011/08/company-of-st-dominic-and-rosarian.html.

[11] http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2011/08/hh.html.

Catechesis in the Parish: Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish VII

2012-01-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. gives Marian Catechesis in Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish

BRO. MARS CONDUCTS MARIAN CATECHESIS IN NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA SOLEDAD PARISH

Part II

January 22, 2012

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish

Camba Street, Binondo, Manila

Mary's preacher and catechist: CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

"Mary is the beloved daughter of the Father, Mother of God the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit"

Parishioners attend the Marian Catechesis of Bro. Marwil N. Llasos

Young parishioners listen to Bro. Mars Llasos

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos points to Mary as the masterpiece of God's creation

"Sa mga kumakalaban sa Mahal na Birhen: Matakot kayo sa Dios!"

Bro. Marwil Llasos reads the word "dogmata" from both the Greet New Testament and Latin Vulgate

The Marian catechist discusses Marian dogmas

"Mary is called Mother of the Lord in Luke 1:43. Psalm 100:3 insists that we must "know that the Lord is God. So Catholics call Mary the Mother of God."

Bro. Mars Llasos explains the dogma of Perpetual Virginity of Mary

Mary's preacher explains the Immaculate Conception

The speaker expounds on the glorious Assumption into Heaven of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Ani San Maximiliano Kolbe, huwag po tayong matakot na ibigin si Maria bilang ating Ina sapagkat hindi natin matatapatan o mahihigitan ang pag-ibig ni Jesus sa kanya"

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos opens the floor for open forum

Bro. Mars Llasos recognizes a participant who wants to ask question

A former Born Again Christian asks about the mediation of Mary

The Marian catechist explains that Jesus is our sole mediator with the Father because no one comes to the Father except through Him. Mary is our mediatrix with her Son. It is Mary's role to lead us to her Son. In John 2:5, the Blessed Virgin Mary tells us, "Do whatever He tells you."

Bro. Marwil Llasos reads the Bible to stress his point

Parishioners listen to the answers of Bro. Mars Llasos

Bro. Mars Llasos requests for more questions

The speaker emphasizes a point

Bro. Mars Llasos asks if he answers correctly the question

Parishioners show satisfaction to the answers of the speaker

The speaker Bro. Marwil Llasos reads the Bible to prove his point

Mary's preacher explains Marian devotion and spirituality

Enlightened: Parishioners listen to the answers of Bro. Mars Llasos to the questions raised

CSD Brother Formator and Marian Catechist thanks the parishioners of Camba for attending the Marian catechesis

Bro. Mars Llasos invites the parishioners to attend the next Catechesis in the Parish of the CSD at Camba

CSD apsirants Shiela Borbon and Michael Pagaduan serve as prayer warriors during the talk of Bro. Mars Llasos

Closing Prayer led by the speaker Bro. Marwil N. Llasos

Catechesis in the Parish: Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish VII

2012-01-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

Facade of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish Church

BRO. MARS CONDUCTS MARIAN CATECHESIS IN NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA SOLEDAD PARISH

Part I

January 22, 2012

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish

Camba Street, Binondo, Manila

Beautiful antique crucifix of Sto. Cristo de Tesoro at the side of the altar

The back of the altar of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish

The altar of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. acquaints the two aspirants to the Dominican secular institute about its apostolate

"Let the children come to me": Little children are among the early birds

Parishioners ready for the Marian catechesis

Bro. Satcheil M. Amamangpang of the Rosarian Youth Movement serves as the master of ceremonies

CSD Aspirant Bro. Michael Pagaduan leads the opening prayer

Marian Catechist Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

“Mahal natin ang sinumang minamahal ng minamahal natin. Mahal natin si Maria sapagkat mahal siya ni Jesus.”

Bro. Marwil N. Llasos greets the parishioners

The Marian catechist introduces the topic

Parishioners listen to the introduction of Bro. Mars Llasos

Bro. Mars asks his hearers if they love the Blessed Virgin Mary

Bro. Mars asks the attendees why they love Mary

The Marian catechist explains that we love Mary because we love Jesus

"Mahal natin ang sinumang minamahal ng mahal natin" - Bro. Marwil Llasos

Bro. Mars Llasos shares his personal testimony on Mary

The Marian catechist declares: "Ang pinakamabisang paraan para lubos na maunawaan natin ang Mahal na Birheng Maria ay kukunin natin ang pananaw ng Dios at hindi ng tao."

Bro. Marwil Llasos asks: "Sino ba si Maria ayon sa pananaw ng Dios?"

"Magalak ka, ikaw na totoong pinakamamahal, ang Panginoon ay sumasaiyo" (Lukas 1:28, Ang Biblia). Kung totoong pinakamamahal ng Dios si Maria, bakit hindi natin tularan ang Dios na totohanan din nating mahalin si Maria?" - Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Parishioners listen to the discussion of the Marian catechist

Our Lady of Fatima watches over her preacher and catechist

"By herself, Mary is nothing. She is something because of who she is in relation with. As she herself declared in the Magnificat, "the Almighty has done great things for me" (Lk. 1:49). Mary's greatness lies in her relationship with God. Mary is a person in relation," explains Mariologist Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

"Mary is a witness that there is one God and in that one God there are three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" (cf. Lk. 1:35).

"Mary is a witness to the reality that we can relate with each person of the Godhead. Kagaya ni Maria, maaari tayong makipag-ugnayan sa bawat miyembto ng Banal na Santatlo"

Catechesis in the Parish: Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish VII

2012-01-24T01:02:00.000-08:00

Marker of Nuestra Señora de Soledad Parish

CSD CONDUCTS PERSONALIZED ONE-ON-ONE CATECHESIS FOR THE YOUTH IN NUESTRA SEÑORA DE SOLEDAD PARISH

January 22, 2012

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Nuestra Señora de Soledad Parish

Camba, Binondo, Manila

Nuestra Señora de Soledad Parish Sacristy

Former CSD Secretary General and OIC Secretary General Harold M. Eugenio, O.P. and Aries R. Ortega, O.P., respectively

Young parishioners listen to one-on-one catechesis

Bro. Harold M. Eugenio conducts one-on-one catechesis

Personalized catechesis given the CSD to the youth

Bro. Harold M. Eugenio catechizes the young parishioners

OIC CSD Secretary General Aries R. Ortega, O.P. listen to the catechesis of Former CSD Secretary General Harold M. Eugenio, O.P.

CSD WELCOMES MORE ASPIRANTS FOR 2012

2012-01-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

CSD WELCOMES MORE ASPIRANTS FOR 2012

January 22, 2012

Mother Francisca Formation Hall

Sta. Catalina Convent

Siena College Quezon City

CSD Brother Formator welcomes more aspirants to the CSD for 2012

CSD aspirant Nelson Elyda from Novaliches, Quezon City

CSD aspirant Michael Pagaduan from Marikina City

CSD aspirant Shiela Borbon from Sampaloc, Manila

Bro. Marwil Llasos thanks the Lord of the Harvest for the new aspirants of the CSD

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. calls the aspirants to introduce themselves

Brother Nelson Elyda introduces himself

Bro. Michael Pagaduan tells his vocation story

Sis. Shiela Borbon narrates how she learned about the CSD

In behalf of the CSD, Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. welcomes the new aspirants to the CSD

CSD members and new aspirants listen to the briefing of Bro. Marwil N. Llasos on the spirituality and charism of the Company of St. Dominic

The Formator of the CSD invites the new aspirants to observe the way of life of the CSD and challenges them to persevere in their vocation

Sr. Meriam Litor, O.P., Formatress of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and the Company of St. Dominic of the Archdiocese of Manila personally welcomes Bro. Jayson M. Leones as CSD aspirant

http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2012/01/csd-welcomes-new-aspirants-for-2012.html

BRO. MARWIL N. LLASOS RE-APPOINTED AS FORMATOR OF THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC

2012-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

Our Holy Father St. Dominic de Guzman

BRO. MARWIL N. LLASOS RE-APPOINTED AS FORMATOR

OF THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC

January 22, 2012

Mother Francisca Formation Hall

Sta. Catalina Convent

Siena College Quezon City

CSD OIC Secretary General Aries R. Ortega, O.P. reads the Memorandum Circular issued by CSD Minister Prefect, Rev. Fr. Sanny C. De Claro, re-appointing Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos as Formator of the Company of St. Dominic of the Archdiocese of Manila

Bro. Marwil Llasos gestures to acknowledge his re-appointment as CSD Formator

"I thank Rev. Fr. Sanny C. De Claro for renewing his trust in me. This is not a position of authority but one of service. I accept it as a cross. Please support me with your prayers and cooperation" - Newly re-appointed CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos bares his "formation program" for the CSD

"Pursuant to the directive of the Minister Prefect, I will start the scrutiny on February. We are in this pilgrimage together. Let us help each other deepen and fully live our Dominican spirituality and charism." - CSD Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Memorandum Circular of CSD Minister Prefect Rev. Msgr. Sanny C. De Claro re-appointing Bro. Marwil N. Llasos as CSD Formator

Fr. Allan V. Lopez, O.P. Celebrates Mass for the Company of St. Dominic

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

Rev. Fr. Allan V. Lopez, O.P., Parochial Vicar of Sto. Domingo Parish

FR. ALLAN V. LOPEZ, O.P. CELEBRATES MASS FOR THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC

January 22, 2012

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Mother Francisca Formation Hall

Sta. Catalina Convent

Siena College Quezon City

The Parochial Vicar of Sto. Domingo Parish, Rev. Fr. Allan V. Lopez, O.P. celebrates Mass for the Company of St. Dominic after the Theology Class

Dr. Mary Anee Ilao, O.P., M.D., Moderator of Blessed Jane de Aza group, reads the First and Second Reading and leads in the Responsorial Psalm

Fr. Allan V. Lopez, O.P. reads the Gospel

Preacher of God's Word: Fr. Allan Lopez, O.P. gives a beautiful homily

Members of the CSD contemplate the moving homily of Fr. Allan

Fr. Allan Lopez, O.P. says that God does not look at our qualifications when he calls us

"God does not call the qualified; rather he qualifies those who are called" - Fr. Allan Lopez, O.P.

The Parochial Vicar of Sto. Domingo Parish challenges the members of the CSD to be true and faithful to their calling as consecrated lay men and women

CSD OIC Secretary General Aries O. Rodriguez, O.P. leads in the Prayers of the Faithful

Theology Class of the Company of St. Dominic

2012-01-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, O.P., S.Th.D.

THEOLOGY CLASS OF THE COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC

January 22, 2012

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 n.n.

Mother Francisca Formation Hall

Sta. Catalina Convent

Siena College Quezon City

Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, O.P., S.Th.D., lectures on Eschatology to the members of the Company of St. Dominic during their Theology Class

The theological mentor of the CSD shares the fruits of his contemplation

Immersed in the study of Sacred Truth: Members of the CSD listen to the lecture of Fr. Tony Aureada

Powerpoint lecture of Fr. Tony Aureada

Part of the lecture on Pope John Paul II's philosophical method

All ears: CSD members listen to the erudite lecture of their theological mentor

Fr. Tony Aureada stresses a theological point

Fr. Aureada discusses the theological states of human nature

CSD members reflect on the lecture of Fr. Tony Aureada

Part of the lecture of Fr. Tony Aureada on Eschatology

Powerpoint lecture on original sin

TALK OF FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. AT THE ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY

2012-01-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C. and Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

TALK OF FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. AT THE ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY

I have always been a fan of REV. FR. DONALD CALLOWAY of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. I am one of those millions who have been inspired by his conversion story. Truly, Fr. Donald is a marvelous work of grace, or as he would have said it, an “Exhibit A” of the Divine Mercy.

Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy

Parishioners eagerly waiting for Fr. Donald Calloway's talk

Early last year, I got wind that Fr. Don is going to the Philippines this 2012. As his friend on Facebook, I have followed Fr. Don’s ministry avidly. From his Facebook profile, I learned that he is already here in the Philippines and was going to give a talk at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City in the evening of January 17, 2012. (I myself have given talks in this beautiful shrine).

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Rev. Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, M.I.C.

Bro. Samuel Molines, Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek and Bro. Marwil Llasos

Eager to meet Fr. Don in person and listen to his wonderful conversion story, I left our office very early so I could be in Mandaluyong City by 7:00 in the evening. When I arrived at the Divine Mercy Shrine, there were already a lot of parishioners waiting for the talk to start.

Marians all: Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, Fr. Donald Calloway and Bro. Marwil Llasos

(Bro. Marwil N. Llasos is a member of the Association of Marian Helpers)

Mariologists: Fr. Donald Calloway and Bro. Marwil Llasos

(Fr. Donal Calloway, M.I.C. has a degree in Mariology at the International Marian Research Institute)

Our brother in the Company of St. Dominic, REGGIE MACAPAGAL, O.P. was there. I didn’t know that his painting on the Mother of God of Priests, inspired by St. Faustina Kowalka’s vision, was to be unveiled and blessed that night.

(See story at http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2012/01/mother-of-god-of-priests.html).

Opening Prayer

Opening remarks by the Shrine Rector

Also in attendance was my kumpare SAM MOLINES who is an alumnus of the apologetics course of Defensores Fidei Foundation. I am the godfather of his son Jehoshua. Bro. Sam used to head the formation ministry of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy. While I was talking to Sam, Polish priest REV. FR. MARIUSZ JARZABEK of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception arrived. Bro. Sam introduced me to this holy priest.

Fathers Donald Calloway and Mariusz Jarzabek seated at the front pew

A little while later, FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. arrived together with some seminarians of his congregation. Of course, I was star struck. I was introduced to him by Fr. Mariusz and Bro. Sam. I told Fr. Don that we are friends on Facebook and I was looking forward to meet him and personally listen to his love story with God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, O.P. talks on the Divine Mercy and the Marians of the Immaculate Conception

Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek blesses the painting of the Mother of God of Priests of artist Reggie Macapagal, O.P.

The activity started with an opening prayer by a parishioner which was followed by the welcome remarks by the Rector of the Divine Mercy Shrine. Afterwards, Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, M.I.C. blessed the painting of the Mother of God of Priests painted by Bro. Reggie Macapagal. Fr. Mariusz then introduced Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C.

Fr. Donald Calloway talks on his conversion story

Fr. Don shows his picture when he was a hippie at 18 years old

Fr. Donald talked about his conversion story – from a miserable sinner to a life of faith and grace. His story could very well be made into a movie. He started by recounting his story as a young boy growing up in America. He said that he was taught in school that human beings descended from monkeys. God, according to him, has been kicked out of the classrooms and the society. He grew up without God and lived a life no better than a monkey.

Full church: Parishioners listen to Fr. Donald Calloway

Open Forum: Bro. Sam Molines asks Fr. Don a question on Confession and Holy Communion

The Marian priest recalled how he got involved in criminal ad immoral activities, including drug-pushing. His mother was married thrice. They lived for some time in Japan since his third “father” was assigned there as a military man. While in Japan, Fr. Don was involved in the syndicate called Yakuza. He used to be a drug carrier in Japan until he was caught and kicked out of the country. He was in and out of prison in the U.S. and was confined in a rehabilitation facility. He was only 18 years old. Fr. Don showed his picture when he was an eighteen-year old hippie. Fr. Don’s story was riveting.

Fr. Don listens to the questions during the open forum

Parishioners listen to the answers of Fr. Donald Calloway

Then, change began to happen. Thanks to the role Filipino women played in his mother’s life and his. His mother’s Filipina friend was instrumental in his mother’s conversion to Catholicism. Later on, when it was his first time to enter a Catholic Church, Filipino ladies asked him to pray the rosary with them and tried to convince him to be a priest. And the rest is history.

Brothers Reggie Macapagal, O.P. and Marwil Llasos, O.P. with the painting of the Mother of God of Priests

The Mother of God of Priests

Fr. Donald Calloway’s story is a fascinating story about the power of God’s grace. It is about the power of Divine Mercy of which Fr. Don claims he is the “Exhibit A.” Fr. Don ended his talk about the merciful love of God. He presented himself as evidence of how God’s mercy and love can change a wretched and miserable sinner into someone God intended him to become. It was a powerful testimony and Fr. Don’s life story is a witness to how God’s mercy is more powerful than sin. God is a Father who is rich in mercy and is always able, willing and ready to welcome in His prodigal sons and daughters back in his loving and forgiving embrace.

Dedication of Bro. Reggie Macapagal to Bro. Marwil Llasos

Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C. tells his conversion story

THE MOTHER OF GOD OF PRIESTS

2012-01-18T01:07:00.000-08:00

"I am the Mother of God of Priests"

THE MOTHER OF GOD OF PRIESTS

In the diary of ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA, Divine Mercy In My Soul, the apostle and secretary of the Divine Mercy revealed:

“A vision of the Mother of God. In the midst of a great brilliance, I saw the Mother of God clothed in a white gown, girt about with a golden cincture; and there were tiny stars, also of gold, over the whole garment, and chevron-shape sleeves lined with gold. Her cloak was sky-blue, lightly thrown over the shoulders. A transparent veil was delicately drawn over her head, while her flowing hair was set off beautifully by a golden crown which terminated in little crosses. On her left arm she held the Child Jesus … Then she looked at me kindly and said: I am the Mother of God of Priests … Then she addressed me once again: Tell the priests what you have seen” (Diary 1585).

Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska

A member of the Company of St. Dominic, our very own Fra Angelico, artist REGGIE MACAPAGAL, O.P. painted this depiction of the Blessed Mother based on the vision of St. Faustina:

“I completed this painting six months ago yet; but on Thursday, January 12, 2012, while in deep prayer, I suddenly saw a vision of the image, and with it a message conveying some deep urgency: “Pray for priests.” At once, I recognized this coming from St. Faustina’s Diary of the Divine Mercy, and I realized I was being asked to do some about it.”

Mystic-Artist Reggie Macapagal, O.P. of the Company of St. Dominic

Brother Reggie Macapagal reflected:

“The priesthood is very much imperiled by so many threats, including the lack of vocations and many great temptations. All of us need to respond. We need to pray for priests, at least recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet and/or the Rosary of the Blessed Mother.”

Polish priest Rev. Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, M.I.C. blesses the painting of Bro. Reggie Macapagal

Last January 17, 2012, the painting of Bro. Reggie Macapagal was unveiled and blessed by REV. FR. MARIUSZ JARZABEK, M.I.C. at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy at Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City.

Bro. Reggie Macapagal gave a copy of the painting of the Mother of God of Priests to CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with the dedication: “Dear Bro. Marwil, Our Blessed Mother’s blue mantle is over you … protecting you … Loving you …”

Brothers Reggie Macapagal, O.P. and Marwil N. Llasos, O.P with the painting of the Mother of God of Priests

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

By the late John J Cardinal Carberry

Keep them; I pray Thee, dearest Lord.

Keep them, for they are Thine

The priests whose lives burn out before

Thy consecrated shrine.

Keep them, for they are in the world,

Though from the world apart.

When earthly pleasures tempt, allure --

Shelter them in Thy heart.

Keep them and comfort them in hours

Of loneliness and pain,

When all their life of sacrifice

For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them and remember, Lord,

they have no one but Thee.

Yet, they have only human hearts,

With human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host,

That daily they caress;

Their every thought and word and deed,

Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Picture of Mary the Mother of God of Priests given by Bro. Reggie Macapagal to Bro. Marwil Llasos

The dedication to Bro. Marwil Llasos written by Bro. Reggie Macapagal

EDUCATING DADO AND ABBEY B. CANTURIAS: NOT ALL IMAGES ARE IDOLS AND NOT ALL IDOLS ARE IMAGES

2012-01-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

Nuestro Jesus Padre Nazareno

EDUCATING DADO AND ABBEY B. CANTURIAS: NOT ALL IMAGES ARE IDOLS AND NOT ALL IDOLS ARE IMAGES

A certain “Dado” comes to the rescue of beleaguered and discredited Aniceto B. Canturias, also known as Abbey B. Canturias, after I blogged a point by point refutation of Mr. Canturias’ attack on the Filipino masses’ devotion to the Nazareno and exposed his racist, condescending, and disparaging remarks against our nation which the holier-than-thou Pharisee and modern-day Makapili Abbey B. Canturias derided as a “pagan nation.”

Mr. Canturias’ defender is ashamed to reveal his identity and prefers to hide himself in anonymity. He cannot put his name and face where his faith lies. Hindi ba niya kayang mapanindigan ng mukhaan ang kaniyang pananampalataya sapagkat ito’y nakakahiya?

Is this an idol? Image of modern day Pharisee Aniceto "Abbey" B. Canturias

Unable to refute my arguments, the most that Mr. Canturias’ knight in shining armor could do is to list the Ten Commandments and make neither here nor there comments. Dado cannot even articulate his points clearly. What is he really trying to convey?

Since the topic is about the annual Nazareno procession, I assume that Dado wished to accuse Catholics of idolatry because of our sacred images (of which the famed image of the Nazarene is but one). By posting the Ten Commandments, Dado implies that Catholics are violators of God’s law, especially with respect to the commandment “thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” It is unfortunate that Dado did not express his arguments well. I wished he did so I could debunk him pound for pound. I just contented myself by asking Dado some questions to make himself clear. I am thankful, however, to the followers of my blog and fellow Catholic apologists who responded to Dado’s comment.

Our Catholic position: "Not all images are idols; not all idols are images"

It is discernible from Dado’s comment that he is accusing Catholics of idolatry because we have sacred images in our churches and homes. Such false accusation, violative of the commandment “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” is an old, tired, long debunked yet continuously recycled anti-Catholic polemic. Protestants of various stripes, shapes and sizes routinely make that canard. Baptists, Born Again Christians, Pentecostals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Iglesia ni Cristo, Ang Dating Daan and a whole lot more are locked in arms in attacking the Catholic Church for its “graven images.” Well, they should include the Orthodox Church, too, because of its pervasive use of icons. Parenthetically, there is double standard here: these groups attack the Catholic Church more ferociously and rabidly than the Orthodox Church[1] when both ancient and apostolic churches have sacred images).

First off, Dado seems to be not well-versed in Scripture. In his comment, Dado did not cite a single Bible verse. He listed the Ten Commandments without proper attribution to the Scriptural passages where he lifted his version of the Ten Commandments. To educate Dado on the Bible, the Ten Commandments appear in two versions: (1) Exodus 20, and (2) Deuteronomy 5. Dado’s church miserably failed to teach him that elementary fact. Dado is in pitch dark and gross ignorance where Sacred Scripture is concerned – thanks to his man-made and non-biblical church.

Abbey Canturias likes Jesus Daily on Facebook which has this profile picture of Christ

Dado’s listing of the Ten Commandments is obviously taken from the King James Version (Protestant Bible).[2] Verse 4 of Exodus 20 of the KJV uses the expression “graven image.” Newer versions of the Bible like the New Revised Standard Version changes “graven image” to “idol.”[3] But what is an idol? Standard scholarly Bible reference The Oxford Essential Guide to Ideas & Issues of the Bible (American Edition) gives this definition: “An idol is a figure or image worshiped as the representation of a deity.”[4] An image becomes an idol when it is worshiped as god. It is clear in Isaiah 44:17 (NIV) that an image becomes an idol when it is made into a god and worshiped as such: “From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me; you are my god.”[5]

It should be borne in mind that, Biblically speaking, not all images are idols. Conversely, not all idols are images.

Standard Bible reference: The Oxford Essential Guide to Ideas & Issues of the Bible

Not all images are idols

Sacred Scripture itself makes a distinction between an image which is an idol and an image which is not. As clearly seen in Isaiah 44:17, supra., an image becomes an idol only when it is recognized and worshiped as a god. There are images in the Bible that are not considered as idols. God Himself commanded to make them as we see in Exodus 25:17-22:

“Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.”

The Oxford Essential Guide to Ideas & Issues of the Bible (American Edition) admits that –

“The line between idol representations and permissible cultic objects may at points seem unclear; the ark, with its gold cherubim, was not considered an idol but a manifestation of God’s presence; similarly, ambiguous were the teraphim, the ephod, the Nehushtan or bronze serpent, and the oxen supporting the molten sea in Solomon’s Temple. The criterion for illicit use of such cultic objects apparently lay in whether they were worshiped directly as manipulable substitutes for Yahweh” (p. 210).

The Jews carry the Torah in procession

(Notice the image of the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments)

After commanding the Israelites not to make any graven image in Exodus 20, did God change His mind several chapters later by commanding them to make giant graven images of cherubims in Exodus 25? Can God contradict Himself? The answer is obviously NO because God cannot deny or disown (contradict) Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).

Where lies then the contradiction? The contradiction lies in the erroneous view that all images are idols or false gods. It is this wrong understanding of God’s Word that results in the absurd conclusion that God is contradicting Himself when images are concerned.

Moses and Aaron kneel and worship before the Ark with the two images of cherubims on top.

Where Moses and Aaron guilty of idolatry?

In Exodus 20:4-5 (KJV), God commands:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”[6]

Is the prohibition of images absolute? It is not; otherwise it would make God fickle-minded by making a complete turnaround from His commandment in the following verses:

Images of things in heaven – Cherubims are angelic beings; hence, denizens of heaven. Yet, God commanded that images of these heavenly inhabitants be made:

“And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be” (Exo. 25: 18:22).

Commanded by God to be made: the Ark of the Covenant with the images of cherubims on the mercy seat. Did God contradict His earlier commandment?

This is an explicit command: “Thou shalt make two cherubims of gold.” Did God forget his earlier command in Exodus 20: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image”? There is clear preponderance in Scripture about making cherubims. See: 2 Chron. 3:7, 10-14; 2 Chron. 5:7-8; 1 Chron. 28:18; 1 Kings 6:23-29, 32; 1 Kings 6:35; 7:29, 36.

Images of things on earth – Palm trees (2 Chron. 3:5); pomegranates (2 Chron. 3:16); flowers (2 Chron. 4:5); oxen (2 Chron. 4:3-4, 15); wreaths (1 Kings 7:17). Did the making of these things on the earth contravene God’s commandment? That would make God’s word self-contradictory.

Images of things on water – Brazen sea (2 Chron. 4:15; 2 Chron. 4:2, 10).

The brazen and sea carried by giant images of oxen

Thus, it is not the image per se that is condemned in Scripture. It is our attitude towards it. It is permissible to have an image as long as it is not thought of as god and worshiped as such. Very illustrative of this is the bronze serpent. God commanded its making and use in Numbers 21:8-9:

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Commanded by God to be made: The brazen serpent - a type of Christ

The bronze serpent was a type of Christ. It is an image that conveys a message of greater truth and signifies a higher reality. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself pointed that out, saying: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (Jn. 3:14-15).

The people’s attitude towards the bronze serpent degenerated into idolatry when they began worshiping it as a false god named Nehushtan. Thus, King Hezekiah was justified in smashing it as recounted in 2 Kings 18: 4: “He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.”

The Ark of the Covenant carried in procession by God's people

God indeed prohibited idols or images thought of as god and worshiped. An image that is made as god and worshiped is an idol, a false god. This is clear in Isaiah 46:6: “They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.”

In the Catholic Church we do no such thing. The images that we have in our churches and homes are not made into a god and worshiped as such. We have no idols. As Christians, “we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4). Such is our Catholic faith. In the 1 Corinthians 8:4, we are told about sacrifice offered to idols. We don’t offer any such sacrifice to idols. Our Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered to God alone.

Monument of the Prophet Elijah in the Holy Land

Not all idols are images

Thus, it is a barefaced lie for Dado, Mr. Anicteo B. Canturias and others to accuse Catholics of idolatry. It is clear to us, but not to them, that not all images are idols. Our images are not idols because they are not worshiped – we don’t offer sacrifice to them. Equally true is the proposition that not all idols are images.

When Dado and Abbey Canturias attacks Catholics of idolatry because we have sacred images, they are simply barking at the wrong tree. Worse, they may even lose sight of the fact that there are idols that are not images. Colossians 3:5 clearly teach that “fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Focusing on images alone as idolatry (when we know that not all images are idols) severely limits God’s revelation and teaching on this very important topic. Therein lies the error of Dado and Abbey Canturias. To these Pharisees apply the stinging rebuke of Christ: "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Mt. 22:29).

Gigantic statues of cherubims in the Holy of Holies inside God's temple

[1] Or the Orthodox churches.

[2] http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:3-17&version=KJV.

[3]http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/passage.aspx?q=exodus+20:3-5;deuteronomy+27:15.

[4] Bruce M. Metzer and Michael D. Coogan, eds., The Oxford Essential Guide to Ideas & Issues of the Bible (New York: Berkley Books, 2001) p. 209.

[5] http://bible.cc/isaiah/44-17.htm.

Moses and the Menorah: Images inside the synagogue of Dura Europos

[6] See also: Deuteronomy 5:8-9: “Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”

Images in a 1616 New Testament

VISIT TO MUSEO DE STO. DOMINGO

2012-01-16T22:59:00.000-08:00

VISIT TO MUSEO DE STO. DOMINGO

January 15, 2012

Entrance to the Museo de Sto. Domingo

CSD Aspirant Jayson M. Leones with the mural of Our Holy Father St. Dominic

Father and son: Our Holy Father St. Dominic with CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

Bro. Jayson M. Leones with an old picture of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Items on display in Museo de Sto. Domingo

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos with pictures of the La Naval

Ivory crucifixes on display

Sacred relics of Dominican saints

Crowns of the La Naval and the Child Jesus

Bro. Mars Llasos with a picture of La Naval de Manila

Crown of the Child Jesus of La Naval

La Japonesa: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

La Japonesa with Bro. Marwil Llasos

Picture of Our Lady of La Naval with Bro. Mars Llasos

Silver and gold rosaries of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval

CSD PREPARES FORMATION MODULES

2012-01-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

Institute of Preaching

CSD PREPARES FORMATION MODULES

January 15, 2012 - The COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA prepared and finalized its modules for formation in Dominican spirituality at R.E. Dormitory in Siena College Quezon City. The council members prepared a one-year formation plan for both the CSD and its youth arm, the ROSARIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT.

CSD members having lunch at During's Express

After the preparation of the modules, CSD and RYM members proceeded to During’s Food House in España, Manila for lunch. Thereafter, they went to Café Dominic in Sto. Domingo for brainstorming and action planning.

All smiles for the providencia

After the brainstorming, CSD and RYM members attended the Mass in honor of the Sto. Niño at St. Anthony of Padua Shrine in Sampaloc, Manila.

I. Lunch at During's: "The Community that eats together, stays together."

We talk to God and talk about God ... even during lunch

Contemplating while eating

CSD members pose for the camera

II. Meeting at Cafe Dominic - Where they take coffee religiously

Cafe Dominic at the Institute of Preaching

The new Institute of Preaching building at Sto. Domingo

CSD and RYM members huddle with the parochial vicar of Sto. Domingo Parish

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. at Cafe Dominic

Former CSD Secretary General Harold M. Eugenio, O.P.

The parochial vicar of Sto. Domingo Parish, Rev. Fr. Allan V. Lopez, O.P. greets CSD and RYM members

CSD and RYM members with Fr. Allan Lopez, O.P., the parochial vicar of Sto. Domingo

Another pose

And another one

And again, this time with feelings ...

Rosarian Youth Movement group meeting

Brainstorming and action planning

CSD apirant Jayson M. Leones with RYM members

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. joins the group meeting

Top Brass: Former CSD Secretary General Harold M. Eugenio, O.P., CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor G. Limqueco, O.P. and CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

RYM in action

RYM officers and members with the framed photograph of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and a statue of the Immaculate Conception