Pastoral Instruction: Let us not put aside care for Mother Earth

My dear people of God in the Archdiocese of Manila,

During these quarantine days most of our attention is riveted to COVID 19. This is understandable because it is an invisible enemy perceived to be everywhere. This great concern on the coronavirus, however, may cloud our mind from other important matters that should call our constant attention. I speak most specifically of our care for Mother Earth, our common home. The global damage that COVID 19 does should make concrete to us the global destruction that will come upon us if we do not care for our common home.

In a way, this coronavirus phenomenon inadvertently has some positive effects for Mother Earth. The forced rest imposed on us by the virus also gives rest to Mother Earth. The factories that are shut down, the air, land and sea travels that are cancelled, the business buildings that are quiet – all of these, at least momentarily, bring down the CO2 emissions that we spew out to our skies. But more than these, we are forced to face some important realities of life. For one, that we are all interconnected. What happened in Wuhan, China is now affecting all the world, and almost all aspects of our life. And if it is true that this virus came from animals, exotic at that, this tells us that we humans are bound to other living creatures as well.

Now that our life is constricted, we are seeing that it is possible to live an alternative lifestyle contrary to that which we had been so used to, and we thought we could not do without. We thought that we need to be always on the go, that we could buy things that we wanted, and easily throw away those that we do not want. Pope Francis told us in Laudato Si’: “Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life… one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption.” (LS #222) Now we see a glimpse, and in fact, we may already enjoy it, that “LESS IS MORE.” It is spelled out thus: “Christian spirituality proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little. It is a return to that simplicity which allows us to stop and appreciate the small things, to be grateful for the opportunities which life affords us, to be spiritually detached from what we possess, and not to succumb to sadness for what we lack.” (LS #222) Let us go through this again and reflect on it. Is this not what we are living now? Is it not liberating?

Hopefully these days of forced quarantine can help us see life anew and inculcate in us a way of life that is more friendly to our family and to our beloved Mother Earth.

To home in on us our responsibility to the environment, providentially we have EARTH HOUR this year on Saturday, March 28. EARTH HOUR started in Sydney in 2007 when businesses and residential houses turned off all lights for one hour to make a stand against climate change. Since then, it has been done annually all over the world, participated in by more people in all countries. In the Philippines this year we will be turning off the light from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. It will be very dramatic and felt by all families because we will all be at home. We will stay in darkness and in silence for an hour, hopefully to make us appreciate the importance of energy. If we squander it, we will be forced to do without it because energy too is scarce resource. As Christians let us spend this hour in prayer for our Mother Earth and for all those who defend and care for it.

Let us not be myopic. We are not only fighting against COVID 19. We are fighting for a better and healthier life. We cannot achieve this without a cleaner and healthier Mother Earth. We are reminded that: “The effects of our encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in our relationship with the world around us. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS  #217)

In Mother Mary, the Word of God took flesh. Because of this “creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:19) Together with us, creation awaits salvation.

Yours truly in Christ.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo
Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila
March 25, 2020

Pastoral Instruction: How to keep the Lord’s Day holy

My dear people of God in the Archdiocese of Manila,

We know the 3rd Commandment: You shall keep the Lord’s Day holy. In ordinary times we tend to believe that we have kept this commandment when we have attended Mass on Sunday. After the Mass, we do what we want with Sunday. In many cases it has ceased to become the Lord’s Day when we are done with the Sunday obligation to go to Mass. In fact, many times it has become MY Day.

In this special time of the Corona Virus, we are forced to rethink how to make the Lord’s Day holy, as we are forced to rethink many of our customary practices. Can I still make the Lord’s Day holy when I can no longer attend Mass? We all feel that the online Mass is not the same as the physical attendance to the Holy Mass. It is a very poor substitute. How then to keep the 3rd commandment?

To consider Sunday as the Lord’s Day is to keep it the Lord’s Day. It is not OUR day. It is the Day of the Lord Jesus. On Sunday we celebrate the greatest event of salvation, the Resurrection of Jesus. He has overcome evil and sin, and even death! It is a day then that we turn our attention to Jesus. During all the days of the week we have been concerned about ourselves – our job, our home, our school work, our friends. On Sunday we turn our attention to the Lord. Thus we participate in his victory over death by the celebration of the Eucharist and by paying attention to the other important things in life which otherwise are crowded out in the day-to-day concerns. Thus we take time to nourish our faith by prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. We pay attention to our family. Sunday is often the family bonding day. Another way to keep the Lord’s Day holy is to set aside time to serve others in the community. To serve others is to serve the Lord.

During the coming weeks, we will not be able to come to the Holy Mass physically nor serve in church, but there are still other things that we can do. We can have greater bonding with our family members. Thus it is good to participate in the online mass as a family. Then we can take time to pray together, especially the family rosary, and even to read the Word of God together. Some families are helped to deepen their relationship when they have Bible sharing as a family. Since we are just at home we can have some family games or storytelling. These moments of laughter and jest will ease our boredom and will be treasured by all, young and old alike, later on.

We cannot go out to serve the Church or the community these quarantine days. Can we not set aside some amount on Sunday and give to the poor and the daily wage earners around us? If each family gives some food or some money to one or two other persons on Sunday in their vicinity, we would be helping many people as church and be spreading the joy of the Lord’s Day to them.

Dear friends, let us keep the Lord’s Day holy in our homes even in these extraordinary times. Let not the COVID 19 steal the joy of Sunday from us. Let us offer our Sundays to the Lord by our prayers as a family, by enjoying our love for each other, and by going out of our way to help one or two needy persons around us.

May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph be with us and protect our families.

Yours truly in Christ,

+Bishop Broderick Pabillo
Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila
March 21, 2020

Mga Tagubilin ng Pastol: Pagpapabanal ng Araw ng Panginoon

Minamahal na bayan ng Diyos sa Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila:

Alam natin ang Ikatlong Utos: “Gawin ninyong banal ang Araw ng Panginoon.”  Sa pangkaraniwang panahon, nakasanayan natin na nasunod na natin ang utos na ito matapos nating makiisa sa Misa tuwing Linggo.  Pagkatapos ng Misa, kanya kanya na tayo sa nais nating gawin.  Tila natatapos na ang Araw ng Panginoon matapos natin matupad ang obligasyong magsimba tuwing Linggo.  Sa maraming pagkakataon, sa halip na maging Araw ng Panginoon, ang Linggo ay nagiging pansariling araw ko.

Sa natatanging panahon ng Corona virus, hinahamon tayong suriin ang mga paraan natin ng pagpapabanal sa Araw ng Panginoon.  Hinihimok tayong usisain ang mga nakasanayan na nating pamamaraan.  Maari pa rin bang mapabanal ang Linggo kahit hindi ako pisikal na makadalo sa Misa?   Nararamdaman natin na hindi maaring pantapat o pamalit ang Misa online sa personal at piskal na pagdalo sa Banal na Misa.  Ito’y kulang na pamalit.  Paano nga kaya natin matutupad ang ikatlong utos?

Sa pagturing natin sa araw ng Linggo bilang Araw ng Panginoon, kailangang tunay na  ituring natin ito bilang Araw ng Panginoong Hesus.  Tuwing Linggo, ipinagdiriwang natin ang pinakamahalagang kagananpan sa kasaysayan ng kaligtasan, ang Muling Pagkabuhay ni Hesus.  Pinagtagumpayan niya ang kasamaan at kasalanan gayundin ang kamatayan.  Itinutuon natin ang ating pansin kay Hesus.  Sa ibang mga araw ng sanlinggo, abala tayo sa ating mga sarili – sa ating hanapbuhay, tahanan, paaralan, trabaho at mga kaibigan.  Tuwing Linggo, kay Hesus tayo babaling.  Nakikiisa tayo sa tagumpay ni Kristo sa kamatayan sa pagdiriwang ng Eukaristiya at sa pagtuon  ng ating pansin sa mas mahahalagang bagay na naisasantabi natin dahil pagkabahala sa ibang pang araw araw na alalahanin.  Naglalaan tayo ng panahon na palaguin ang ating pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pagbabasa ng Banal na Kasularan.  Pinahahalagahan natin ang ating pamilya.  Ang araw na Linggo ay panahon upang maglaan ng panahon kasama ang pamilya.  Pinababanal din natin ang Araw ng Panginoon sa paglilingkod sa kapwa.  Ang paglingkuran ang kapwa ay paglilingkod sa Panginoon.

Sa mga susunod na sanlinggo, hindi tayo makakapaglingkod at makakapagtipon sa ating mga simbahan para sa pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa.  Ngunit may iba pa tayong maaring pag-ukulan ng panahon. May pagkakataon na maglaan ng mas mahabang panahon para sa pamilya.  Makiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Misa online kasama ang buong pamilya.  Maaring magdasal ng rosary bilang isang pamilya at magbasa ng Salita ng Diyos kasama ang pamilya.  May mga pamilya na napapalalim at napapatatag ng ugnayan sa isa’t isa dulot ng pagbabahaginan ng Salita ng Diyos.  Maaring gugulin ang panahon na nasa tahanan ang lahat upang maglaro at magkuwentuhan kasama ang pamilya.   Ang mga sandaling ito na puno ng kagalakan at kasiyahan ang papawi sa pagkainip at papahalagahan ng lahat, matanda man o bata, sa mga susunod na panahon.

Hindi tayo makakalabas ng bahay upang makapaglingkod sa simbahan at pamayanan sa panahon ng quarantine.  Maari bang maging bahagi ng ating Linggo ang maglaan ng maibabahagi sa mga dukha at mga manggagawang arawan ang kita sa paligid natin?   Maipagdiriwang ng masayang diwa ng Araw ng Panginoon  at marami tayong matutulungan bilang simbahan kung ang bawat pamilya ay magbabahagi ng makakain o tulong pinansyal sa isa o dalawang tao sa kanilang pamayanan tuwing Linggo.

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Pastoral Instruction how to make most of the Online Holy Mass

My dear People of God in the Archdiocese of Manila,

We all feel the great void of not being able to physically participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Surely the online Mass is not the same as going to Church to celebrate the Holy Mass. Perhaps this void should make us realize the great opportunity that we have here in the Archdiocese of being able to come to Mass regularly every Sunday, if not every day. This is not so in many parts of our country. Consider that in many small chapels in the provinces our fellow Catholics do not have mass every Sunday. It is good if they have one once a month or even a few times a year for lack of priests and the means of the transportation. They are not even able to follow online masses because of the lack of connectivity. In this extraordinary time we get a small taste of their ordinary fare.

But since we have the online mass, let us make the most of it. I give you some tips on how to profit better from this poor substitute. Since you know the time of the mass, prepare yourselves well for it. Do not watch it with a cup of coffee in hand. Before the mass read the mass readings to prepare yourselves to hear them better once they are proclaimed in the Eucharist. You can know the mass readings through the Catholic Bible Reading Guide, the Pandasal, the many books that give us the daily Bible readings and even some commentaries on them, or you can access these readings online. Have a few moments too to think what you are to thank the Lord for and what to offer to him in this mass. Remember that you are praying this Eucharist with many other fellow Catholics not only in your parish but all over the world.

Stay in a reverent gesture throughout the mass, standing or sitting up properly.  It would be good if the whole family in the house joins together in the mass. Do not just watch the mass. Join in it with your prayers, responses and singing. At the time of communion, make the spiritual communion. You can pray this beautiful prayer attributed to St. Alphonsus de Liguori:

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen

At the end of the online mass, take some moment of silence to read again the Scripture readings and reflect how, enlightened by the homily, you can live God’s Word that day.

I hope these simple tips can help in making the most of the online masses. Do not worry. This situation of not being able to come to Church for the mass is temporary. May this temporary deprivation bear fruit in a fuller appreciation of the great gift of the Eucharist that we in the archdiocese are privileged to participate in regularly. God bless you and let us be one asking the Lord to avert the pandemic caused by COVID 19.

Mother Mary Health of the Sick, pray for us!

Your Servant in the Lord Jesus,

+ Bishop Broderick Pabillo
Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila
March 15, 2020

Pope Francis: “Don’t be afraid”

Esteri
La Stampa in English

The Holy Father speaks about his pain in these days of crisis because of the virus: “The darkness that entered our homes will disappear, with wounds in the heart a united humanity will rise again”.

Domenico Agasso Jr
Pubblicato Il
20 Marzo 2020

“Here we cry, and we suffer. All of us. We can only get out of this situation together, as a whole humanity”. For this reason, we have “to look at each other with a sense of solidarity” and act accordingly. Pope Francis is following with concern the development of the Coronavirus emergency. However, on the phone on Monday, March 16 he also wants to instill hope that the “light” will come and will illuminate the darkness, which “entered everybody’s home”, in the form of pain and concerns. After this suspended time, it will be “a bit like a post-war period”, the Pontiff warns. We will have to rebuild. On four important pillars: “the roots”, which are represented by the grandparents and the elderly; “the memory” of these very surreal days; “the brotherhood” among all human beings; “the hope, which never disappoints”.

Your Holiness, Easter is approaching “behind closed doors” with celebrations that will take place only via web, television and radio: for many devotees this will be a double suffering. How should we live this Easter while in the midst of the pandemic?

“With penance, compassion and hope. And humbleness, because many times we forget that in life there are “dark zones”, the dark moments. We think they can happen only to someone else. On the contrary, this is a dark time for everybody, none excluded.”

During the Angelus, you stated that Lent can help find a meaning to what is happening: how?

“The preparation time to Easter, with prayers and fasting, trains us to look at the others with solidarity, especially those who suffer. While waiting for the glow of that light that will illuminate everything and everybody again.”

Is it particularly important to pray in this period?

 “I think of the Apostles in the storm when they invoke Jesus: “Master, we are drowning”. The prayer makes us understand our vulnerability. It is the scream of the poors, of those who are drowning, who feel threatened, alone. And in a difficult situation, desperate, it is important to know that there is the Lord to hold on to”.

How can God help us?

“God supports us in many ways. God gives us strength and closeness; in the same way He did with the disciples who asked for help in the storm. Or when He gave His hand to Pietro who was drowning.”

Where can the nonbelievers find consolation and encouragement?

“I don’t want to make a distinction between believers and nonbelievers. We are all human beings and as human beings we are all in the same boat. And no human thing must be alien to a Christian. Here we cry because we suffer. All of us. What helps us is synergy, mutual collaboration, the sense of responsibility and the spirit of sacrifice that is generated in many places. We don’t have to make a distinction between believers and nonbelievers, let’s go to the root: humanity. Before God we are all children”.

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Pastoral Instruction on Days of Fasting and Prayer

My dear people of God in the Archdiocese of Manila,

In the Scriptures, in moments of difficulties such as plagues, defeat in battle, impending attack of the enemy, and famine, the call to the people by the prophets, kings and priests was to fast and pray. This expresses the belief that our intense connection with God is vital for our survival, and that He does intervene when together as a people we turn to him in earnest. So we are told: “If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land” (2 Chr. 7:14).

So the CBCP instruction last March 13, 2020 states: “We are enjoining all the Local Ordinaries and the Diocesan Administrators to call for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for all those who are infected with the COVID-19 and those who have died, and for our deliverance from this pandemic.” In response to this appeal the bishops of Metro Manila wrote: “We call for days of penance, prayer and fasting during all the Fridays of Lent (March 20, 27, & April 3), including Good Friday (April 10)” (Pastoral Letter of Metro Manila Bishops, March 16, 2020).

Let us all be one in prayer and fasting, although we are in our homes. Let us together seek Divine intervention. On these days let us take time to pray, especially pray as a family. You can join in the online Holy Mass, you can pray the rosary, even all the four mysteries, and you can read the Scriptures as a family and have some kind of Bible sharing. Let us pray for the healing of those afflicted by the virus, let us pray for the eternal repose of those who have died and their families, let us pray that the spread of this contagion be stopped, let us pray for the protection of the health care workers.

As for fasting, you can lessen the intake of food, like no merienda, or only two meals, or take only one full meal that day, depending on the health condition of each one. These Fridays are also days of abstinence from meat. Let us be reminded, though, that fasting is not just measured by the feeling of hunger. The Lord says: “Is this the manner of fasting I would choose, a day to afflict oneself? To bow one’s head like a reed, and lie upon sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, ….. and breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?” (Is. 58:5-7)

Real fasting brings us in solidarity with the sufferings of others. This COVID 19 brings a lot of suffering. I refer not only to the suffering of those afflicted with the virus, not only to the great sense of fear and uncertainty of many. I refer most specifically to many in the Archdiocese who are in dire physical and economic need because they have no income at all – the street people, the daily wage earners, those who are engaged in the informal sector for a living, and many others. We are also called to be in solidarity with the health care workers. They are in the frontline helping people, thus exposing themselves to the disease. Being in solidarity with them does not only mean to feel sorry for them. Solidarity challenges us to go out of our way to extend help to them.

I appeal to all to set aside whatever they may have saved because they have fasted and give this to those who are in need. Those who are capable can even go much further. They can donate more generously to the poor and the health care workers. Our call of entreaty to God will be heard if we also hear the silent cry of those who have none. You can send your donations to your parishes or to Caritas Manila. The Archdiocese has a program to reach out to them through the parishes and other church institutions.

I take this opportunity to call on Christian businessmen and women and those who employ people. Be generous to your employees in these times. It is no longer just paying them for their work. They are unable to work not because they do not want to, but they are prevented from doing so. True justice is always tempered by love, and love is also expressed in gratuity. Be gratuitous to them. God will bless you for being so. The Lord promises: “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: ‘Here I am!’” (Is. 58:9)

Let our prayer be intense. Let our fasting be generous! Let us all enter set aside the remaining Fridays of lent as days of prayer and fasting.

Mother Mary, Health of the Sick, intercede for us.

Yours truly in Christ,

+ BRODERICK PABILLO
Apostolic Administrator of Manila
18 March 2020

The Holy Father’s Invitation to Prayer

Circular No. 20-17
March 23, 2020

To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

Re: The Holy Father’s Invitation To Prayer

At the instruction of Abp. Romulo G. Valles, CBCP President, we would like to share with you the following information:

1. The Holy Father Pope Francis at the Angelus on Sunday, March 22, has invited all Christians to join in praying the “Our Father” as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, he has called the “heads of Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all the Christians of the various confessions” to recite at the same time the “Our Father.”

Heeding the Pope’s invitation, we recommend that we will pray together the Lord’s Prayer at 6 o’clock in the evening on March 25.

2. The Holy Father has also announced that on Friday, March 27, he will preside over a moment of prayer with him giving the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it through the various forms of communication. The live broadcast from the Vatican will begin at 6:00 PM Rome time (midnight Saturday.

For more information please refer to vaticannews.va “Pope announces extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Blessing.”

With our prayerful wishes of good health, I remain

Sincerely yours,

GENERAL SECRETARIAT: 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila P.O. Box 3601, 1076 Manila, Philippines
 (+632) 527-4054, 527-4138 ●  (+632) 527-4063 ●  www.cbcponline.net ●  cbcpsecretariat@gmail.com , cbcpsecretariat@yahoo.com

Decree of the Holy Father concerning the celebration of the Triduum 2020

CONGREGAZIONE PER IL CULTO DIVINO E LA DISCIPLINA DEI SACRAMENTI

ENGLISH
Prot. N. 153/20
DECREE
In time of Covid-19

            During this difficult time through which we are living because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and considering the impediment to the community celebration of the liturgy in church as per the direction of Bishops for their territories, a number of queries have come to this Congregation concerning the imminent celebration of Easter.  In this regard, the following general indications are offered along with some suggestions for Bishops.

1 – Concerning the date of Easter. Easter is the heart of the entire liturgical year and is not simply one feast among others.  The Easter Triduum is celebrated over the arc of three days which is preceded by Lent and crowned by Pentecost and, therefore, cannot be transferred to another time.

2 – The Chrism Mass. Having evaluated the concrete situation in the different countries, the Bishop has the faculty to postpone it to a later date.

3 – Indications for the Paschal Triduum.

            Wherever the civil and ecclesiastical authorities have put restrictions in place, the Sacred Triduum must be celebrated in the following way:

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Celebrations of the Holy Week During the Quarantine Period

Circular No. 20-15
March 20, 2020

To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,

RE:      Recommendations for the Celebrations of the Holy Week During the Quarantine  Period (2020)

“The greatest mysteries of the redemption are celebrated yearly by the Church beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until Vespers of Easter Sunday. This time is called “the Triduum of the crucified, buried and risen”, it is also called the “Easter Triduum” because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to his Father. The church by the celebration of this mystery, through liturgical signs and sacramentals, is united to Christ her Spouse in intimate communion” (Paschales Solemnitatis no. 38).

The annual celebration of the Paschal Triduum is the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year. This is greatly manifested in the way we celebrate the Holy Week as Filipinos full of faith, life and color. All our parishes take time to prepare for these great celebrations. Filipinos abroad long to be back to the country during this time to experience the life and beauty of the mysteries we celebrate therein. Our national life is truly influenced by these great celebrations.

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Global Principles for a Just COVID-19 Relief Sign On

There is a request from the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) to consider signing on on the Global Principles for a Just Response to COVID-19.

Here’s a summary of the principles:

  1. health is the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions
  2. provide economic relief directly to the people
  3. rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives
  4. make a down payment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crises
  5. protect our democratic process while protecting each other

The response to global COVID-19 Pandemic and economic recession will take months, maybe years. The actions we take now will have an impact on people immediately and in the future. We do not have all the answers, and there will be many other fights to come, but we believe it is important that our voices are heard right now by decision-makers and the public. Building upon an initiative that has already gained robust support in the US across a wide range of constituencies and organizations, (see here https://tinyurl.com/tl4tkwn), we are looking to bring together civil society and movement voices to set a tone in this early stage.

Link : Principles for a Just Response to COVID-19 sign-on

To be involved in this, you need to sign by 9am UTC Tuesday 24th of March. Please consider signing on (quickly) to display a broad powerful voice and counter the corporate lobbyists already knocking on politicians’ doors.