SIMBANG GABI 2008: Part 9 The Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes near the Sampol Market

The Chapel's patron, Our Lady of Lourdes with St. Bernadette Soubirous

The Chapel of Lourdes is no longer part of Sto. Rosario Parish but it is now under the Quasi Parish of SAGRADA FAMILIA. It so happened that the assigned priest, Fr. Jun, got sick so he requested for my help in Lourdes Chapel. Of course i gladly accepted because this Chapel is very dear to me because of its Cross and because of its Pastoral Coordinator, Nanay Viring, who is very dear to me like a mother. In fact, she is a very good friend of both my parents.

The Beautiful 'Belen' or Nativity Scene at the side of the Chapel

Preferably, the Cross at the center of the sanctuary must be a realistic cross depicting the Lord in his real crucifixion. This Cross however is dear to my heart because it shows the Lord Jesus crucified as God, King and Eternal High Priest. This particular cross was formerly belonging to the Parish but Nanay Viring requested from the donor if it could be transferred to their Chapel since the parish is given already a very large realistic Cross. The donor agreed and the former parish priest concurred.

I loved this Cross from childhood because it was formerly right at the center of our Parish Sanctuary while the life-size Cross was placed at the back of the Church. I was so afraid to go there because I was thinking that it was real tortured guy hanging in there. It was so realistic. I like the less bloody one.

When the Parish Church was renovated prior to my ordination this Cross was transferred from the Main Altar to the side Chapel on top of the Baptismal Font. So, he was always my companion when I was baptizing during vacations when still a deacon. Well, it was a perfect reminder for the people that in Baptism we are dying to sin and rising with the Risen Christ and that in the same Sacrament we are sharing in Christ's Kingly, Priesthly and Prophet's Office.

When I started giving annual talks on Priesthood at Defensores I was given a gift of a Cross very similar to that one. Now, it is hanging gloriously in my office. Then, when I started celebrating the Tridentine Latin Mass I've noticed that in the opening page of the Missal from Baronius Press the same image of Christ the King on a Cross is printed in black and white. It's so wonderful. It makes me feel as if the Lord who is my King, Priest and Prophet in my Baptismal Church as a child is the same Lord who guided me as a Deacon and now as a priest. It is actually a reminder that He has seen what I am today way back in my childhood. He was there with me though I was not yet aware of what He was planning for me and He is here now as my commander in chief in the daily life of my priesthood.