Cebu Metropolitan Museum - Part 4 The Antique Brazen Ad Orientem Altar

An Antique Bronze Altar exquisitely designed with accompanying materials for the Tridentine Mass all of magnificent beauty

After we finished touring the 2nd floor of the Museum we were ushered to go down and were led to another room. When I entered the said room I was as if enchanted by the great beauty that I saw. It was an antique Bronze Altar, perfect for Tridentine Latin Mass with all the materials as elegant and as beautiful as the Altar itself.

I really felt like St. John the Evangelist writing the book of the Apocalypse. Suddenly I was transported into the spiritual realm. I forget about my companions: Bros. Ryan Mejillano and G-One Paisones. I went to the Altar and touched it without permission of the one in-charged then. As if I was in front of the Golden Altar in Heaven before the Divine Throne of the Almighty.

Instinctively, I bowed before the ancient Altar, put my two hands on it and kiss the Middle of the Altar. Then, looking at the Mass Cards contained in magnificent holders I saw the Gloria and started intoning in in Missa de Angelis tone. Then Bro. Ryan, I have heard, was singing with me knowing the song by memory since he used to serve in TLM in Davao.

After the Gloria, I tried to say the prayers and the preface. My heart was so enflamed that I wanted to celebrate the TLM right on the spot that very day. Unfortunately, it was not possible. The pieces are there for display although I was told by the lady in charge that His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal had visited the place and decided to celebrate the Latin Mass with his back on the people. I was so happy to hear it. I was asking the lady if the Cardinal celebrated the TLM or the Novus Ordo in Latin but she seems not so familiar with the terms. Nonetheless, to hear that the beloved Cardinal celebrated the Mass in Latin and Ad Orientem is something to be cherished.

Then when we turned around, I noticed that we are no longer alone in the room. Other students visiting the Museum rushed to that room when they heard our singing of the Gloria. And they were so surprised seeing a priest dressed in black instead of white cassock. So, Bro. Ryan and I made an instant lecture on TLM, Ad Orientem and the Gregorian Chants.

The students were very happy to see and hear us. They were very happy to know that the song is called Gregorian Chant and is entitled Gloria in Excelsis Deo or the same words sung by the Angels during the Nativity of the Lord. Then they were so surprised to know the reason why the priest is facing the Altar and not the people. After knowing that it is a sign that the Catholic Worship is Christ-centered they said that we have removed the negative views they have of the Old Mass.

The students asked us to have picture taking with them and were very grateful for the explanations of the Faith and of the Sacrament of the Holy Mass that we have given. It was about 3:00pm in the afternoon, and we were very glad to have shared something for the benefits of our students. While they were leaving they paid their respect to the priest and said: "Fr. Abraham, the Gregorian Chant is very very beautiful." Of course hija, I told her, the Gregorian Chant is one of the greatest treasures of the Catholic Church.

Altar Cards fit for Cathedrals and Basilicas

Bro. Ryan explains the beauty of the Gregorian Chants to the students visiting the same Museum

Fr. Abe explains to the students the meaning of Ad Orientem Mass and the other aspects of the Tridentine Latin Mass

The Altar Cross

The Multiple Bell used for the Mass

St. Matthew in woord artwork

St. Matthew in wood artwork

The Cross of Jesus in wood artwork

St. Luke in wood artwork

St. John in wood artwork

The Archdiocesan Museum viewed outside

The Cebu Archdiocesan Museum

The wonderful nun who welcomed us in also accompanied us in leaving the Museum, showing us the same love and affection that only a woman of God could give. She is a magnificent image of Consecrated Life.