Tuesday, June 30, 2009

THE SORSOGON CATHEDRAL AND THE HOLY MASS IN HONOR OF STS. PETER AND PAUL

The Facade of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sorsogon City

Twice a year the clergy of Sorsogon are gathering together with the Bishop to express their ecclesial communion. One of them is the Chrism Mass every Maundy Thursday and the other every feast of the Co-Patrons of the Cathedral, Sts. Peter and Paul, on June 29.

A young and robust St. Peter at the Retablo of the Main Altar
So yesterday, we went to the Cathedral in full force headed by Fr. Superior Lino Juta, CRS to represent our Congregation. Unfortunately the Bishop himself was not around for the Mass instead the Vicar General, Msgr. Melchor 'Choi' Esperida was the main celebrant.

St. Paul the Apostle on the other side of the Retablo
Msgr. Choi explained that the Bishop is needed in Europe because he is a high ranking official of the Catholic Biblical Federation and for that reason his presence among the Bible Scholars was imperative. That is why he was delegated to lead the Diocese for the Festivities of the Co-Patrons.
The Main Altar of the Sorsogon Cathedral
The Cathedral was splendid and shining brightly that day. The Catholic Faithful came in drove and showed there love of their Patrons.
The Lectern of Sorsogon Cathedral
The works for the renovation of the Catheral are not yet through but the Cathedral has improved a lot. More air and sunshine are naturally coming in and it appears bigger than before. May the people continuously support the projects until all the works shall be completed for the Glory of God.
The Interior of the Cathedral few minutes before the Mass for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
The Chandeliers are still absent and the design unfinished but the Cathedral is already shining in beauty and grace.
The great multitude of the faithful gathered to worship God and to honor their patron saints, Peter and Paul, while the priests climb the staircase to the Sanctuary.
One of the three deacons who served during the Mass in front of the Retablo

From right: Fr. Trebb Futol and Msgr. Rene Mabute the incoming new Vicar General and Administrator fo the Cathedral The main celebrant incensing the Altar. Due to the absence of Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD who is abroad for his responsibility as a high ranking official of an Internationl Association of Catholic Bible Scholars, the outgoing Vicar General, Msgr. Melchor Esperida, served as the Main Celebrant.
The Cathedral was filled with the faithful from inside until its adjacent spaces outside. This is only one of many Masses that day and in each Mass the Cathedral was filled to overflowing.
The Deacon raising the Book of the Gospel
Msgr. Esperida starting the Canon of the Mass
Elevation of the Body of the Lord Elevation of the Blood of the Lord
Priests Con-celebrants receiving the Holy Eucharist
Thousands of faithful line for the reception of the Holy Communion
The beloved image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia at the back of the Cathedral
The image of the Black Nazarene at the back of the Cathedral
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13 comments:

  1. Some priests are not wearing albs????????

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  2. Unfortunately it is true as captured in the photographs.

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  3. Do you know when this Cathedral was reburbished. It looks very different from when I would attend Mass there in the early 1960's. It is very beautiful. Also do they still push the statues of Sts Peter and Paul around the city in procession on the feast day (June 6?) Those are still the same statues I remember.
    Anthony Launey y Olbes

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  4. It started this year and the renovation is still on going. They still push the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul during the Procession on Feastday.

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  5. father abe,

    who is saint elian of hims, syria? why is he not revered in the western church of rome??

    i have been to hims syria this past week and i have visited some orthodox churches especially the church of the holy belt of mary that was given to st. thomas when he doubted the assumption of mary.

    thanks

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  6. DEAR ANONYMOUS, THIS IS THE RESULT OF MY RESEARCH ON ST. MAR ELIAN OF HIMS, SYRIA:


    The Church of Saint Elian (Arabic: كنيسة مار اليان‎, Kaneesat Mar Elian) is a church in Hims, Syria, located along Tarafa bin al-Abd Street near the Gate of Palmyra. The Feast of St. Elian is held annually at the church on February 6, attracting a large number of pilgrims.



    History
    It takes its name from Saint Elian, a native of Hims, who was martyred for his refusal to renounce Christianity in 284 CE at the hands of his father, a Roman officer. St. Elian was a physician by trade and various miracles of healing are attributed to him. The church itself was founded in 432 on the claimed spot of St. Elian's death, with his remains placed in a sarcophagus in a small chapel to the right of the church's main crypt.

    In 1969-70, Mar Elian was renovated. During the renovation, the plaster which covered the inner walls of the crypt was removed, revealing ancient frescoes depicting murals of Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, and various prophets. The frescoes date to at least the 12th century, but it is widely believed to date to the 6th century, making them the oldest surviving church paintings in Syria. Today, they are complemented by new frescoes in the main nave and side-aisles of the church painted by two Romanian iconographers, showing various scenes of St. Elian's lifetime.

    HOPE THIS HELPS.

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  7. Any new photos po of the Cathedral renovation and its master plan blueprint.

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  8. The renovation is still incomplete. I will post new pics once it is completed.

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  9. i remembered this cathedral since i was a child but i can say that today's design is better specially the floor and the ceilings. just wish that the renovation will be complete for the Christmas season since there would be a lot of visitors for sure. Simbang gabi in Sts Peter and Paul is always jampacked.

    can you please post most recent pics like how it will look like on dec? thank you very much! and more power! :)

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  10. The renovation is not yet complete. We just have to wait for a year for it to finish.

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  11. father any photos po for the new renovated cathedral during the blessing?

    gbu

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  12. Unfortunately I was in Manila po during the Blessing. We captured it on Video po.

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  13. The boat bearer is at the right side of the thurifer
    But the proper position is
    the boat bearer should stay at the thurifer's left side.

    the pattern goes this way. (Ad versus populum)

    Celebrant
    ALTAR

    Candle Boat Thurifer Candle

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