Celebrating a Simple but Beautiful Mass in the Small Chapel of Quimontod, Guinlajon, Sorsogon

The rice field of Brgy. Sitio Quimontod [Saday] in Guinlajon, Sorsogon. Beautiful to behold. The ricefield between the Chapel and the house of the caretaker.

During the first week of February 2010 I was invited to celebrate the Mass in one of the small barrios here in Sorsogon. I coudn't say no to the invitation because my schedule was free and the people inviting me were the same couple whose house I blessed last year.

The Altar of the Chapel dedicated to San Isidro Labrador, the patron of farmers

It also attracted me because the Chapel where I was requested to say the Mass is new to my ears. I've never been into that Chapel and never celebrated the Holy Mass therein. So, it gave me the eagerness to join the people in the barrios for their special thanksgiving to God through the intercession of their Patron Saint, San Isidro Labrador or St. Isidore the Worker.

The Patron of the Place and of the Farmers, San Isidro Labrador

When I reached the place I found out that the Chapel is only about 3 meters and it is made mostly of bamboo woods. The Chapel is poor yet elegant in its simplicity. The people especially the children were smiling naturally and the greetings fo the people really comes from the heart.

The very small chapel is filled with believers: parents and children

The Chapel is like gold in the middle of the sea of emeralds because the ricefields surrounding it are so green. Just looking at those fields gives me relaxation and peace. The air is so pure and the wind is gentle but quite stronger there than in our place in Aemilianum. It was an experience of the perfect balance of creation.

The faithful are poor but so happy in life During the Mass the people were joining in the responses which they know by heart. They also served as choir singing popular liturgical songs that has become embedded in the memory of each members both young and old. The Mass was so simple yet it became alive in the heart and joyful faces of these simple folks whose only treasure is their faith in God.

The reader and the guitarist. There is no place even for a lectern in that very small chapel.

After the Mass we walked for about 300 meter to the house of the caretaker. There they prepared a simple snack of bread, fruit juice and rice with fried fish. The children were singing and playful while we were staying under the mango trees with its branches as our natural canopies.

The worshippers at the right side of the Chapel

The Mass was celebrated to give thanks to the Merciful God for the good crops and to honor San Isidro Labrador for his protection of their place. May the Lord continuesly bless the people of Quimontod, Guinlajon. Grant them plenteous harvests every year and good future for their children. May they all the more grow in grace and in faith. Amen.

Some of the worshippers outside the Chapel

Some of the worshippers outside

A closer look at the rice field just at the side of the Chapel

The rice fields over-looking the mountains of Sorsogon

The innocent faces of the children The people are poor but rich in faith and hope

In the small garden of the caretaker of the chapel

From the House of the Caretaker, I took picture of the Chapel itself and the nearby small hut

A tricycle cab is passing the road connecting the place to the main highway

The ricefield further into the village