Annually on the 9th of January, in observance of its feast, devotees of the Black Nazarene gather in Quiapo, Manila to journey with Jesus on His carrying of the cross. With numerous devotees flooding to reach the Nazarene’s ándas (carriage), the Traslación has been a significant religious activity deeply respected
From the words “Christ’s Mass”, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This celebration which falls on December 25 has been a prominent holiday celebrated worldwide. As early Christians celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25 – the conception of Jesus in the womb
It’s the 16th of December and you woke up so early to prepare for your attendance in the dawn mass. It’s the start of Simbang Gabi and you wouldn’t want to miss a single mass celebration in nine days. Simbang Gabi is a tradition of celebrating Christmas novena masses in
It’s the Third Sunday of Advent, you observe the Church light a rose-colored candle in the Advent wreath and as well, the priest dons rose-colored vestments. Rejoice, it’s Gaudete Sunday! Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. This particular Sunday in the season is associated with the rose color that symbolizes joy
The Dogma On December 8, nine months before the celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception referring to Mary conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. The celebration of the feast began on December 8, 1854,
The word advent is derived from Latin word, adventus, that means “arrival, coming”. Advent, being the season that begins the Catholic Church’s liturgical year, is intended to be a period of preparation for the coming of Jesus. On Sundays of Advent season, the Church lights candles in an Advent Wreath
As the liturgical calendar goes in its annual cycle, the Church associates “the return of dates and seasons with the remembrance of past events.” (Dies Domini 76) Remembrance of these decisive events is then celebrated by people in a festive manner which gives vibrance and disrupts the monotone atmosphere of
The Basic Ecclesial Communities or BEC are local Christian communities in neighborhoods within parishes described by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) as “small communities of Christians, usually of families who gather around the Word of God and the Eucharist. These communities are united to their pastors
Fifty days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Catholic Church celebrates Pentecost. On this feast day that concludes the Easter season, Catholics celebrate the beginning of the Church. The word Pentecost is derived from the Greek word “pentecoste” which means fiftieth. In Christian tradition, the faithful celebrate at
In 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in response to workers’ observance of the “May Day” Holiday. This led to the annual celebration of the said feast coinciding with the historic day of honor for workers worldwide. Joseph, the Lord’s foster father, was a
