Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass is the Holy Mass celebrated by the bishop at the diocese’s cathedral church on Holy Thursday morning. Joined by the priests in the diocese, the celebration manifests the priests’ unity with their bishop. In the celebration, the bishop blesses three oils, namely the oil of catechumens, the oil
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
The final Sunday of Lent, which also serves as the beginning of Holy Week is called Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. On this day, the Catholic Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, days before his passion and death on the cross. In the Gospels,
Laetare Sunday
Other than the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), priests also don rose-colored vestments on the fourth Sunday of Lent which the church calls Laetare Sunday. Similar to the meaning of Gaudete, the Latin word Laetare as well means “rejoice”. On Laetare Sunday, the Catholic Church which observes fasting and
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
“You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter commemorates the authority that Jesus gave to Peter, appointing the Apostle to be the head of the Church. Originally,
Lent
Lent is a liturgical season in which Catholics dedicate 40 days of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection. The season begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates in the Holy Week. During the season, the faithful are called to practice abstinence and penance
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a holy day observed by Catholics in opening the season of Lent; it occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday. Wearing ashes on the head is a symbolic practice that has been a tradition of the Jews since ancient times in observing penance and fasting. Ashes have been
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes | World Day of the Sick
Our Lady of Lourdes On the 11th of February 1858, in the cave of Massabielle in Lourdes, a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous experienced a life-changing event that would be significant to the Church. It was an encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This encounter began a series of apparitions
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Annually on the second of February, the Catholic Church celebrates the day when Mary and Joseph presented the Child Jesus at the temple – the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The act of Mary and Joseph’s presentation of the Child Jesus at the temple is by the Law
Feast of Santo Niño
Viva Pit Señor! as exclaimed by the faithful in honor of the Holy Child Jesus meaning, “Long Live the Lord!” Yearly, on the third Sunday of January, the feast of Santo Niño brings festive celebrations in numerous cities all over the country, particularly in Cebu. With millions of people flocking
