The Universality of the Church is Evident Only in the Catholic Church!

11 Catholic Artists That Will Rock Your Playlist

Becky Roach
CatholicLink

You don’t hear a lot of Catholic music on the radio these days, but with the rise of the great artists we are featuring today hopefully that will change in the future. I hope you will enjoy this diverse list of both established Catholic musicians and a newcomers. These men and women have the gift of being able to lead us in prayer through their music.

Music has always been an important part of our worship during the Mass, but it doesn’t have to stay there! You can listen to these songs in your home, your car, or at the gym. In Colossians 3:16, St. Paul tells us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.., singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” I encourage you to try adding songs to your prayer time. Singing can help us to enter into deeper times of prayer and thanksgiving. (Don’t worry, even if you don’t sound quite as good as some of these artists, God will still hear your prayer.)

Find some time to listen to and reflect on these great songs by some of the best Catholic artists.

Audrey Assad

Inheritance , the fourth album from Audrey Assad, was just released in February and is already bringing in rave reviews.

"Audrey Assad had provided hints of both impact and inspiration on projects past, but Inheritance provides as much substance and style as any record will likely hold in 2016...Inheritance is a brilliant album, a heartening reminder of the centrality of Jesus in all things that captivates the listener, including but not limited to its musically. It's a rare triumph on both counts that should glow beautifully as one of the year's best." -- CCM Magazine (5-Star review)

Ike Ndola

Ike Ndolo is a worship leader at a Catholic Church in Arizona. He brings a soulful, contemporary sound to the Christian music scene.

Sarah Kroger

Sarah Kroger exudes a prayerful power with her beautiful vocals and lyrics that draw us deeper into worship. Her new single, This is My Story, will be released on March 16th.

Matt Maher

Matt Maher is probably the MOST Well Known Catholic music artist on our list. I have received three GRAMMY nominations esta past year and has preformed at the World Meeting of Families Both World Youth Day and in front of Pope Francis.

Adam & I

The indie folk style of Adam & I is sure to life your spirits and get you tapping your feet in no time! "A diamond in the rough, and a bright light shining in a sometimes dark industry... their songwriting guides you home...Adam & I make you come alive and gently restore your faith in good music." -Fresh Independence, (freshindependence.com)

PJ Anderson

PJ Anderson is another rising Catholic worship leader. I recently preformed at the Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC and has played at Present Several young adult and youth conferences.

Fr. Rob Galea

Fr Rob Galea was first "discovered" by the secular world When I auditioned for the Australian X factor, but ordained priest Have this - the Catholic rocking music scene for quite sometime Been. I have - Been on tour THROUGHOUT the US and Canada and you will be reliable to hear him at the 2016 World Youth Day.

Paul J. Kim

Paul J. Kim Brings a little Catholic rap ... err ... beatboxing to our list of Catholic artists. His music has filled some spirit and faith-based lyrics, but this guy is hilarious Present. Do not just listen to His Music, check out some of the video of the talks as well Have I Give.

Tori Harris

Tori Harris is another one of our up and coming Catholic worship leaders. Her mission is apparent as you listen to the lyrics she has written: "Through story and song to create environments of receptivity to the Holy Spirit."

Josh Blakesley Band

Another great mission from the Josh Blakesley Band - "The Josh Blakesley Band has acknowledged a simple calling: To make music that moves people into prayer and action."

The Vigil Project

The Vigil Project is not one band, but Several That Have come together to create "a multimedia resource for deep prayer and authentic encounter with God produced by a community of artists, musicians, and filmmakers. A seven-part series video of live-recorded songs and reflections is culminated by an invitation for the Church to "keep watch and pray" for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. "Check out Their website for more information about this great initiative.

Jesus Christ is the same God yesterday, God today and God forever! -Hebrews 13:8

EVM ACCESSION TO OFFICE AS EXECUTIVE MINISTER OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) IS ILLEGAL BASE ON HIS OWN EVIDENCE

Here is PART 2 of this article

BY BENITO AFLECK

September 11, 2016


FINAL PART
A N N E X E S - “D”

CORPORATION SOLE :

The CORPORATION SOLE lacks the usual trappings of a CORPORATION. It does not have a board of directors, officers, stocks, BY-LAWS, official minutes, or corporate name.

CORPORATION SOLE is a LEGAL ENTITY consisting of a single (“SOLE”) incorporated office occupied by a single (“SOLE”) NATURAL PERSON.

When you say AMENDED BY-LAWS , there is a PREVIOUS by laws . What will you amend when there is no BY LAWS since its a CORPORATION SOLE ? Is the AMENDED BY LAWS signed by six (6) signatories namely , EXECUTIVE MINISTER ERANO G. MANALO, BRO. EDUARDO V. MANALO ( Deputy Executive Minister ) BRO. BIENVENIDO C. SANTIAGO (General Evangelist) BRO. BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO ( General Secretary) , BRO. ERNESTO V. SURATOS ( General Treasurer) and BRO. GLICERIO B. SANTOS, JR (General Auditor) valid ?

Remember, its a CORPORATION SOLE and the EXECUTIVE MINISTER is the ONLY person who is the CORPORATION SOLE thus no need of any other signatories in executing, signing any representation under oath in behalf of the Iglesia ni Cristo. 

Assuming there is basis for them JUSTIFYING this so called AMENDED BY LAWS whether or not it is a valid document attested in the ACCESSION-TO-OFFICE of EVM , how will they accept the fact the document was signed April 25, 2007 a year ahead of the AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION duly signed and executed by late Brother ERANO G. MANALO dated April 23, 2008. Which is acurately VALID , the prior or the latest AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION ? How will a 2007 supersede a 2008 document ? Therefore its moot and academic , the AMENDED BY LAWS is not applicable in ACCESSION-TO-OFFICE since its null and void at the beginning.

Just for the sake of digesting the AMENDED BY LAWS it says ,

Article VII - Amendments :

x x x x

Section 1 . Amendments - These By-Laws or any of them may be amended or repealed by the Executive Minister or the Presiding Elder in consultation with the Church Council at any regular or special meeting duly called for the purpose. The form of the government as well as the rules and discipline of the “IGLESIA NI CRISTO” under the direction and supervision of the Executive Minister or Presiding Elder in accordance with the Holy Scriptures is hereby adopted.

x x x x “

Even in the mentioned paragraph of the Amended By Laws it is cleared that it “may” be amended or repealed by the Executive Minster or the Presiding Elder. Ka Erdy died, 2009 , sixteen (16) months after his AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION as well as twenty eight (28) months after the controversial AMENDED BY LAWS. The law says, “ to express one thing is to exlude another” (“ ESPRESSIO UNIUS EST EXCLUSIO ALTERIUS “ )

Don’t forget this Annexes “D-7” to “D-14”

Read: https://www.facebook.com/notes/benito-affleck/evm-accession-to-office-as-executive-minister-of-the-iglesia-ni-cristo-church-of/1642278949425157

ANNEXES “C” to “ C-7” - CERTIFICATE OF FILING AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION , AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST)

ANNEXES “ A” TO “A-5” is the MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING dated May 6, 1994 . Curiously , no inclusion of the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE executed by MINISTER ARNEL A. TUMANAN dated May 6, 1994. Instead what they included in the attachment of evidences in the ACCESSION-TO-OFFICE of EVM is the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE executed by MINISTER BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO dated September 1, 2009.

WHY ??? in the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE executed by AAT , there were 3 ISSUES RESOLVED . First, Creation of the position of DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER/PRESIDING ELDER;

Second, Number of Church Officers and members of the Church Council be increased;

Third and last , authorizing TEOFILO C. RAMOS, SR and ARNEL A. TUMANAN to execute, sign and deliver any and all documents or instrument that may be necessary and/or required for the foregoing purpose .

If you will notice it says, “ RESOLVED , That the By-Laws of the Church , it might be contradicting since its a CORPORATION SOLE. Don’t be confuse. It is clearly stated under the AMENDED INCORPORATION of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO (Church of Christ) signed by the late Brother Erano G. Manalo that;
“

x x x

Fifth , THAT, the undersigned is the CORPORATION SOLE and EXECUTIVE MINISTER or PRESIDING ELDER of religious corporation since 23 April 1963 .

 x x x

“The “BY-LAWS” of the church pertains to the INTERNAL AGREEMENT based on the ORIGINAL INCORPORATION of the IGLESIA ni CRISTO in SPANISH and amended it . Paragraph ELEVEN of the AMENDED INCORPORATION of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO ( CHURCH OF CHRIST ) thus,
“

x x x x

 Eleventh, THAT , the matter of APPOINTMENT and/or election at the case maybe, and the official functions of the officers above-mentioned , and other matters such as , but not limited to , membership , expulsion or delistment, temporalities, flag and seal of the corporation shall be set forth in the BY-LAWS of the religious incorporation.

 x x x x

“
The call for SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL presided by the Late Bro. TEOFILO C. RAMOS who was then the GENERAL EVANGELIST dated May 6, 1994 correlates with paragraph Eleven of the AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST)
In order to justify again the AFFIDAVIT OF ACCESSION TO OFFICE OF EVM , Annexes “A” to “A5” as part of their integral evidences .

BUT, there is a VITAL PART of the EVIDENCES they removed, its the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE signed and executed by MINISTER ARNEL A. TUMANAN which is missing and instead they submitted a misrepresented and fraudulent SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE OF BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO dated Sept. 1, 2009. How’s that ?

In the MINUTES of SPECIAL MEETING the last issue which was RESOLVED is that ,

“ x x x x RESOLVED lastly, that TEOFILO C. RAMOS, SR and ARNEL A. TUMANAN, be authorized as they are hereby authorized to execute, sign and deliver any and all documents or instruments that may be necessary and/or required for the foregoing purposes. x x x x

“
Why this was replaced by a fraud SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE signed and executed infront of a notary public using other’s ATTORNEY’S ROLL NUMBER ???

In the said SPECIAL MEETING , dated May 6, 1994 ,Paragraph E. DECLARATION AND INTENTION TO ELECT SUCCESSOR and Paragraph G. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF SUCCESSOR were included , but it never been RESOLVED as per SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE executed by MINISTER A. TUMANAN which CONTRADICTED the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE misrepresented by MINISTER BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO .

Paragraph 3 of the SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE executed by MINISTER BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO says ,

Evidently, EVM was unanimously elected as DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER , but the issue which was raised as SUCCESSOR to the EXECUTIVE MINISTER was not RESOLVED and CERTIFIED in the document filed in SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION on May 10, 1994.

So how can MINISTER BENEFRIDO C. SANTIAGO attest and certify a matter where in he is not an authorized to EXECUTE, SIGN and DELIVER any and all documents or instruments that may be necessary and/or required for such matter that happened in the SPECIAL MEETING dated May 6, 1994 ?

Subscribed and signed infront of a NOTARY PUBLIC who is using a different ATTORNEY’S ROLL NUMBER and IBP Number the day after Bro. Erano G. Manalo died ?

This is the real ATTORNEY’S ROLL NUMBER and IBP NUMBER OF ATTY. SUSAN MAY C. TUAZON (these numbers are for lifetime assigned to every individual lawyer practicing in the Philippines.

The owner of the ATTORNEY’S ROLL and IBP Numbers used by ATTY. SUSAN MAY C. TUAZON is ATTY. RESTITUTO LAZARO , how he will act on it ? Ignored ? Or let the SUPREMENT COURT act on it !

REMEMBER, this is not SIMPLE legal documents ... its the CHURCH at stake and the SEVEN (7) YEARS of messing up the sanctity of the CHURCH leads to nowhere ... CHAOTIC unholy due to CORRUPTIONS (whether you admit it or NOT ) EVERYTHING that the present ADMINISTRATION entered since the day he ACCESSED to office is a LARGE SCALE of FRAUD , since its NULL and VOID at beginning. THERE IS NO ELECTION FOR THE EXECUTIVE MINISTER . EVM until now is the DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER until further ELECTION for the EXECUTIVE MINISTER be place.

I qoute what he says in his speech after he was elected as DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER , May 6, 1994.

“ He is ONE with the CHURCH in praying that succession be made UNNECESSARY and instead the EXECUTIVE MINISTER be with the CHURCH UNTIL THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ...”

EVM took his oath as DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) May 1994 . The AMENDED INCORPORATION OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) signed and executed by the late EXECUTIVE MINISTER , BRO. ERANO G. MANALO dated APRIL 23, 2008 still binding and nullifies all the claim pertaining to DEPUTY EXECUTIVE MINISTER EDUARDO V. MANALO , ACCESSION-TO-OFFICE AS EXECUTIVE MINISTER OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) based on their EVIDENCES presented .

SAINT TERESA OF KOKLATA, NOW WORTHY OF OUR DEVOTION AMONG THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN!

St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata, Pray for us!

CNA: This is Mongolia's first native priest: Father Joseph Enkh Baatar

By Antonio Anup Gonsalves

Fr. Joseph Enkh Baatar celebrates his first Mass, Aug. 28, 2016. Photo courtesy of Mbumba Prosper, CICM

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Aug 30, 2016 / 04:47 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday Mongolia witnessed the ordination of its first indigenous priest, Fr. Joseph Enkh Baatar, a 29-year-old man who represents the first fruits of 24 years of missionary work in the east Asian country.

Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, the prefect of Ulaanbaatar, ordained Joseph Enkh Baatar a priest at an Aug. 28 Mass at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the Mongolian capital.

“Fr. Joseph’s ordination is a blessing of God and a moment of immense joy and inspiration for our young Mongolian Church,” Chamingerel Ruffina, a member of the organizing committee for communications at the National Catechetical Center of Mongolia, told CNA Aug. 30.

The first modern mission to Mongolia was established in 1922 and was entrusted to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But under a communist government influenced by the Soviet Union, religious expression was soon thereafter suppressed.

Bishop Padilla, a member of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was one of the first three missionaries allowed into Mongolia in 1992, after the fall of communism. He became superior of the mission in Mongolia, and was instrumental in helping to discern Fr. Baatar's vocation.

The bishop praised God for the historic moment of the apostolic prefecture's first native vocation, and prayed that many more such vocations would arise to help the local Church.

The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, apostolic nuncio to Mongolia and Korea; Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik of Daejon, in South Korea; and more than 100 priests from South Korea and Hong Kong.

More than 1,500 persons attended the Mass, including dignitaries of foreign embassies, local Orthodox churches, and Buddhist monks. The Mass was followed by joyous festival.

Ruffina commented that “This meaningful liturgical celebration of the sacrament of priestly ordination conducted in their own indigenous language gave an opportunity to the faithful to actually witness in proximity, to celebrate, and to understand the various steps in preparation for the priesthood and the ordination rite.”

The faithful of Mongolia had prepared for the event by reciting a novena to St. Paul to strengthen their missionary spirit during the Year of Mercy.

Fr. Baatar was born June 24, 1987. He lost his father at a young age, and his sister introduced him to the Catholic faith. His dream of joining the priesthood was initially postponed, due to his family's strong desire that he complete his university studies.

After graduating with a degree in biotechnology and with the support of his family, he then applied to become a seminarian for the Prefecture Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar.

Fr. Baatar entered the Daejeon seminary in South Korea, and was ordained a deacon in December 2014.

Concluding the Mass, the newly ordained priest profoundly thanked his family and his mentors at the seminary, especially Bishop You. He also praised the important role played by Bishop Padilla through his support of his vocation.

Fr. Baatar urged the faithful to pray for his priestly ministry so that he could faithfully fulfill his ordination motto, chosen from the gospel of Luke: "Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me."

“I thank the Lord who has called me to serve Him through the priesthood. I am also grateful to all the people who have helped me respond to this calling,” Fr. Baatar expressed.

Bishop You reminded the new priest that “the best way of announcing the good news is a life of witnessing.”

Commenting on the vast missionary work that lies ahead in Mongolia, the South Korean bishop said, “Fr. Joseph, being a Mongolian citizen, has to live as a missionary in his own country.”

Ruffina also recounted that the parishioners of Saint Mary’s parish gave Fr. Baatar a Bible which was handwritten by the parishioners themselves.

A young family ministry volunteer, Clara Gantesetseg, told CNA that “the ordination gift of Fr. Joseph Enkh is sign of hope to our people in Mongolia, and a special a gift during this Year of Mercy.”

Clara noted that “Fr. Joseph’s indigenous roots, his cultural and life experiences of his own and the people, will help to transcend the teachings of the Church to the local culture for better understanding, and also will foster interreligious dialogue.”

Among the guests at the Mass was the Abbot Dambajav of Dashi Choi Lin Buddhist Monastery. He praised the efforts of the Catholic Church and encouraged Fr. Baatar to take up the responsibility of helping the Mongolian people. He also gave the new priest a blue khadag, a ceremonial scarf, as a mark of friendship.

Ruffina pointed out that the Buddhist monk's participation and his kind words of encouragement will further forge bonds of friendship and interreligious dialogue between the communities for peaceful co-existence.

A little over half Mongolia's population is Buddhist, and following the decades of communist rule, 39 percent of Mongolia's population is non-religious. Islam, shamanism, and Christianity have mere footholds among the people.

The Prefecture Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar serves all of the estimated 1,200 Catholics in the country, which has a population of 3 million. In 2014, the local Church had three diocesan priests, who were aided by 14 religious.

CHURCH AND MASS ETIQUETTE: TOP 9 REMINDERS ON LOVING JESUS IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Article shared from Catholics Striving for Holiness

CHURCH AND MASS ETIQUETTE:

TOP 9 REMINDERS ON

LOVING JESUS IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Do I properly conduct myself inside the Church and attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with love, affection, attention, taking care of the details of piety which Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is really present in the Holy Eucharist, deserves from me?

Dear friends: In preparation for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi), we shall take up 9 simple but very important reminders regarding CHURCH AND MASS ETIQUETTE. As St. John Paul II once said directing himself to the priests, “a priest’s worth depends on the worth of his Eucharistic life, above all his Holy Mass” (Speech, Feb. 16, 1984). And St. Josemaria wrote:

How great is the value of piety in the holy liturgy! I was not at all surprised when someone said to me a few days ago, talking about a model priest who had died recently: “What a saint he was!”—“Did you know him well?” I asked.—“no,” she said, “but I once saw him saying mass.”
-St. Josemaria, The Forge, n. 645.

We can apply these ideas and examine ourselves: How is our love for Jesus in the Holy Mass, in the Eucharist? Our love for Christ is palpably manifested by the love and attention we place to how we attend and take care the Holy Mass and how we comport ourselves inside the Church.

On this regard, we can enumerate some points which would help in our piety (and that of others as well ;D ) when we are in the Church and during the Holy Mass, OUT OF LOVE AND AFFECTION FOR JESUS, TRULY, REALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY PRESENT IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST, BECAUSE THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS IS THE MOST SUBLIME ACT OF THANKSGIVING AND GLORIFICATION OF GOD DURING WHICH JESUS, OUT OF LOVE FOR US, COMES DOWN TO THE ALTAR TO BE WITH US, AND BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS THE HOUSE OF GOD, A PLACE OF WORSHIP.

“Love our Lord very much. Maintain and foster in your soul a sense of urgency to love Him better. Love God precisely now when perhaps a good many of those who hold Him in their hands do not love him, but rather ill—treat and neglect him. Be sure to take good care of the Lord for me, in the Holy Mass and throughout the whole day!”
-St. Josemaria, The Forge, n. 438

And for us, my brother priests, LET US STRIVE DAILY TO CELEBRATE THE HOLY SACRIFICE ON THE ALTAR WITH MORE PIETY, ATTENTION AND DEVOTION.

1. THE CHURCH AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP AND THE HOUSE OF GOD.

The Church is the house of God and a holy place of worship. Hence, we must show our respect and devotion by avoiding inappropriate actions such as:

• INNAPROPRIATE POSTURE: slacking, crossing one’s legs (too relaxed, not a liturgical posture)

• EATING: the Church is not the appropriate place to take some snacks, chew a gum, or take softdrinks ….Another issue would be to feed infants or children who have not reached the age of reason: there’s no problem with that. Nor is there a problem in places where there is a heat wave and the infants or elderly have the risk of dehydration…they can bring a bottled water if there’s a need.

• APPROPRIATE ATTIRE: What dress would you wear when you are to meet an important person? You would wear something elegant, presentable and appropriate for the occasion. The Holy Mass is a divine moment and it is important to be well-groomed and dressed appropriately with clean clothes. Modesty as well is a must. One cannot wear the same clothes for the Mass and for sports or for the beach. Help others to live the Mass well by living the virtue of modesty, avoiding to attract people with one’s inappropriate attire. It is a holy celebration –the commemoration of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection- and your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, so cover it as it is only meant for your loved one.

• USE OF PHONES IN SILENT MODE: I once saw a sign on the wall of the entrance to a Church in Manila depicting a PHONE with a SLASHED SIGN and with the caption below: “TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES SO YOU CAN STAY TUNE-IN WITH OUR LORD” and below, another illustration, showing the dress code and the inappropriate dress for Mass (sleeveless shirts, very short shorts, mini skirts). Out of respect to Our Lord and to contribute to a prayerful and recollected atmosphere, let us avoid at all costs the use of smartphones during the Mass. If one has a justified reason (a doctor on call, a sick person in the family, emergency calls…) one may attend to calls in a discreet manner, having the phone in a silent or vibrate mode and quietly leaving the Church rather than receiving the calls or texting inside the Church.

• Nevertheless, smartphones have to possibility to contain religious, spiritual books and including the missal…so if you see a person using his smartphone, don’t commit the error of making a harsh, pharisaical judgment, even just mentally, for he may be doing his mental prayer, spiritual reading or following the Holy Mass with his e-book missal.

• SILENCE AND SPIRIT OF RECOLLECTION: The Church as a house of prayer must be a tranquil place conducive for prayer. It is not the proper place to make chit chats with an acquaintance or friends. There will be other places and opportunities for that. If you have children who are crying or who make a lot of noise during the Holy Mass, kindly bring them outside the Church so as to help the priest and the faithful follow the Mass with attention. By doing so, you are living charity to your fellowmen. On the priest’s part….patience…no need to get angry but rather take advantage to pray for the baby and his parents.

2. PROPER GREETING: GENUFLECTION

• Social etiquette requires different modes of greeting a person as a sign of courtesy and respect: Japanese make the bow, friends shake hands, soldiers salute their superiors, people stand up when an important person passes by… Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle and AS A SIGN OF SUBMISSION, ADORATION, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, FAITH, RESPECT AND LOVE, WE BEND OUR KNEE WHEN WE PASS IN FRONT OF THE TABERNACLE.

• In some Churches, the tabernacles are placed on a side altar and IT IS A VERY GOOD CUSTOM TO LOOK FOR THE TABERNACLE TO GREET OUR LORD UPON ENTERING THE CHURCH.

• The presence of Our Lord inside the tabernacle is indicated by a LIGHTED VOTIVE CANDLE and/or a VEIL COVERING THE TABERNACLE.

3. PROPER GREETING 2: REVERENCE OR BOWING IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR

• The altar represents Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the reason why the priest, in the beginning of the Mass, bows (makes a “reverence” in front of the altar) and kisses it: a kiss directed to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

• When we enter the Church and see the altar (without the tabernacle located in the center), as a sign of reverence, we make a bow towards the altar which represents Jesus Christ.

4. ONE-HOUR EUCHARISTIC FAST

• The Eucharistic fast is calculated from the time you finished eating till the moment of Communion and not till the beginning of the Holy Mass. So you see, it’s quite easy J

• The reason behind the Church law to live the Eucharistic fast (from food and liquids other than water) is to remind the communicants that we are not receiving an ordinary bread but the Body of Christ, Christ Himself.

• Those who are sick are not obliged to live the fast.

5. PUNCTUALITY

• We must ARRIVE ON TIME, WHICH MEANS AT LEAST 5- 10 MINS BEFORE THE START OF THE MASS TO RECOLLECT ourselves and spend a few minutes of prayer.

• If we wouldn’t want to be late for an important job interview, or for a meeting with a very important person, the more reason we wouldn’t want to be late for the Holy Mass, where it is God who awaits us.

6. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION:

• The Second Vatican Council’s document on the Sacred Liturgy, “Sacrosantum Concilium” encourages the faithful to actively participate during the Holy Mass.

• ACTIVE PARTICIPATION REQUIRES PUTTING ALL OUR FACULTIES AND SENSES, BODY AND SOUL, TO FOLLOW THE PRAYERS AND READINGS, RESPONDING OR SINGING TO THE PARTS WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE FAITHFUL, WITH ATTENTION, PIETY AND DEVOTION.

• ACTIVE PRESENCE: We must not forget that it is possible to be present in the Church (and its vicinities, e.g., outside the Church where men prefer to stay or young people who wish to be with their friends) without having attended the Holy Mass…so some effort we have to exert to make the most out of the commemoration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, which we celebrate in the Holy Mass.

• LISTENING WITH ATTENTION: Using a missal or a mass leaflet helps a lot to follow the readings with attention and get the most out of the Word of God and the Holy Mass in general.

• HOMILY: We, priests, must prepare our homilies in order to transmit the Word of God, avoiding at all costs, lengthy, fuzzy sermons which bore the faithful and losing a very important opportunity in catechizing and evangelizing those who are present. Homilies which last more than 10 minutes are usually counterproductive. Simple, few, concrete ideas with practical application based on the readings of the Mass nurture the soul of our brethren.

7. GESTURES: PRAYING WITH THE BODY

• EACH GESTURE BY THE PRIEST AND BY THE FAITHFUL HAS A LITURGICAL/SPIRITUAL MEANING.

• For example, we STRIKE OUR BREAST during the “I confess” to signify our contrition; we STAND UP during the Gospel as a sign of respect to the Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ or readiness to do God’s will; we KNEEL DOWN during the Consecration as a sign of adoration and faith on the miracle of the Transubstantiation when the bread is converted into Christ’s Body and the wine, to His Blood. Those who have problems of kneeling down due to weakness, old age, or illness (gout, arthritis etc.) may remain standing.

• On the PRIEST’S part, when HE OPENS HIS HANDS during the Collect prayer, Prayer over the Gifts and Prayer after Communion, this gesture directed towards heaven is a sign of humble supplication towards the Blessed Trinity to listen and grant his pleas on behalf of the faithful: the priest is a mediator between God and man.

• When he PUTS HIS HANDS PALMS DOWN OVER THE GIFTS, He invokes God to send the Holy Spirit towards the bread and wine he is about to consecrate “in persona Christi”, meaning “in the person of Christ”. When he genuflects after the consecration of the bread and wine during which the miracle of the Transubstantiation occurs, he does it out of adoration towards the Real Presence of Christ!

• LET US LEARN TO PRAY NOT ONLY WITH OUR MIND AND LIPS, BUT WITH OUR ENTIRE BEING AS WELL, doing the gestures which correspond to us during the different moments of the Holy Mass, putting our heart in them as well. With this, we pray with our entire being: body and soul.

8. COMMUNION

• As a sign of our faith and love towards the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, it is important to show some REVERENCE AND AFFECTION TO OUR LORD BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER WE RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION.

• BEFORE: Make ACTS OF FAITH, ACTS OF LOVE, SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONS. Above all, we should ask ourselves if we have the proper dispositions to receive Our Lord, i.e., if we are in the STATE OF GRACE (with no mortal sin).

• DURING: When we receive Communion, it is important to acknowledge God’s Real Presence with a sign of reverence which could be a BOW, or KNEELING DOWN…depending on the customs and circumstances in each church or diocese.

• THE IDEAL WAY TO RECEIVE OUR LORD IN COMMUNION IS TO RECEIVE HIM BY MOUTH. Why? To avoid the possibility that some small particles of the Sacred Host will remain in our hands(if we are to receive it in this manner)and get lost or dropped on the floor. Nevertheless, you have the freedom to choose if in your diocese, your Bishop allows reception of Communion by hand. But the priest cannot force you to receive it by the hand if you wish to receive Communion by mouth.

• AFTER: Recollect yourself and be aware that you have God in your body and soul! These are the MOST IMPORTANT MINUTES OF THE WEEK (OR DAY). And when two people who are in love are together, they make the most out of it and they are not at all in a hurry to part ways! It is logical and advisable then that you talk to Our Lord: thank Him, tell Him that you love Him, say sorry for your sins, ask Him a lot not only for your needs and those of your loved ones, but for the Pope, for the needs of the Church, of those who are suffering due to whatever cause, for the holy souls in purgatory, for the conversion of sinners, for vocations….Have a big heart and it’s time to be an insistent beggar to Our Lord!
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9. DON’T RUN TO THE EXIT AFTER THE MASS:)

• The Holy Mass ends AFTER the priest gives the blessing and says: “The Mass is ended, go in peace” (or another formula. As a sign of good education and respect, WE REMAIN STANDING TILL THE PRIEST LEAVES THE PRESBYTERY.

• If we have received communion, it is good to spend some few minutes of THANKSGIVING to Our Lord in our body and soul, PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN OUR BODY (DON’T FORGET: THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT OF THE WEEK!), then leaving the Church quietly so as not to distract others. We must avoid being in a hurry, leaving the Church immediately: it could be a sign of lack of delicacy with Our Lord.

Well, these are some ideas which will help us live the proper Church and Mass etiquette out of love, respect and devotion for God really present in the Holy Eucharist. I’m sure there are more details which could be added, since love takes care of little things and consists in small details of affection, but for now, this would be sufficient.

Praying daily for the spiritual fruits of this page.

Do help me pray for this intention as well.

Take care and God bless you and your loved ones!

-Fr. Rolly Arjonillo, priest of Opus Dei. CATHOLICS STRIVING FOR HOLINESS. We are also in Facebook: www.facebook.com/CatholicsstrivingforHoliness Hope you like our page and invite your friends as well to do so in order to help more people.

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VATICAN RADIO: Pope Francis receives Facebook CEO in private audience

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, on Monday in a private audience in the Vatican.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said: “They spoke about how to use communication technologies to alleviate poverty, encourage a culture of encounter, and help deliver a message of hope, especially to those people who are most disadvantaged.”

(Photo source:  Facebook Page of Vatican Radio)