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Masses Are Plenty But The Laborers Are Few

by on 21 October 2005 in Pope & The Vatican

The priest who would become Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle was my professor in Theology, way back about a decade ago. He was simply Fr. Chito then, not yet the oft-quoted Monsignor Tagle. He impressed me as a professor who is very articulate and clear in his presentation of complicated theological and philosophical concepts. He was progressive in his thinking, pastoral in his approach to his priestly ministry and dialogic in his dealings with people.

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Podcast: Two Choirs And A Pope

by on 18 May 2005 in Podcast, Pope & The Vatican

This podcast features an acappella tune performed live by the U.P. Manila Chorale and a lively melody from the choir of the Filipino Catholic Community of Rotterdam. The message of Pope Benedict XVI during his fourth weekly general audience on 18 May 2005 is also featured in this podcast.

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Podcast: Conversation With A Saintmaker

by on 14 May 2005 in Podcast, Pope & The Vatican

In this podcast I converse with Fr. Raymond Dossman, a French missionary of the Sacred Heart (MSC). He is a saintmaker. We talk about the process of beatification. Who can be beatified? What does it take to be beatified and eventually canonized as saint. This is in view of the recent announcement that the process to beatify Pope John Paul II has begun. And after my conversation with the saintmaker I will play a song by Josh Martin, a Christian rock singer.

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Friday the Thirteenth

by on 13 May 2005 in Evangelization, Pope & The Vatican

Friday the 13th is often associated with the morbid, the horrific, the superstitious. There is even a word for it’s phobia – paraskevidekatriaphobia – which means “fear of Friday the 13th.” During dinner I was seated with four MSC confreres and we discussed the significance of this day. What I gathered from our discussion is that May 13th is quite significant in the Catholic world for the following reasons

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Podcast: 3rd Weekly Papal Audience

by on 11 May 2005 in Podcast, Pope & The Vatican

“Take courage; I have overcome the world!” (Jn 16:33). Pope Benedict XVI quoted this New Testament verse during his third weekly general audience this morning at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Listen to the podcast for his full message.

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Podcast: Why the Pope Chose the Name Benedict XVI

by on 28 April 2005 in Evangelization, Podcast, Pope & The Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI held his first weekly general audience on Wednesday, April 27, in St. Peter’s Square. He took the opportunity to explain why he chose the papal name Benedict. Listen to this podcast to find out.

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Inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI

by on 24 April 2005 in Evangelization, Journeys, Pope & The Vatican

The red dot on the photo marks the exact spot where I was seated during the two-hour mass for the inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. I had a kind of bird’s eye view of the whole celebration. The mass began with the Laudes Regiae, a solemn invocation of the entire host of [...]

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Pope Benedict XVI

by on 20 April 2005 in Evangelization, Journeys, Pope & The Vatican

Many say that he will be a conservative pope in the sense that he will staunchly defend traditional Catholic doctrines and say no to women ordination, same-sex marriage, abortion, artificial contraceptives, and liberation theology. I am not sure what kind of Pontiff he will be, but I hope that he will pay close attention to socio-political issues, particularly the promotion of the rights of children, women, migrants, the oppressed, the powerless, and the poor.

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We Have A New Pope

by on 19 April 2005 in Evangelization, Pope & The Vatican

I have just heard the tolling of the bells here in Rome and have seen the white smoke on TV. I am now going to the Vatican to welcome the new pope. You may watch it live via this link: Vatican Television. RealPlayer is required.

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Steps

by on 8 April 2005 in Evangelization, Pope & The Vatican

Last Wednesday evening I went to the Vatican to pay homage to the Holy Father. I braved the chilly night and waited in line for 13 hours. Here is my story:

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