Thursday, August 07, 2008 Jubilee Year and Legion of Mary By Luci Lizares
THE past three weeks have been such a significant and meaningful sacred journey, bringing me to spiritual heights. And because they have been most personally noteworthy, I will try to share my momentous experience with you one experience at a time.
Just recently, we had the ordination of Fr. Gerry Alminaza as auxiliary bishop for Jaro, Iloilo. The ordination was performed by no less than the Papal Nuncio officiating and at the Cathedral at this very special year of the Diamond Jubilee of our diocese. Seventy-five good years as a diocese separate from Jaro where we were originally linked by a Papal Bull from Rome.
To the faithful, a pilgrimage to the Cathedral will entitle all to many plenary indulgences. Being a mandated lay organization by the Catholic Church, the Legion of Mary decided to make its pilgrimage as a group. With instructions to meet at the City Plaza by 8 a.m., ladies and gentlemen in white that make up Mary's countless legions in Negros Occidental started trickling. Fr. Louie Galbines, who was to be our spiritual guide in this pilgrimage, was amazed as he saw thousands coming together in formation for a short procession to the Cathedral and praying the Rosary.
As per the Jubilee's record, the Legion of Mary is the single lay organization to fill the whole Cathedral. It was a hair-raising experience, intimated by Fr. Louie, as a sea of white clothed men and women occupy all pews and added more seats to accommodate everyone.
A pilgrimage is a holy journey. It is a physical journey because your presence is required. It is a psychological journey because the prayers and the quiet moments allow the pilgrim to go deep into herself/himself and assess her/his private closeness with her/his Maker. It is a spiritual journey because your direct prayers afford you to plead to God your intentions.
It is a pilgrimage of silence, of prayer, of thanksgiving, of gratitude, of remembering how God has touched us as His people. It is also a pilgrimage of moving forward and together as a community - a community that gains it strength from the very foundation of hope - a hope that inspires; a hope that nourishes; a hope that enriches!
To comply with the Jubilee requirements, one must pass through the main door of the Cathedral, which is called the Holy Door. As you do, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, the clergy, the religious and your particular family.
As we were seated, we sang songs, some in Latin, some in Spanish, most in English. But I was most touched with the repetition of the words of one song which succinctly described our conversation with our Lord at that moment as it went like this: "Stay with me, Remain here with me, watch and pray." So simple and yet it seemed to say everything of what our God is asking of us. To stay and remain with Him in quiet prayer and to watch and pray. That placed us well in tune with the 'moment' experience.
Fr. Cris Gonzales gave us a power point tour of the history and highlights of our diocese's 75 years. Monsignor Lladoc was the very first bishop. The Cathedral was constructed in 1936. The second bishop, Manuel Yap from Carcar, Cebu and the third bishop was the 1st Negrense to be ordained: Antonio Y. Fortich. The tombs of the three bishops, situated at the right and left side of the main altar, are part of the pilgrimage 'must do' activity. Included also is the tomb of Bishop Vicente Salgado, found at the crypt.
To avail of the plenary indulgence, one must be at the state of grace so a confession would be most advisable and to end the pilgrimage with mass and receiving of Holy Communion. Speaking of Holy Communion, Fr. Louie was at a lost on how he was going to give communion to 2,000 members of the Legion of Mary present. But God was most pleased with the number of His mighty legion that He had four priests: Msgr. Gigi Gaston (who just came to deliver something to the Cathedral), Fr. Paskin, and Fr. Cris Gonzales joining the parade of priests to give Holy Communion. It was a pretty sight.
People travel far and wide to avail of indulgences. Lourdes is celebrating 150 years of the Blessed Mother's apparition to Bernadette and many are making a beeline there but we need not go to such lengths because we have in our midst the very same opportunities and plenary indulgences with the celebration of the Jubilee Year.
The pilgrimage is not exclusive to lay organizations. Families are most welcome and our God will be most happy to see an entire family coming through the Holy Door and visiting the many tombs of our bishops.
The Jubilee Year comes but once in most lifetimes. It is a gift and a grace that is at hand. Why not avail of it? It culminates in October...don't wait for the last minute...do it now. It is truly an experience.
