Tag: Catholic


Jul
2015

A European Church Pilgrimage

categories: Church Life, Travel

Europe is known to have very beautiful churches. Those old (think Renaissance and Baroque), elaborately decorated, pipe-organ adorned, huge-domed churches. For the past Europe trip, one thing I made sure was to pray in a church in each city we’ll visit. I was happy to accomplish this, and more.

Here are the churches I visited:

1. Church of Our Lady Victorious/Infant Jesus of Prague (Karmelitská 9, 118 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic)

This was it, not an elaborately decorated facade in the middle of Karmelitska.
Hidden in tall greens, we found this n the middle of Karmelitska.

We got lost on our way, but was guided by some signages of shops bearing souvenirs of the Infant Jesus of Prague, and that Infant Jesus image on top. Sto. Nino, or the Infant Jesus, is very close to Filipinos. I can’t really remember if I was able to pass by this church the first time I was here in 2006, but I made sure to visit it this time.

Infant Jesus of Prague
Its name in Czech.

The Solemnity of the Sto. Nino is one of the most important feasts in our church community. Since it also coincides with the Children’s Mass, a special concelebrated Mass is always prepared, complete with drummers and dancers, reenactment of how the Sto. Nino came to our country, and some pakulo for the churchgoers after the Mass. And that our church is dedicated to the youth, I prayed even more for His blessing to our priests, volunteers, especially to our young volunteers (my own child included).

 

Prayed for all the children of the world to the Infant Jesus of Prague!
Lifted up all the children of the world to the Infant Jesus of Prague.

 

2. Katholische Kirche Salvator am Wienerfeld (Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1100 Wien, Austria)

Wasn't able to take photos, but this is where we performed.
Wasn’t able to take photos, but this is where we had our second performance for the trip.

It was a Sunday and our performance came after an English Mass for the Filipino community. The church was made of wood, you wouldn’t even notice it being a church at first.

As soon as I started my first note after we positioned, I knew it will be a great performance. Indeed, it was, that I immediately found a place to kneel and pray and thank the Lord for that wonderful performance of the Pasyon. The acoustics are so beautiful, it’s like the sound is instantly mixed.

 

3. Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien, Austria)

Touringkitty poses in front of the Stephansdom.
Touringkitty poses in front of the Stephansdom.

Vienna is definitely one of the cities I’d like to visit again and again. A trip to Vienna isn’t complete without visiting one of its busiest tourist centers, Stephansplatz, where St. Stephen’s Cathedral can be found. It has an active calendar of performances and concert masses, and my co-performers were able to catch one on the Sunday night we were there.

Here I am praying by the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Taken by my friend and co-performer, Ate Cherry.
Here I am praying by the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Taken by my friend and co-performer, Ate Cherry.

 

4. The Monastery of the Church of the Merciful Brothers (KOSTOL NAVŠTÍVENIA PANNY MÁRIE–Kostol MILOSTRDNÝCH BRATOV Nám. SNP 11 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia)

The instant day trip to Bratislava from Vienna (which was less than an hour away) took us to its tourist center. I saw this by the plaza, and found out it’s a Roman Catholic Church.

 

There was a Mass going on, and as I entered, it was the Consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Just stayed for a few moments, knelt where I was standing, and prayed.
Church of the Merciful Brothers.

There was a Mass going on, and as I entered, it was the Consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Just stayed for a few moments, knelt where I was standing, and prayed.

Kostol, Bratislava, Slovakia
After 30 minutes or so of searching the internet, I finally found what the name of the church was!

 

5. Basilica di San Marco (San Marco, 328, Venezia, Italy)

The Basilica at night. And those are 24K Gold, we found out.
The Basilica at night. Her gold shines bright. Chiesa d’Oro.

I was lucky enough to visit this church in both day and night times during this trip. During the daytime visit, we went inside the church, and there was a queue going in, which moved quickly. Made sure to offer prayers and candles, and buy some souvenirs for family and friends. No photos are allowed inside the church, so we took as much outside.

This was one! So happy to have made a jumpshot in Italy this time.
This was one! Jumpshot in Italy this time. With co-performers Leo and Jhom.

 

6. Santa Maria della Fava (Campo della Fava, Venezia, Italy)

I wasn't able to take a good photo of the church's facade, so here's the altar instead.
I wasn’t able to take a good photo of the church’s facade, so here’s the altar instead.

And yes, a Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help (on a Thursday night). Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hour was also held, just before a (very short) Italian Mass and then our concert followed.

Since this was the last official tour stop, I offered again candles and lots of prayers.

Again, in an image of our Mother and Her Child.
Again, in an image of our Mother and Her Child.

Take note that candles would cost about at least 0.50 Euros, or about 25 Philippine Pesos.

 

7. Propsteikirche St. Johann (Hohe Str. 2, 28195 Bremen, Germany)

St. Johann. And we weren't able to chance upon a Mass because the English Mass happens only every two Sundays.
St. Johann’s facade.

We weren’t able to chance upon a Mass because the English Mass happens only every two Sundays. Took a quick visit inside and look what’s the last thing I’d see:

Either I missed my husband, or my husband just assures me they're doing great back home.
A Saint Anthony! And those two candles on the left top portion were offered for my family and friends and their intentions.

Either I missed my husband, or my husband just assures me they’re doing great back home.

Seven churches in five cities. Hooray for this #TKEurope2015 achievement!

It was a humbling experience to see all of these beautiful churches, one pilgrimage I will never forget. And to have shared the music of the Pasyon to our audience, fellow Filipinos especially, it was a blessing to bless them with our music.
~ Touringkitty


Jan
2015

Papal Visit PH: All you need to know in one go

categories: Church Life, Touringkittyps

The Catholic Faithful are counting only a couple of days for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines! And as of this writing, he had arrived in Sri Lanka where, among other things, His Holiness will canonize an Indian saint.

How do we prepare ourselves for his visit? Here’s all we need to know in one go:

THE ITINERARY

Papal Itinerary as posted in social media sites.
Papal Itinerary as posted in social media sites.

Since the faithful are expected to welcome His Holiness, and given that this is an announced non-working holiday for Metro Manila, road closures will take effect starting Thursday, Wednesday for some. Details here. Likewise, as he visits Palo, Leyte, there will be road closures and rerouting. Details of Tacloban-Palo rerouting, which will take effect starting January 16 here.

THE LITURGY for the Mass at Quirino Grandstand: Download here. The copy of the liturgy was produced by Bayard Presse, an international publishing company sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists). Since limited printed copies are made available, the faithful are encouraged to download or print this copy for their use during the January 18 Concluding Mass of the Pope.

 

THE LITURGICAL MUSIC: Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ was commissioned by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President, Archbishop Soc Villegas, to compose what is now known as the Mass of Mercy and Compassion. The text is set to seven languages, and the scores are made available for download through this link, while study guides are available here, as recorded by the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Is it coincidence that a Francisco composed this music for the good Pope Francis? Maybe it’s Divine Intervention, who knows!

REMINDERS, REMINDERS, REMINDERS! Someone said to me that the cure for forgetfulness is a gentle reminder. Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, gives out several reminders for those who will take part in welcoming the People’s Pope, whether as volunteer, part of the liturgy, greeter, expectator. Watch the reminders for the Papal Visit here.

THE VISIT’S THEME SONG. Filipinos are well known for creating theme songs for everything. Since Filipinos are a very musical culture, it is but fitting that a song would forever remind us of Pope Francis’ visit. We are all God’s Children was created with that in mind, in which lyrics remind us why the Pope so wanted to visit our country–to bring the message of mercy and compassion, especially the victims of the typhoon two years ago, one of the highlights of his visit. Learn the song and hand actions in the video.

If we can recall, 20 years ago already, Tell the World of His Love still rings a bell, or a tune in our heads, in memory of Saint John Paul II’s (then Pope John Paul II) visit to Manila for the World Youth Day celebration.

Now we’re ready, we’re set, then let’s go welcome the Pope on Thursday! Whether you’re setting foot to where he is or not, check out the tips here so you could better prepare yourselves physically and spiritually (and musically!) for this rare event. If anything, I am just touched that the popes remember to visit our country. That’s why I look forward to his visit, and hopefully, get a glimpse of him in person, far or near.

 

~ Touringkitty