Circulars

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

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Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

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Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

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Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

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Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

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Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023) Read More »

Circulars

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must keenly observe and properly discern when to observe safety measures for the sake of others and oneself.
  2. Sanitation of hands. Let us continue to make available the alcohol dispensers in our parish churches and venues of celebrations, transactions, meetings, and activities. We encourage everyone to make it a habit to sanitize hands before, during, and after every church activity or whenever necessary. Ministers of communion will continue to practice sanitizing their hands before distributing communion to the faithful.
  3. Holy Communion. We request our parishes and communities to re-catechize our people on the reverent reception of holy communion. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal reminds us:
    a. The faithful may receive communion “either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant” (GIRM, no. 160)
    b. “…the Lord’s body and blood should be received as spiritual food by those of the faithful who are properly disposed” (GIRM, no. 80). We encourage our parishioners to have frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Penance.
    c. The communion minister “raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen” (GIRM, no.161).
    d. “When receiving holy communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the body of the Lord from the minister… as soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it” (GIRM, no. 160).
    e. “It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves” (GIRM, no. 160).
    f. “It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass…so that even by means of the signs communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated” (GIRM, no. 85)
    g. During concelebrations, communion by intinction will be practiced as provided by GIRM, no. 249.
  4. Sign of Peace. During the giving of the Sign of Peace, “all express to one another peace, communion, and charity” (GIRM, no. 154) through a bow, a handshake, and for family members through a kiss or an embrace. All these must be done with solemnity, grace, prudence, and charity.
  5. Masses outside the Church. Masses held in private houses are permitted only on two occasions namely: for gravely ill persons and Funeral Masses when the bodily remains or cremated remains of the dead are still present in the house (in corpore presente). Pastors must ensure that Masses outside the Church, like street or barangay Masses, are celebrated with dignity and according to liturgical norms.
  6. Proper vestments. Having received observations from our parishioners, may we remind our priests that the principal celebrant of the Mass must always wear the alb, the stole, and the chasuble (GIRM, no. 337). Concelebrants may likewise wear the alb, stole, and chasuble or “simply wear the stole over the alb” (GIRM, no. 209). The other ministers wear albs or other approved attire (GIRM, no. 119) with the consideration that this is a reminder of our baptismal dignity and that lay ministry is a fruition of baptismal grace.
  7. Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Francis has issued an urgent call to intensify the practice of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. Our parishes have already opened the Adoration Chapels with consideration for proper ventilation and the observance of necessary health and safety protocols.

We reiterate the call of our bishops for the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with a purified heart, with renewed amazement, with an increased desire to meet the Lord, to be with him, to receive him and bring him to our brothers and sisters with the witness of a life full of faith, love, and hope.”

 

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
 Archbishop of Manila

 

 

 

Updated Protocols for Liturgical Celebrations

Circular No. 2023 – 61 10 August 2023 TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted …

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Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

As we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the victims of typhoon Egay, we will also help our brothers and sisters in the alleviation of their sufferings. We will have a second collection in our parishes and communities during all Masses on Saturday evening (29 July 2023) and the whole day of Sunday (30 July 2023).

Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Office of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 4 August 2023.

I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal blessings and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

Second Collection for the Victims of Typhoon Egay

Circular No. 2023 – 58 27 July 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON EGAY Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! As we offer our prayers and sacrifices …

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Circulars

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023)

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated as Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday. In solidarity with the BECS in all the dioceses of the Philippines, our Ministry on BEC Promotion and Formation headed by Fr. Benjie Ledesma, is requesting that we recite the attached prayer after Post Communion Prayer in our Masses on Saturday evening, 3 June,and the whole day of Sunday, 4 June.

We are likewise requested to have a second collection during our Masses. This will be for the programs and activities of the BEC Ministry. Kindly remit all collections to the Accounting Department of the Arzobispado de Manila on or before 16 June 2023.

Thank you very much. Let us unite ourselves in prayer.

 

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

(signed)
FR. CARMELO. ARADA, JR.
Vice Chancellor

 

 

 

   

Basic Ecclesiastical Communities (BEC) Sunday (4 June 2023)

Circular No. 2022-40 18 May 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS, RECTORS, MISSION STATION PRIESTS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC) SUNDAY (4 JUNE 2023) Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared that every Trinity Sunday will be celebrated …

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Circulars

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Circular No. 2023 – 29
16 March 2023

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a circular entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches, which pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10).”

In the Archdiocese of Manila, we followed the principle that in situations when there is impossibility or difficulty to fulfill an obligation, the obligation is naturally suspended. Thus, during the pandemic, with the difficulty and even impossibility of fulfilling the Sunday obligation of the faithful, the said obligation was naturally suspended. Considering that “the pandemic has weakened and our official health experts have placed the country into more relaxed health protocols…our people move freely and return to their normal life,” the resumption of the obligation of the faithful to participate in the Sunday Eucharist has naturally taken effect.

As we strongly encourage our faithful to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion, we wish to reiterate the following recommendations:

1. We request our parishes to evaluate the frequency of livestreaming of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.

2. We encourage our communities to continue the implementation of health protocols in our parish churches and venues for liturgical celebrations. We make sure that are faithful are convinced that they are safe in our Churches and venues for the liturgical celebrations.

3. The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online.

4. The constant catechesis on the necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist should be explained in our homilies and in our catechesis.

5. The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion.

6. The holy water fonts, which have been emptied during the pandemic, can now be used after the Easter Vigil.

Thank you very much. I gladly take this opportunity to assure you of my paternal and prayerful solicitude.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 

+ JOSE F. CARDINAL ADVINCULA
Archbishop of Manila

 

 

On the Obligation of the Faithful to Participate in the Sunday Eucharist

Circular No. 2023 – 29 16 March 2023 TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, TEAM MINISTRY MODERATORS AND MEMBERS,RECTORS, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: ON THE OBLIGATION OF THE FAITHFUL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST Dear Reverend Monsignori and Fathers, Greetings of peace in the Lord! On 14 October 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ …

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Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 62
14 August 2023

TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA
RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023)

Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, from January to July 2023.

As we congratulate and promise our support and prayers to the new appointees, we likewise thank their predecessors for their generous and dedicated service to the Lord and the Church in their respective ministries.

Be assured of our support and prayers for all your pastoral endeavors for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

 

Most sincerely in Christ,

(signed)
FR. ISIDRO T. MARINAY
Chancellor

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023)

Circular No. 2023 – 62 14 August 2023 TO: ALL CLERGY, RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN, AND LAY COLLABORATORS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA RE: SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENTS (JANUARY TO JULY 2023) Dear Brother-Priests, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings of peace in the Lord! Please find herewith the summary of appointments issued by His Eminence …

Summary of Appointments (January to July 2023) Read More »

Circulars

Circular No. 2023 – 61
10 August 2023

TO: ALL THE CLERGY, MEN AND WOMEN IN CONSECRATED LIFE, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We thank the Lord that the global pandemic is over, and our government has lifted the public health emergency. The pandemic has brought upon us so many difficulties, losses, and deprivations – sickness, deaths, loss of livelihood, depression, and separation from loved ones. As one doctor said, “The cruelty of COVID allowed no hugs or tearful goodbyes.” Grieving the death of fellow medical practitioners and other front liners, she said, “Many of these heroes will not be there to hear our thanks – nor the peal of wedding bells, or their child’s first word, or the sob of a daughter being walked to the altar.”

Nevertheless, there are also things that we can be more grateful for. We have discovered a sense of mission and fostered a season of selflessness. We found a new sense of purpose as many were able to spend more time with family and loved ones, and our homes have truly become domestic churches. We have developed an inner life as we confronted our fears and allowed our new selves to emerge. While we went through a time of loss and dying, it was also a time of life-giving decisions and better relationships in the family, in society, and in the Church. We have seen heroes and saints next door.

For the vibrant faith of Filipino Catholics, it was unimaginable for us that we were not able to gather in our churches for the Eucharist because of restrictions. We were prevented from having the usual exuberant celebration of fiestas, Christmas, and Holy Week because of the rise of COVID cases. “The painful and sad experience of the deprivation of our faithful of the sacramental experience,” our bishops said, “has enabled us to discover anew the necessity of the liturgical life of the church.” Our hope is that this sense of deprivation has generated in us a resolve that we will not take for granted going to Mass, receiving communion, and seeking the sacraments.

Last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued an exhortation entitled Encouraging the Faithful to Return to Sunday Masses in Churches. Our bishops pointed out that the “circumstances permit and oblige us to return to the normality of Christian life, which has the Church building as its home of the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 10).”

Pope Francis in his letter Desiderio Desideravi invites us to “rekindle our wonder…and rediscover the truth of the beauty of the Christian celebration” (DD, 21 & 62). Let me reiterate and remind you of the following:

  1. Celebration of the Sacraments. We thank our beloved priests and lay liturgical ministers for their courage and compassion for our people amid the pandemic. We are grateful to them for extending the charity and compassion of the Good Shepherd and making the sacraments available to our people even during difficult times. In the Audiam sa RCAM synodal sessions in our communities, this is one of the blessings our parishioners are grateful for. We continue to commit ourselves to the administration of the sacraments for the nourishment and sanctification of our people, to visiting the sick and the elderly, and to be regularly available for the Sacrament of Penance. We will continue to foster compassionate regard for the elderly and the vulnerable through the practice of appropriate health and safety protocols. The pandemic difficulties stirred us to take care of each other and by this, we will be known that we are disciples of the Lord.

To help our priests, the other Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and our parish ministry for the sick bring the compassionate solicitude of Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the               whole community, we have instituted the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sick (EMHCS). Let our visits to the sick communicate to them the importance of partaking of the Body of                   Christ of those who are ill: “union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the father, and union with the community from which they are separated (Pastoral Care of                 the Sick, 73).

  1. Face Masks. The wearing of face masks in our churches will now be optional. In liturgical celebrations done outside the parish church (e.g., anointing of the sick and confession during home/sick visitation), the priest must k