Friday, January 16, 2009

Long Live Patriarch John and Long Live Apostolic Catholic Church!

Ave Maria Purissima! Peace be to all!

Mother Bernadette de Soubirous, Mother General of the sisters of the Order of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (OMHS), for the first time after being silent, at least publicly, narrates crucial information that seeks to clear out allegations and unfounded accusations that caused confusions and misunderstanding among sealed servants. You may listen her statements from Apostolic Catholic Church official website or download it here using Save As or Save Target As...

The following facts are clear in her statement:

* That Patriarch John Teruel is chosen by Mahal na INGKONG, and St. Maria Virginia among her other children to act as the [sole] administrator of all the Ecclesiastical and spiritual places in [and out] of the Sacrifice Valley Pilgrimage Center. This is stated in the first and original Last Will and Testament written in the year 1994 by Atty Ingco i.e. Apo Agapito, of Hagonoy District (Toka 11) with Beloved Mama [in person].

* That the Apostolic Catholic Church with the Patriarch will continue the mission of Mahal na Ingkong.

* That St. Maria Virginia and Mahal na Ingkong Himself prepared and preferred above all others Apo Juan Bautista, the Patriarch, to continue the ganapan of Mahal na Ingkong. And this was evident of the several and numerous major festivities or occassions like Senior Noemi, Pasan or during Holy Week where the Patriarch himself is used by Mahal na Ingkong upon the request and bidding of the Holy Covenant.

* That Apo Juan Bautista was indeed the present mouth, hands, and physical body and instrument of Mahal Na Ingkong to continue the "Holy Sealing" and in delivering the "Mensahe"

* That all sealed servants and the faithful are entrusted in the Patriarch's and the Apostolic Catholic Church's care. And that there is no other.


Note: The following entries can be found in Youtube: Pagsira sa aming simbahan.



The Patriarch is the only rightful and legitimate head of the church and successor to the management of the pilgrimage center. All other lay organizations must submit, by principle and practice, to the higher ecclesiastical body, and in our case, the Church, the APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC CHURCH.

You can see in the picture above that Mahal na INGKONG transfers the “crown of thorns” to our Patriarch John. This transfer signifies that he will carry the pain as the Holy Covenant suffered. He is not accepted by his own, and those whom he blessed and has given bread to eat have lifted their feet against him, and the hands he once held for prayers have clenched, ready to hit him.

In the same picture, did Beloved St. Maria Virginia or Mahal na INGKONG Himself asked the opinion and approval of the people around Him if it is alright to transfer the crown of thorns to Patriarch John? Did He consulted them? They witnessed, as you can see in the picture, the transfer of the responsibility to carry the burden signified by the crown, the same burden, that our Beloved Mama has carried on her shoulder to the Patriarch's shoulder - the welfare of the sealed servants.

Mahal na INGKONG preferred the Patriarch more than anyone else to continue what He started to our Beloved Mama - 'caro matriarcham caro est patriarcham'' the flesh of the son is the flesh of the mother'






VIVA APO JUAN BAUTISTA!
LONG LIVE THE PATRIARCH!
LONG LIVE MAHAL NA INGKONG!
LONG LIVE APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC CHURCH!

Monday, January 12, 2009

More on Priestly Vestments with illustration from our OMHS Clergies

Ave Maria Purissima! Peace be to all!

The following are the description and prayers researched and provided by His Excellency Bishop Filippo, OMHS of USA, personal pictures courtesy of His Eminence Archbishop Policar, OMHS, and some from our official website picture gallery.

When vesting for the liturgy, the cleric first washes his hands, praying:

Give virtue to my hands, O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain I might serve you with purity of mind and body.

Latin version:
Da, Domine, virtutem manibus meis ad abstergendum omnem maculam ut sine pollutione mentis et corporis valeam tibi servire.

Then he puts on his: AMICE - Symbol of the helmet of salvation



The amice is a rectangular piece of white linen with two strings at the upper corners which a cleric uses underneath his alb to cover the neck so that the collar of the cassock is hidden. The word amice comes from the Latin amicire, meaning "to cover" and, because the heads of criminals condemned to death were covered in linen, the amice recalls the humiliation which was put upon Christ. This piece has been replaced as a separate hood (part of the monastic alb) used until 2006. This piece has been discontinued to be used during liturgical celebrations upon being replaced by the new alb in 2007. The hood (amice) though is still worn when wearing his monastic alb, and/ or with the cassock worn by the Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, and Archbishop. As he puts on the amice, the priest kisses the Cross on the Amice and prays:

Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.

Latin version:
Impone, Domine, capiti meo galeam salutis, ad expugnandos diabolicos incursus.

ALB:Symbol of purity



The alb is the long white, robe-like vestment worn by all clerics at liturgical celebrations (celebrant, concelebrant, deacon, or acolyte). The alb (from Latin word alba, meaning "white") can be traced to the ancient Roman alb worn under a cloak or tunic; its color symbolizes purity and its form recalls that described in Ezekiel 28:4. As he puts on his alb, he prays:
Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that, being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy.

Latin version:
Dealba me, Domine, et munda cor meum; ut, in sanguine Agni dealbatus, gaudiis perfruare sempiternis.

CINCTURE: Symbol of Chastity


(A Deacon receive his cincture)

The cincture ties the alb at the waist. And a rosary is included (tied) also at the point where the cincture makes a knot. The knot and rosary is positioned in the left side of the person. The Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, and Archbishop do not wear a cincture and is required only to wear one when using his monastic alb. As he ties it, he prays:
Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires, that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.

Latin version:
Praecinge me, Domine, cingulo puritatis, et exstingue in lumbis meis humorem libidinis; ut maneat in me virtus continentia et castitatis.

STOLE: Symbol of the clerical office,immortality, and the yoke of Christ



The stole, matching the liturgical color, is a long, scarf-like vestment worn over the dalmatic/chasuble. The Priest wears the stole around his neck so that it hangs equally down his chest in front; the Deacon wears his stole over the right shoulder and tied/pinned at his left side; the Sub-Deacon wears his around his neck and hangs equally down his chest in front to form an X-shaped Cross; the Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, Archbishop, and Patriarch wears a unique stole (a form of a rectangle with a hole in the middle) where he put his head over it so that it hangs equally down his chest and back (like a poncho). The design is explicit for each office, as each color is different matching the liturgical calendar. As he puts on the stole, he kisses the Cross on the stole and prays:

Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless grant unto me eternal joy.

Latin version:
Redde mihi, Domine, stolam immortalitatis, quam perdidi in praevaricatione primi parentis: et, quamvis indignus accedo ad tuum sacrum mysterium, merear tamen gaudium sempiternum.

CHASUBLE, OR COPE,AND.OR DALMATIC



The Gold Dalmatic of an Archbishop

For the Eucharistic Liturgy: Chasuble

The chasuble, also matching the liturgical color, is the long, often ornate, sleeveless poncho-like garment worn over the alb during the sacrifice of the Mass. The design is explicit for each office, as each color is different. White for Deacon’s and Priest’s; Light Silver for Auxiliary Bishop’s; Dark Silver for Bishop’s and Gold for Archbishops/Patriarch. Bishop’s may wear a beige or cream colored chasuble. Everyone can wear a plain white colored chasuble. A combo chasuble/stole is not worn, except by the Archbishop’s and Patriarch. As he puts on the chasuble, he prays:

O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy and My burden light: grant that I may bear it well and follow after You with thanksgiving. Amen.

Latin version:
Domine, qui dixisti: Iugum meam suave est et onus meum leve: fac, ut istud portare sic valeam, quod consequar tuam gratiam. Amen.

For non-Eucharistic Liturgy: Cope

The cope is a large mantle worn by clerics (including deacons) at some liturgical celebrations (but not at the Mass) -- during Processions and Benedictions of the Blessed Sacrament. It matches the color of the liturgy and is worn in the same way as the chasuble or dalmatic.

Deacon for the Eucharistic Liturgy: Dalmatic

Instead of a chasuble like a Priest wears; the Deacon wears the sleeved dalmatic, also matching the liturgical color, over his alb. Priest/Auxiliary Bishops/Bishops/Archbishops also wear a dalmatic at major solemn feasts, special occasions/celebrations, and ordinations only when the Patriarch assigns him as assistants (concelebration with the Patriarch). It symbolizes charity, justice, and the sufferings of Christ. As he puts on the dalmatic, he prays:

Lord, endow me with the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy, and with the dalmatic of justice ever encompass me.

BIRETTA



The biretta is a tri-cornered or square-shaped hat with silk trim, tuft and three raised wings, called "horns," on top at three corners (the side of the hat without the horn is worn on the left side of the head). It is made of scarlet silk for Auxiliary Bishops, Rose Pink silk for Bishops, Violet/Purple silk for Archbishops, White for the Patriarch, and the biretta is not worn for priests, deacons, and seminarians.

In addition to the above, the Bishop wears a:

PECTORAL CROSS



The pectoral cross is a cross, usually about 6 inches in height, worn around the neck of an ordained clergy and suspended by chain. Cords have not yet been authorized for wear in the church. The pectoral cross is worn on the chest so as to keep the Cross close to their hearts. The Corpus is not required for the Auxiliary Bishops, Bishops, and Archbishops, just a plain cross with or with out stones. Only Bishops and Archbishops are allowed to wear a gold cross.

CROZIER



The crozier is the shepherd's staff used by Auxiliary Bishops, Bishops, and Archbishops. The crozier has always been in the Church a symbol of their pastoral role. In the very early Church, it was made of wood, but in the early Middle Ages metal (silver and gold, depending on rank) was used instead. The staff used shall have a simple cross on top.

The Patriarch used a crozier staff called the "pastoral staff." The pastoral staff is the only one allowed with a “Corpus”, and or other images on it, or expensive stones. He can also opt for the staff used by the orthodox churches.

EPISCOPAL RING

When an Auxiliary Bishop is elevated; the Bishop and Archbishop is consecrated, he receives a ring representing his office.



The Patriarch's ring, is his personal and unique seal of his reign as Pontiff and is destroyed on his death.

ZUCCHETTO



The zucchetto is the silk yarmulka-like skullcap worn by bishops. The Patriarch's zucchetto is white; the Archbishops' zucchetti are violet/purple; the Bishops' zucchetti are rose pink; the Auxiliary Bishops’ zucchetti are scarlet.

MITRE


The mitre imitates the Old Testament priestly headcovering and is the headdress for the Auxiliary Bishops and Bishops, worn at liturgical functions. It is designed exclusively for each Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, Archbishop, and patriarch to distinguish them from each office.imple (simplex). The precious (gold) mitre is worn only by the Patriarch. The mitre is required for everyone during special/festive occasions. For regular celebrations of the mass with concelebrants, the main celebrant shall wear his only. If alone, he has the option not to wear the mitre, except for the required Holy days of obligation, and other sacramental celebrations (last rites not included).

In addition to the above, an Archbishop and the Patriarch wears a: PALLIUM

The pallium is worn only by archbishops (in their own Archdiocese or Diocese) and the Patriarch, as symbol of their authority.




It's a band of white wool adorned with 6 small black crosses, worn around the neck with extensions front and back, and pinned to the chasuble in three places about the neck. The non-silk part of the pallium is made of white wool. The Patriarch sends the palliums made to the archbishops.

Picture of an OMHS priest, Patriarch, new deacon, and Archbishop