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November 4, 2011
Mass for Departed Priests and Bishops Celebrated

"Once, every year, we gather together to remember those who have walked with us. How do we remember them?", asked Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. D.D., Archbishop of Caceres, at the concelebrated mass for the departed Priests and Bishops of the Archdiocese. Held on the Solemnity of the All Saints' Day, November 1, 2011 (Tuesday), both the religious and the lay faithful gathered at the Resurrection Garden Chapel of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary at nine o'clock in the morning.

"Once, every year, we gather together to remember those who have walked with us. How do we remember them?", asked Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. D.D., Archbishop of Caceres, at the concelebrated mass for the departed Priests and Bishops of the Archdiocese. Held on the Solemnity of the All Saints' Day, November 1, 2011 (Tuesday), both the religious and the lay faithful gathered at the Resurrection Garden Chapel of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary at nine o'clock in the morning.

October 27, 2011
Holy Childhood for World Mission Day

In celebration of the World Mission Day, the Caceres Commission on Missions organized a Children's Congress for Holy Childhood last October 23, 2011 (Sunday). Held at the Basilica Minore de Peñafrancia, the Congress started with an animation followed by a mass at nine o'clock in the morning, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Rex Hidalgo, Director of the Caceres Youth Ministry.

In celebration of the World Mission Day, the Caceres Commission on Missions organized a Children's Congress for Holy Childhood last October 23, 2011 (Sunday). Held at the Basilica Minore de Peñafrancia, the Congress started with an animation followed by a mass at nine o'clock in the morning, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Rex Hidalgo, Director of the Caceres Youth Ministry.

August 28, 2011
Santiago resorts to ‘cheap shots’ in attack vs. Church

MANILA, August 27, 2011―As the Senate began tackling the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, top RH proponent Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago herself was not above making what she had described as “cheap shots.”

MANILA, August 27, 2011―As the Senate began tackling the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, top RH proponent Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago herself was not above making what she had described as “cheap shots.”

In an apparent attempt to undermine Church authority on the moral aspects of family and life, Santiago – a self-proclaimed theologian who studied at an ultra-liberal theology school in Quezon City – resurrected old charges long refuted by Catholic apologetics.

August 23, 2011
26th World Youth Day

The celebration of the 26th World Youth Day (WYD) officially ended last August 21, 2011, Sunday. A solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist at ten o'clock in the morning officiated by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, capped the momentous event. Attended by more than two million pilgrims from all over the world, the mass was held at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain.

The celebration of the 26th World Youth Day (WYD) officially ended last August 21, 2011, Sunday. A solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist at ten o'clock in the morning officiated by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, capped the momentous event. Attended by more than two million pilgrims from all over the world, the mass was held at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain.

July 15, 2011
Another Bishop Ordained in China Without Vatican Consent

A priest of Shantou, China, Father Joseph Huang Bingzhang, was ordained today without a papal mandate.

Eight Vatican-approved bishops attended the ordination that took place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Shantou city, southern Guangdong province.

Bishop Johan Fang Xingyao of Linyin, president of the government-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA), was the main celebrant.

July 8, 2011
AP Caceres Turns 15

“With just your own efforts, can you bring yourself to heaven?”, a question raised by Rev. Fr. Francis Tordilla on the 15th Archdiocesan Celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Held on the first of July, 2011 (Friday) at the Immaculate Conception Parish (Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City), the said event with the theme, "The Challenge of the Heart of Jesus: Stand for Life!", was successfully organized by the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).

May 4, 2011
Blessed John Paul II and Responsible Procreation

While our country is in the midst of a raging and even emotional debate on the so-called Reproductive Health Bill, Pope Benedict XVI beatified on May 1...

While our country is in the midst of a raging and even emotional debate on the so-called Reproductive Health Bill, Pope Benedict XVI beatified on May 1, our erstwhile Pope John Paul II who visited the Philippines twice.

April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday Homily

Homily delivered by Fr. Wilmer Tria at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Palm Sunday.

Homily delivered by Fr. Wilmer Tria at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Palm Sunday.

March 14, 2011
First Sunday of Lent Homily by Fr. Wilmer Tria

Homily during the first Sunday of Lent by Fr. Wilmer Tria at Carmelite Monastery, Naga City, Philippines.

Homily during the first Sunday of Lent by Fr. Wilmer Tria at Carmelite Monastery, Naga City, Philippines.

March 10, 2011
Ash Wednesday 2011

Ash Wednesday tradition lives on among young and old Christians. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and is celebrated 40 days (Sundays not counted) before Easter. Photo taken at Basilica Minore, Naga City, Philippines.

Ash Wednesday tradition lives on among young and old Christians. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and is celebrated 40 days (Sundays not counted) before Easter. Photo taken at Basilica Minore, Naga City, Philippines.

March 9, 2011
Archbishop Legaspi's Ash Wednesday Message

Friends in the Media:Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, I and Fr. Enrico Paglinawan (CCCom Asst Director) I will again go to your station to impose ashes. Have a blessed Lenten observance. Here's the lenten message of the Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi.

Friends in the Media:Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, I and Fr. Enrico Paglinawan (CCCom Asst Director) I will again go to your station to impose ashes. Have a blessed Lenten observance. Here's the lenten message of the Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi.

February 21, 2011
Bless me, Father, for – Oops! Battery died

I am of the generation whose motto was, “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Now that we are well over 30, I must confess that we were probably right.

I am of the generation whose motto was, “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Now that we are well over 30, I must confess that we were probably right.

I considered old people to be out-of-date relics. So, when an old priest asked me and a seminary classmate for some help in his parish, I expected that we would have nothing to learn from him. I was wrong.

January 5, 2011
Relic of St. John Bosco

The relic of St. John Bosco visits the Diocese of Legazpi where it is venerated by the clergy and the faithful. Photo: Bert Recamunda.

The relic of St. John Bosco visits the Diocese of Legazpi where it is venerated by the clergy and the faithful. Photo: Bert Recamunda.

December 29, 2010
Benedict XVI's Christmas 2010 Message

Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.

Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).

Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.

December 29, 2010
Things May Not be so Bad After All

The pope’s message to the cardinals sitting around him at the Vatican may be a worthwhile call to reflection for those old men. But, if as they trooped out of the Sala Regia, they looked through some of those windows that Pope John XXIII opened to the world they may have seen that there are rays of sunlight out there.

Each year, the pope gives Christmas greetings to the leaders of the Roman Curia. This year, referring to the expanding scandal of the sexual abuse of children by clergy that was covered up and facilitated by bishops and superiors and until recently pooh-poohed by Rome, Pope Benedict told them, “We must ask ourselves what was wrong in our proclamation, in our whole way of living the Christian life, to allow such a thing to happen.”

December 14, 2010
O Wait, O Wait

It is ironic that he would not wait in a season that is all about waiting. The word “advent” means “coming,” but the Lord does that. Our part in the season is waiting “in joyful hope” to welcome his coming. And not just in this season.

A friend complained that his parish had not used the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel on the first Sunday of Advent. I tried explaining that the hymn is not legitimately used until December 17, when the focus of Advent’s prayers and readings shifts to preparing for Christmas. He did not care for liturgical or theological niceties, however. He wanted his favorite hymn, and he was not willing to wait for it.

April 3, 2009
Salvation in September

September in Naga is when all the people in Bikol are saved. En masse.

September in Naga is when all the people in Bikol are saved. En masse.

Or, that’s how I thought it was growing up in this small city in the 60s and 70s. The month of August is the anomalous month– it is neither here nor there, not summer and not wet season either. Old people say that when you get a wound in the month of August, it will be slow to heal. Unbidden, the month is a perfect month, well defined, albeit impetuous for a month that introduces the change in the direction of the wind. It is a season of feast. Unheralded, it hides no taboo. Only salvation.