1 - Baclaran Church
Contents
| |Page |
|Foreword |1 |
|Introduction |3 |
|1. Beginnings |5 |
|To Give Missions to the Filipino people |11 |
|wherever they were needed | |
|“Wherever they are needed” |17 |
|Lots of New Blood |23 |
|“Our Lady” intervenes |26 |
|Success and Sadness |30 |
|The National Shrine |36 |
|Reassessing the situation |41 |
|Tondo |47 |
|The need for help |54 |
|The work continues |58 |
|Political Stirrings |62 |
|Fruits of the New Orientation |68 |
|The New Millennium |74 |
Foreword
I
n line with the celebration of the 100 years of the mission of Redemptorists in the Philippines this coming June 2006, the Council of the Redemptorist Vice-Province of Manila asked each community late last year to write its own local historical narrative.
Wasting no time, the ever action man of Baclaran Community - Fr. John Maguire - indefatigably gathered the data for the local narrative of the community. Fr. Maguire’s main source was the community chronicles. After about 3 months, squeezing through his hectic schedule at the shrine, Fr. Maguire was able to finish this small booklet. After seeing the work done, Fr. Rey Culaba was immediately inspired to get his creative juice going and in no time the lay-out of the booklet was done.
The raison d’ etre of the Redemptorist congregation is to give missions. The title of this booklet - “To give missions to the Filipino people wherever they are needed!” - fittingly captures this spirit. This is not a scientific compendium of the history of the mission of the Redemptorist Baclaran community. Rather this is a first-hand testimony of the mission experiences from the missionaries themselves about their struggles, their victories, their difficulties, their joys, their griefs, their hopes.
Browsing through the pages of this booklet, one can catch a glimpse of the pioneering missionary spirit of the Redemptorists, mostly Australian and New Zealanders, through their great dedication and sacrifices in learning the language, understanding the culture and living with the people. We also discover the effort of missionaries at inculturation; in trying to make the mission respond and adapt to evolving signs of the times; the gradual incorporation of the lay as partners in the mission. All of these for the sake of preaching the good news of Jesus’ abundant redemption especially to the poor and most abandoned people of the many remote barrios of Tagalog-speaking provinces in Luzon.
The generosity, experiences and sheer faith of the thousands of people in the barrios, however, proved that the missionaries were not the only ones evangelizing, but they too were evangelized by ordinary poor people. Thus, we also read here stories of hospitality, courage and ingenuity of ordinary people in embracing the faith and the good news they have received from the missionaries.
These are just some of the many lessons and inspirations we can draw from this little booklet. The rest - we can find out by reading this booklet.
Standing on this vantage point of history of 100 years of Redemptorist presence and mission in the Philippines – we are privileged recipients of a rich heritage and tradition. At the same time this passes on to us a big responsibility that like the pioneers, we have to continue to creatively and boldly carry on this tradition; preaching the Good News of plentiful redemption in Christ anew, mindful of the new needs of the people today.
May this little booklet bring forth fresh dynamism in mission and evangelization amongst all of us by creatively and courageously going to the most abandoned, preaching Jesus’ Gospel of plentiful redemption.
Fr. Joseph O. Echano, CSsR
Vice-Provincial
April 29, 2005
Introduction
Why am I writing this book?
People all over the Philippines have heard of Baclaran Church and the wonders that have resulted from the prayers and devotions of the devotees of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and Her Novena. It you want to know the story of the Novena, where it came from and how it grew in the Philippines you can read the excellent book of Fr. Louis Hechanova entitled “The Baclaran Story.”
When we were discussing the preparation for the 100 years Anniversary of the Redemptorists in the Philippines someone said “There is no need to write about Baclaran, it’s all in Fr Louis’ book.” This struck me as strange. There was a Redemptorist Community in Baclaran for 16 years before anyone thought of having a Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This community gave Missions all over Northern Luzon. We read in the Chronicles of the Baclaran Community that they were working regularly in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga and occasionally in Ilocos, Baguio, and Palawan, as well as in Manila and Rizal.
When I came to the Philippines in 1963 the Novena was already flourishing with massive crowds every Wednesday, but when I preached my first Tagalog Sermon it was in Mandaluyong, and the first time I took part in a Mission it was in Zambales. I preached at the Novena often, while trying to learn Tagalog, but my Superiors constantly reminded me that my first priority was to learn Tagalog so that I could give Missions. During my 25 years living in Baclaran I preached in the Shrine many times but I also gave Missions in Bulacan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Cavite as well as many Squatter areas in Manila, like Tondo, Tramo in Pasay, Pandacan, Paranaque, Muntinglupa, Cubao etc
The Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is a wonderful gift given to the Redemptorists in Baclaran. But who were the Redemptorists? Where did they come from? Why were they in Baclaran? These are some of the questions that I wished to answer in this book. I might have called it “The unwritten story of Baclaran” but I was struck by a phrase that appears in the Chronicles of the Baclaran Community in 1932, March 21st, which is the day that Fr. Denis Grogan, the man who built Baclaran Monastery and Church (the original church) left the Philippines. It sums up his work in these words. “The Redemptorists now had a Monastery where they could live as religious and get on with their main work of learning Tagalog to give Missions to the Filipino People wherever they were needed.”
Fr. John M. Maguire, C.Ss.R.
Redemptorist Baclaran Community
A
lthough Baclaran has been known for many years as the home of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, when the Foundation was accepted the reason for its acceptance was a far cry from the building of a Shrine. To know the true reason for the Foundation of the Redemptorist Congregation in Manila we have to go no further than the Chronicles of the Baclaran Community which give us the Story as told in the account of the Foundation in Manila and eventually in Baclaran. We read:
The Foundation stone of the Monastery was blessed and laid on Sept 13th, 1931.
The following account of the Manila Foundation was put in the corner stone of the Monastery. Sept. 13th, 1931.
“In 1912 the Redemptorist Fathers came to the Archdiocese of Manila with the intention of giving Missions. The first Superior was Very Rev. P. M. Lynch. With the object of their learning the language, his Grace Most Rev. Msg. Harty gave them charge of the Parish of Malate where they worked for 17 years.
Missions in Tagalog were attempted in 1925 but owing to constant work in the Parish and for want of suitable accommodation for the Fathers they had to be discontinued.
Still the idea of giving Missions was never given up and in 1929 his Grace Most Rev. Dr. M. J. O’Doherty arranged that the parish of Malate should be taken over by the Columban Fathers in order to leave the Redemptorist Fathers free for the Mission work.
His Grace generously gave the “Perpetual use“ of three hectares of land in Baclaran, Parañaque, and negotiations were began for the building of their monastery.
Thank God, after many delays, the building is now in the course of erection and is to be completed and ready to receive the Fathers at the end of January next.
The present Monastery, the Corner Stone of which is being laid and blessed to day by Most Rev. Michael J. O’Doherty of Manila was designed by Mr. Chui Montelbaum, consulting Architect of the Bureau of Public Works and is being built by the firm of Jereza, Cebu, at a cost of 40,500.00 pesos. When the building is complete a Community of fathers and Brothers are to come from Australia to begin in earnest the work of Parochial missions in the Archdiocese of Manila and the neighboring regions.
At the request of Most Rev. Fr. General Murray and with the approval of His Grace, the Monastery and Church are to be dedicated to St Teresa of the Child Jesus, the patroness of the missions. The secondary Patrons shall be the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Mother of Perpetual Succor, St Joseph, St. Alphonsus, St. Clement and St. Gerard.
Pictures of all these Holy Patrons were placed within the Foundation Stone in a copper box presented by Mrs. Mondelbaum, together with copies of La Defensa, The Liguorian, The Far East, some copies of Novenas etc;
May our Holy Patrons watch over the Monastery and church so that they may remain until the day of Judgement to win souls for God.” Ch. B.
When Malate was handed over to the Columban Fathers on March 9th, 1929 Fr. Denis “Dinny” Grogan was left there for some months to help the new Parish Priest find his feet. On August 28th, he too was withdrawn to Cebu.
When the Contract was signed, giving a “Perpetual Lease” of the land in Baclaran to the Redemptorist Congregation, Fr. Grogan was chosen to return to Manila and take charge of building a Monastery and Church. He returned to Malate as a guest on Nov. 6th, 1930 and was warmly welcomed by the Fathers. He wasted no time getting to work on the job he had been appointed for.
This however was not as easy as one might think. The land had no fence and had not even been surveyed. What was worse there was a Public Artesian well in the middle of the property. All he could do was leave everything in the hands of his patron saint, Sta. Teresita of the Child Jesus. We read in his own words:
“On January 28th, the Municipality passed a resolution asking for the closing of the well, and asking us to pay the expenses of putting up a Faucet, for the public, connected with the Metropolitan Water Works, as well as the price of the water for one year. The lawyer advised me to accept, to hasten the closing of the well.
On 27th, Feb. I cabled Fr. Byrne (Provincial)
‘Well closed, estimate PHP62,000.00.’
Next day he replied,
‘Congratulations on closure. Estimate impossible.’
I then had to go to the Secretary, Ventura, he referred me to the Bureau of Commerce and Communications, they passed me on to the Bureau of Public Works, they to the Artesian Well Department and they to the District Engineer of Pasig, who finally closed the well.
Meanwhile in March I had to get the Faucet installed for PHP 100.00, and the land surveyed at a cost of PHP 75.00.” Ch.B. P66.
On March 17th, we read:
“I mentioned to the Archbishop the desire of Fr. General to call the Monastery after Sta. Teresita. He was very pleased with the suggestion and told me to write to Fr. General to say that if he had been asked he would have suggested the same.” Ch.B. P67.
The contract for the building of the Monastery was signed on June 19th, 1931 and the Contract for the Church on Oct. 17th, of the same year.
However Fr. Dinny’s plans for the Church were not completely fulfilled.
We read on Feb 1st, 1932:
“I am preparing the House and Church for the arrival of the Fathers and Brothers from Australia. The new high altar given by Sra. De Yuchausti arrived. It was designed and made by Mr. Maximo Vicente under the guidance of the donor. It became the high altar very providentially. Sta. Teresita being the Patroness should naturally have been there and for the first Mass celebrated in the church she was actually installed but when the donor offered her altar, she expressed the wish that it should be the high altar. I proposed her wish to Father Provincial (Byrne) with a good recommendation and he decided it should be so. The delay in communicating brought us near to the Opening Day and hearing nothing from Australia we gave orders that the plans should be changed and the altar made smaller to suit the aisle, but at that very moment, while the designer was in the house, the mail arrived from Australia and all was changed. Our Lady of Perpetual Succor (Help) was given the High Altar and Sta. Teresita on her right side, with St. Gerard on the left.” Ch.B. P76.
The new Community arrived on Feb. 15th, 1932. They were Frs. Gallagher, Frean, Cosgrave, Taylor and Brs. Paschal, Adrian and Albert. They had supper in Malate and then proceeded to Baclaran to check out their new home. In the words of the Chronicles:
“All were delighted with the new home but the romantic was not wanting. We discovered late in the evening that the gas for the stove had not been connected and breakfast next morning, the first meal, was cooked in true camp style by boiling the ‘billy’ in the open.” Ch.B. P77.
The blessing of the Church took place after 7.30.a.m. Mass on Feb 21st, 1932. The Blessing was done by Very Rev. Michael O’Doherty Archbishop of Manila, assisted by Fr. Clementine Rodriguez, Parish Priest of Sta. Rita Baclaran, James Hayes S.J., Provincial of the Jesuits and Canon Jose Jovelanos.
“Fr Grogan left by boat for Australia on March 21st, having successfully set up the Foundation in Baclaran. with it’s own home and Church. The Redemptorists now had a Monastery where they could live their lives as Religious and get on with their main work of learning Tagalog to give Missions to the Filipino People wherever they were needed.” Ch.B. P79.
T
hese words say everything. This is the reason the Redemptorists came to the Philippines. This is the reason they came to Manila. This is the reason they left Malate and came to Baclaran, and this is the motivating force of everything that they have done in Manila and other parts of Luzon until the present day. This is the reason for writing this short account of the Baclaran Community. I believe that the Baclaran Novena is one of the greatest forces for good in the world but it is just one of the fruits of the continuing struggle of the Redemptorists to give Missions to the people wherever they are needed.
Less than six weeks after the arrival of the first Baclaran Community we read that they were already serious about the learning of Tagalog, something which was essential if they were to achieve their goal. We read in the Chronicles:
“After Easter March 27th, Fr. Frean took off for Amadeo, Cavite, to learn the language with the help of the Parish Priest and Fr. Taylor did the same in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. By July 3rd, Sunday, Fr. Taylor, who had already preached several times in Tagalog in San Jose del Monte, preached the first Tagalog sermon in the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran.” Ch. B. P80.
On July 18th:
Fr. Superior, Gallagher, opened a retreat to the Children of the Good Shepherd Convent in Sta. Ana. It will close on the morning of the 22nd. The whole is to be preached in Tagalog:
“This is the first Tagalog Apostolic Work undertaken by any member of the community since our arrival.” Ch.B. P81.
To help to speed up the preparation for the giving of Missions we read that:
‘On August 15th, a young man, Juan Santos, was hired as a translator to help speed up the preparation of sermons in Tagalog.” Ch.B. P83.
From Dec. 18th–25th, a Mission was given, at the request of the Archbishop, in Jalajala in Rizal, a parish that had been without a priest for ten years. The Mission was given by Frs. Gallagher and Taylor and lasted from Dec 18th –25th.
Within their first year the Community had succeeded in learning sufficient Tagalog to give missions and had already begun to do so. However the New Year 1933 began with disappointment as Fr. Frean who had been sick a lot of his time in the Philippines was recalled to Australia. He left on the 23rd, of January 1933. This was a blow to the new Community but they did not have time to feel sorry for themselves for on March 1st, Fr. O’Neill arrived to replace Fr. Frean.
They were further encouraged when on Feb. 4th, Msg. Alfredo Obviar, the Vicar General of Lipa Diocese, visited Baclaran as official representative of the Bishop to request a Foundation in Lipa City. According to the Chronicles, very profitable terms were proffered. The community saw this as God given. We read:
“This offer is certainly God given. ‘This a cherished desire of higher Superiors. We came to work in the Philippines. God is finding us abundant ways and means.” Ch.B. P88.
This was also a pre-shadowing of the large role Msg. Alfredo Obviar would play in the lives of the Redemptorists, not only as Vicar General but later as Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa, then as Apostolic Administrator of Lucena and finally as Bishop of Lucena.
March of the same year saw Frs. Gallagher and Taylor in Obando, Bulacan, for the first complete Tagalog Mission. The Mission lasted from March 8th–17th, and was complete in all ways including the trimmings.
This was followed by a series of Missions. Fr. Cosgrave gave a triduum in Las Pinas 16th-18th, March. Frs. Gallagher and Taylor followed their Mission in Obando with Missions in Ligas, Sta Isabel, Binangonan, and Bocaue. Frs. Gallagher and Taylor then split up to give shorter Missions, three to four days in Five Barrios of Bocaue. All of these Missions were during Lent in Preparation for Easter.
In September, Fr. Gallagher gave a three-day Mission in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. He and Fr. Taylor came together again in October for a one week Mission in Cabanatuan City. Fr. Cosgrave gave a four-day Mission in Barrio Paco, Obando, from October 25th-29th, and Fr. O'Neill went in December to Jalajala for the Simbang Gabi. So the year came to an end with all the community working already in Tagalog.
1934 started with the arrival of Frs. Reg. O’Connell and Frank Honan from Australia. Frs. Gallagher and Taylor broke new ground by giving a Mission in St. Juan de Bolbok in the Diocese of Lipa. They found the people cold and indifferent. Still they made History, as it was the first venture of the Redemptorists into the Diocese of Lipa, where they had already been invited to make a foundation. This was followed by a Mission in San Pablo, which was described by the Missioners as “a Filipino Babylon.” They continued in Taal and Nasugbu while Frs. Cosgrave and O’Neill were Missionizing Cabiao in Nueva Ecija and Bocaue. This remained the pattern for the rest of the year with 14 other Missions in Bulacan and 1 in Laguna. In Manila, Missions were given in Paranaque, Caloocan and Baclaran. The latter was a two-week Mission given by Frs. Gallagher and O’Neill in November. Fr. Honan gave his first Mission with Fr. Gallagher in Sta. Ana Barrio, Bulacan.
August 11th, 1934 saw the arrival of Br. Joseph. However this was balanced by the departure on Nov 5th, of Fr. Reg O’Connell, a victim of a tropical disease which the doctors felt could be better fought in Australia or some cooler climate. For Christmas the community received an answer to their appeal for funds to purchase an harmonium. Around forty pesos had been collected from small donations when suddenly a kind benefactor arrived with 200 pesos. The organ was purchased for 240 pesos and began its career with the blessing of the Archbishop who was there to sing the Mass. It was Dec. 16th, the first day of the Novena to prepare for Christmas.
1935. The Nominations arriving on Jan 30th, brought news that Fr. Cosgrave was the new Superior with Frs. Gallagher and Taylor as his consultors. On April 24th, Miss Josefa Rodriguez became the New Organist in the Church. Her dedication is clear from the fact that years later, 1975 she was declared an Oblate of the Congregation. Unfortunately she died on April 17th, of the same year, and her Diploma as an Oblate arrived just in time to be displayed on her coffin.
The election for the President of the new Commonwealth was held in September and on Sept. 24th, President Quezon attended Mass in the Baclaran Church to thank God for his success. On his Inauguration Day Fr. Cosgrave said Mass in His Pasay Home before he left for Malacañang.
Fr. Gerard O’Donnell arrived on 18th, of November, and on Dec. 17th, news arrived that Fr. Bill Cruice had been appointed to Baclaran. He arrived after Christmas on 14th, January 1936.
Many more Missions were conducted during 1935, 10 in Bulacan, 3 in Laguna (Lipa Diocese), 3 in Cavite and 12 in Manila including a two week Mission in the Manila Cathedral which was given by Frs. Cosgrave, Taylor and O’Neill in September.
At the beginning of 1936 we read in the Chronicles:
“The five Fathers who are conversant with Tagalog have been busy the whole month of February and are booked up until Easter, April 5th. Several Tagalog Missions had to be refused and many had to be shortened. Besides, Fr. Bill Cruice and Fr. Gerard O’Donnell, who are only learning Tagalog, have been kept busy each week of Lent with English Missions and Retreats. Many more Missions and retreats, both in English and Tagalog, have been already booked up for after Lent. So with the help of God the work is increasing rapidly.” Ch.B. P 135.
On March 18th, the Documents of the Foundation of Lipa were signed by Bishop Versoza. This brought great delight to the community as we read:
“Thus through the generosity of this great benefactor we come into possession of a good house and a valuable property. The personnel for the new house are expected to arrive soon.” Ch.B. P135.
March 30th, two new statues arrived for the grounds. One of St. Therese for the front of the house and another of Our Lady of Lourdes for the South side. Together they cost 75.00 Pesos, which the Chronicles record, was very cheap. How much more so, looking back now. Both Statues can still be seen to day. St. Therese in the same place in front of the house, but Our Lady of Lourdes is now on the west side facing Roxas Boulevard, on the entrance to Sarnelli Center for Street Children.
O
n July 27th, 1936, it was announced that Fr. Taylor would be the Superior of the New Foundation in Lipa and his community would be composed of himself, Fr. Patrick O’Neill, who was already fluent in Tagalog and Fr. Gerard O’Donnell, who was getting better at the language every day. The new community left for Lipa on the following day.
On Oct 4th, Fr. Sexton arrived from Australia and on Nov. 17th, news arrived that Frs. Joe Hannigan and Leo (Joe) English had been appointed to the Philippines; Fr. Hannigan for Baclaran and Fr. English for Lipa. They arrived on Dec 5th.
During 1936 fifty-four Missions were given. Of these 10 were in Bulacan, one in Lipa, 3 in Laguna, 1 in Cavite, 1 in Zambales, 1 in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija and 36 in Manila, including a three week Mission in the Holy Ghost Church, Manila. Three English Missions were given, two by Fr. William Cruice, one in Vigan and the other in Lingayen and the third by Fr. Sexton in Tayabas. A tremendous effort from a community which never had more than five Missioners, some still struggling with Tagalog.
1937 saw the departure of Br. Albert with ill health, however, he was replaced by Br. Adrian in September. Fr. Hannigan made history on January 1st, by saying the Rosary in the Church in Tagalog just four weeks after his arrival in the Philippines. All the community were away on other assignments. He admitted that it wasn’t as easy as it looked but it was a useful experience. Just one more example of the spirit of the pioneers and their determination to speak in the language of the people. During this year 34 Missions were given; 19 were in Manila, including three weeks in the Manila Cathedral (Frs. Cosgrave, Frank Honan and Bill Cruice.). There were 6 in Nueva Ecija, 4 in Bulacan, and 1 each in Cavite and Laguna. An English Mission was given in the Mountain Province by Fr. Bill Cruice and two Retreats by Fr. Cosgrave in Baguio, in St Louis University and Holy Family Parish.
It is clear that there was no limit to the zeal of the fathers who were prepared to go anywhere to work for the people, even though there was no transport like we have to-day and the roads were bad or non existent in many parts.
Fr. Andy Gyger and Br. Placid arrived in January 1938 and Francis Xavier “Jackie” Walsh came in August of the same year. Fr. Gyger was appointed to Lipa, as was Fr. Walsh, while Br. Placid remained in Baclaran. Fr. Cosgrave was recalled to Australia to act as Provincial Consultor. He had not been in good health during the previous year. He left on April 22nd. During this year the missions dropped to 24. One was a special Mission for children in the Mountain Province. 10 were in Manila, 6 in Bulacan, 5 in Nueva Ecija, and 3 in Cavite. No doubt one of the reasons for the drop in the number of Missions given was the absence of Fr. Cosgrave.
Fr. McCarthy arrived on Jan 6th, 1939 to boost the numbers, but during the same month Fr. Hannigan was diagnosed as having a lung infection and he left for Australia on the 1st, of March. Australia generously replaced him with Fr. Paddy Dean, who arrived on July 4th., accompanied by Fr. Cosgrave whose health was much improved by his break from the Missions. On June 18th, Fr. Gyger was transferred to Baclaran from Lipa. Fr. Dean went immediately to Lipa and Fr. English was transferred to Baclaran.
Lipa now had six Fathers: Frs. O’Neill (Rector), Honan, O’Donnell, McCarthy, Walsh and Dean. Baclaran had five Fathers and two Brothers, Frs. Cosgrave (Rector), Sexton, Cruice, English, Gyger and Brs. Placid and Joseph.
43 Missions were given by the Baclaran house in 1939. Fr. English made a trip this same year to Palanan, Isabella, in company with Bishop Jergens and Fr. Hermins of Ilagan, Isabella. They traveled by boat from Aparri. Fr. English had the role of interpreter to the old people who understood Tagalog. No priest had been stationed on this Island for forty years.
In May of 1940 Fr. Cruice was transferred to Lipa and Fr. McCarthy came to Baclaran. On June 30th, Br. Charles arrived and he and Br. Joseph were appointed to Lipa. With Br. Charles were Fr. Taylor, returning from Australia, Fr. Paddy Hurley for Lipa and Br. Alexander for Baclaran. This was the first time that Brothers had been attached permanently to Lipa. Fr. Honan left for Australia on Aug 8th, and Fr. Sexton was hospitalized with some form of heart trouble.
During December the President, Manuel Quezon visited one day at the request of Mrs. Cuyugan to inspect the new road (Redemptorist Rd.). The result was that it was decided to make the road 20 meters wide instead of the previous plan which provided for a 50 meter wide Road. The latter would have brought the road almost to the Monastery wall. The property was supposed to be a swap for the land between the Monastery and the New Road being built along the sea wall, now known as Roxas Boulevard, but the agreement had not yet been drawn up.
The same year 1940, 36 Missions were given: 14 in Manila, including a Mission of two weeks in Manila Cathedral (Frs. Taylor and English), 14 in Bulacan, 2 in Nueva Ecija, 5 in Cavite and 1 in Baguio Cathedral.
1941 began with a Mission in Culion, Palawan. Fr. Cruice came from Lipa to help Fr. English and from 2nd, to the 19th, of January they gave three Missions. One was for the lepers in the colony who numbered 5,600; however not all of these were Catholic. The second was for the surrounding area, which is the non-leper area of Culion, and the third was for the doctors and Nurses who worked in the Leprosarium. Many requests for Missions could not be fulfilled, as it was now impossible to get more men from Australia. The war was already raging and traveling was very dangerous.
In February, Retreats were given to 8,000 Students in Lingayen. 3,000 had not yet made their First Communion. This Apostolic work was once again a joint effort with Fr. Paddy Hurley of Lipa and Fr. English from Baclaran. Fr. Sexton was still unwell (heart) and also had a tumor removed the same year. In spite of the difficulties, they succeeded in giving 34 Missions of which one was in Samal, Bataan. The others were in Nueva Ecija 6, Bulacan 11, Manila 14, and Naga 2. This was apart from the Apostolic Works already mentioned.
Finally the Japanese arrived and we read in the Chronicles:
“Jan 1st, 1942 the house was looted just before the entry of the Japanese. We lost chairs, beds, cutlery and food; about 300 Pesos worth. Many places were being looted at the time. The community has been scattered around. Frs. Taylor, English, Dean, Hurley and Gyger are in La Salle. The Sunday Masses in La Salle are crowded. The fathers also say Mass in Sta. Scholastica. Fr. Rector Cosgrave is in Baclaran with Brs. Charles, Alexander, Joseph and Placid. Very few are attending mass in Baclaran. Fr. Walsh was in Tanay working, so he has stayed there. Frs. O’Donnell and Sexton are with the Recolletos in Intramuros. Fr. Cruice is in Malate.” Ch. B.
In spite of these difficulties the Community succeeded in giving 12 Missions in 1942 but they were not allowed to leave Manila.
By 1943 things had settled down, the community was able to return home and life was reasonably quiet. However, movements were still restricted and work was possible only in Manila. The Community gave 14 Missions.
1944 only 4 Missions were given before the Fathers and brothers were interned in Los Banos in June. These were in Espiritu Santo Church, San Miguel Pro Cathedral, San Jose Trozo and the La Salle Chapel. Fr. Cosgrave claiming neutrality (he was Irish) was not interned but his movements were restricted.
The Fathers and Brothers were released from internment in February 1945. Some were repatriated to Australia immediately. All were suffering from serious malnutrition. However Missions were resumed in the same year. Fr. Gyger gave a Mission to the Church of the 594th Engineers and another at the Nielsen Aerodrome. Both were Military installations. Another Mission was given in Carmona, Cavite, but the particulars are lost forever.
In February, before the Japanese left, Fr. Cosgrave was stabbed many times and only survived by pretending to be dead. This happened in La Salle where he had been acting as chaplain to the Brothers. There were 2 Irish Brothers, 15 German Brothers and about 50 lay people staying in the building at the time, only ten survived.
On April 30th, the community returned to Baclaran and starting on June 4th, the first Mission since Liberation was given. An eight-day retreat was also given to the Franciscan Sisters in Legarda. When Christmas came around, the Mass was very well attended. Many of the people who had not been able to come to Baclaran for some time, due to the restrictions, turned up to celebrate their freedom.
During 1946 Frs. Walsh, English and O’Neill kept the Missions going. 5 in Manila, 6 in Bataan, 1 in Laguna and 1 in Cavite. Fr. Cosgrave was transferred to Pennant Hills in Sydney and Br. Alexander to Wellington.
T
he biggest news of 1946 was the cable from Fr. Provincial Cullen,
“Eleven Confreres sailing by steamer “Pere Marquette” from Townsville about April 19th.”
They arrived on May 7th, but Fr. O’Donnell, who was with the new men, was the only one to get off the boat that day. He spent the night in Baclaran. The Chronicles tell the story of the next day May 8th:
“This morning Frs. O’Donnell, Hurley, Creagh and Walsh went out by a small boat to the ship and brought back the 9 new Fathers and two brothers. They were here in time for dinner. They are Frs. O’Donnell, Troy, Mick Hogan, Hennessy, Rowe, Page, Doherty, Roche, Donovan and Brs. Leo and Raymond.” Ch.B.
On May 24th, we read again:
“We welcomed three more returnees to day. They were Frs. O’Neill, Cruice, and English. These three are all for this Community.” Ch.B.
Everybody was happy about the returnees but as usual the good news was accompanied by bad news. We read on Sept 4th:
“Frs. Hurley and Gyger are recalled to Wellington and Brisbane respectively.” Ch. B.
In September work began on repairing the Church with Fr. English directing operations. The Church had been used by the Japanese for storage and by the American Soldiers as a barracks.
Sept 15th:
“Fr Roche preached in Tagalog at the 6.00 o’clock Mass. He is the first of the new Fathers to preach in Tagalog. Fr. Doherty is hearing confessions in Tagalog. Ch.B.
Let us remember that they only arrived in May. Clearly the new arrivals possessed the same spirit as the Pioneers.
Fr. O’Neill left for Australia on October 29th. The Chronicles paint a sad but clear picture:
“He said in his closing speech last night that from the time of his return he felt the physical impossibility of remaining in the Philippines. Naturally he had no attraction for the work here but was attracted by the souls. He left with regret but with a promise of continual prayers for the Philippine Missions.” Ch.B.
The Baclaran community at the beginning of 1947 was as follows: Frs. Walsh (Superior), English, Troy, Rowe, Hennesy, Doherty, Roche, Donovan and Br. Raymond. By the end of Lent Frs. Doherty, Roche and Troy had already been on Mission, and Fr. Rowe was to follow in October. Fr. Hennessy had already been transferred to Lipa. During the year 28 Missions were given, 20 in Manila, 1 in Bulacan 4 in Bataan, 1 in Infanta, Quezon, 1 in Nueva Ecija and 1 in Laguna.
Since the end of the war, robberies and similar incidents had become common around Baclaran. A number of robberies and break-ins happened in the Monastery during this year and help was eventually sought. The first mention of a security Guard is the entry in the Chronicles on Sept 25th. We read:
“We have a guard employed by night. He patrols the grounds from 7.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. He is invested with full police authority and a carbine. His name is Julio.” Ch.B.
Many who came to the Philippines in later years would remember Julio who reigned supreme for many years as the only guard in the Church compound. However things have not changed and now the Church and Compound have 11 Guards working in rotation each day. There are many more of course on Wednesdays and Sundays.
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948 was to become a year not easily forgotten in the history of Baclaran. We read in the Chronicles of June 8th.
“Great preparations are going on for the Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help which begins on Friday 11th. Fr. Rector (O’Donnell) intends this Novena to inaugurate the Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We all think that it will be a great success.”
And on June 11th:
“The novena is being well and enthusiastically attended as was expected. The people were singing and answering the prayers very well indeed.”
And again on June 20th:
“The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual help was voted a great success. Many favors were granted to Her devotees during the Novena. The most striking being, the sudden cure of a case of tetanus and the conversion of another to the true faith.”
On June 23rd, we read:
“This afternoon at 6.00 p.m. saw the inauguration of the Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The estimated attendance was 75. This Novena is to be held each Wednesday at 6.00 p.m.”
And again on July 7th:
“In spite of a heavy storm which threatened to break at any time, the Perpetual Novena was well attended again, the Church being quite full.”
And finally on July 28th:
“Someone counted more than 40 cars (excluding jeeps and taxis) at the Novena tonight. People were standing at the back.” Ch.B.
On the 20th, October a second session of the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help was commenced at 5.p.m. The new session was completely full and the regular one overcrowded as usual.
And on Dec 6th, we read:
“Work on the Church is moving along swiftly, the framework of the sanctuary end being nearly completed now. The verandas are also being added.” Ch.B.
The year has not yet finished and already a second session of the Novena has been added and the Church is being extended. In spite of this the Missions have kept going and this year 39 Missions were given. Of these 30 were in Manila, 3 in Cavite, 2 in Nueva Ecija, 1 in Lingayen, 2 in Bulacan and 1 in Clark Field which was a Mission in English to 500 G.I.s.
1948 also saw the arrival of Frs. David “George” Tither (May 17th) and John “Eugene” McSweeney (Nov 15th). These two men have had a very big impact on the Mission work of the Vice Province.
By May 18th, 1949 another session of the Novena was added,
. “Another milestone in the History of the Perpetual Novena was passed to-day with the establishment of a third session. The sessions now are at 4.00, 5.00 and 6.00 p.m. The 4.00 p.m. recorded a full Church with a few standing and the other sessions were seemingly unaffected. It is estimated that 4,000 people are now regularly attending. The number of favors asked has jumped, from one to two hundred six months ago, to more than two thousand now. A regular 50 or 60 letters of thanksgiving are coming in weekly for favors received. All classes are represented from the humblest of the barrio to the upper strata of the Manila society and Government.” Ch.B.
On July 13th, 1949 a fourth session of the Perpetual Novena started at 7.00 p.m. It was not filled immediately, but by the following week the church was almost full at 7.00 p.m.
And by August 24th, we read:
“Hence forth the sessions will be 9.00 a.m., 3.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. At least 10,000 attended the Novena today. Their fervor is extraordinary. They even kneel on the rough gravel on the road outside the Church during the prayers.” Ch.B.
Oct 19th, 1949, was the first recorded arrest of pickpockets in the Church during the Novena. This is something that is still happening to day.
On November 16th, someone decided to find out how many people were really attending the Novena. We read in the Chronicles:
“Several of the Fathers after a careful attempt at counting, estimated that between 50,000 and 70,000 people are now attending the novena every Wednesday. Although this figure seems colossal, many say that it is an understatement of the reality.” Ch.B.
We have no idea of who counted or what method they used, but the result boils down to a lot of people. The Novena was not yet 18 months old.
We read again on Dec 7th, Wednesday:
“Because of the beautiful feast to-morrow the confessions were extra heavy today. As there were only three Fathers at home all had to do 8-9 hours in the box, besides taking turns in the sanctuary.” Ch.B.
We must remember that in spite of all the increasing work at home, the Missions were an all time high. 56 Missions were given in this year: 23 in Manila, 11 in Bulacan, 8 in Cavite, 7 in Nueva Ecija, 4 in Bataan, 2 in Culion and 1 in Zambales.
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n 1950 the work was so heavy and the number of Missioners so few that a number of Missions had to be refused or postponed. We read on April 7th:
“Outside works have been very heavy during the past three months. Missions have been given in several places in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Bataan. Indeed so numerous are the calls, and so few were our numbers, that 42 Missions have had to be refused or postponed this year. Numerous retreats in English have also been conducted.
Meantime the Novena at home has grown beyond all proportions.
Early in January a Chinese manufacturer arranged for a weekly Broadcast of the 7.00 p.m. Novena over Station DZPI for the benefit of the sick and those who cannot come to the Church. Far from lessening the crowds the broadcast has served to increase their numbers. Letters coming in from all over the Philippines show that the Novena broadcast is being followed throughout the Islands.” Ch.B.
We should also remember that by this time the Novena was already going on in many Parishes of Manila and Bulacan.
During this year Frs. Lew O’Leary and McCormack arrived on June 25th. However a sad blow struck the Vice Province when Fr. Francis Xavier, “Jackie” Walsh died in Hospital on August 12th. He had come home sick to Lipa from a Mission in Baler in February and was hospitalized and operated in Manila for appendicitis. He recovered, but in early August he returned to Manila with terrible stomach pains. He was operated again, and they found an abscess on the liver. This was drained, but he continued to get worse. He died on the 12th. He was a very big loss as he was one of the leading Missioners and the favorite of the children, whom he was always trying to help. He wrote the first edition of the “Katesismo” especially for them. He had been twelve years in the Philippines and was only 41 years of age.
In spite of all the Missions turned away or postponed and the shortage of personnel mentioned at the beginning of the year, the Community succeeded in giving 62 Missions this year. 17 of these Missions were in Bulacan, 15 in Nueva Ecija, 14 in Manila, 5 in Pampanga, 4 in Bataan, 3 in Tarlac, 2 in Laguna and 1 in each of Cavite and Lingayen. This included a Mission by Frs. English, Doherty and Tither in Tondo, a parish of 105,000 Catholics, and a Mission to the prisoners in Muntinlupa Penitentiary, who numbered 6,000 at that time. During this year 60 retreats were also given.
New arrivals kept coming in 1951: Frs. Luke Fay and Peter Robb arrived on Jan 7th. Frs. John Fitzgerald, James Ryan, Michael Mc Cann and Ted Mc Entee on Nov 8th.
A Prayer for Peace was added to the Novena Prayers each Wednesday at the request of Ramon Magsaysay who was then Minister for defense.
So as not to be boring I will list the Missions from 1951-1968 on a separate page, Cf.: Page 79. This also gives us the opportunity of comparing the output of the community in different years. We have to remember of course that the number of members of the Community differed from time to time and the Retreats given are listed separately from the Missions.
By 1952 the Baclaran Community had ten priests, Frs. Hurley (Rector), Lew O’Leary (Minister), Dean (2nd Consultor), Fitzgerald, Troy, Hennessy, Rowe, Donovan, Tither and Mc Cann. Everybody had now accepted the need for a new Church and so on April 23rd, the Raffle for funds for the new Church was launched. On Oct 9th, the soil was tested and Pile Driving started on Dec 19th.
Nov. 24th, brought the announcement that Fr. Lew O’Leary would be the new Vice Provincial in place of Fr. Taylor.
The Novena continued flourishing and, starting Jan 7th, 1952, San Miguel Corporation took over the Sponsorship of the Novena Broadcast. This was a much better and more stable arrangement than we had previously. Also on January 11th, the Foundation Stone for the New Church was laid and blessed. The ceremony was performed by no less that Norman Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney, who was here for the Eucharistic Congress.
The first Tagalog Session of the Novena took place at 11.a.m. on July 22nd, and became a regular feature at that hour. Fr. Dean was the celebrant.
The Community as of Sept 7th, 1953 was, Frs. P. Hurley (Rector), Mc Sweeney, Hennessey and Doherty (Consultors), Taylor, Fitzgerald, Roche, Donovan and Mc Entee.
More new arrivals came on April 3rd, 1954. They were Frs. Cox, Gaspar, Boland, Bowe, Turner and Hodgins.
However once again the increase was balanced by the news of the Death of Fr. Gerard O. Donnell.
Frs. Boland, Turner, Bowe and Hodgins were to be members of the New Legaspi Community. This foundation had been requested for a long time and agreement to the details were almost completed. Frs. Boland and Turner went to Legaspi in December and the others followed soon after with Br. Damien, who was yet to arrive.
On Jan 20th, Fr. Rector went to Malacañang to conduct the Novena for the President’s family and household.
And on Jan 23rd, we read:
“The Redemptorists were asked by the Head Chaplain to be special confessors to the President’s family and household. The request was from Mrs. Magsaysay. The reply was; “We will go each Saturday afternoon if requested.” Ch.B.
This was rather an unusual role for Redemptorists in any country.
On Dec. 13th, of the same year a Mission Academy began. At this Academy permission was given for a year’s trial of the “Sound Car” and its slides and other visual aids. We read:
“Opinion on their effectiveness and suitability was divided at the time.
Apparently solid reasons were given on either side.
Those in Favor:
1. Visual aids are now widely used in Catechetical work in other lands, especially the U.S.A.
2. It is a truism that, commercially, the visual aid is more effective in “selling power” than the bare spoken word. This is especially true in the case of simple and uneducated people.
3. De facto it has drawn people to our missions here who would not otherwise attend.
4. It holds their attention and impresses them more deeply than do our “straight” sermons.
Those against:
1. It is a radical departure from our traditional (and effective) manner of giving Missions.
2. No one will deny that it will draw crowds. But is it teaching them more or distracting them more? How much attention will they really give to the preacher of the evening sermon?
3. To be used to advantage the slides will need sermons tailored to fit them. This will mean re-writing and re-learning. A heavy burden for all who are not completely fluent in Tagalog.
4. The onus of carrying, maintaining and guarding valuable equipment will make our arduous missions harder still.” Ch.B.
When I arrived in the Philippines in 1963 there was still talk about the missions conducted in the barrios and towns using the “Sound Car”. The “Sound Car” still remained and the slides used were still around, but while the “sound car” was still in use, it was used only for transporting generators, Mass kits and personnel from place to place. The success or otherwise of the “Sound Car” was still hotly debated and one could only imagine the effect produced in the barrios especially the places where there was still no electricity.
The same year 1954 saw the departure on Oct. 25th, of Fr. Mick McCann as a result of nervous fatigue. While the Australian Province had been very generous in sharing its personnel with the Philippines, the rigors of the climate and the strenuous life which the Missioners imposed upon themselves, was also having an effect.
On January 20th, 1955, Brs. Damien (Rey O’Keefe) and Daniel (Joe Desmond) arrived. Br. Damien went to Legaspi while Br. Daniel remained in Baclaran.
The next new arrival was Fr. Vincent Warren on Dec 24th, 1957.
1958. The Community was Frs. Taylor (Rector), Gyger, Boland, Gaspar, Doherty, Roche, Tither, McEntee and Brs. Placid and Charles.
There were two new arrivals this year, Frs. H. O’Leary and E. Ryan. They went to Lipa and Fr. Warren came to Baclaran.
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n March 5th, 1958, it was announced at all Masses and Novenas that the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help had been made the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and on Nov. 30th, and Dec. 1st, the Altar was consecrated by Archbishop Rufino Santos of Manila assisted by Frs. L O’Leary and Taylor (Rector). The altar of the Sacred Heart was consecrated by Msg. Antiporda assisted by Frs. Gaspar and Tither, The altar of St. Gerard was consecrated by Msg. Patrick Shanley O.C.D. (Infanta) assisted by Frs. Roche and Robb.
Dec. 3rd, was a Wednesday, the first Wednesday of the month and the crowds were an all time high.
In 1959 Fr. Michael Keenan and Br. Hugh arrived on April 5th.
We find an interesting entry in the Chronicles in November 1959:
“The new Air-conditioned Confessionals were christened to day and all were very pleased with their comfort and privacy. It will take some time for the people to get accustomed to them. They were wandering around like lost sheep, looking for a confessor, while all the time the pastor was waiting behind the closed door with the light on. They have never seen such an elaborate confessional.” Ch.B.
In 1960 the community was still nine Fathers and two Brothers. They were:
Frs. Gyger (Rector), Tither, Deane, Fitzgerald, Troy, Doherty, Robb, Warren and E Ryan, Brs. Placid and Damien.
At Midnight of March 7th, a ship arrived in Manila bringing Frs. Ron Murray and John Tobin from Australia, more new blood.
March 28th, was a special Day for the Philippines and all Filipinos for on that day Archbishop Santos received his Cardinal’s Hat in Rome. He was the Philippine’s first Cardinal.
The Novena kept growing at its own pace and on Sept. 7th, it was Telecast for the first time. Fr. Humphrey O’Leary was the preacher.
Dec 13th, Fr. James Doherty left the Philippines to be stationed in Australia.
The Baclaran Community became the residence for the New Juvenate, which opened on June 3rd, 1961. It began with fifteen Juvenists and Fr. Humphrey O’Leary was the first Director. However by September 13th, there were only 10 remaining.
Fr. Ruben Estrella arrived on August 26th. He was the first Filipino Redemptorist of the Manila V.P. He had been ordained on March 20th, in Australia where he had completed his studies for the Priesthood.
On March 7th. of the following year, Frs. Owen Ryan and Reg Ahearn arrived to teach in the Juvenate.
In 1962 at the beginning of the school year June 1st, there were 44 Juvenists.
“One from Bicol left almost immediately. 16 will go into 1st, year in Guadalupe, the six old boys will continue in other years and the others will study in Baclaran.” Ch.B.
Fr. Robb was now installed as Director of the Juvenate.
On October of the same year Fr. Talty, who had been recently appointed to the Philippines at his own request, arrived. And in November Fr. Bonifacio Flordeliza arrived from Australia where he had completed his studies and been Ordained.
On March 20th, 1963, Brs. Epifanio, Florencio and Jaime arrived from Australia. They had completed their Novitiate in Galong, Australia, and been Professed on 15th. of the same month.
On May 10th, 1963 Frs. John Maguire and David Clancy arrived from Australia.
And in July the Juvenists transferred to Antipolo.
On July 28th, Fr. Maguire preached his first Tagalog sermon.
The Baclaran Community next became hosts to the First Novitiate in the Vice Province of Manila. This happened on Sept. 8th. Fr. Dean was the Novice Master. There were three Postulants from Cebu and eight from Antipolo.
On Oct. 8th, Fr. Maguire preached his first mission sermon in Tagalog in Mandaluyong and on Oct. 28th, he went to Lipa to take part in his first Tagalog Mission with Fr. Tither.
Fr. Crisanto De los Reyes was Ordained on the 19th, Nov. 1964 in Manila Cathedral. He had completed his studies in Australia, but was then allowed to come home to the Philippines for Ordination.
In February 1964 Frs. Maguire and Flordeliza were transferred to Lipa.
There were a number of new arrivals in the next three years.
• Br. Gabriel (Pat Kearney) arrived on Feb. 5th, 1965.
• Fr. Frank Pidgeon on March 15th, of the same year.
• Fr. John McMahon on Sept. 15th.
• In 1966, Fr. Vincent Doherty arrived on July 7th.
• And on Oct 16th, Br. Reynaldo was Professed. He was the first product of the New Novitiate in the Philippines.
• In 1967, Fr. Bill O’Halloran arrived on April 16th, he had been a leading Missioner in Australia for many years.
• Fr. Hugh Thomas arrived on May 19th.
• Fr. Merv O’Malley on May 31st.
• Fr. Teofilo Vinteres on July 1st. Phil (Teofilo) Vinteres was another Filipino who had been trained in Australia. He was Ordained on Sept. 24th, 1966.
• And in 1967 Br. Expedito Francisco was Professed on the 16th, of October.
• And in 1968 on 12th, of June, Br. Philip Gibb arrived to take the place of Br. Hugh, who had been in bad health for some time.
On June 1st, 1968 the Novitiate was moved to Lipa.
And on August 30th, there were two new arrivals from Australia Frs. John Timbs and Max Dickson.
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p until this time Missions were all of one type. They resembled the missions that we had known as children in Australia. Mass was said each morning and benediction and sermon were the highlights of the evening. Confessions were heard after all Masses or devotions. The morning was occupied in visiting houses and the afternoon, after siesta of course, was devoted to teaching Catechism to the children or performing Baptisms. Towns were given one or two weeks and barrios three or four days according to how long it required to go from one place to the next. The Missioners had to be physically fit to carry generators and huge Mass Kits, especially in places that could not be reached by public transport. Usually the Missioners came home for one week in the month, but this differed in different communities and depended mostly on the Superior. The sermons were on the same topics as in Australia, Salvation, Sin, Hell, Confession, Prayer, Mass and the Blessed virgin. On two week Missions the sermons depended very much on the capabilities of the missioners, and the Sermons that each one was able to preach, as all sermons were memorized.
By 1968 it was becoming clear that Missions in the City were losing their attractive appeal and people, now used to watching television, were not so keen to get up and go to church each evening. Missioners were also changing, and transistors were the in thing. Many Missioners were no longer happy to carry around large generators and heavy amplifiers. Transistors offered ease of movement and lack of hassle and could be used anywhere, even if the big sound was not quite so big.
A quote from Fr. Flordeliza gives some idea of the situation at the time, and the beginnings of efforts to do something about it;
“A very tentative attempt at renewal following the Vatican Council and our own General Constitutions and Statutes, was made in Licab (Nueva Ecija) in 1968. It was there that participation of the laity in our Missions took a very uncertain beginning. Later on though, it seemed that the Licab experience was a turning point in our Mission Methodology, because from that time on, the laity has been a fixture in our Missions.
While Lipa was the first to pioneer working with non-Redemptorists, it was Legaspi Community which was the first to train its own lay co-workers.” (“Life begins at 50”, Fr. Boni Flordeliza in V.P. News and Features no 4, 1998).
At this stage it only needed a prophet to come into our midst and challenge us to make a few changes from the accepted order of the day and the “modus operandi”. The prophet appeared in the person of Fr. David “George” Tither. He challenged us to give a Mission in the entire fourth District of Manila. He got the Archbishop all excited; some of the parish priests approved, some thought the idea was crazy and one said that it was positively dangerous. However nothing could stop the prophet and so the Mission began simultaneously in the six parishes of Paco, Pandacan, Penafrancia, San Andres, Sta Ana and Pius X. One priest was assigned to each parish and Fr. George was the overall co-ordinator. The plan was to have a couple of months of preparation followed by preaching, Mass and confessions in about 40 mission areas simultaneously, each night for one week.
The question was “Where to get enough priests and how to motivate them?” This was the job of the overall co-ordinator. The Mission began with a Leaders Seminar for a group of leaders chosen from all the parishes. The action then moved to the various parishes where preparation was made for the street meetings. There were to be five street meetings in each Mission Center, the meetings would be weekly, leading up to the week of the preaching. The topics in the street meetings were different from the topics of the Mission sermons and were to be given by the leaders of the area (already trained for this purpose). Speakers were assigned for each area and the meetings were scheduled so that the priest could be present at as many as possible. Each night found the Missioners at one of the meetings and sometimes at two.
The Miracle was that it happened as scheduled. Mass was said in each area each night for six nights. Occasionally someone had to say two masses and sometimes the preacher had to hear the confessions but it happened and with memorable results. The Redemptorists involved were Fr. Tither who was the overall coordinator, Frs. Pidgeon, Paco Parish; Vinteres, San Andres Bukid; Flordeliza, Pius 10th; E. Ryan, Penafrancia; Vin Doherty, Santa Anna; and Ted Roche in Pandacan. Fr. Roche was replaced by Fr. Maguire after one month, when he was called to Australia because his sister was dying of cancer. The Missioners lived together in an old house belonging to a Dr. Mendoza, on the corner of Merced and Perdigon Streets in Paco. The Mission was called “Kilusang Ilaw” and it ran from Jan 4th,-March 29th, 1969.
29 Other Missions were given during 1969. These were in Manila 11, Nueva Ecija 11, Bulacan 7. 54 Retreats were given in the same year.
A youth Mission called “Challenge to Youth” was also given by Frs. Maguire and Vinteres in 1969. It was exclusively for young men.
“The idea came from the Sacristans. Fr. Maguire was going to give them a retreat. They suggested that it be open to all “Binata”. The sacristans did the pre-retreat contacting of young men. About an average of 150 attended each night. Some asked for a repeat next year.” Ch.B. P 298. (N.B. Sacristans were still all male at this time.)
In February of the same year 1969 Frs. Ben Moraleda and Romy Banaban two newly Ordained Redemptorists returned from Australia where they had completed their studies for the Priesthood.
And on December 19th, we witnessed the ordination of Fr. Nestor Olgado in Lipa City, his home town.
In 1970 only 10 Missions were given by the Baclaran community. Manila 4, Bulacan 4, Nueve Ecija 1. However this included a “Kilusang Ilaw” style Mission in the Parish of Sta. Rita Baclaran for a period of three months, Aug 2nd, to Oct 30th. 27 areas were Missionized by six Missioners and the final day was highlighted by a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament which went through all the Mission areas with Benediction at a prepared altar in each place. The Missioners were Frs. McEntee, De los Reyes, Cox, Maguire (overall co-ordinator), Roche, and Dean (V.P.).
21 Retreats were also given this year.
Oct. 14th, Br. Leo Ryan died suddenly. He was 65 years old and had been 25 years in the Philippines. A huge typhoon had just passed through Manila and we had no electricity, many trees were down, and part of the Church Roof had been removed. As a result Fr. Pete Robb, the Rector, was unable to come home for the funeral. He was giving a Mission in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, at the time. He didn’t even know that Brother had died until his return the following week.
1971 the number of Missions given was 19. Manila had 5, Bulacan 5 and Nueva Ecija 9. Retreats were 47.
Beginning, Feb. 26th, another “Kilusang Ilaw” style Mission was given in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. It began with a Seminar for leaders of both Town and Barrios and then a Preached Mission of one week first in town and then in each of the barrios. It ran through most of Lent.
On July 8th, Fr. Vinteres took over as Prefect of the Collegiate in a house in Libertad St., Mandaluyong. He was still stationed in Baclaran and helped there on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Professed Students moved into Baclaran on July 10th, with Fr. Turner as their Prefect. They had been previously living in the C.I.C.M. Seminary in Taytay. This meant that within the period from 1960-1971 Baclaran had been home to the Juvenate, the Novitiate and the Professed Students in quick succession.
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972 was a memorable year for the Shrine, for on Dec. 16th, Rey Culaba was ordained to the priesthood. He was ordained in the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help by Msg. Paulino, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Parish Pirest of Sto Niño, Tondo. Fr. Rey was a past resident of Baclaran and had been a sacristan in the Shrine as a boy.
In 1972 only 2 traditional Missions were given. 1 was in Bulacan and 1 in Batangas. Retreats: were 11.
As well as other apostolic works mentioned above a Mission was begun in the Parish of Sto. Niño in Tondo in the same year. This began in January 1972 and ended on March 31st, 1973. Missioners were from both Baclaran and Lipa. Missioners were Roche, E. Ryan, Maguire and Olgado from Baclaran, Flordeliza, Tither, Cox and de los Reyes from Lipa and Moraleda from Legaspi. Frs. Dean, Timbs and Owen Ryan also took part for one or other area.
We read in the Chronicles near the end of the Mission:
“The missioners were a combined team from Lipa and Baclaran-varying from 7-9 Fathers. The Sto. Niño Parish, now administered by Auxiliary Bishop Paulino, was divided into Street blocks, following the Block Rosary divisions, and a separate mission was given in each place. The system was, more or less, - choosing potential leaders, giving them a leadership training Seminar in a house, and then holding a preached Mission for all in that block. When the Fathers giving the adult Mission moved on, those specializing in the Youth ministry moved in to give a week for the youth, organizing them under leaders etc; the parish is said to have 180,000-250,000 people. The Fathers lived the whole time in a rented House in Tondo itself. The bishop paid the rent of 600 Pesos per month and the Fathers ate their meals in different houses in the area, with the exception of breakfast. For the next two weeks, they will go back over some of the areas to see how the people are keeping up the impetus given by the Mission. They will also evaluate the work with the Bishop. The whole Mission is an experimentation under the direct Supervision of the Vice Provincial.” Ch.B. P349-350.
And on April 3rd, 1973:
“Evaluation of the Tondo Mission is on to day; taking part are all the Missioners, The Bishop, Parish Council and other leaders.” Ch.B.
A mention should also be given of Br. Phillip (Kevin Gibb) who was also an active member of the Mission team. He set up the house in the beginning of the mission and appeared every couple of days with supplies of whatever was needed. He also provided biscuits, drinks and other items necessary for Meriendas and after Mission suppers. Although the Mission lasted for more than a year he was just as enthusiastic at the end as at the beginning.
After the General Mission in the 4th District of Manila in 1968 things were never the same. There was a division appearing between the Redemptorists who had been involved in this Mission and those who had not. 1972 saw the beginning of the Tondo Mission. The Tondo Mission was a result of the efforts of the Missioners involved in the General Mission in the fourth District to find something similar but less complicated and the efforts of the Secretariat for the Apostolate to rationalize the new ideas coming from the new freedom the missioners were enjoying. The Tondo mission was organized by the Secretariate for the Apostolate and manned by volunteers from both communities of Lipa and Baclaran. New sermon topics were worked out in a workshop held in Antipolo which was attended by representatives of the Secretariate and other Missioners. The Sermon topics were based on the Vatican Council Document “Gaudium at Spes.”
Meetings were held in the Parish and the Mission began. As one good citizen who later became an enthusiastic leader, said “When we heard you talking we said ‘Here’s another group coming in to do their thing’, but when you started walking around the streets we knew that you were serious and interested in us.”
This time instead of the overall leaders Seminar there was a seminar in each area, and the areas were restricted to about four or five streets. Each priest had a section of the parish and he divided it into areas. Each area had a number of streets and each street was to have it’s own street Mission. This time there was no time limit. Half the group was assigned to the youth, who had their own Mission following the adult Mission, in the same Street. Marshal Law interrupted the Mission for a while but before long Fr. Tither was able to get permission from Camp Crame to continue. Most of the Mission Leaders were later chosen as barangay leaders, which showed that, either we had chosen the right people, or the Government thought that we had. However this was not a great help to the Mission, as we had no desire to be seen as belonging to any political faction. The Mission lasted for one year and a quarter, and was unfinished when we left, but the communities were calling for their members, and Bishop Paulino, the parish priest of Tondo, admitted that we had done much more than he thought possible in the time. At that time, according to the Bishop, there were 250,000 people in the parish.
One interesting happening was that when the opposition to the Mission was very strong for various reasons, the Vice Provincial himself (Fr. P.Dean) went to Tondo and joined for a few weeks, a much appreciated gesture of solidarity.
In 1973: there were 6 Missions given; all in Manila. This was as well as the Mission in Tondo, which lasted until March 31st. There were 6 Retreats also that year.
June 27th, 1973 was the 25th, year of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
“Cardinal Santos said Mass at 8.a.m. He gave a homily from the altar. He said that he had prepared a sermon but now decided that he had something better to say. He said that he had just returned from Europe and while there he had visited Lourdes and Fatima. Now while he was at the altar he suddenly realized that he had Lourdes and Fatima here too in his own Diocese. Then he wept. The people wept too. No one will easily forget this”. Ch. V.P. 128.
The Cardinal was a man of very regular habits and the altar servers and other assistants were carefully instructed and well prepared before the fiesta so that the Cardinal would not be inconvenienced in any way.
The procession before the Mass always started at the back of the Church but the servers were instructed that when the Mass was finished they should process straight to the Sacristy so that the Cardinal would not be hassled by the people.
On this day when the Mass was finished, instead of following the Altar Servers, the Cardinal said, “I will greet the people” and walked down into the center isle. The Superior accompanied him, and about fifteen minutes later they emerged at the other end of the Church, with the Cardinal more than usually happy. Did he have a presentment of what was coming?
“This was to be his last Mass in Baclaran and his last big public appearance. He had a stroke on June 29th, in the evening, and was taken in a comatose state to Makati Medical Center. July 13th, he was transferred to San Juan de Dios, where he underwent an operation on July 17th. He remained in the same state until his death on Sept. 3rd. He was only 65 years of age.” Ch.B. P397.
The Tondo Experimental Mission was still in every body’s mind, and feelings were still very strong, as can be seen from the following extract from the chronicles of July 19th:
“A Community Meeting of the priests was held to-day. The topic was ‘The External Apostolate.’
1. Whether there should be a Mission Team in the house?
2. Whether there should be a Prefect of missions?
3. Whether Baclaran and Lipa should work regularly as a team?
The fear of a Mission team was that it might divide the Community and that those left at home may not only lose interest in the Missions, but even the desire, after three years, to go on Mission again.
The same idea was expressed about a Prefect of Missions – it may be divisive of Community to have a group working without being directly under the Rector in their work.
The long awaited evaluation of the Tondo experiment was again requested and the opinion that we should not begin another Mission until it is first discussed, was also reiterated.” Ch.B. P386.
Sept. 18th, 1973 saw a new arrival, Fr. Des McGrory.
And on 2nd, of October Br. Reginald McGuire arrived.
Also before the end of the year we witnessed another Redemptorist Ordination. On Dec. 22nd, Efren Gonzales was Ordained to the Priesthood in Tabaco, Albay, by Msg. Pacis the Bishop of Legaspi.
In 1974 all 15 Missions were in Manila. No retreats are recorded for that year.
Other happenings were;
March 19th. Jaime Sin is installed as Archbishop of Manila.
March 30th, Chris de los Reyes was reduced to the Lay State.
The Studendate was officially moved to Antipolo. Actually this was comprised of only two people, Fr. Vin Doherty the Prefect, and Manny Thomas his student.
Sept. 9th:
“Missions started again in the Baclaran Parish of Sta. Rita. The Mission is on the other side of Quirino Ave. From Pasay Jail to Airport Road; it is divided into three areas.” Ch.B.
F
rom the time of the Tondo Mission most Missions were adaptations of the Tondo style to the local area, rural or urban; leadership training, followed by street meetings in mission Areas. Some few, however wished to return to the old style and continued to do so for a few years to come. One thing became evident to us: it was the need for more permanent leaders. We spent a lot of time training leaders and then when the Mission finished, we had to leave and train more. Using leaders from other areas was only practical when the distances were not far, and this was rarely the case. Besides we wanted the local leaders to continue working in their own areas.
After the community reshuffle in 1975, the Lipa community decided to invite the nuns of the area, where we were working, to participate. This was very successful in Lipa City, where we had nuns from three different communities working with us. When we began the Mission in Lucena City, we sought the help of the Sisters in the area, but as most of them were teaching, they suggested that we ask their Superior to give us someone from Manila. Two Sisters were assigned to the team from the Community of the Daughters of Charity in Sucat. The M.C.S.T. gave us one Sister also. The Mission lasted two months with a team of five Redemptorists, three nuns, and most of our own novices coming in from time to time. The priests of the parish helped with the barangay masses. The areas were the Barangays and each Redemptorist was assigned two or more Barangays, with the other Missioners (nuns and novices) divided up among the areas.
A Seminar for leaders was given in each barangay, and the leaders from that barangay were the ones who had the responsibility in that area. Basically they repeated in the streets what we had done with them in the Seminar. During the day we visited the homes. In the afternoon the Sisters or one of the novices helped the youth to prepare a drama for the night. In the night activities we usually had the Rosary followed by the drama or a short talk from one of the leaders. This was followed by a group discussion, with one of the leaders as facilitator of each group, to make sure that something would happen. The feedback from the discussion was written up on a blackboard and then one of the leaders or one of the other Missioners would summarize. The priest would then read the gospel and preach the sermon, using the information on the blackboard to illustrate the topic for the night. A spontaneous prayer of the Faithful would follow, then the offertory and the Mass would continue. Confessions were heard after the Mass or during the Rosary. A Penitential Service was held, usually on the fourth night with a General Absolution. This usually resulted in an increase in Confessions on the subsequent nights. The Preached Mission lasted six nights and each Barangay had around three or four Mission areas depending on the size. At the end of the whole Mission there was a grand Rally in the City Plaza, with a procession coming from each barangay.
This type of Mission continued for the next five years in most towns of Quezon, Batangas City and Olongapo, and culminated in the Mission in Lucban, Quezon, where we fielded the entire Lipa Community, less one, and six nuns from the daughters of Charity. The Mission finished with two huge Processions, one of the Blessed Sacrament for the men and one of the Blessed Virgin for the women. Very soon after this the Community reshuffle took place and a new era began.
One thing had become evident from these experiences and that was that we needed more permanent leaders. The nuns were full of zeal but their Superiors liked changing them for each Mission and seemed to be using the Mission as a training ground or testing ground for people destined for the foreign Missions This meant that we were continually training people instead of reaping the benefit of their experience. As a result of this the new Superior of Lipa, Fr. Ed. Ryan began negotiating with the Philippine Lay Mission Program to find out if they could supply us with some of their graduates. So began our co-operation with the P.L.M.P. However their leaders were trained for parish work, which was the purpose for which they had been founded and after a few years it became evident that we needed our own Lay Missioners who had our orientation and were trained in B.E.C., which had now become the Mission emphasis.
N
ow back to Baclaran. In 1975 the Missions numbered 16. 10 were in Bataan, 5 in Manila and 1 in Bulacan. Retreats were 2.
Worthy of special Mention this year was the Mission in Maypajo. This was in “Kilusang Ilaw” Style. It began on March 2nd and continued through Lent. The College Seminarians joined this Mission during their Easter vacation.
Frs. Tom Mogan and Tony Conway arrived early in 1975 they had been appointed to the Philippines in Oct. of 1974 but there was some hold up in the processing of their papers.
Also in 1975 on August 15th, the Baclaran Mission Team was transferred to Antipolo. The Brothers Formation was also transferred to Antipolo and would be absorbed by the new Integrated Formation Program.
Missions from 1976-1981 were given in Conjunction with Antipolo. See Page 78, for the list of Missions from 1969-1984.
Fr. McEntee, who had been fighting cancer of the pancreas for a couple of years, died on March 22nd, 1977.
Another Ordination to the Priesthood took place in 1977. On March 19th, Manny Thomas was Ordained by Msg. Amantillo C.SS.R., the Bishop of Tandag.
And on 15th, May, Br. Tony Bernardo was Professed.
The following year 1978 we had the Profession of Br. Joel de Guzman on 7th, May.
Three Missioners from the Baclaran Mission Team, Frs. Tither, McSweeney and Medlin joined the Lipa Community in a Kilusang Ilaw type Mission in Batangas City from Sept. 11th, - Dec. 3rd, 1978.
And the same Group came together again for a Mission in Olongapo City from January of 1979 until the middle of May of the same year.
On 1st, May 1979 Br. Recto Frades was professed.
In 1979 also another Redemptorist was raised to the Priesthood. On 4th, of August in Lipa City. Pete Katigbak was Ordained by Msg. Vidal then Archbishop of Lipa.
And in the following year 1980, we had two more Ordinations. These were Frs. Willie Golez and Jinjo Pleta.
The Collegians moved to Mariposa in 1981 on the 15th, of December. And the same year two other important happenings took place:
• The Visit of Pope John Paul 11 on Feb. 17th.
• The Election Fr. Teofilo Vinteres as the First Filipino Redemptorist Vice-Provincial on March 6th.
In 1981 there was a Mission Team appointed to Baclaran again, namely Frs. Flordeliza (Part time), Cox and Maguire.
Fr. Robb was also working for the Tribal People (Dumagats) during this time. He began this work around 1977 and continued until he was appointed Superior of Hong Kong in 1989.
This same year 1981 also brought the arrival of Fr. Michael Burmingham he was to be the last Australian Redemptorist to be appointed to the Philippines. The mother Province which had been so generous over the years was now having serious difficulties recruiting vocations, and Australia no longer had young men to send.
In 1983 the Philippine Lay Mission Program (PLMP) started collaborative work with the Redemptorists. Lipa and Legaspi had the services of two PLMP lay missionaries each.
In 1985 the lay participation in other programs of the Redemptorists started. The Justice and Peace Commission was established, employing Redemptorist lay Pastoral Workers. More and more the lay became involved in the Redemptorist Community Development Center, Baclaran Church Team and the Formation Mission Team.
In 1985 we were once again blessed with the Ordination of Frs. Edwin Taladiar and Teodulo Holgado.
However the same year brought a number of sad events too;
Br. Charles O’Brien died on July 9th, and Fr. Ted Roche on Dec. 5th.
O
n July 11th, 1985 we were shocked to hear of the disappearance of Fr. Rudy Romano, a Redemptorist of the Cebu Vice-Province. This caused much concern both in Cebu and the Vice-Province of Manila.
This was followed by a series of political events in 1986.
• On Feb 6th, the “Snap Election” was held.
• Feb 8th, saw the “Walk Out” of some of the computer operators counting the votes, due to massive cheating, which was clearly apparent in the results. These people came to Baclaran seeking refuge.
• On Feb. 9th, Cardinal Sin used our Church to announce a Failure of Elections.
• And on Feb. 13th, the Body of Evalio Javier former Gov. of Antique, who was ambushed and shot, was on display in the Shrine over night. People kept coming all night to view the body.
• Finally, on Feb. 25th President Marcos and his family departed the Philippines for Hawaii.
The Vice Provincial Chapter of 1986 endorsed the following recommendations:
1. “That the Vice-Province set up a program for training and maintaining the Redemptorist Lay Missionaries.
2. The Chapter asks the Vice Provincial Council to task the Secretariate for the Apostolate to organize a Training Institute on a Vice Provincial level.
3. We support the Legaspi Community and any other community that seeks to launch a R.L.M. Training Program. This will be for the benefit of the whole Vice-Province. Even if it is centered in a specific community, it is open to other communities.” Minutes of V.P. Chapter 1986.
And on November 3rd, 1986 we read:
“Eight trainees for Lay Missioners of the Redemptorists, 6 women and 2 men arrived in Manila to do their training in Antipolo under Fr. Flordeliza.” Ch.B.
This was the beginning of the R.L.M. Formation Program and a mile stone in the Progress of the Missions especially the Lay Participation
In 1987 the political turmoil was further inflamed with the Shooting, on Mendiola Bridge, of a number of demonstrators, on Jan. 22nd.
These events and the atmosphere of the times had a big influence on the people coming to the Shrine and those in our Mission areas, as well as on the Redemptorists working in the Shrine and on the Missions.
On July 30th, 1987, Baclaran House was divided into two Communities. The upstairs community was composed of the Shrine Team and the Mission Team. The Liguori community, which would live on the lower floor, would look after visitors and the sick and its members were free to volunteer for work in the Shrine.
This is not the place to discuss the causes of this division or whether it should have happened at this time or any time; that is another story; however it would seem that the many happenings of the previous year certainly led to the precipitation of this action at this time.
1987 Oct. 29th, the new refectory upstairs was blessed. This was a Controversial happening, because it was the incarnation of the two Communities in one house.
We read:
“The following reasons for and against became hotly debated.
1. The feeling of the old confreres that they are being isolated.
2. The need to implement new changes without having to be bogged down by the contra comments from some senior Fathers.
3. The needed cost of the construction which was way beyond the present financial capacity of the house. Using the kitchen and refectory as the common room, however, solved this.” Ch.B.
Changes became evident immediately beginning on Nov. 5th, 1987 with Planning for the Coming Year. The planning began with a BCC.Co., orientation. The result was that in 1988 most of the year was spent in re-orienting the Various Church Groups, especially the Volunteers.
The Shrine Team Community had a Process Retreat on July 21-27th.
Security was discussed and we were told to presume that the Phones were being tapped.
During this time Fr. Flordeliza and Br. Joel de Guzman were the Mission Team attached to the Shrine Team Community. This was the first time that a Brother had been a member of the Mission Team in Baclaran. Since 1968 Brothers Epifanio, and Florencio had taken part in the Missions from time to time with the Lipa Community. This was not easy at the time since they also had many other duties in the Community. From the beginning of the Brothers Formation in Lipa, and later in Antipolo the Brothers were trained to work on Missions and did so. However on this occasion Br. Joel was appointed as a full time Member of the Mission Team and this work was his priority.
1988 Baclaran Church Team employed a Lay Member Mr. Dodong Ty who was a trained Organizer.
1988 and 1989 brought a series of losses to the Vice-Province;
• 1988. Feb. 9th, Fr. Ed. Ryan decided to return to Australia.
• Fr. Warren who was in Australia for vacation decided not to return for family reasons. He had been in the Philippines for around thirty years.
• 1988. March 1st, Fr. Pat Talty died.
• 1988. Dec. 9th, Br. Philip returned to New Zealand.
• 1989. Fr. Tom Mogan died on May 16th, in Rome.
• 1989. June 10th, Fr. Robb left to become Superior of the new foundation in Hong Kong.
• 1989. June 30th, Fr. Neville Cox was appointed to Morgan St. Newcastle.
• 1989. July 1st, Fr Jim Ryan had a massive stroke and the doctors said that he would never be able to return to the Philippines. He still remains a member of the Vice-Province.
• The same year, 1989, Fr. Frank Pidgeon was transferred to Australia and assigned to minister to Asian Overseas Workers.
However not all was bad news in 1989. In February the Secretariate for the Apostolate sponsored the 1st, Lay Forum.
And in the same year we read:
“A Mission Conference was held, the first featuring the participation of the Laity.” Ch.B
Another bright spot was the Ordination of Fr. Caloy Ronquillo on the 26th, of August.
One incident that happened at this time was a typical example of the uneasy situation and the fear that many people lived with. This one brought things home to us, because it affected people we knew and had mixed with day after day. On May 30th, 1989 Joe Nouay, one of our maintenance workers, was shot on his way to work. He was driving his own car with his wife beside him. When he slowed down at the entrance of their sub-division he was approached by two men, they pulled out guns and shot him at close range. He was brought to the Shrine for the Funeral Mass and blessing due to his many years of service to the Community.
T
he new orientation started to have effect and we read in the Vice- Province of Manila, Newsletter in Dec. 1989:
“BBC.Co., areas are alive. Barrio Maligaya is organizing for the expected eviction. San Juan is producing enthusiastic youth participants. Also a youth group is growing around the Shrine.” NL
From 1977 to 1990 the Vice-Province suffered a huge number of losses. Of the seven Ordinations during this time only five remain in the priesthood to-day. Six Redemptorists who were working in the Vice province in 1977, died before 1990 and ten others left the Vice-Province during this time ether for health or other reasons. However, God was moving quietly behind the scenes because it was during these years that the Redemptorist experience of working with Lay Missioners was evolving into the Redemptorist Lay Mission Program.
In November of 1990 we see mention of:
“New Lay Pastoral Workers in Baclaran.”Ch.B.
And the same year the “Commission on Lay Missioners” was created.
It was composed of Professed and Lay Missioners.
On April 11th, 1991 there was a Lay Colloquium.
We read:
“1991, April 11th-12th, and 29th-30th, the Missioners of the Vice province both Lay and Professed gathered for a Colloquium and to draw up guidelines for better cooperation.” CH.B.
In July of 1992 we read:
“The Lay Missioners of the V.P. now number 31. 10 of these work in Legaspi, 11 in Lipa, 3 in Mariposa and 7 are stationed in Baclaran.” CH.B.
In the same month the First Lay Formation Program under the Commission on Lay Missioners took place. Fr. Bonifacio Flordeliza, CSSR headed it. There were 11 Formands, 9 from Bicol and 2 from Batangas.
On July 11th, 1992 the Baclaran Community was shocked when Brother Anthony “Tony” Bernardo died of a massive heart attack. He was only 52 years of age and was very active with his new Apostolate for Alcoholics and Drug Addicts.
However, before the end of the year we were able to celebrate another Ordination. Fr. Oliver Castor of Tanauan, Batangas was Ordained on the 22nd, of August.
In 1992 the Baclaran Mission Team was once again sent out of town, this time to Lipa and was working in Calumayin, Cuenca and Nangkaan, Mataas na Kahoy.
1993 was a year of good news:
• The Lay Missioners were integrated with the Professed in “Expanded and Revitalized Communities.”
• Ariel Lubi from Lipa City was Ordained to the Priesthood on July 24th.
• And the Mission team was back again in Baclaran with Missions in West Bicutan and Maligaya.
Also in 1993 the Shrine Team was in full flight and in October they held the First Baclaran Shrine General Assembly. This was attended by all the volunteer groups and Monsignor Lim, the Bishop of Marinduque and the head of the BCC.Co., was the guest speaker.
A Medical/Dental Clinic was opened using the old Sacristy on June 29th, 1994. This was seen as an attempt to help the people around the Shrine and also those from the Areas where we were giving Missions.
In 1995 on Jan. 6th, Fr. Paddy Dean died. Paddy had been one of the great Missioners of the Vice-Province for many years and was the First Elected Vice-Provincial of Manila. He was also a great supporter of the New Mission initiatives in the V.P.
1n Feb. 1995 a new Mission started in Sto. Niño, Pasay.
From December the 1st, to the 3rd, of 1995:
“There was a Lakbay Laiko General Assembly. 17 attended.” Ch.B.
The same year 1995 from June 11-13th, the Holy Father John Paul 11 attended the “World Youth Day” in the Philippines and addressed a crowd of about three million people.
Also in July 1995 the MPS Sisters started helping on the Baclaran Missions, and became members of the Baclaran Mission Team.
The blessing and opening of “Sarnelli Center for Street Children” took place on Sept.16th, 1995. This was an outreach Program of the Baclaran Shrine Community and was a “Drop In” center only.
Another Apostolate involving Lay Volunteers was the St. Gerard Family life Center which specializes in Guidance and Counseling to strengthen family life. It is networking with the OMPH Social Services, Pro Life Philippines, Natural Family Planning (NFP) and with various maternity homes. They support the fight against abortion, contraceptives and divorce. It was founded by Fr. Boni Flordeliza in 1995. He was the first Director followed by Fr. Dave Clancy from 1995-2002 and then Fr. Maguire. In its first five years it served about 5,000 counselees, face to Face or through the telephone. The numbers have increased in recent times due to a large Notice posted on the front of the Convento.
In January 1996 the 2nd Lay Formation Program opened. Mr. Ronald Bucud, a lay formator headed it. There were 6 lay Formands, 4 from Bicol, 1 from Batangas and 1 from Quezon City.
Also in 1996, Ciriaco Santiago, of Baclaran, was Professed as a Redemptorist Brother on April 27th, and Jun Adriano, a Bicolano, was Ordained to the Priesthood on Dec. 14th.
In 1997 there was a three-day Renewal Mission in Sto. Niño from Jan. 10-12th. This marked the end of our Mission activities in that parish.
The third Lay Formation Program started in July 1997, headed by Ms. Elenita Atienza, and there were 5 Lay Formands. Of these, 3 came from Bicol and 2 from Batangas.
1997 was the Golden Jubilee of the Vice-Province of Manila. To celebrate there was a two-Day get-together called a Corroboree (An Australian Aboriginal Ceremony to remember and celebrate their History), ending on Oct. 16th, the Feast of St. Gerard. All ex-members of the Vice-Province were invited as well as a number of retired church workers and volunteers. The Baclaran Community finished the day by Visiting Fr. Leo “Joe” English in Makati Medical. He had been in the Philippines for sixty years and was very sick. He died on Oct. 19th, at the age of 89.
The Mission in Sitio Libho in Sto. Niño, Parañaque was started in January 1998. The Sitio contained people from 11 Provinces of the Philippines.
The Mission was now highly organized and contained the following teachings and activities:
Community Responsibility
Bible Sharing Recollections
Catechism
There was a Medical/Dental Mission,
Then a Preached Mission from Oct. 5th-10th,
Followed by B.C.C. Training and Organizing.
In March 1998 a new house in L. Gabriel was rented and blessed, for Sarnelli Center for Street children as the original house was now too small.
1998 was also the 50th, Anniversary of the Novena and was celebrated with a Pilgrimage Congress from June 23rd -27th.
The 1998 Lakbay Layko Annual Gathering from October 16th–20th, was attended by 15 members. 4 came from Baclaran, 4 from Lipa, 5 from Legaspi and 2 were contacts of the Formation Community.” CH.B.
The 4th, Lay Formation Program opened in July 1999. Ms Elenita Atienza and Ms. Marivic Listana were assigned as coordinators of the Program. There were 4 Lay Formands, 3 from Bicol and 1 from Baclaran.
I
n 2001 another Mission from Baclaran was held in Hong Kong, a squatter area in Las Piñas, with 600 households. The Missioners were 1 priest, 3 Sisters (M.P.S) and.1 Lay Missioner.
We read:
“In 2001 to coincide with the Preparation for Christmas, Baclaran started a new Mission. The place is Seaside Square, barangay Tambo. ‘Seaside’ contains 570 households living on Government Lands. The Missioners are M.P.S (four Sisters), one Lay Missioner and Frs. Joey and Caloy. It is scheduled to finish within six months.” Ch.B.
It ended on May 5th.
Also in 2001 a new construction was completed within the church Compound for Sarnelli Center 11. This became a residential center for Street Children who were more settled and able to attend school regularly. It was blessed by Fr. General who was visiting here at the time. The other Center remained a “Drop In” center until we purchased the old property of Dra. Peña in L.Gabriel near Airport Rd. This then became the “Drop In” Center and remains so until today.
Fr. Phil Vinteres died on November 5th, of the same year at 12.07 midnight in Baclaran. He had been in and out of hospital for a couple of years fighting Pancreatic Cancer. Most of the Baclaran Community together with the Studendate community were present at his death. He had been Vice-provincial for almost twelve years.
In 2002 we read:
“The Lay Missioners are down to seven but they have a number of prospects ready for training.” Ch.B.
In June of the same year the 5th, Lay Formation Program started with Mr. Carlito Latorre as the LFP Coordinator. There were 5 Lay Formands at the beginning, 2 from Bicol, 1 from Lipa, 1 from Pampanga and 1 from Manila.
People may be surprised by the drop in numbers of lay Missioners however this was only a matter of dreams giving way to reality. Lay Missioners are not Religious. They cannot be expected to commit themselves to the Missions for life. As they get older they have to start making plans for their future. Also marriage can come in to change their life’s plans. Sickness can also interfere with one’s commitment. The only true gauge of the strength of the Lay Mission Program is the number of Candidates in formation. There must be ongoing Formation Programs to replace those who are ready to move on to other forms of life.
The Mission in Seaside continued into 2002.
In January there was a Basic Bible Orientation.
A Youth Encounter followed from Jan. 25th, - 27th.
This was followed by other activities
• Bible Sharing Groups
• Cluster Street Masses
• Lenten Recollection
• A Kerygmatic retreat during Holy Week
• Finishing with a BEC Orientation Seminar and the “Mission Turnover.”
Around this time Fr. Ernie Garcia returned to the Philippines. He was in the seminary here many years ago but transferred to our Seminary in North America due to the immigration of his family. He was Ordained there and has worked for many years in Canada both on Missions and retreat work. We hope that he will have a long and happy life in the Vice Province of Manila.
In 2003 Missions were given in “Puyat Compound” and “Riverside”, Tambo in the first half of the year.
The second half of the year the Missioners transferred to “Almanzaville” Our Lady of Pilar, Parish and later to a Barrio of Muntinlupa. This Mission was completed in 2004.
In 2004 Simultaneous Missions were given in “Jerusalem” Compound and in “Almanzaville 11”. The Mission Team is comprised of a Priest, a Seminarian, three M.P.S. Sisters and three Lay Missioners. They are divided into two sub-teams one in each area and are assisted with Masses by other Priests from the Baclaran Community.
Also in 2004 the existing Social Services Center became the “Crisis Intervention Center”. This was an effort to reach out to the people in real need and not concentrate only on those who come looking for help. So far it is producing good results. It is now Networking with a number of Hospitals, e.g. PGH, Children’s’ Hospital; it is also networking with the Barangay Health Office, and the Philippine “Feed the Children Program”. Through this Networking we are able to reach a greater number of needy people and help many more than we could otherwise help.
It has been a long journey from 1932 until the present time. Baclaran Community has weathered many crises. The Missions have developed in many ways and would be hardly recognizable to the members of the First Baclaran Community. Most of the work now on the external Missions is being done by the Lay Missioners and the Sisters. The work in “The National Shrine” is now accepted as a perpetual Mission. However, I am sure that all would be happy to be called followers of the small group who set out in 1932 in the newly built Monastery to “give Missions to the Filipino People wherever they were needed.”
Let us Praise God for what they achieved and pray that we may be able to do as much.
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- 1 or 3 374 374 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 2 711 711 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 3 711 711 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 2 693 693 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 3 693 693 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 2 593 593 1 0 0 0 1 or 2dvchrbu 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 3 593 593 1 0 0 0 1 or 2dvchrbu 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 2 910 910 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 3 910 910 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 default username and password
- 192 1 or 2 33 33 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 default username and password
- 1 or 2 364 364 1 0 0 0 1 168 1 1 admin username and password