In preparation for the celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, Rev. Fr. Jul Elden D. Nuique, parish priest of Sta. Cecilia Parish provided a catechism on the ‘Jubilee Door’ held in Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, San Mateo Rizal, hosted by Bro. Mark Pelobello. Before the initial program, Sis. Emma from San Isidro Labrador Parish led the opening prayer and then the parish priest of Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, Rev. Fr. Lopito Hiteroza also known as Fr. Bembol gave his opening remarks.
After that Fr. Jul started his catechism on the Jubilee Door. His catechism centered on three parts. The first one is CBCP article on the celebration, the second is an explanation of the logo, third is on the declaration of Jubilee church and where did the Jubilee Door originate.
Before he discussed the first part, he explained that the Jubilee Door consists of two words. ‘Jubilee’ is the word for years which is more in value or honor than in other years of history and the ‘door’ symbolizes the journey and arrival for your destination. Jubilee Year or Jubilee years means that every year there is a return of offerings to Yahweh, thanksgiving for the many blessings that we people, have received. If you have land that is given by paying their debts, in the jubilee year you will have to return it. When you have slaves because they have to pay their debts, you will have to free them.
Unfortunately, when it is later performed it became deficient for the people. If you have worked hard for so many years to make a good living, to benefit your family, and secure your descendant's life.
The first part is the CBCP article on the celebration. According to the CBCP, we are the third-largest population of Catholics in the world. We are predominantly Christian, the CBCP also said something about the lack of attendance of Catholics in church activities. According to statistics from the CBCP, the only attending Catholics based on the population of Parishes is 1%. Because only 1% of the population can occupy the church even before we have quarantine restrictions.
The faith and devotion of the Filipinos are known all over the world because of the OFW’s and also, they are called the worldwide catechists. Whenever we encounter problems and dilemmas the first thing we always do is pray. Our behavior is gradually passed and spread to our co-workers, people we take care of, and even to those people, we encounter in our lives.
There was also a 9-year preparation for this year, for the 500 years of Christianity.
Started in 2013, Integral Faith Formation, Year of the Laity (2014), Year of the Poor (2015), Year of the Eucharist and the Family (2016), Year of the Parish as a Communion of Communities (2017), Year of the Clergy and Religious (2018), Year of the Youth (2019), Year of Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue (2020), and this year 2021, Missio ad gentes (mission to the nations) our theme for this year is ‘gifted to give’.
He also shared his learnings in the history of Gomburza. The three priests namely Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, were executed by garrote on 17 February 1872 in Bagumbayan, the Philippines by Spanish colonial authorities. They represent the enormous challenge of Filipino priests and their contribution to Philippine history.
The Official Jubilee Logo
Fr. Jul proceeded to the second part of his catechism which is the explanation of the logo.
The crucifix in the logo represents the cross of Christ, the blue figure on top is like a sail, but for us Catholics, it is easier to see that it looks like a dove, the holy spirit. The background is “Philippine Sun”, derived from the Philippine flag, as it conveys our country being the Pearl of the Orient Sea. The sun also indicates a new life, a new beginning, the Risen Christ, and the hope for our salvation. The central figure is graphic art, depicted from the painting of Fernando Amorsolo’s “First Baptism in the Philippines”, it was taken to show that the beginning of our Christianity is there in the sacrament of baptism. Underneath is the “ICHTHUS” the fish that symbolizes Jesus and the color red signifies the blood of the martyrs. The “Ichthus” is also a sign of looking back to history as the foundation of our Christian faith. Lastly, the blue beads illustrate the “Holy Rosary” as we Filipinos are deeply devoted to our Blessed Mother. Wherever we go we pray and carry the holy rosary.
Our faith in the past 500 years of our Christianity cannot be separated from the history of our country, along with the struggles of the Filipinos, the fact that despite the spilled blood of our heroes from Lapu-Lapu to Jose Rizal and our present heroes.
The last part is the declaration of Jubilee church, these seven churches below will open from April 4 to April 22, 2021, for the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.
National Shrine- Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Cathedral)
Diocesan Shrine- Parish of Our Lady of Light (Cainta, Rizal)
Diocesan Shrine- Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Marikina City)
Diocesan Shrine- Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu (San Mateo, Rizal)
Sta. Ursula Parish (Binangonan Rizal)
San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish (Tanay, Rizal)
Nuestre Señora de la Anunciata Parish (Bosoboso, Antipolo City)
The Jubilee Door in Antipolo Cathedral will open on April 4. And the other 6 Parishes will open the Jubilee Doors on April 10. The two vicariates will gather in the Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu to witness the opening of the Jubilee Door for indulgences. The indulgences are the years we have accumulated because of the sins we have committed here on earth, the accumulated time that we have to be tortured in purgatory will vanish when we receive a plenary indulgence.
Writer: Athea Baranda
Photo: Tom Valientes