Missa Cantata in the Dominican Rite

Image: Cappella Gregoriana Sanctae Caeciliae olim Xicatunensis.

This afternoon, we attended a rare traditional Mass in faraway Quezon City — the Dominican Rite, a unique liturgical rite of the Dominican Order. This ancient rite was celebrated by Fr. Lawrence Lew (from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) at the chapel of the Most Holy Redeemer Parish Church in Barrio Santol, Quezon City. It was made possible through the generosity of its parish priest, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo. It was also the first Dominican Rite Mass since Vatican II.

Fr. Jojo has been the parish priest here since June of last year. His former assignment was the Holy Family Parish Church in nearby Roxas District (where Junífera Clarita was baptized).

We learned a lot about this beloved, ancient rite, thanks to Fr. Lawrence who took time to explain about it in his sermon. His language was splendid; I felt like I was reading a book. Another valuable lesson learned from his sermon is this: in the light of several terrorist attacks in many parts of the world, are we even willing to pray for the conversion of our faith's tormentors, the way Saul of Tarsus the Christian persecutor was converted into one of our faith's most beloved apostles: Saint Paul?

Who here is praying, or at least is willing to pray, for the conversion of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his ISIS cohorts?

Click here for the rest of the photos. Have a nice week ahead! ¡Hasta entonces!

*L*A*F*A*M*I*L*I*A*V*I*A*J*E*R*A*

P.S. I'm not supposed to be blogging. I've already retired myself from writing (at least for now, I think). But Yeyette insisted that I handle this blogpost. So there. But this is for one time only. A recovering daydreamer that I am, I've gone back to experimenting with verses, stuff which I used to do back in college and in my early 20s. If you have the time and patience, you may follow me on my Facebook page where I post lame verses from time to time in the hopes of getting my groove back. If ever. Cheers.

¡Feliz 16º cumpleaños, Krystal!

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Krystal! Nos hubiera querido viajar este día para celebrar tu cumpleaños, pero hay clases hoy (y como ya sabes, estamos en un presupuesto ajustado). Pero esperamos que te hayas gustado la sorpresa. Y seas una buena chica siempre, a tus amigos, miembros de la familia, y sobre todo a tus padres. Y más importante, seas una buena chica cristiana. ¡Te amamos mucho!

¡Feliz 37° cumpleaños, Papá!

Through thick and thin, we never faltered. Through love and hate, we never fainted. Through sweetness and bitterness, we are always together. In richness and in poorness, in sickness and in health: that is what we promised to GOD. May we never forget our "I DO's" to Him, and may we continue to maintain our love and affection towards each other till death do us part. I love you always and beyond, all through eternity, my endless love... Happy 37th birthday, my dear husband Pepe Alas! More birthdays to come, and kisses to you with so much love from all of us in La Familia Viajera!

—Yeyette—