Archbishop Capalla offers Latin Mass

On the occasion of the Feast of the descent of the Holy Ghost (Pentecost Sunday) last May 19,Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, DD celebrated the Holy Mass in Latin (Ad orientem in the Ordinary Form). It was well attended and assisted by the Latin Mass Society of Davao (duly-recognized archdiocesan organization that promotes Latin Mass and traditional practices) and some faithful of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish at Obrero.

During the Holy Sacrifice, millennium-old Gregorian chants resonated inside the Church and the beautiful Veni Creator Spiritus was chanted as it is fitting in the celebration. Other hymns were also sung in Latin.Indeed, one can feel the Church breathing throughout the ages tracing back to the day of Pentecost which is also traditionally known as the birthday of the Catholic Church almost around 1, 980 years ago. These elements, which are seldom used today, can also be introduced today in our masses said in the vernacular while remaining faithful to the reform set forth by Vatican II documents in the Liturgywhich states that, “The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman Liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.” [Sacrosanctum Concilium, n.116] The same constitution ordered that, “the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.” Ibid n36.

Only the readings and the homily were in the vernacular. “This is my first time to say Mass again in Latin after 52 years. When I was ordained in 1961, I said the Traditional Mass,” said the archbishop emeritus. Prior to this Holy Mass, archbishop emeritus lectured on the Theology of Beauty, explaining that in order for something to be considered beautiful it should have the three properties: clarity, proportion and integrity. “All of these properties are found in the Extraordinary Form and especially the Gregorian chant”, he concluded.

On the other hand the Latin Mass Society of Davao, existing in the archdiocese officially for almost three (3) years now, already has conducted several seminars and celebrations relevant to the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Latin Mass) in obedience to the Motu Proprio and Church Law Summorum Pontificum (2007) and its interpreting guidelines Universae Ecclesiae (2009). In the Philippine Church since 2007 there are currently regular Sunday Masses in the Extraordinary Form offered in the dioceses of Baguio, Novaliches, Cubao, Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Bukidnon and others. Currently in Davao we celebrate the Extraordinary Form once a month alternating Ordinary Form and it is well received by the faithful especially the younger generations.  If the group attending is stable enough and consistent, the Archdiocese will be adding another Sunday mass schedule to make it twice (2) a month and hopefully, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Pope St. Pius V, it will be celebrated every Sunday in a regular basis.Sancti Gregorii Magni, ora pro nobis. Sanctis Pii quinti et Pii decemi, orate pro nobis.

By Hubert Gumanay/Contributor