Our Lady of Consolation Parish (OLCP) and Recoletos Formation Center (RFC) together with the devotees and pilgrims celebrated last September 2, 2018 the feast of Mary as Our Lady of Consolation with the Pontifical Mass presided by Most Rev. Bishop Antonio Tobias of the Diocese of Novaliches.
The traditions of the OLC Parish is to celebrate the her feast on the Sunday nearest to her liturgical feast day (September 4) to allow parishioners to venerate her being the titular of the parish.
Recollect priests from OLCP-RFC and other communities concelebrated. Present were by Fr. Gideon Antolin U. Lagrimas, OAR, Fr. Dionio Q. Selma OAR, Prior Provincial, Fr. Lauro Larlar, OAR, prior of RFC, Fr. Arnel Diaz, OAR, former parish priest, fr. Emilio Larlar, OAR, Fr. Hubert Hustan Decene, OAR, Fr. Kenneth Joseph L. Onda OAR, Fr. Sammy Sillorequez, OAR, Fr. Ian Anthony Espartero, OAR, Fr. Ferdinand Fornillos, OAR Fr. Dominador Mercado, OAR. Fr. Russell Lapidez, OAR, Fr. Rellyric delos Santos, OAR, and Fr. Antonio Francisco, OAR. Rev. Robin Ross Plata, OAR and Rev. Kenneth Caligdong, OAR were the assisting deacons.
Bishop Tobias, in his homily, reminded everyone to pray for the people of God as the church struggles with many issues. The good Bishop expressed concern for the people and commented on the government’s move and promotion of Federalism. He asked if it were necessary to change the basic law wherein people are used to. He reminded both the Church and the government to take care of the people. The Bishop, likewise, challenged the faithful to “Pray and ask help from Jesus Christ that He may guide us… and that He may answer all our own questions.”
Binyagang Parokya was done at 2:00 pm and a procession followed the 4:00 pm mass.
Series of activities were held as a preparation to the Feast Day celebration. The Novenas Masses lasted from August 24 to September 1, 2018; a recollection by Msgr. Sabino Vengco, DD last August 25, 2018 with Mary as the center of his talk, where he presented Mary as lady, teacher and most of all as a mother, “Si Maria and babaeng itinalaga na maging aking Ina na kakalinga, aakay at magtuturo” (Mary is the lady appointed to be my mother to take care, to guide and to teach me.)
There also was the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation of 111 faithful last September 1, 2018 from Rev. Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches. In his homily, he reminded everyone with his words, “Confirmation is the biggest gift we received because it is the true God, the Holy Spirit that we accepted.” He also reminded everyone that the reason of confirmation is Jesus Christ.
On eve of the Parish fiesta, a Harana kay Maria i.e., a serenade for Mary was organized by the Parish Music Ministry. Parish Choirs and those from the various area chapels participated in the said activity.
Viva Nuestra Señora dela Consolacion!
Story by Fray Ricky John A. Austria, OAR
