For several decades the emphasis has been on the “Word” and in the parish, the group of the Word is the most prestigious. Even in the Mass, the liturgy of the Word seems to be the most important part, to the point that, often, the Eucharistic liturgy runs away like a question of the clock. It seems that the Sacraments are secondary and many have forgotten them even in practice. Is this the right path, or should we also go back to talking about the sacraments?
Those who see the encounter with the world as one of the means to understand the crisis in the Church would not be wrong. Certainly one cannot understand the Church outside of the context of the world, as it must be right where the message of salvation it bears is most needed. But she must always be vigilant so that, by not conforming to the mentality of the time, she is not a slave to the ways of the world and currents of thought that contradict her saving mission. So, as the healthy tradition teaches, in the world but not of the world.
The Simbang Gabi was not actually conceived in the Philippines. It traces its roots to the so-called Rorate Masses in Europe that date back to the 8th century, when there was a custom of celebrating Masses in honor of our Lady in the time of Advent. These Masses were called “Rorate Masses” because the entrance antiphon began with the words “Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum” (“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just”).
To celebrate its first anniversary, the Centro de Cultura e Artes Performativas Cardeal Newman de Macau (CCCN – Cardinal Newman Center of Culture and Performing Arts of Macau) held “Four Seasons – Winter Concert” on 4th December 2021, with the participation of students from various high schools in Macau and professional performers from local orchestras and cultural associations. The theme of the concert was the festive season of Christmas but it was also meant to showcase music from East and West covering a variety of genres from traditional Chinese music to modern jazz to Portuguese music.
Without any technical knowledge of engineering or architecture, just that acquired by reading art books, Justo Gallego managed to build a unique Cathedral that combines, in its large dimensions, the use in large part of recycled materials. His inspiration is the Romanesque style, which for him is timeless. The final result culminated in an impressive cathedral, almost completed, and built to “give testimony of his great faith,” his surrender and love for God, having said that he had already disconnected from the world for many years. He was always characterized by his humility and always wanted to remain hidden from fame. He worked tirelessly until he was 96 years old, putting stone upon stone, supported by his faith and his great health secret: a lot of fasting and avoiding eating meat.
On 8th December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, one of the primary patron saints of the Diocese of Macau, Fr Domingos Un of the Our Lady of Carmel Parish explained that the Virgin Mary was favored and pleased by God because she had a pure heart. “She didn’t have any sins and relied on God wholeheartedly,” he said.
The Lusophone Scouts Group of Macau (GELMac) collected around 1,700 kilograms of food last Saturday. The donations were offered to two of the institutions – Caritas Macau and the Catholic Pastoral Centre of Macau – that have done the most to relieve Macau’s most vulnerable and needy.
In a rare, but increasingly common moment of union, the five main religions in Macau joined forces and celebrated together the 22nd anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty of Macau from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China. The anniversary was commemorated last Sunday with a concert of sacred and religious music.
Members of the Mother’s Meal committee in Macau – a project that since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic has distributed more than 700,000 dry food kits in countries such as India, the Philippines, South Sudan or Ethiopia – are appealing to the generosity of the local residents. The organization is asking the Macau population to provide its support to around four dozen unemployed mothers.
Under the guise of theatrical performances with a strong musical component, by setting up the Nativity scene or organizing activities aimed at students with special needs, coming December, the joy of Christmas will reach most of Macau’s schools. But the commercial noise that surrounds the season, along with irrefutable cultural differences, does not always allow for the true meaning of the Nativity to be assimilated.