NSSH HOLY WEEK 2013 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

HOLY WEEK 2013

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES 

Click on Schedule to enlarge and save as your reference.

WLECOME TO THE PILGRIM CHURCH: NSSH

In this Year of Faith, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City is hereby declared as a Pilgrim Church. Having been declared as such; pilgrims, devotees and the faithful who piously visits the Shrine have the opportunity to avail of a Plenary Indulgence as special graces. 

To acquire a Plenary Indulgence, it is necessary to fulfill the following three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. 

It is most fitting that Holy Communion be received and the Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father be said on the same day as the visit. The condition of praying for the intentions of the Holy Father is fully satisfied by reciting The Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Come visit the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart as often as you can to obtain as many indulgences and Graces as possible. See you all there.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES: JANUARY 2013

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

JANUARY 2013 

1-Tue. NEW YEAR’S DAY – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Holyday of Obligation)    

Sunday Mass Schedules at the Shrine, except no 6:00 AM Mass

Sta. Cruz Chapel – No 7:30 AM Mass; 6:30 PM Mass only

                         

4-Fri. FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION
 
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at all Masses
Whole Day / Night Adoration and Vigil in front of the Blessed Sacrament

12:00 MN – Midnight Mass, followed by continuation of Adoration and Vigil 
until 5:00 AM Dawn Procession in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary

5-Sat.

5:00 AM – Dawn Procession (Sta. Cruz Route)

After 6:30 PM Mass – On-Going Parish Formation

6-Sun. SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Sprinkling of Holy Water in all Masses                                                                                    

12-Sat.    

9:00 to 11:00 AM  - Free Legal Consultation and 
SSS, NSO and City Civil Registration Assistance Desk

After 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation

 

13-Sun. BAPTISM OF THE LORD

7:30 AM - Mass for the Elderly

5:30 PM – Mass for the Youth

19-Sat. After 6:30 PM Mass - On-going Parish Formation 

20-Sun. FEAST OF ST. NINO

Blessing of Children in all Masses

26-Sat. After 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation

        

27-Sun. Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday / National Bible Sunday



 

CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT FAITH: LUIS ANTONIO G. CARDINAL TAGLE

"CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT FAITH. TO REMOVE FAITH 

FROM CHRISTMAS IS TO EMPTY IT OF ITS MEANING."

This year we celebrate the Christmas Season within the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI. What can the Year of Faith contribute to the Christmas spirit? Faith is a living and sustained relationship with God. It is the Triune God who initiates this relationship by coming to us. Faith becomes complete in our response to God in trust and love, transforming our relationship with other people, society and creation.

In a real sense, Christmas is all about faith. To remove faith from Christmas is to empty it of its meaning. It is a season born of faith and a privileged time to renew our faith. 

On the one hand, Christmas vividly recalls the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ, incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit. He comes as one like us except in sin, because as the Savior he cannot participate in humanity’s rejection of God. He opens the door for us to enter God’s life. His obedience and fidelity is the door to God. He is the way. 

On the other hand, every Christmas season invites us to receive Jesus as the true Son of God become Flesh, to accept him as our Savior and to enter the door to life in the Holy Spirit. Faith in God leads us to solidarity with our neighbors, especially the poor whom Jesus loves. Faith makes us sharers in Jesus’ saving mission and heralds of true freedom from all that enslaves us.

I pray that all Christians may appreciate more the precious gift of faith during this Christmas season. As we behold the Christ Child, humble and poor, let us thank God for his great love for us and let us respond with all the love we could give. Only pure divine love can save us! I wish all you and your loved ones a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year!

 

LUIS ANTONIO G. CARDINAL TAGLE
Archbishop of Manila

HEARTSTRONG CHRISTMAS GREETING TO ALL

THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART WISHES

EVERYONE A HEARTSTRONG CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS

I have always admired the cobblestones along the historic streets in Europe. I recently encountered these beautiful pathways again. Every stone reminded me of those who built these roads, carefully landscaping and placing each unique stone in its rightful place for the whole path to be perfect. Imagine, because of them, so many important people in world history have walked on these cobblestones. So many of their stories can be told by these streets.

As I continued to walk, I thought: How strong and resilient these roads must be to last for centuries (even longer) for all generations to enjoy! Thanks mostly to those who first laid down each stone, these streets have withstood the test of time.

I guess the road to Christmas is the same. If Christ is coming - the most important figure in our history - shouldn't we better prepare the road for Him? A road as strong as these cobblestone paths. Nothing flamboyant, only good old simple walkways that stay strong and intact through the years.

To pave the road for Christmas, it is key to recognize the gifts we have received and will give along the way. The most recent gift we have received is the elevation of Archbishop Chito Tagle to Cardinal by the Holy Father. During the consistory, an air of national pride, honor, as well as a humbling sense of gratitude, was felt within the sacred walls of St. Peter's Basilica. 

Yet as Cardinal Tagle said, it is a big responsibility to carry; a responsibility shared by each and everyone of us. We thank God for the gift of having such a wise, wholistic and heartstrong man like him to represent us Filipinos in the Church.

The road to Christmas cannot be traveled without looking back to the image of the "Belen". We have been so accustomed to the romanticized image of the Belen as "cute" or "colorful" or "nice" that we sometimes forget its grim history. To be upfront, the true Belen wasn't nearly cute or nice and happy.

The road to Bethlehem that Joseph and Mary took is most difficult for a poor man and his young, pregnant wife. To give birth in an animal's manger is unimaginable! Inhuman! Mary must have been so cold, hungry, scared and uncomfortable just like any human. Joseph must have also felt fear for his wife and child Jesus, trying to man up and rise above the pressure of providing for and taking care of his family in such stringent conditions.

Christ, as God the Son, allowed for Himself to be born in such a lowly manner, to humble himself and give not just a part of Him but His whole being for humanity. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten. As we look at the Christmas Belen, let us always remember the example each of these "characters" has shown.

Like the composition of unique cobblestones on historic streets, the road to Christmas is not as smooth and as easy as we'd like it to be. It is the road less traveled, chosen only by those who pave it with the true gift of God's love. 

If this road could talk, it is our fervent wish they could speak of stories of compassion, kindness and love in the spirit of the Christmas season. Stories and virtues - good deeds - that are strongly founded and resilient enough to withstand the test of time.

Let us walk in the ways of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as we journey through the road to Christmas.

A HAPPY, HEARTSTRONG CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Rev. Fr. Vic. Y. Apacible

 

DECEMBER 2012 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

DECEMBER 2012 

Nov 25-Sun. SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING
Community-wide Procession starts at 6:30 PM

Nov 29-Dec 07 Thu-Fri

NOVENA MASSES TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Monday-Friday 6:00 PM; Saturday 6:30 PM; Sunday 5:30 PM

1-Sat.               
5:00 AM Dawn Procession in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Sta. Cruz Route)
After 6:30 PM Mass, On-Going Parish Formation inside the Church   
             
2-Sun. First Sunday of Advent  
12:00 NN Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Day Mass  

6-Thu. After 6:00 PM Mass, HeartSpeaks by Prof. Winnie Monsod

7-Fri. FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTIONS

NOVENA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at all Masses
Whole Day / Night Vigil and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
After the 6:00 PM Mass, Talk on “Sacred Heart and the Eucharist” 
by Bishop Teodoro Bacani
7:30 PM to 12:00 MN – Continuation of Vigil and Adoration
12:00 MN – MIDNIGHT MASS, followed by continuation of  
Vigil and Adoration until 5:00 AM
                     
8-Sat. Holiday of Obligation

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF 
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY  
        
Regular Saturday Mass Schedule                        

9:00 AM-11:00 AM – Free Legal Consultation SSS, NSO, and 
City Civil Registration Assistance Desk
 
PARISH-WIDE PROCESSION after the 5:00 PM Mass
After 6:30 PM Mass, On-Going Parish Formation inside the Church   

9-Sun. Second Sunday of Advent

7:30 AM - Mass for the Elderly with Special Blessing (Shrine & Sta. Cruz Chapel)
5:30 PM – Mass for the Youth with Special Blessing
                       
12-Wed. FEAST of OUR LADY of GUADALUPE                       

15-24 Sat.-Mon.

SIMBANG GABI (Dec. 15-23) at 8:00 PM / Sunday at 10:00 PM; 
Sta.Cruz  Chapel at 9:00 PM; 
        
DAWN MASSES / MISA DE GALLO (Dec. 16-24) at 4:00 AM / 5:30 AM
No 6:00 AM Mass
Sunday: Sta.Cruz Chapel - 7:30 AM Mass only / No  6:30 PM Mass

16-Sun. Third Sunday of Advent

23-Sun. Fourth Sunday of Advent

24-Mon.  

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES at 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM
Sta.Cruz Chapel at 9:00 PM                                                     

25-Tue. CHRISTMAS DAY – A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!         
 
Sunday Mass Schedules at the Shrine, without 6:00 AM Mass                         
Sta. Cruz Chapel - No 7:30 AM Mass / 6:30 PM Mass only

29-Sat. Parish Gift-Giving

30-Sun. FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Special Blessing of Families at all Masses 
Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday in the Parish

31-Mon.    

12:15 PM Mass - 50th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Rev. Fr. Max Ocampo

Jan.1, 2013-Tue. NEW YEAR’S DAY – HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

SOLEMNITY OF MARY,  MOTHER OF GOD
 
Sunday Mass Schedules at the Shrine, except no 6:00 AM Mass
Sta. Cruz Chapel – No 7:30 AM Mass / 6:30 PM Mass only

HARINAWA: FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

HARINAWA: FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

What a wonderful Filipino expression! This is usually uttered by someone who hopes to get what he wishes/prays for. "Hari" is King while "Nawa" is used as "hopefully". It can also mean "By His will...". So ingrained is Christ the King in the Filipino culture that even expressions like this have become second nature to us. We praise God and show our belief in Him even in the smallest and simplest acts of faith. "Harinawa, tayong lahat ay maging tunay na mangingibig ni Hesus."

Christ the King is an event that marks the end of the church calendar and the nearing 1st week of Advent, the beginning of the new year for Catholics. Christ the King is a celebration of the majesty of God's Infinite Love, the True Alpha and Omega. We commemorate this through Enthronement of our hearts and homes to the Sacred Heart. By doing so, we acknowledge that it is Christ who rules over our hearts, our homes, our work and our lives.

The idea of a servant-king in this day and age is one I've seen on a recent visit to Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. Now based in Lipa, the Cardinal welcomed us cheerfully as we arrived in his home: "Hello Sacred Hearters!". The nickname was a pleasant surprise and instantly warmed up the moment. 

After many delightful exchanges, one story from him struck me (and amused me!). The Cardinal told us of how he spent a month and a half in Lourdes, France administering confessions to thousands of pilgrims. At one point, a Filipino pilgrim saw the nameplate outside his confessional box: FATHER GAUDENCIO ROSALES

Puzzled, the Filipino asked one of the coordinators: "Isn't he CARDINAL Rosales?". "That's the younger brother", the coordinator replies, adding: "and he's even better". The Cardinal's identity was kept under wraps! He so enjoyed the experience of living as a simple priest and going incognito "for fear of special treatment", that while he was telling the story I saw that glimmer of happiness in his eyes. 

He even let us in on a secret he discovered: "Lourdes is not only about the water; It is more importantly about the tears of conversion brought about by Confession." All he ever wanted was to impart God's message of love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation without any fancy treatments or unnecessary fanfare. And that he did.

During that visit to Lipa, it was known to us - the core group of representatives from different Sacred Heart organizations - that Cardinal Rosales is a great devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As such, we eagerly shared our "heart stories" to him and saw how excited he was to listen to them, especially those about the first National Conference on the Sacred Heart spirituality.

On the feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque on October 16th 2012, about 120 leaders and representatives of the different Sacred Heart parishes, shrines, congregations and communities from all over the Philippines flocked to our parish for the FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE SACRED HEART SPIRITUALITY. 

It was a whole day affair filled with inspiring talks by renowned theologian Fr. Catalino Arevalo, sharing and planning among us devotees on how to propagate the Sacred Heart devotion/spirituality even more. It was such a success that everyone made a commitment to contribute in the devotion and work hard for more people to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I am so thankful to all who joined and participated in this milestone event at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

Today, let us celebrate the feast of Christ the King with open hearts. With Christ as our example, let us live:

in humility despite our stature...

in simplicity even when surrounded with grandeur...

in kindness, patience and compassion when we are "too busy to care"...

in love in spite of every reason not to.

LONG LIVE THE KING OF HEARTS!

Happy Feast of Christ The King!

Rev. Fr. Vic Apacible