Benedict XVI's Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI incorporates both papal elements, as well as the elements of the coat of arms he bore as Archbishop of München ( Munich ) and Freising, and as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Miter. The miter replaces the "beehive" tiara familiar from former papal coats of arms. Pope Paul VI dropped the ceremonial use of the tiara, although he, and his immediate successors John Paul I and John Paul II, retained it in their coats of arms. Benedict XVI has replaced it with the miter, on which is emblazoned three gold bands representing "order, jurisdiction and magisterium."

These are the symbolic equivalents of the three layers of the tiara. They are connected into a unity by the vertical gold strip, representing the unity of these three kinds of authority in the person of the Supreme Pontiff.

Pallium. The use of the white pallium with red crosses draped below the shield is a new addition to papal coats of arms. It represents episcopal authority, the special kind of jurisdiction that is reserved to metropolitan archbishops in their province and to the pope universally in the Church, what is called the plenitudo pontificalis officii (i.e. the plenitude of pontifical office). The style of pallium shown on the coat of arms, with either red or black crosses on a narrow band of wool, is what is commonly known from the second millennium. At his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict wore an older style of pallium, broad with red crosses, and hanging down from the left shoulder rather than in the middle. This style is more typical of the first millennium, and similar to the omophorion representing episcopal authority in the Eastern Church.

Crossed Keys. The two crossed keys symbolize the powers Christ gave to the Apostle Peter and to his successors.

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

The gold key represents the power to bind in heaven and the silver key spiritual authority on earth. The two keys are united by the cord, again indicating their essential unity in Peter and his successors.

Caput Aethiopum. According to the website of his former Archdiocese:

"The shield, which is divided into three sections, displays the “Moor of Freising." The Moor’s head, facing left and typically crowned, appeared on the coat of arms of the old principality of Freising as early as 1316, during the reign of the Bishop of Freising, Prince Konrad III, and it remained almost unchanged until the “secularization” of the Church’s estates in that region in 1802-1803. Ever since that time the archbishops of Munich and Freising have included the Caput Aethiopum, the head of an Ethiopian, in their episcopal coat of arms."

Bear of Corbinian. Also present on the coat of arms is a bear with a pack-saddle, the so-called “Bear of Corbinian." The saintly Bishop Corbinian preached the Christian faith in the Duchy of Bavaria in the 8th century and is considered the spiritual father and patron of the archdiocese. A legend states that he traveled to Rome with a bear as his pack-animal, after having commanded it to do so. Once he arrived, he released the bear from his service, and it returned to Bavaria . The implication is that "Christianity tamed and domesticated the ferocity of paganism and thus laid the foundations for a great civilization in the Duchy of Bavaria." At the same time, Corbinian’s Bear, as God’s beast of burden, symbolizes the burden of office.

Scallop Shell. The symbolism of the shell is multiple. St. Augustine , Bishop and Doctor of the Church (354-430 AD), was once walking along the seashore, meditating on the unfathomable mystery of the Holy Trinity. A boy was using a shell to pour seawater into a little hole. When Augustine asked him what he was doing, he replied, “I am emptying the sea into this hole.” Thus did Augustine understand that man would never penetrate to the depths of the mystery of God. Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, in 1953, wrote his doctoral dissertation on “The People of God and the House of God in Augustine’s Teaching about the Church," and therefore has a personal connection with the thought of this great Doctor of the Church.

The shell also stands for pilgrimage, for “Jacob’s staff,” a pilgrim’s staff topped with a scallop shell. In Church art it is a symbol of the apostle James the Great, and his sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela in Spain , perhaps the principal place of pilgrimage during the middle ages. This symbol alludes, as well, to “the pilgrim people of God,” a title for the Church which Joseph Ratzinger championed at the Second Vatican Council as peritus (theological adviser) to Cardinals Frings of Köln ( Cologne ). When he became Archbishop he took the shell in his coat of arms. It is also found in the insignia of the Schottenkloster in Regensburg , where the major seminary of that diocese is located, a place where Benedict XVI taught as a professor of theology.

We do not yet know what the motto of Pope Benedict XVI will be. However, his episcopal motto was "cooperators veritatis" (collaborators of the truth).

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
Amen.

V. Panem de caelis^[2] praestitisti eis.(T.P. Alleluja)
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.(T.P. Alleluja)

Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.

R. Amen.

O Salutaris Hostia

O salutaris Hostia,Quae caeli pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia,Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque DominoSit sempiterna gloria,Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria.

Amen.

Responses to Questions on Kneeling for Holy Communion by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments

In 2002, the USA Bishops released a decree stating that the norm for reception of Holy Communion was standing. However, the Magisterium has always given Catholics the right to kneel. Due to various abuses of priests denying reception of those who kneel for Holy Communion, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican has published the following responses to questions in the November-December 2002 edition (and later) of Notitiae, their official publication. These responses represent the view of the Holy See on the questions of kneeling to receive Holy Communion and the right of Catholics to address concerns to the Holy See, as well as the right to kneel for Holy Communion without being accused of disobedience.
____________________________________________________________________________

Congregation de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum

Prot. n. 1322/02/L

Rome , 1 July 2002

Your Excellency,

This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has recently received reports of members of the faithful in your Diocese being refused Holy Communion unless while standing to receive, as opposed to kneeling. the reports state that such a policy has been announced to parishioners. There were possible indications that such a phenomenon might be somewhat more widespread in the Diocese, but the Congregation is unable to verify whether such is the case. This Dicastery is confident that Your Excellency will be in a position to make a more reliable determination of the matter, and these complaints in any event provide an occasion for the Congregation to communicate the manner in which it habitually addresses this matter, with a request that you make this position known to any priests who may be in need of being thus informed.

The Congregation in fact is concerned at the number of similar complaints that it has received in recent months from various places, and considers any refusal of Holy Communion to a member of the faithful on the basis of his or her kneeling posture to be a grave violation of one of the most basic rights of the Christian faithful, namely that of being assisted by their Pastors by means of the Sacraments (Codex Iuris Canonici, canon 213). In view of the law that "sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them" (canon 843 ß 1), there should be no such refusal to any Catholic who presents himself for Holy Communion at Mass, except in cases presenting a danger of grave scandal to other believers arising out of the person's unrepented public sin or obstinate heresy or schism, publicly professed or declared. Even where the Congregation has approved of legislation denoting standing as the posture for Holy Communion, in accordance with the adaptations permitted to the Conferences of Bishops by the Institution Generalis Missalis Romani n. 160, paragraph 2, it has done so with the stipulation that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds.

In fact, as His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has recently emphasized, the practice of kneeling for Holy Communion has in its favor a centuries-old tradition, and it is a particularly expressive sign of adoration, completely appropriate in light of the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the consecrated species.

Given the importance of this matter, the Congregation would request that Your Excellency inquire specifically whether this priest in fact has a regular practice of refusing Holy Communion to any member of the faithful in the circumstances described above and - if the complaint is verified - that you also firmly instruct him and any other priests who may have had such a practice to refrain from acting thus in the future. Priests should understand that the Congregation will regard future complaints of this nature with great seriousness, and if they are verified, it intends to seek disciplinary action consonant with the gravity of the pastoral abuse.

Thanking Your Excellency for your attention to this matter and relying on your kind collaboration in its regard,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Jorge A. Cardinal Medina Estévez
Prefect

+Francesco Pio Tamburrino
Archbishop Secretary

___________________________________________________________________________________

Congregation de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum

Prot. n. 1322/02/L

Rome , 1 July 2002

Dear Sir,

This Congregation for Divine Worship gratefully acknowledges receipt of your letter, regarding an announced policy of denial of Holy Communion to those who kneel to receive it at a certain church.

It is troubling that you seem to express some reservations about both the propriety and the usefulness of addressing the Holy See regarding this matter. Canon 212 ß 2 of the Code of Canon Law states that "Christ's faithful are totally free to make known their needs, especially their spiritual ones, and their desire: to the Pastor of the Church". The canon then continues in ß 3: "According to their own knowledge competence and position, they have the right, and indeed sometimes the duty, to present to the sacred Pastor; their opinions regarding those things that pertain to the good of the Church".... Accordingly, in consideration of the nature of the problem and the relative likelihood that it might or might not be resolved on the local level, every member of the faithful has the right of recourse to the Roman Pontiff either personally or by means of the Dicasteries or Tribunals of the Roman Curia.

Another fundamental right of the faithful, as noted in canon 213, is "the right to receive assistance by the sacred Pastors from the spiritual goods of the Church, especially the word of God and the Sacraments". In view of the law that "sacred" ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them" (canon 843 ß 1), there should be no such refusal to any Catholic who presents himself for Holy Communion at Mass, except in cases presenting a danger of grave scandal to other believers arising out of the person's unrepented public sin or obstinate heresy or schism, publicly professed or declared. Even where the Congregation has approved of legislation denoting standing as the posture for Holy Communion, in accordance with the adaptations permitted to the Conferences of Bishops by the Institution Generalis Missalis Romani n. 160, paragraph 2, it has done so with the stipulation that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds.

Please be assured that the Congregation takes this matter very seriously, and is making the necessary contacts in its regard. At the same time, this Dicastery continues to be ready to be of assistance if you should need to contact it again in the future.

Thanking you for your interest, and with every prayerful good wish, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Monsignor Mario Marini
Undersecretary

____________________________________________________________________________________

Congregation de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum

Prot. n. 47 / 03 / L

Rome , 26 February 2003

Dear [name deleted],

This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has received through official channels your letter dated 1 December 2002, related to the application of the norms approved by the Conference of Bishops of the United States of America , with the subsequent recognitio of this Congregation, as regards the question of the posture for receiving Holy Communion.

As the authority by virtue of whose recognitio the norm in question has attained the force of law, this Dicastery is competent to specify the manner in which the norm is to be understood for the sake of a proper application. Having received more than a few letters regarding this matter from different locations in the United States of America , the Congregation wishes to ensure that its position on the matter is clear.

To this end, it is perhaps useful to respond to your inquiry by repeating the content of a letter that the Congregation recently addressed to a Bishop in the United States of America from whose Diocese a number of pertinent letters had been received. The letter states: "... while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops' Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds. Indeed, the faithful should not be imposed upon nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion".

This Dicastery hopes that the citation given here will provide an adequate answer to your letter. At the same time, please be assured that the Congregation remains ready to be of assistance if you should need to contact it again.

With every prayerful good wish, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Mons . Mario Marini
Undersecretary

My Church by Hubert Gumanay

This is the church of my dreams;
The church of the warm heart, of the open mind, of the adventurous spirit.
The church that cares; that heals hurt lives.
That comforts old people, that challenges youth.
That knows no divisions of culture or class. No frontiers, geographical or social.
The church that inquires as well as avers;
That looks forward as well as backward.
The church of the Master, the church of the people.
High as the ideals of Jesus, low as the humblest human.
A working church, a worshipping church, a winsome church;
A church that interprets the truth in terms of truth.
That inspires courage for this life and hope for the life to come;
A church of courage
A church of all good men.
A church of the living God

The Catholic Church

The Church Instituted by Jesus Christ Himself (Mathew 16:18)

THREE EASY WAYS TO DESTROY SOLA SCRIPTURE by Isahel 'Don' Alfonso

“THREE EASY WAYs TO REBUT SOLA SCRIPTURA”


We frequently hear from Catholic Apologists the saying that “Sometimes the best defense is offense” these three step method of debunking the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura is both an Offense and Defense in the hand of a Catholic Apologist.
The easiest way to stun a Protestant in the middle of a conversation about doctrines is to play dumb, don’t try to ask obvious tricky questions instead ask him simple definitions.
During a conversation with a pastor I tried to play dumb I asked him questions like what do you mean by “Faith alone, grace, faith etc.” Asking him these types of questions made him believed that I was innocent about Christian doctrines, this turns off his defensive mode to offensive mode, making himself and his position vulnerable to my hard hitting questions.
Sensing that he is now vulnerable and over confident, I was quick to use the three step method of debunking Sola Scriptura.
I asked him to define Sola Scriptura.
And his reply was “The phrase sola scriptura is from the Latin: sola having the idea of "alone," "ground," "base," and the word scriptura meaning "writings" - referring to the Scriptures. Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true. "All Scripture is 'God breathed' (given of inspiration of God) and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness..." (2 Timothy 3:16)
Since I had him to answer this type of question he had no single idea that this is a trap question.
After he answered my question, I asked another question; what are the criteria used by the early Christians to determine which Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and should be included in the Bible?
Again without a single idea that I was trying to trap him he answered the question quoting from the book of John Schwarz “A Handbook of the Christian Faith” He said three criteria;
The authors had to have had apostolic credentials or have enjoyed a close association with an apostle, such as Mark with Peter and Luke with Paul.
The writings had to be consistent with the church’s teachings about Jesus.
The Writings had to have had church-wide acceptance and usage.
These are the criteria used by the early Christians to know which Scripture is inspired and must be a part of the Bible.
What I love about arguments is when your opponent doesn’t know what will hit them, after carefully setting him up I am now ready to drop the last and final blow to him.
My last question is, base on the principle of Sola Scriptura as you said lately when you defined Sola Scriptura, where in the Bible can you find these three criteria in determining which Scripture is inspired and should be part of the Bible?
Try to guess what his answer is, none. He tried to change the topic by saying “The apostles believed in Sola Scriptura they were using the Old Testament when they preach”, sensing that he is trapped I kept on pinning him on my question, until he gave up and honestly said “that is a very tough and unusual question, give me some time to look it up and get back to you”
Good luck on looking it up three years have pass but until now I never heard from him again he didn’t even try to answer the question.
ANALYSIS
On the third question he has only three ways to answer the question;
A.) Quote passages from the bible. If he did this it would be a self refuting preposition since he has yet to prove that the scripture is inspired by God, thus quoting from the Bible is a fallacy and a major blunder in an argument.
B.) Shoot arrows to the moon by saying that it is God who determines which Scripture is inspired and early Christians are the only one’s who gathered what God has already determine. Why bother to answer question number two and quote from the book about the criteria if God is the one who determines it?
C.) The criteria are set by the early Christians to know which book is inspired. If he chose to answer these it would be the same as saying that an outside Biblical authority was the one who discern which scripture is inspired, therefore destroying the very fabric of the Doctrine Sola Scriptura. So far so good most Protestant friends and pastors that I encountered when I used these steps they didn’t answer any of the three choices they choose to change the topic.
SUMMARY
To use this technique pretend that you know nothing or wanting to know something, by doing so your Protestant friend will turn off his defensive mode making him/her vulnerable to your trap. And don’t let him/her change the topic stick to the three step method;
Let him define Sola Scriptura
Ask him about the criteria used by the early Christians to determine which scripture is inspired and should be a part of the Bible.
And lastly, ask him basing on the principle of Sola Scriptura where in the Bible can you find the criteria used by the early Christians to determine which Scripture is inspired and should be a part of the Bible.
If properly executed your Protestant friend has nowhere to go its either he will answer the question with foolish answers or admit that an outside Biblical authority the Church is responsible for discerning which scripture is inspired and should be part of the Bible, either/or Sola Scriptura is already destroyed.


REFERENCE: thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com

What is the proper posture of the faithful during the Our Father of the Holy Mass?

If we are going to follow the official rule for the Our Father in the Mass the hands of the people must be clasped, closed in prayer while the hands of the priest are the ones raised because he is the minister of Christ interceding for the people.

In the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite or the Latin Mass in fact, only the priest recites the Our Father and the people only recites the last line: "Sed libera nos a malo" [And deliver us from evil.]

The practice of the people raising their hands in Our Father came from the Protestant heretics. It was imitated by some priests and lay leaders and soon it became popularized. Because the lay are eager to imitate the actions of priests so they want as much as possible to do what they are doing during the Mass. This is very unfortunate. We have lost the special liturgical actions actually done by the Blessed Mother and the early lay Catholics who used to clasp their hands and bow their heads when praying the Our Father. Instead, nowadays people prefer the manner of praying of the Pharisees. Proudly looking at the heavens, with hands raised.

In the original Latin liturgy, the priest is looking at the Cross as a remembrance of the Humility and Sacrifice of Christ and his hands are set apart, raised but only shoulder-length in order not to imitate the proud bearing of the Pharisees.

The habit of holding hands during the Our Father of the Mass, I believe, started during the days prior or during the EDSA Revolution wherein our people need more practical signs of unity due to the political and social darkness overshadowing the nation: Marcos Dictatorship, the shadows of martial law, uncertainty of the political situations, social unrest, etc. However, now that the extraordinary time has passed we have to return to the regular manner of worship.

So, please close your hands during the Our Father.



Reference: thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com

CFD- USEP (Obrero) first outreach doctrinal seminar

August 21, 2009 (Ninoy Aquino Day)

Last August 21, 2009, the Catholic Faith Defenders Inc- University of Southeastern Philippines Chapter (CFD-USEP) with the help of Basic Ecclesial Community and Youth For Christ conducted a catholic doctrine seminar to roughly fifty (50) students at USEP-Mintal campus. The USEP-Mintal students were members of FAITH which stands for Flock of Active Individual Towards Holiness. The event was the upshoot of request encounter with their valiant active organization adviser Prof. Clarita Patayon to Bro. Ryan R. Mejillano of CFD-USEP three (3) weeks before the said seminar. Very instrumental with the encounter was the ever active FAITH member Ms. Jane Santander who happens to be a co-member in a church organization Angeli Domini (Angels of the Lord) @ Immaculate Conception Parish Mintal, Davao City. The event was spearheaded by their active president Ms. Ayeshia.

Help was on the way when Prof. Patayon asked for bible studies to be conducted in their organization by the Catholic Faith Defenders USEP-Obrero Chapter.

First encounter was on the birthday of Bro. Colin Santander, the current SSG president of USEP-Mintal Campus (younger bro of Jane Santander). While Colin is the SSG president, Jane is the current SK Chairwoman in Brgy. Mintal too. That day was graced in their house and I had the chance of inviting the BEC President (Marvin Mangayan) CFD President Arthur Agullana and YFC President Carl Mosqueda to meet the FAITH officers on which Jane and Colin are members. The round table meeting was shared with different experiences about how the catholic faith was being attacked by protestant groups penetrated in USEP-Mintal campus.

So it was on August 21, 2009 that the FAITH group scheduled their long overdue bible enhancement seminar (as they fondly called but actually its Catholic Doctrine Seminar by nature). It was participated by almost 50 plus students who are eager to know the rudiments of the catholic faith, to prepare themselves in defending the holy faith which was once and for all delivered to us by the saints (Jude 1:3).

For the information of the readers, there are three (3) catholic organizations in USEP-Obrero Campus, namely Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC), Catholic Faith Defenders Inc. (CFD), and Youth For Christ (YFC). The CFD and YFC are under the umbrella of BECommunity with their respective activities in harmony with the three. BEC is responsible for the house rules inside the chapel, celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice, recitation of the Holy Rosary every noon time and angelus. CFD is task to do the doctrinal exposition of the Catholic Faith and staunchly defends the Holy Faith from protestant proliferation and attacks. YFC caters the filial camaraderie of the youth by conducting series of fellowship and bridging gaps to all levels by their music and personal experience with the Lord. Unity in diversity is one of the trademarks of genuine catholicity of the True Church of Jesus Christ.



An hour before the seminar, Prof. Clarita Patayon instructing the students


The FAITH Org adviser Prof. Clarita Patayon gives an inspirational message to the students on the importance of living a catholic way in the University. Prof. Clarita teaches Mathematics and Statistics subjects. She is a woman of faith. In fact, she is the head of Lectors and commentators in her parish where she is serving.


the students attentively listening to the talk


National Holiday is converted into holiday with the Lord (“,)


From left to right Bro. Arthur Agullana Jr. CFD-USEP president, Bro. Ryan R. Mejillano and Dr. Clarita Patayon


Bro. Gabriel Angelo Tagi (CFD-USEP Vice-Pres. External) elucidates the first topic “The Unity and the Trinity of God”. This guy is barely 19 years old, 3rd year Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Technology and Livelihood Education. SSG president and Corpse Commander in his high school days, Academic president in his course org too. He lives in Malita, Davao del Sur.


Bro. Jess Vargas in his hot debated topic in school “Salvation by Faith Alone?” He is 19 years old and 3rd year Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering student. This guy has a sharp mind and razor type of asking questions to his opponents. A CFD-USEP lecturer at the same time the Vice-President for Internal (BEC).


Bro. Arthur Agullana Jr., 18 years old, 3rd year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student exposes the doctrine “The One True Church”. A leader born from Matanao Davao del Sur. He is the incumbent CFD-USEP President and the Overall President of USEP Religious Campus organization. Though a valedictorian graduate, he humbles himself in the name of service. A prayerful person (knows how to recite the rosary in full latin version) with a deep sense of love of the Church.






Bro. Roman Morata III valiantly elucidates the connection between the sacrificial nature of Jesus Christ on the cross and the salvific effects of it through the 7 Sacraments. A guy who used to be a cartoonist in the University periodicals (Collegiate Headlight) and an active choir member, he is also fond of playing guitar. He is a graduating student of Bachelor of Arts Major in English.


Bro. Louie Juera gives the rudiments of Mariology mostly misunderstood by non-catholics. He is 17 years old and a 2nd year student from College of Engineering Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering. He is a youth leader (SK Chairman) in his native Malalag Municipality, with an innate sense of eloquence when giving colloquy to his fellow students.


Bro. Marvin Mangayan, 19 years old and a 3rd year Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering student fiercely articulated the Eschatology in General or The Four Last Things. He is currently the BEC-President and Vice-President for Campus Ministries Organization. This guy is very dedicated in his service with the Lord. His group is the main responsible for weekly and special masses in the University.


After the lectures were given, an open forum “no holds bar questions” is done to satisfy the spiritual and intellectual hunger of the attendees.


Bro. Marvin answers the texted question of biblical foundation of Purgatory



Bro. Hubert Gumanay, 17 years old and a 2nd year Geodetic Engineering student, serves as the moderator of the Q & A portion. This guy is one of the YFC (of course a BEC & CFD member too) leaders with a deep sense of priestly vocation.


From left to right Bro. Felix Flores (2nd year Geodetic Engineering), Bro. Hubert Gumanay, Sis. Maria Charmaine Regulacion (1st year BSED Major in Mathematics), Bro. Jess Vargas (BS-ECE 3rd year), Bro. Louie Juera (2nd year BS-ECE) and Bro. Arthur Agullana Jr. (BS-CE 3rd year) with their pose @ the Registrars office in USEP-Mintal Campus (25 kilometers away from USEP-Main Obrero Campus)


A smile of success after the seminar.

Guys, be fruitful. As St. Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the FAITH” (2 Tim. 4:7).





Pro Deo et Ecclesia.! Soar high BECians! CFD's! YFC's!

CAtholic Doctrine Seminar

Greetings to you Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Holding on to the truth that the Catholic Church is the true church founded by Christ, the Catholic Faith Defenders of the University of Southeastern Philippines Chapter is inviting you, Catholics or non-Catholics, to join the upcoming Catholic Doctrine Seminar (CDS) which will be held this coming August 28-29, 2009 at the Sacred Heart Parish, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.

Here are the Calendar of Activities:

• August 28, 2009 - Film Viewing at BEC CHAPEL USEP-Obrero about the Compilation of the Sacred Scriptures (6:00 - 7:00 pm).
  
• August 29, 2009 - Lectures on the Basic Doctrines of the Church at Sacred Heart Parish, Bo. Obrero, Davao City (7:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Please Bring the Following:

• Lunch
• Registration: P20
• Writing Materials
• Bible

Pro Deo et Ecclesia!.......

Our Lady of Guadalupe 'completely beyond' scientific explanation, says researcher

Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Tilma of San Juan Diego

Phoenix, Ariz., August 7 (CNA) .- Researcher and physicist Dr. Aldofo Orozco told participants at the International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe that there is no scientific explanation for the 478 years of high quality-preservation of the Tilma or for the miracles that have occurred to ensure its preservation.

Dr. Orozco began his talk by confirming that the conservation of the Tilma, the cloak ofSt. Juan Diego on which Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared 478 years ago, "is completely beyond any scientific explanation."

"All the cloths similar to the Tilma that have been placed in the salty and humid environment around the Basilica have lasted no more than ten years," he explained. One painting of the miraculous image, created in 1789, was on display in a church near the basilica where the Tilma was placed. "This painting was made with the best techniques of its time, the copy was beautiful and made with a fabric very similar to that of the Tilma. Also, the image was protected with a glass since it was first placed there."

However, eight years later, the copy of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was thrown away because the colors were fading and threads were breaking. In contrast, Orozco said, "the original Tilma was exposed for approximately 116 years without any kind of protection, receiving all the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the tens of thousands of candles near it and exposed to the humid and salty air around the temple."

Dr. Orozco then discussed the Tilma's fabric. He noted that "one of the most bizarre characteristics of the cloth is that the back side is rough and coarse, but the front side is 'as soft as the most pure silk, as noted by painters and scientists in 1666, and confirmed one century later in 1751 by the Mexican painter, Miguel Cabrera."

Following an analysis of some of the fibers in 1946, it was concluded that the fibers came from the Agave plant, however, noted Dr. Orozco, the researchers couldn't figure out which of the 175 Agave species the Tilma was made from. Years later, in 1975, "the famous Mexican researcher Ernesto Sodi Pallares said that the species of the agave was Agave popotule Zacc," Orozco explained, "but we don't know how he reached this conclusion."

Before concluding his presentation, Dr. Orozco made mention of two miracles associated with the Tilma.

The first occurred in 1785 when a worker accidentally spilled a 50 percent nitric acid solvent on the right side of the cloth. "Besides any natural explanation, the acid has not destroyed the fabric of the cloth, indeed it has not even destroyed the colored parts of the image," Orozco said.

The second miracle was the explosion of a bomb near the Tilma in 1921. Dr. Orozco recalled that the explosion broke the marble floor and widows 150 meters from the explosion, but "unexpectedly, neither the Tilma nor the normal glass that protected the Tilma was damaged or broken." The only damage near it was a brass crucifix that was twisted by the blast.

He continued, "There are no explanations why the shockwave that broke windows 150 meters afar did not destroy the normal glass that protected the image. Some people said that the Son by means of the brass crucifix protected the image of His Mother. The real fact is that we don't have a natural explanation for this event."

Dr. Orozco thanked the audience for listening to his presentation and closed by reassuring them that "Our Lady visited Mexico 478 years ago, but she remains there to give Her Love, Her Mercy and Her Care to anyone who needs it, and to bring Her Son, Jesus Christ to everyone who receives Him."