President of Filipino Catholic Bishops Conference Celebrates Solemn Pontifical Mass in EF

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Archbishop of Cebu, Jose S. Palma, celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass according to the usus antiquior this past March 26th for the Feast of the Annunciation.

As seems to be so often the case, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate lent their valuable assistance for the liturgy.

Here are a few photographs of the event which were sent into the NLM.

We begin with the vesting of the archbishop. (And on this point, a brief comment. I've been fortunate to have been in a number of different sacristies in various parts of Europe as this occurs, and I must say that these rites, their associated prayers, and the symbolism which goes with the particular vestural elements, not to mention the symbolism of it all as it relates to the office of the bishop, are extraordinarily moving and very theologically rich. Certainly these and its associated elements are something worthy of reclamation in our pursuit of 'mutual enrichment'.)

The arrival and vesting of the archbishop





The Mass







Congratulations to all who helped effect this event. May it be the beginning of many more like it.