Liturgy and Sacrament PDF

Liturgy and Sacrament Prepared By: Regine M. Ramos  The liturgy then is rightly seen as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It involves the presentation of man’s sanctification under the guise of signs perceptible by the senses and its accomplishment in ways appropria...

Liturgy and Sacrament Prepared By: Regine M. Ramos  The liturgy then is rightly seen as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It involves the presentation of man’s sanctification under the guise of signs perceptible by the senses and its accomplishment in ways appropriate to each of this signs. In it, full public worship performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the head and its members. From this, it follows that every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ, the priest, and of His Body, which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others.  Do you know about religious missionaries? A religious missionary is a consecrated person sent into a place to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The religious missionary constantly faces various challenges: different cultures, varied beliefs, unstable financial situation, rocky political situation, and a host of other factors that are beyond his or her control. However, religious missionaries continue to offer their life to spreading the word of God and the Good News in faithful response to “God’s abundant harvest.” My Story! There is a religious missionary named Fr. Anthony Patrick S. Santianez, a Filipino Xaverian Missionary serving at Sierra Leone in West Africa. Fr. Santianez is the assistant parish priest of St. Guido Maria Conforti Church at the Diocese of Makine. He ministers the sacraments, teaches catechism and makes home and community visitations to his West African parishioners.  In the year 2014, the dreaded Ebola virus spread across Africa and killed a multitude of people. To protect its citizens, the Philippine government made an appeal to all Filipino working in Africa to leave the country and go home. Risking his health and life, Fr. Santianez chose to stay in West Africa and continued to serve his parishioners. Fr. Santianez said that he models his life upon the “Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.” (cf. John 10:11). Just like the Good Shepherd, Fr. Santianez is willing to lay down his life for his “sheep.” For Fr. Santianez, leaving behind his parishioners at St. Guido Maria Conforti Church is not an option. He firmly believes that his presence in Makine is most difficult times. This belief is affirmed when one of his parishioners sent him a letter that said; “Father, don’t leave us. Stay with us, because if you leave us we will be more afraid.” Fr. Santianez adds that his presence among his flock bears witness to the Gospel. It is a way to show solidarity with the local population.  Despite all the hardship and challenges, Fr. Santianez is grateful for the opportunity to bring the teachings of Jesus Christ in the predominantly Muslim country. He shares: “The people (of Sierra Leone) are kind to us. They don’t discriminate. Actually, they were the ones who would invite us to build churches, schools, and clinics in their communities. We have weekly catechesis. Aside from this, we visit them and talk to them. In our dealings with them, we get to know their culture better. I also use this opportunity to share with them the teachings of Jesus and His Church.” In his message to friends and relatives in the Philippines, Fr. Santianez said: “Please pray for us. It is in prayer and the sacraments that we can find comfort and means to address and overcome difficulties.”  The Gospel according to John (15:13): “There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends.” The words and deeds of Fr. Santianez manifest his great love for God by loving the least, the last and the forgotten. He is willing to risk his health and his life so that the people can feel God’s loving presence as well as find strength and hope in the sacraments.  Fr. Santianez also spoke of praying and receiving the sacraments if we wish to find comfort and overcome difficulties.