“Re-rooting Christian faith and culture for service”
Once again, the vicariate schools of Mountain Province district trooped remarkably in Kayan, Tadian (Dec. 11-14, 2008) for the successful conduct of the third Schools of Living Tradition convention. To such, the convention had served as the cultural festival that had showcased the customs and traditions across the villages of Mountain Province.
The theme of this year’s convention “Re-rooting our faith and culture through service” is definitely an effort of nurturing once faith while doing appropriate measures to cultivate culture deemed to substantiate better life among the community folks. Re-rooting is the renewal process in itself. Thus, this course is indeed an intellectual response to intensify faith and culture.
Coming together as one family in the academe and in faith scored the difference. From west to east of the province, it was absolutely delightful to witness perfect blend of eastern and western cultures. All the way from the eastern side, Immaculate Heart High School, Natonin had unveiled their richness of their culture as the freshmen group in this said convention. This year’s affair had won the most participated convention in view of the schools attendance to wit, three elementary schools disclosed luminous support.
To sum, the six vicariate schools in the province together with two public elementary schools namely; Kayan East Elementary School and Kayan West Elementary School showed vital participation. The three-day festival I believed had inculcated challenge of faith renewal and culture enrichment among the schools and communities.
On the other hand, Christmas is already at hand. As inscribed in our tradition as Catholics, “Simbang Gabi” or popularly known as the “Misa de Gallo” would be at stake. Philippines and Spain particularly have one in common, that is to celebrate a “night mass” while waiting for the Christmas celebration.
“Simbang gabi,” the nine-day celebration before Christmas marks a tradition with deep roots of religious culture. The term comes from Catholic custom of gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours on each of the nine days before Christmas.
Though this tradition traced its roots from an obscure history, its aim remains strong in the call for oneness and brotherhood, that is, it serves as a sacrifice of love for it requires dedication and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all one’s daily duties.. This had certainly provided a strapping indication of depth Catholicism in the hearts of the Filipino people, particularly the highlanders.
Attending “Simbang gabi” is a very significant moment because it strengthens relationships among family members. This is also the instant at which our faith is deepened having Him in these moments. Further, I would like to believe that what matters significantly is not the resilience to complete the novena or not but what really matters is the value found within. The blessing is not measured quantifiably on the frequencies of mass attended, but on the temperament of the individual who received the Lord’s blessing.
My advance greetings of Christmas to one and all! (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).
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