These photos were taken during the Pontifical mass at Our lady of Mt. Carmel Chaplaincy, Riverside Medical Center, Bacolod City, Negros Occ. Last July 16, 2011
Bishop Vicente M. Navarra D.D. Bishop of Bacolod as the Main Celebrant
It was raining during that time, but thank God the rain stopped.
The space is not adequate for a large crowd but the important thing is the faithful came to pray and worship God.
During the Gospel
at the Lectern Fr. Salvador Barcelona, Dean of Studies Sacred Heart Seminary
Thurifer Incensing the congregation
Thurifer, Boat Bearers and the Candle Bearers
Incensation of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Bishop together with the Co-celebrants
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL PRAY FOR US!
P.S. the one who acted as the Master of Ceremonies was the former Chancellor Secretary of the Diocese
On my first part I've posted about the formations of Entrance processions. But now We will post about the Gospel Acclamation. During solemn high Mass obviously incense is used.
As an altar server or Acolyte this is our responsibility to prepare these things.
Photo courtesy of New liturgical movement.org
So here are the formations...
1st stop the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Photo courtesy from:Militum Xpisti
You may wonder why in their Metropolitan Cathedral during high mass they use Banner with the Icons that represents the 4 Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Some of the critics may say, "How come they use banners, It should be candles". For this critic I would say It is the choice of their liturgist and it is stated in the 1st pages of the lectionary where instructions are given. Candles or anything that represents reverence can be used accompanied with a minister with incense. Well I would say the use of banners can be very unique.
Next Archdiocese of Manila
One of the famous so called 4 candle formation can be found.
In my own interpretation 4 candles can represent the 4 gospels. But what's very interesting is that on how they execute the "style".
video courtesy of youtube.com
Another Archdiocese.
Archdiocese of Jaro..
It is where the 1st time saw another formation. I thought in mind that what they are doing are quite erroneous which some of the acolytes will say "Mali yan" or "The candle should be the one to lead!".
In my opinion that could be their chosen formation maybe they can be comfortable with it. here's their linear formation.
Boat Bearer Candle Bearer Candle Bearer Thurifer
As of nowI got no updates on them :-)
Next
the Diocese of Bacolod
Another diocese that you can't see the boat bearer during the gospel reading. How come?. I think he should be there since he is part of the team. Well I don't know about about those acolytes that loves that formation but in our institution still under the said diocese the boat bearer is still visible during the gospel reading together with the thurifer.
Take a look on the archdiocese of Manila, Cebu and Jaro or even in Rome The boat bearer is still at the gospel reading.
Some would say it's wrong or it is the priest's preference but it is our chosen formation.
but sometime parishes the team of the thurifer may go first to the lectern then followed by the deacon.
****
Gospel reading is one of the sacred parts of the Mass. Since the Gospel is not just a story about Christ but it contains the teachings of God that must be done in our hearts and show them through our actions.
You may wonder why I post this topic. But to add some info usually serving the Altar as an Acolytes has preferred styles. The so called "styles" is adding some sense of solemnity to the Holy Mass. Like using 4 acolytes/servers as candlebearers during mass instead of the traditional 2 candlebearers. Since Candle Sticks add solemnity and it symbolizes Christ as the light of the world.
REMEMBER: "STYLES" ARE SOMETIMES UNDER THE PREFERENCE OF THE PARISH PRIEST, DIOCESAN LITURGIST OR THE INSTITUTION THAT HOLDS THE MINISTY.
This first Part is the ENTRANCE PORCESSION
Bells are used to give attention to the congregation. But some parishes/ diocese the use of bell is optional during the entrance and the gloria.
During the entrance procession they put some solemnities when they walk
take a look at this:
courtesy of youtube.com
Have you noticed something in the video? An MC or an acolyte goes first and behind him are the Thurifer and
Boat bearer. Well that could be a choice of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Here are some other issues. In most of the parishes especially in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bacolod, Negros Occidental the Thurifer alone goes first no matter what and the boat bearer is at the very back of the acolytes. Since the reason is "Hindi na siya kailangan sa ngayon" in english "He is not needed for now".
Here's an example of one of their formations.
Thurifer
Cross bearer
Candle Bearer Candle Bearer
Acolytes Acolytes
Boat Bearer Acolytes
Lector
Main Celebrant/ PRIEST
Another video will show you that the thurifer may carry incense boat the the same time. courtesy of youtube
But there are some acolytes would ask what is really the exact formation.As written in the Gen. Instruction of the Roman Missal the Thurifer with a lighted censer goes first. But in my point of view the Thurifer and the Boat bearer goes together during the entrance procession since they can't exist without each other. But during the Papal Mass the MC for the acolytes goes first but behind him is the Boat Bearer
Here's one of the example preferred by the majority.
(the use 4-7 candle bearers are optional depending on the number of servers and size of the sanctuary.)
MC(optional)
Boat Bearer Thurifer
Cross Bearer
Candle Bearer Candle Bearer
Acolytes Acolytes
Acolytes Acolytes
Lector MC/ Acolyte MC/ Acolyte
Priest/ Main Celebrant
Other questions:
"Why in our parish there are 2 thurifers? It should be 1"
my answer. It depends upon the parish priest, if he wants 2 thurifers during the entrance and the consecration. But just remember as long as there's no conflict between the task there would be no problem.
"How come in our Parish church the priest is not using incense?" my answer: The use of incense is optional in any form of Holy Mass
