priest

Homily of His Excellency Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila My dear friends, sisters and brothers in the Lord, We are in the holy season of Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah through prayer, penance and good works. A few days ago a friend told me that my coming into the Archdiocese of Manila as its 32nd Archbishop is truly Advent. “You are the one who is to come,” he declared. The remark made me laugh. It also made me think. Is this occasion really about me? I know many people are asking “who is this new archbishop of Manila? What is he like? What are his vision and plans?” But like John the Baptist I am inviting you to focus on the One mightier than all of us, Jesus Christ, the Risen One and the True Shepherd of the Church. My Episcopal motto says it plainly, “Dominus Est! It is the Lord!” This exclamation is drawn from the Risen Christ’s appearance to some of his disciples at the Sea Tiberias as recounted in John 2...

Aside from the regular Masses and talks with the different organization, every first and third Sunday of afternoon is devoted for canonical interview for those who would like to Marry.

Every First and third sundays of the month, I interview for canonical purpose the couples who would like to bemarried. It is a part of their marriage preparation to see to it that there are no impediments ever for their marriage as stated by the canon law. It is a precaution not only for the church but especially for the married-to-be couples. They have to brace themselves of the responsibility of the married life. It has its responsibilities and blessings.

Canonical Interview Canonical interview for couple who wishes to be married is part of my second and fourth Sunday of the month schedule. Though Sunday is a hectic day for a priest it is also the reasonable day for couples who are free on Sundays and working during weekdays. There are five couples scheduled today. Some of them are already living together as husbands and wives. When asked why they preferred to live together before the ceremony of marriage. They responded that they were not prepared then financially. It is a matter of fact that financial reason is part and partial of marriage preparation. However the psychological, spiritual and moral aspects should not be overshadowed on the process. This is just one of the indications that the church specifically the parish should keep an eye on and offer remedies. One of my fellow parish priest once commented on the issue that his experience is worse than mine. Simply, because, though on my experience, marriage is quite late as expect...