“Mga Linkod ng Dambana”
Last October 13, 2008, concurrently with the
commemoration of the last apparition of the
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, ten young boys
were installed as Linkod ng Dambana (= “altar
servers”), in the Scholasticate Chapel of the
Barnabites of Tagaytay, Philippines. The event
was attended by their parents and relatives as
well as religious congregations and the lay faithful
in our neighboring area. The solemn celebration
was presided by the Reverend Father Giovanni
Ma. Scalese, CRSP, the Superior of the
Saint Paul Scholasticate in Tagaytay and Delegate
Superior for the Philippines.
The thought of forming a group of Altar
Servers was conceived because of the need of
Altar Servers in one of our apostolate areas, the
Barangay Chapel of San Jose. One boy was recruited
and another more volunteered, until they
reached fifteen applicants. Five of them were
not able to make it to the investiture for different
valid reasons. The boys faithfully attended the
weekly seminar and training every weekend. Bro.
Albino Ma. Vecina, CRSP, took care of the catechism
class and Bro. Joseph Ma. Bernales, CRSP
took care of the seminar. The training and seminar
started from the last week of June and culminated
on the day of their investiture.
Aside from having altar servers for the
Barnabite Chapel and the San Jose Chapel, one
of our purposes is to set these young boys away
from the exposure of bad influence. Both the
Barnabite Community and the parents of these
boys shared the hope of keeping these boys
from becoming juvenile delinquent in the society.
Many concerns arose, like the need for tunics
and for personal things these boys would use.
Mrs. Rosario Quilao, “Tita Rose” as we fondly call
her, despite her poverty promised to help us by
asking her friends to sponsor the tunics. Another
blessing was the help of the Merciful Sisters in
sewing the tunics for free. The Servers, their parents
and the Barnabite Community are truly
thankful for the generosity of our benefactors
through Tita Rose.
Today the Barnabite Altar Servers are actively
serving for the two chapels mentioned. They
serve on Sundays and are scheduled to serve for
the Simbang Gabi (nine days of Masses before
Christmas, unique to the Philippines) in preparation
for the Christmas Season. This Yuletide the
Servers will have their Christmas Caroling in order
to raise funds for their studies and for the
things needed in their service to the church.
Those who are able to make it through the
investiture are Felipe Jr., Artemio Jr., Jose Ruel Jr.,
Art Lawrence, Joel, Carlo, Jeffrey, Roderick, Effren,
and Marco. At present there are more young
boys who express their desire of serving at the
Altar of the Lord by joining the Barnabite Altar
Servers.
They have also their blog. You can visit it at
t h e f o l l o w i n g a d d r e s s : h t t p : / /
www.lingkodbarnabitetagaytay.blogspot.com
(Joseph M. Bernales, CRSP)
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