The Story of Everything

January 15, 2023
Feast of the Sto. Nino
Mark 18:1-5,10

In the Philippines today, the readings are different because the liturgy of today highlights the feast of the baby Jesus otherwise known as “Sto. Nino.” The feast is strictly speaking, a liturgical feast celebrated only in the Philippines. Yet even here in Canada, Filipinos celebrated it with the same fervor and joy. We have our version of “sinulog” celebrated inside the hall because of the cold temparature outside.

The devotion to the Sto. Niño has become popular tradition worldwide. The Child Jesus is clothed in enumerable ways of professions and varried attires. I am proud to say that as long as there is a presence of filipinos anywhere, there is also a presence of “Sto Nino.” In the baranggay where I came from, this devotion was manifested in a colorful parade which highlights the joyful street dancing. We cannot deny the fact that our world nowadays was characterized by competition, striving for excellence, looking for the best, searching for power, all these could lead us to the world’s standard of greatness. However, the gospel is reminding us to be little like child. Greatness is being little. Friends, greatness is not what we have but becoming like little children. If you want to be giant, you need to be little!

Three things I would like to share for today. Looking at the image of the baby Jesus through the Sto. Nino, He challenges us for three things. First, like the Sto. Niño always smile. My dear friends never forget to smile. Even if life is hard show your smile. Smile even if it hurts. Smile even if you have problems. Smile is an expression of faith. Smile can solve many problems. Friends, have faith and keep smiling because God is in control.

Second, like the Sto. Nino always point up your finger above. The gesture of pointing up our finger signifies the superiority of God. To be great means to acknowledge that God is more superior than us. Friends, give all the credits, all the applauses and all praises to back to Jesus. More of God, less of ourselves. To God alone belongs the glory. Fade, so that God may shine!

Finally, the Sto. Niño is holding the globe to remind us that at the end of our journey all of us are destined to be in the hands of God. (Isa lang ang bagsak ng tao, sa Kamay ng Diyos.) We are made for heaven. Happy feast day my dear kababayans. Viva Señor Sto. Niño. Pit Senior! Sangpit kang Senyor! Always, call the Lord!

Blessings
Fr. Jhack

Oct. 26, 2020 | Feature

"HABEMUS CARDINALEM"
(We have a Cardinal)

Amid the gloomy weather brought about by Typhoon Quinta and the on-going global health crisis, the local Church in Capiz received a highly consoling news: it's beloved Archbishop, the Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula Jr., D.D., was named Cardinal by Pope Francis on Sunday, October 25, 2020 in the Vatican.

Msgr. Joe, as he is popularly known in Capiz, is the ninth Filipino elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis will formally create the Capiz Archbishop a Cardinal during a consistory on November 28, 2020, on the eve of the First Sunday of Advent in Rome.

The Capiz Archbishop happens to be the second Bishop to be named a "Prince of the Church" that served the local Church in Capiz, the first being the late +Jaime L. Cardinal Sin who was Msgr. Joe's Rector back when he was in high school at the St. Pius X Seminary (SPXS).

Cardinal-elect Advincula also shares some similarities with Cardinal Sin. Both were ordained priests by the late Capiz Archbishop +Antonio F. Frondosa, D.D. (Cardinal Sin in 1954, Cardinal-elect Advincula in 1976). Both also served as Rector of the SPXS.

At 68, Cardinal-elect Advincula now joins the Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D., Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples based in Rome, as electors in the event that a Papal election takes place. The other living Filipino Cardinals are Manila Archbishop-Emeritus Most Rev. Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D. and Cotabato Archbishop-Emeritus Most Rev. Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I., D.D.

A native of Dumalag, Capiz, Msgr. Joe has two other brothers who became priests (+Msgr. Benjamin Advincula and Fr. Jesus Niel Peter Advincula).

Msgr. Joe finished High School and earned his Philosophy degree from SPXS and his theology studies at the Pontifical and Royal Catholic University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila where he also earned his degree in Canon Law before pursuing it further in Rome.

Aside from being a Canon lawyer, the Cardinal-elect also has a Master of Arts degree in Education (with a specialization on Guidance and Counseling) from the De La Salle University (DLSU), Manila.

As a priest, Fr. Joe served in various seminaries throughout the Philippines. From 1990 to 1993, he was Dean of Studies of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. After that, he also taught and was a resident spiritual director at the St. Joseph Regional Seminary of the Archdiocese of Jaro.

From 1995 to 2000, Msgr. Joe was Rector of the SPXS. Simultaneously, in 1999 when Capiz opened its major seminary, the Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium (SMMRS), the Cardinal-elect was its inaugural Rector before being transfered to the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish, Dao, Capiz where he served as Parish Priest for only five months.

His stint as Parish Priest was cut short because on July 25, 2001, Pope John Paul II, now a canonized saint, named Msgr. Joe as Bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental. He was ordained Bishop on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8, 2001).

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Advincula as the successor of Archbishop +Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D. in the See of Capiz, his home-diocese.

True to his episcopal motto "Audiam" (I will listen) and San Jose, the patron saint of the hidden life and his namessake), the new Cardinal is known as silent worker of the Church.

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Photo credits: Ray Non Mallorca