OLAR Feast Day Mass

The Thanksgiving Mass for the Feast day of Our Lady of Aranzazu, was presided by: Rev. Fr. Geni Diwa. Marlon Santos / MPIM

SAN MATEO, Rizal – The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu held a concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass for the 301st Feast Day of Our Lady of Aranzazu. The mass was presided by Rev. Father Genaro Diwa, together with Msgr. Generoso Mediarito, Fr. Lawrence Paz, Fr. Edwin Tirado CM, Fr. Gerard Masangya, Fr. Ramon Daguman, Fr. Marc Anthony Ramos.

Father Geni is the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines. He’s also the rector and parish priest of the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels in San Miguel, Manila, Fr. Larry’s hometown.

The celebration began with the ceremonial crowning of the Infant Jesus and Our Lady.

Bro. Frank Faidon, the Parish Pastoral Council President, placed the scepter to the hand of our Mother. Vice Governor Jun Rey San Juan and Vice Mayor Jose Rafael Diaz crowned Our Lady.

Fr. Mark read the Gospel from Luke (1:26:38). It talked about God, sending His messenger angel Gabriel to deliver God’s blessing to Mary. He told Mary she would carry God’s child in her womb and call Him Jesus. Mary was surprised and confused. She asked, How shall this be seeing I know not a man?” Gabriel explained she will conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit. He also used her cousin Elizabeth as an example that with God nothing is impossible. After hearing this, Mary replied, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” And Gabriel left.

Fr. Geni’s homily reflected on the Holy Gospel in two points: thanksgiving and the will of God.

Whenever we receive anything from anyone, we express gratitude towards the person whom we receive a gift or favor from. In the Gospel, Mary was thankful for the blessing Gabriel delivered her. She was thankful but had questions. Though she had questions on how the miracle of God would come to be, she accepted the will of God. As devotees of the Blessed Mother, this is something we should imitate and emanate in our lives. Oftentimes, we pray to God asking for something. We wait for answers for days, weeks, and sometimes for years. Seldom do we realize that our prayers were already answered. Our wants happen to be different from God’s will. As a result, we become blind and not see that His answers are already in front of us.

The combined voices of the San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod choirs solemnly sang the “Birhen ng Bayang San Mateo” during the communion.

The celebration ended with Fr. Larry’s thankful remarks to all the parish priests, guest priests, public officials, church servers, and parishioners for their efforts and contributions to the feast day of Our Lady of Aranzazu.

This feast is intended for our Mother, to thank her for accepting God’s plan for her even though she didn’t know the difficulties she’d go through. As we thank the Blessed Mother, let’s also promise her that we’ll keep our eyes open for the things that we desire and for the things that God sees best for us. It’s difficult to accept something you don’t prefer. But if it’s from God, who are we to refuse? We may have some questions at times, sure. But like Mary, she took a leap of faith. And what happened next? The Son of God was conceived and born. Souls are redeemed. We are saved. Let not our personal desires get in the way of His will. Take a leap of faith like our Mother did. And great things will surely happen. (Lea Basilio)