Sacred vestment had an important function in liturgical celebrations since the earliest days of the Church, liturgical vestments have been worn by priests for the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Earlier, Most Rev. Francisco M. De Leon, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, officially installed Rev. Fr. Lopito “Bembol” Hiteroza as the new Parish Priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu of San Mateo, Rizal.
Back details of the chasuble. (PHOTO: Aldrin Llagas)
The unusual style and classic design of Fr. Bembol’s liturgical vestment which consists of several symbols are noticeable. The Chasuble set was commissioned by the members of the Shrine Ministry and the Parish Pastoral Council Executive committee as their gift to Fr. Bembol.
The vestment takes the concept of showing the glory and splendour of the Lord, in which the priest becomes “in persona Christi” during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The blue accents reminds us of the Blessed Mother, our intercessor – highlighting also that the Shrine and Parish is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Aranzazu, patroness of the whole town of San Mateo.
The design incorporated motifs used in the Canonical Crown of Our Lady of Aranzazu. It highlighted the Blessed Virgin Mary as the most beautiful rose in the garden of God, her virtues, and her relationship to each person of the Blessed Trinity.
The image of Our Lady of Aranzazu in the front is a reminder that the Blessed Virgin is our Mother, Queen, and Patroness – leading us all to her Son which she carries. The Parish logo is attached at the back – highlighting Fr. Bembol’s role as Parish Priest and Rector.
The newly installed Parish priest pays homage to the patroness of San Mateo. (PHOTO: Mel Monterola)
The design and execution process was done within a month. It was made by the GAVDE Ecclesiastical Articles, owned by Dave Axallan, which offers various religious items including personalized religious pendants, shirts, and necklaces. GAVDE Ecclesiastical Articles advocates in sharing the joy found in the Lord and His saints through different beautiful religious items.
The significant symbolism on the liturgical vestment of Fr. Bembol can be very beneficial. It will remind him and his people, the real spirit and core of serving the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, the center of faith and Marian devotion of San Mateo, Rizal.
Christian Jasper Robles
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Christian is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is a member of the writer’s team of Aranzazu Media and Public Information Ministry. A singer, performer, writer, church servant, and a Marian devotee. Currently, he is the secretary of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu- Cofradia and member of Avant-Garde Singers. Passionate about writing different local religious traditions and Mariology matters; Christian is strongly dedicated in promoting and propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.
