Parishes hold Tinagba for Christ the King feast

By Dr. Marita P. Quimlat

Some parishes in the Archdiocese of Caceres celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King through exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Tinagba offerings.

At the Parish of St. Rafael the Archangel in Pili, Camarines Sur, Fr. Joseph Wilmer Tria shared that the parish conducted a HIMULUAN procession during the 6:30AM mass. This was participated by 10 barangays and the Apostleship of Prayer as well as the Pili Parochial School. Each offered agricultural products. The offerings were brought to the altar by well-decorated carts, padyaks. In his homily, Fr. Tria reminded the parishioners that “Christ the King does not only govern the air, the lands and the seas, but also our lives and our talents. He deserves primarily our himuluan.” It is significant that the offerings will be shared with Facenda de Esperanza (Farm of Hope) in Carolina. Facenda gives a program of healing for those with addictions through spirituality, work and community. Poor communities of the parish will also be recipients of the offerings.

Fr. Jessie Edaugal, parish priest of the Finding of the Holy Cross Parish in Manguiring, Calabanga conducted a mobile Eucharistic procession followed with colorful, well- decorated transportations lining up for the procession. Offerings for the tinagba were shared with different institutions: Missionaries of the Poor, Missionaries of Charity, Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired, Daughters of Mary Sisters, Hablondawani and Seminaries. (Contributed photo)

Fr. Jessie Edaugal, parish priest of Finding of the Holy Cross Parish in Manguiring, Calabanga says “This Solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns forever.” In the parish, the celebration started at 3:00 in the afternoon with the Eucharistic Adoration spearheaded by the Apostleship of Prayer and participated by members of the various religious organisations and Barangay Pastoral Councils. A mobile Eucharistic procession was followed with colorful, well- decorated transportations lining up for the procession. The celebration was capped by a mass presided by Fr. Edaugal. Offerings were shared with different institutions: Missionaries of the Poor, Missionaries of Charity, Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired, Daughters of Mary Sisters, Hablondawani and the seminary communities. For the parishioners, the celebration was indeed a meaningful and significant event to honor Christ the King of the Universe.

For the first time at the St Anthony of Padua Parish in Iriga City, the parish held a Tinagba festival during the Solemnity of Christ the King. Newly installed parish priest,Fr. Mario Arnulfo Gaite, says that the celebration was focused on the spiritual dimension of the event. It started with a mass presided by Fr. Gaite at 6:00 in the morning. In his homily, Fr. Gaite stressed the difference between the worldy king and the Divine King. Whereas, the worldy king can only satisfy us with material treasures, the Divine King promises us a place in the Heavenly Kingdom, just as Jesus responded to the thief on the cross. He also touched on the issues besetting us such as divorce, euthanasia and abortion which worldly kings approve but which are not consistent with the teachings of Christ. A Eucharistic procession followed within the patio, ending with the benediction at the Blessed Sacrament in the church. Fr. Gaite then blessed the offerings in the 7 stations placed in the patio, each representing the 7 barangays within the parish. The offerings which represented the people’s show of homage to the King, will be shared to the communities on Christmas.

Since 2010, the Immaculate Conception Parish in Naga City, traditionally celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King with a Tinagba offerings. Each year is celebrated with a different theme, depending on the needs of the parish. Years ago, the offerings were distributed to the needy in the different sitios during the Christmas season. The significant participation of simple folks in the communities during the preparation and offering is beyond words. Twelve years since the parish started, the festival continues but this time it is much grounded on the Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad (SKK). To prepare for the event, the different SKK Buklods devoted the week to prayer meetings, reflecting on the gospel for Sunday: Christ the King of the Universe. ”Unlike other kings, his throne is the Cross,” as shared by Fr. Domingo Florida, parish priest . He presided over the 6:00 morning mass and led the community in prayer as all recited the Consecration to Christ the King. While the Tinagba Festival was participated by the parish pastoral council (PPC), religious organisations and ministries, it is the SKK Buklod and its leaders who led the offertory procession within the mass. The hand-held offerings in beautifully adorned baskets are to be shared to the Parish Disaster Response Team.