How Catholic Chinese-Filipinos welcome the Year of the Snake | ABS-CBN
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How Catholic Chinese-Filipinos welcome the Year of the Snake
How Catholic Chinese-Filipinos welcome the Year of the Snake
Gigie Cruz,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 30, 2025 07:27 AM PHT
|
Updated Jan 30, 2025 09:29 AM PHT
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As Chinese-Filipino Catholics welcome the Year of the Wooden Snake, Mary the Queen Parish in San Juan City continues its initiative of celebrating the Chinese New Year by encouraging its parishioners to participate in the lighting of the first incense on New Year’s Eve and a Eucharistic celebration integrated with the ancestor veneration rites at the end of the Mass.
Fr. Bogs Tapiador, SJ, Parish Priest, explains the importance of integrating Chinese culture into the liturgies and programs, especially since Mary the Queen is one of the parishes in Metro Manila that caters to Chinese-Filipinos.
As Chinese-Filipino Catholics welcome the Year of the Wooden Snake, Mary the Queen Parish in San Juan City continues its initiative of celebrating the Chinese New Year by encouraging its parishioners to participate in the lighting of the first incense on New Year’s Eve and a Eucharistic celebration integrated with the ancestor veneration rites at the end of the Mass.
Fr. Bogs Tapiador, SJ, Parish Priest, explains the importance of integrating Chinese culture into the liturgies and programs, especially since Mary the Queen is one of the parishes in Metro Manila that caters to Chinese-Filipinos.
The parish began its Inculturated Chinese Mass in 2014 to allow devout Catholic Chinese to welcome the Chinese New Year with a liturgy infused with English readings, Chinese songs, and old traditions, organized by the Chinese-Filipino apostolate in the parish.
“This is similar to our efforts in integrating Filipino culture into many of our churches here in the country. It is really about allowing our own culture to be a way of expressing our faith. Through our culture, we are able to feel our faith more deeply and express it in a way that is more appropriate to our identity,” Tapiador added.
He also mentioned how the celebration was appropriate for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year worldwide. In the spirit of what Pope Francis calls "synodality," different voices and expressions are respected, including Chinese culture, which is a meaningful expression of faith for Chinese people who have embraced Jesus Christ.
Celebrating the Inculturated Mass was Fr. Joseph Haw, SJ, current President of Xavier School, who emphasized the significance of faith in helping people grow, adapt, and overcome challenges.
The parish began its Inculturated Chinese Mass in 2014 to allow devout Catholic Chinese to welcome the Chinese New Year with a liturgy infused with English readings, Chinese songs, and old traditions, organized by the Chinese-Filipino apostolate in the parish.
“This is similar to our efforts in integrating Filipino culture into many of our churches here in the country. It is really about allowing our own culture to be a way of expressing our faith. Through our culture, we are able to feel our faith more deeply and express it in a way that is more appropriate to our identity,” Tapiador added.
He also mentioned how the celebration was appropriate for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year worldwide. In the spirit of what Pope Francis calls "synodality," different voices and expressions are respected, including Chinese culture, which is a meaningful expression of faith for Chinese people who have embraced Jesus Christ.
Celebrating the Inculturated Mass was Fr. Joseph Haw, SJ, current President of Xavier School, who emphasized the significance of faith in helping people grow, adapt, and overcome challenges.
As many observe the Chinese festival focusing on attracting luck, wealth, and prosperity for the new year, he pointed out how today’s Gospel, Matthew 6:31-34, presents a "counter-cultural" message, as it expresses how God provides for His people.
“So we don't have to worry. In a way, we do not need luck. When you are with God, you do not need luck because God will take care of you. When you have God, you don't have to worry,” Fr. Haw said.
Connecting this to the significance of the Year of the Snake, Fr. Haw admitted that preaching about it could be challenging given the negative connotations of snakes in the Bible. “They are associated with temptation and betrayal,” he noted, referencing how Filipinos even use the phrase “ahas ka” to imply treachery and being a traitor.
However, he also pointed out that there are biblical writings that redeem the snake from its bad reputation, with Christ even telling his disciples to be "as wise as serpents."
As many observe the Chinese festival focusing on attracting luck, wealth, and prosperity for the new year, he pointed out how today’s Gospel, Matthew 6:31-34, presents a "counter-cultural" message, as it expresses how God provides for His people.
“So we don't have to worry. In a way, we do not need luck. When you are with God, you do not need luck because God will take care of you. When you have God, you don't have to worry,” Fr. Haw said.
Connecting this to the significance of the Year of the Snake, Fr. Haw admitted that preaching about it could be challenging given the negative connotations of snakes in the Bible. “They are associated with temptation and betrayal,” he noted, referencing how Filipinos even use the phrase “ahas ka” to imply treachery and being a traitor.
However, he also pointed out that there are biblical writings that redeem the snake from its bad reputation, with Christ even telling his disciples to be "as wise as serpents."
According to Fr. Haw, instead of seeking luck, the faithful should ask for God’s grace. For the New Year, he encouraged people to take inspiration from the snake’s peculiar nature. Just as snakes shed their skin to grow, he urged people to let go of things that hinder their growth.
“We have to shed off. We have to let go of things that hinder us from growing. We need to let go of things that prevent us from deepening our relationship with God and with others. We must let go of resentments and bad memories. That is the first thing we should ask for: ‘Lord, grant us the grace to grow and the courage to let go of what holds us back,'" he said.
He added that the adaptability and resilience of a snake are qualities that could help people face challenges.
“Being adaptive and resilient does not mean avoiding difficulties or erasing all the bad things in life. Rather, it means recognizing challenges and facing them with confidence. We have been given the strength, talents, and skills to overcome problems. Life’s difficulties are part of our journey,” he said.
Reflecting on the snake’s open eyes, Fr. Haw urged the faithful to keep their eyes of faith open.
“So that we may always find opportunities to see how God works in different places and moments in our lives. If we open our eyes of faith, we will see God even in the most difficult moments. This will enable us to adapt and to let go of what hinders us from God. These eyes of faith will lead us to the One we celebrate today—Jesus,” he said.
According to Fr. Haw, instead of seeking luck, the faithful should ask for God’s grace. For the New Year, he encouraged people to take inspiration from the snake’s peculiar nature. Just as snakes shed their skin to grow, he urged people to let go of things that hinder their growth.
“We have to shed off. We have to let go of things that hinder us from growing. We need to let go of things that prevent us from deepening our relationship with God and with others. We must let go of resentments and bad memories. That is the first thing we should ask for: ‘Lord, grant us the grace to grow and the courage to let go of what holds us back,'" he said.
He added that the adaptability and resilience of a snake are qualities that could help people face challenges.
“Being adaptive and resilient does not mean avoiding difficulties or erasing all the bad things in life. Rather, it means recognizing challenges and facing them with confidence. We have been given the strength, talents, and skills to overcome problems. Life’s difficulties are part of our journey,” he said.
Reflecting on the snake’s open eyes, Fr. Haw urged the faithful to keep their eyes of faith open.
“So that we may always find opportunities to see how God works in different places and moments in our lives. If we open our eyes of faith, we will see God even in the most difficult moments. This will enable us to adapt and to let go of what hinders us from God. These eyes of faith will lead us to the One we celebrate today—Jesus,” he said.
Read More:
Lunar New year
Chinese New Year
Inculturation
Chinese-Filipinos
Catholic
Year of the Snake
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