It read: "Anak, Linggo bukas. (Son, tomorrow's Sunday.) Hear mass."
As with all devout Catholic countries, it is an age old tradition in the Philippines for a family to go to church together every Sunday.
They would put on their best clothes, wear their fancy shoes, and flash their pearly whites.
People do this just to show the neighbors that they are one happy family in contrast to the dysfunctional one they actually grew up with.
Pretending is still one of the most popular games people play.
This Sunday, we went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C.
Raft3r was blown away by its grandeur. It could easily become a favorite subject of any photographer.
The one hour mass went by so quickly. My group headed to the different parts of the Basilica. Believe me. There were a lot to explore.
What Raft3r found most interesting was how the Basilica coped with the modern times.
They got a huge gift shop. For a Catholic institution, they sell a lot of memorabilia and collectibles. The store is no Walmart, though. Their items are costly.
The Basilica also has a cafeteria that is big enough to feed an entire congregation and maybe a couple more.
Not that I am against the commercialization of religion, but the Church does have a vow of poverty.
If the Amish can maintain a simple lifestyle, Raft3r does not see why the Catholic Church cannot.
I'm just thinking out loud. That's all.
24 comments:
wow. raft3r attended mass. my kids attended too but their mom was not able to attend..
nanaybelen, Bakit po kayo hindi? Busy sa blog? Hehe
Sosy ng simbahan na yan ah. Guess they don't have to collect anything from the church goers during offertory?
sonnet's, They got envelopes for that. Like most churches here. Hehe
Would love to see pics of Basilica
anonymous, Google mo sya. Worth it.
Salut, Raft3r!
It's really amazing and sad how churches and places of worship have become so commercialized. At least this church, you didn't have to pay an entrance fee to get in! =)
But, I guess, this is how things are done these days. Three months ago, we went to the oldest synagogue in North Africa. We had to go through a scanner/metal detector. Then when we went inside the place of worship, we were "ASKED to donate" a certain amount of money per person, ie entrance fee.
I don't mind paying money but please not under a pretense.
Welcome to the age of the commercialization of places of worship!
Haha! I do get the same text message from my mother! Huwag ko daw kalimutan magsimba, although she never said even once na tamad ako masimba.
my sentiments exactly. 4 years ago, my daughter had her confirmation, it was organized by her school, medyo sosyal ang affair at bishop ang nagconfirm sa kanila. alam mo ba ang bishop naka-jaguar pa. oh anong say mo dyan.
bernadette anne, Religion is good business. Really.
salve, Hehe. Iba talaga mga nanay!
liza, Wow. Sana ako naka Jaguar din. Nyahaha
Para namang disneyland yang basilica na yan. Kulang na lang eh amusement park rides.
May related story ako. Yung officemate mo ko nagpabinyag ng anak nitong Saturday sa Catholic church. Nagulat sya kasi aside from P1k eh siningil sya ng P50 per ninong and ninang. Lagpas 15 pa man din ang godparents na kinuha nya. Moral of the story: wag kumuha ng maraming ninong and ninang sa binyag hehehe.
Haha. Ok talaga Mom mo, kahit nasa abroad ka eh di nya nakakalimutang i-remind ka sa pagsimba. (,") Si Daddy mo, di ka tinext about going to church too? (.") Miss na kita denoy, when ka din uwi?
wendy, Hehe. Baka ganyan na din sa kasal ngayon.
jella, Malapit na. Kaya see you soon!
ang sweet naman ni Mommy mo. yung nanay ko kung magtext ganun din. starts with "ANAK", hehehe.....
miss ka na namin dennis! uwi ka na para treat nyo na kami ni timmy =)
- mya
astute sentiment raft3r... i also wonder bat may mga tidahan sila na malapit na malapit...but at least they sell good items...kabanas naman kung may san mig light diyan.. kunieeeg...
mya, Miss na rin kita. Sobra. Si Timmy di masyado. Hehe
hitokirihoshi_kawaii, Nyahaha. Wala akong nakitang liquor. Peo holy h20 ang dami. Hehe
More and more people don't go to church anymore. Siguro that's one way of attracting people to attend mass. Think Sister Act. Hehehe!
big eyed gal, Singing nuns. Brilliant! Hehe
mas maganda pa ba yan kesa sa san agustin? hehe
pete, Maganda pa ang Binondo! Hehe
hi raft3r linked you already! TC and its great that you heard mass^_^
mommie van, Thanks. I linked you up, as well.
well, if the catholic church maintains a simple life style, so do all catholics -- including you! say goodbye to medren technology and bubble baths!...ig
ig, Hindi naman ako practicing Catholic. Kaya exempted ako. Hehe
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