On Friday, September 3, defy ing the storm that was beating down on the whole country, our bishop went to Santiago Atitlán to serve the two communities there. The first visit was with the Efusión del Espíritu Santo Community. The faithful had prepared the celebration of two Baptisms, Confirmation, and the Holy Mass. In spite of the rain, which had flooded practically all the streets in town, the faithful managed to get to the church and participate fervently in the celebration.

Above:  The prayer of repentance that the faithful made before beginning the confession of sins.

 

 

 

 

Right: The Baptisms. The faithful participated actively in the celebration, aware that doing so was part of their baptismal priesthood.

Left:  The praise of some of the young people who had been prepared for Confirmation. All of them are in the young people’s group and the community’s chorus. Receiving the Sacrament will strengthen their commitment, especially in missionary work.

In the evening, Monsignor Eduardo celebrated the Eucharist with the Pentecostés Community in the center of Santiago Atitlán. The faithful participated with great fervor, boldly disregarding the inclement weather, which consisted of steady, heavy rain for hours.

Above:  Monsignor Eduardo during the administration of Absolution for the sins for Brother Juan Pacach, leader of the community.

 

 

 

Right:  The homily, in which Monsignor Eduardo emphasized that as Renewed Catholics we take on the commitment to proclaim the Good News to everyone, considering ourselves to be servants, like Paul, for the one who effects and guides our activity is the same Christ through the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday the fifth, Monsignor Eduardo began his missionary activity by visiting the Los Pirires Community in the municipality of San Juan Sacatepéquez. This community, consisting of about 200 faithful, has experienced  sustained growth. With great enthusiasm the faithful are evangelizing, and, helped by the seminarians that visit them every week, their theological and spiritual awareness are deepening.

Above:  The bishop invoking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that the forgiveness of sins may be granted to the faithful who with humility have made the confession of their sins.

 

 

 

Right:  The bishop during the homily insisting that the Renewed Catholic must be distinctively characterized by faithfully following Christ as his disciple, thereby being able to participate in the gifts of the Spirit and witness to the Gospel before the world.

Towards midday, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Los Caneles Community, located in the northwest part of the municipality of San Juan Sacatepéquez. This community began a short time ago. It is formed of seven families that have not yet managed to build a house of prayer. Nevertheless, they meet faithfully are full of joy, and proclaim the Good News to everyone. To be among them is to feel the very real and living presence of the Lord.

In the afternoon, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Los Guates Community. This is the oldest and largest of the Renewed Catholic communities in San Juan Sacatepéquez. Consisting of about 800 faithful, it has experienced steady growth and is serious about strengthening its organization. The bishop’s visit was splendidly prepared. They had made arches and carpets and, above all, were spiritually prepared, for the invitation to the bishop was in response to an inspiration they had received. On the occasion of the Monsignor’s visit, in addition to the celebration of the Lord’s Day Eucharist, two ministers were installed, Sister Dolores to serve in Los Guates and Brother Jorge to begin serving the community in La Estancia, which is in process of formation.

Above:  The entrance procession. Some of the People of God, preceded by the acolytes, readers and Communion Ministers, had gone out to receive the bishop and, in the photograph, lead him to the house of prayer.

 

 

Right:  One of the beautiful carpets, made of colored sawdust and white sand, that welcomed the bishop. It reads, “Welcome Monsignor Eduardo Aguirre.”

Left:  Some of the faithful attending the celebration.

Right:  Brother Jorge, newly installed Communion Minister, greeting the assembly. He will be responsible for distributing communion to the faithful in the community that is being formed in the village of La Estancia. About thirty faithful from the new community attended the Eucharist.

They accompanied Jorge to the celebration, formally requested his installation and afterwards received him with joy.

On Tuesday, September 7, the Presbytery had its meeting in the La Chacra Finca in Antigua Guatemala. Highway conditions prevented some presbyters from attending, but all the rest were there. The meeting took place with collegiality and in the spirit of profound communion with one another. First was a brief report on the pastoral activities of each of the presbyters. Then the bishop reported on general matters that concern the whole Church. Finally, after lunch, in a fraternal atmosphere of fellowship the bishop gave the continuing education. It focused on the roots and development of the Church and the procedures that are to be followed in organizing it.

Above:  Some of the participants during one of the sessions. The meeting began at 10:00 am and went until 4:00 pm, with a short lunch break.

 

 

Right: Some of the participants at the end of the meeting. The friendship, sincerity, respect, and the deep feeling of fellowship and solidarity with the church were perhaps the most important characteristics of the meeting.

In the afternoon of September 11, our bishop visited the Jesús Es Salvador Community in Los Angeles. Brother Rogelio and Sister Josefa and their family were celebrating the twenty-second anniversary of their marriage. In the photograph, Monsignor Eduardo is imparting the blessing to the family.

At 5:00 pm, Monsignor Eduardo visited the El Pescador Community where the San Miguel Arcángel of Los Angeles, California, has its center. The community just moved to its new location in the south of the city, between Hill and Jefferson Streets. The place has parking for fifteen vehicles, and the interior has 40% more room than the previous location. It is located on the first floor, so it has direct access to the street. The faithful are very enthusiastic and hope to continue growing. During the Eucharist, two infants, Bernabé and Ángel Gabriel, were baptized.

Above: The Absolution of one of the members of the community’s music ministry.

 

 

 

Right:  Prayer during the Eucharistic celebration.

Left:  The bishop pronouncing the baptismal words: “Ángel Gabriel, you are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit,” meanwhile sprinkling the baby with water, symbolizing being buried with Christ in order to be resurrected with Him, by means of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In the evening Monsignor Eduardo celebrated the Eucharist with Pacto Divino Community in the center of Los Angeles. The community has gone through some difficult times, but at present is full of faith and is trying to become stronger and begin a process of intense evangelization.

Above:  The participants at prayer during the preparation for the administration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

 

 

Left: The Communion Ministers present the ciboria and chalice at the close of the Eucharistic prayer.

Monsignor Eduardo devoted Sunday morning, September 12, to theological education for some of the leaders of the Los Angeles communities. Two new courses began:  “The Pauline letters” and “Liturgy.” The students followed with great interest all of the aspects that the instruction covered.

Above:  Some of the ESTYMLA-Los Angeles students with the bishop at the back entrance to the El Pescador Community’s quarters.

 

 

After four hours of instruction, the bishop presided at the celebration of the Eucharist for the ESTYMLA students. Right:  The homily.

In the morning of September 15, our bishop made a visit to the Tzununá Community. Besides the Eucharist, Baptisms were celebrated, and eight young men and women received Confirmation. The community is at present experiencing a special time of grace. Two and a half years ago it was severely tested when one of the brothers, who had promised to construct the church building, suffered an accident. He fell from a scaffold, his spinal cord was broken, and he would not be able to walk again. Miraculously, a month ago this brother has taken his first steps and is confident that soon he will be able to return to normal activity. It seems that what is happening to him is being experienced by the community as well.

Above:  Monsignor Eduardo at the Baptism of one of the babies.

 

 

 

 

Right:  The sponsors pray for those who have been confirmed at the close of the rite of Confirmation.

Towards mid day, the bishop visited the Jaibalito Community and celebrated two baptisms. Brothers Antonio and Francisco met him at the lake. Subsequently Francisco was installed as the community reader. The Jaibalito Community has suffered a lot because of the mud slides and floods that have carried off eleven houses this year. Nevertheless, they remain firm in their faith in the Lord and are committed to continue the work of evangelism.

Above:  The bishop’s arrival at Jaibalito. One can see how high the water has risen. The dock being used at present is the third that they have built this rainy season. At the right of the dock is a hut where people used to wait for boats. It had been a meter above the level of the lake, but now is partially covered by water.

 

Right:  The bishop asking the parents and sponsors of those being initiated into the Christian life concerning their faith and commitment to rear as Christians the children who are going to be baptized.

On the afternoon of September 15, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Xolbé Community. The reason for the visit was to administer the sacrament of Extreme Unction to Sister María, the sister of the community leader, Brother Vicente.

In late afternoon of the fifteenth, Monsignor Eduardo celebrated a Eucharist of Thanksgiving in the Chuitzanchaj Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna. It recognized all the benefits that the Lord has granted the community. In addition it was the opportunity to begin the novena preparing for the anniversary of the arrival of the Most Holy Sacrament, which will take place from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-sixth of September.

Above:  Brother Manuel, leader of the community, coming forward to receive communion.

 

 

 

 

Left:  Some of the faithful participating in the Eucharist.

As part of our ecumenical commitment and in our zeal to carry out the mission of rediscovering, accepting and implementing every aspect of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as Christ announced it and the Apostles proclaimed and organized it, as the Fathers of the Church developed it and as it was lived during the first millennium of Christianity, we have translated the rituals for the celebration of the sacraments that the Latin church used when it shared the Orthodox faith with the churches of the East before the ecclesiastical schism. The purpose for the translation is that we may become familiar with these rites and eventually use them. We think that this practice will allow us to realize our ecumenical mission more deeply, for it necessarily entails the rediscovery of the essential elements of the faith and practice of the undivided church.

Right:  The translation includes six of the seven sacraments: Baptism, which is administered along with Chrism and also implies the receiving of the Eucharist; Eucharist, which is also called the Divine Liturgy; Penitence or Reconciliation; Extreme Unction; and Matrimony. The translation also includes the funeral rites.

The ordinary of the Mass follows basically the order established by Gregory the Great, and his Anaphora is what is known as the Roman Canon. However, the Sacramentarian also includes the liturgy known as St. Thikon, used by various Orthodox communities of the Western Rite. It also includes the anaphora of St. Hippolytus Romanus and of St. John Chrysostom.

On Friday, September 24, our bishop celebrated the Eucharist with the Pajomel Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna. It was a regular visit. The community is hoping to be able to have the Eucharist celebrated at least once a month. The faithful continue to very excited, and on every visit sustained growth is visible.

Above:  The faithful, having made their confession of sins, draw near to receive Absolution.

 

 

 

 

Right:  Participating in communion.

On the afternoon of September 24, in spite of the rain, the faithful of Chuitzanchaj celebrated the third anniversary of the arrival of the Most Holy Sacrament and of their Covenant. The celebration included a solemn procession that began at the center of the village and went to the community’s church.

As preparation for the anniversary celebration, the brothers had completed plastering the inside of the church and had put down a subfloor on which a ceramic floor will later be installed.

The community has great enthusiasm and an excellent organization, which have served to maintain its continuous growth.

Above:  The procession with the Most Holy Sacrament.

 

 

 

 

On the occasion of the celebration, several children received the sacrament of Baptism. Right: Anointing the catechumens with oil.

The community has four communion ministers. In the photograph at left, three of them are presenting the bread that is to be consecrated.

The growth of the communities is obvious everywhere. Those of the municipality of Santa Bárbara , Huehuetenango, are no exception. A few months ago three families of a new village began forming a Renewed Catholic Community in their village. At present there are already ten families, and have had a piece of real estate given to them. Now they are preparing to begin construction. It is the hamlet of Cruz Grande of the village of Cruz Quemada. They wanted to have the bishop’s presence for blessing the property and laying the first stone of the new construction.

Above:  The homily.

 

 

 

 

 

Right:  The bishop preparing to begin the sprinkling of water to bless the land and lay the first stone of the future building.

On the afternoon of September 25, five communities of the municipality of San Juan Atitán, Huehuetenango, made a covenant with ICERGUA. They consist of more than three thousand faithful. Their earnest desire now is to get organized and develop the structure whereby they can in the near future become a parish.

Above:  Entrance procession. The bishop is preceded by three communion ministers.

 

 

 

 

Right:  The People of God, after confessing their sins, coming forward to receive Absolution.

Monsignor Eduardo’s first visit was an opportunity for these communities to celebrate twenty baptisms. At left one can see some of the mothers with their children, who are to be baptized. San Juan Atitán is a municipality of the Mam ethnic group, which has faithfully and proudly preserved its ancestral traditions. This fidelity can be seen in the clothing that so many of the men as well as women and children wear.

On Sunday morning our bishop visited the Siete Pinos Community, located in the highlands of the Cuchumatanes mountain range. At about 3500 meters above sea level, the vegetation is scarce, especially in the cold season. In recent years, however, the inhabitants have started raising sheep and cattle as well as growing potatoes with very positive results.

On the bishop’s visit about six hundred faithful of the Siete Pinos Community gathered together.

 

 

 

During the celebration, several baptisms and a marriage were celebrated. The joy and active participation of the community were evident.

Above:  The confession of sins.

 

 

 

 

 

Right:  The couple listening carefully to the bishop’s words about matrimony before declaring their consent.

On the afternoon of September 26 our bishop presided at the anniversary celebration of the Brasilia Renewed Catholic Community of Huehuetenango. The Eucharist ended three days of activities in which the members felt the strong presence of the Lord. During this period several families joined the community.

Above: Deep prayer in which the community makes its humble confession of sins.

 

 

 

 

Right:  The joy radiating from the faces of the faithful after the absolution of their sins.

During the ceremony, one of the families that joined the community a few months ago took advantage of the occasion to regularize their religious situation. Their marriage was celebrated, with the children having the opportunity to pray for their parents.

On September 29 our seminary was festively decked out. The bishop celebrated the thirty-sixth anniversary of his ordination as presbyter and ten of our brothers received minor orders. Six were ordained readers and four, who had before been ordained as readers, were ordained acolytes.

Above:  Five of those ordained as readers, from left to right-- Dámaso Mateo, José Alonso Hernández, Julio Maquín, Robinson Cumez and José Alfredo Hernández.

 

 

 

Right:  The four ordained acolytes: Fredy González,  Bernardo Vásquez, Edie Divas and Orlando López. At the extreme right: José Humberto Cucul, who was ordained reader.

After the litanies were sung and the prayer was made for the outpouring of the Spirit that those ordained readers might fulfill faithfully their charge, the bishop, the presbyters and other faithful present prayed over each of the ordinands.

Among those participating in the prayers were the closest family members of the ordained seminarians. Right:  The mother of José Alfredo Hernández prays over him and implores the Lord for her son’s perseverance and faithfulness.

The symbol that is delivered to the readers is the book of the Holy Scriptures. Left:  The bishop delivers the Holy Bible to Dámaso Mateo, and likewise to each of the other five who were ordained.

Right:  Monsignor Eduardo praying over the four seminarians who were ordained acolytes.

Left:  The mother of seminarians Edi Divas and the sister of Fredy González pray for them, asking of the Lord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an abundance of blessings.

Right:  Praying the “Our Father.” In the back at the left are the four deacons who, God willing, will be ordained on October 29 (left to right):  Pedro Martínez, José Armando Hernández, Marco Tulio Calderón and Denis Obando.

At the end of the Eucharist, our bishop imparts the benediction and greets those who participated in the celebration.

After the Eucharist, the seminarians, presbyters, family members and other guests had lunch together. At the end, a cake was cut and the candle for the celebration of the bishop’s thirty-sixth anniversary of his presbyterial ordination and the ordination of the ten new minor ordinands was blown out.

Left:  The bishop with presbyters and friends after lunch.

The academic year is nearing its close. The seminary is ending the year with 42 seminarians, including the four deacons and two are on leave. After the ordinations and the anniversary of the Renewed Catholic Church on October 29, the seminarians will go out in pairs until the fourteenth of November, carrying out mission work in various communities. Then their vacation begins.  Some will continue in pastoral activities. Others will go home and help their parents with their work, which is mostly farming.

Above and right:  Two photographs of the some of the seminarians along with the bishop and Father Juan Moisés Mendoza.