The bishop began this month’s pastoral activities in the Unción del Espíritu Santo Community in Santiago Atitlán.

During the bishop’s visit, twenty-two children made their first Reconciliation and their Solemn Communion.  All had been beautifully prepared by the community catechists.

In the homily, the bishop urged all the participants to renew their spiritual life constantly, consciously and continually taking on the attitude of devotion and repentance as a witness to their life of faith.

Also during this visit several children were initiated into Christian Life.

The children who made their Solemn Communion accepted the commitment to be the living presence of the light of Christ in whatever situation they found themselves. This commitment was symbolized by lighting a candle after receiving communion.

In late afternoon, the bishop visited the Pentecostés Community in Santiago Atitlán to administer Confirmation and to carry out the mission charge to a group of young people.

One young man and five young women were confirmed during the ceremony.  They all demonstrated their commitment to work in the same way that the apostles worked after Pentecost.

The celebration having begun with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, a huge number came forward at the time of the communion to participate in the divine banquet.

On Saturday morning, September 1, the bishop celebrated the Eucharist with the People of God in the Chuitzanchaj Community in Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.

This beautiful and dynamic community is characterized by the depth of its organization. There is a large number of servers, and that has facilitated steady growth as well as an active participation of the People of God in every moment of the celebration.

The People of God are focused now on celebrating the anniversary of their covenant and the installation of the Most Holy Sacrament in their midst. The bishop will visit the community again on September 29 for this occasion.

At midday on September 1, the bishop celebrated the Eucharist with the Pajomel Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna.

In the homily the bishop underlined the characteristics of the authentic Renewed Catholic Christian and urged all the members of the community to acquire and continuously cultivate these characteristics in order to produce abundant spiritual fruit.

During the celebration, several brothers were blessed so that  they may serve as acolytes in the celebration of the Eucharist.

On Sunday, September 2, the bishop and a group of seminarians made a pilgrimage to the Yepocapa and Acatenango Volcanoes.

It was a splendid day, though the hike was slow and tiring.

It was a day of prayer, meditation, and constant struggle to overcome the hikers’ physical limitations.

Once on the peak of Acatenango, the seminarians wanted the leave a record of their visit, so with great enthusiasm they wrote with enormous letters on one side of the crater the name of ICERGUA.

Left:  View of the El Agua Volcano, from Acatenango.

The celebration of the Eucharist took place on the peak of Yepocapa.

Right:  a view of the El Fuego Volcano from the peak of Acatenango.

On Monday, September 3, as always on the Monday before the seminarians leave for vacation or pastoral work, there was a spiritual retreat for them all.

The retreat leader was Father Juan Moisés Mendoza Sapalú, vice-rector of the seminary and professor of theology.

The seminarians took great interest in the retreat and at the end expressed their satisfaction with its contents, expecting that it would yield abundant fruit.

On Wednesday, September 5, the birth of the Most Holy Virgin Mary was celebrated using the Divine Liturgy.

In the homily the bishop stressed that Most Holy Mary, as our mother and model, should be invoked and imitated so that we may fulfill fully the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us.

One of the especially attractive aspects of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy is that it uses leavened bread. Knowing that Jesus expressly wanted to celebrate the last meal with leavened bread—“living bread”—a material symbol of the spiritual reality of the Eucharist, makes celebration with this bread particularly significant and relevant.

This Divine Liturgy constitutes the spiritual preparation for the seminarians’ vacation. It begins Saturday, September 8, and on September 16, when the final bi-semester of the academic and pastoral year begins.

On Saturday, September 8, the feast of the Birth of the Blessed virgin Mary, the bishop participated, by invitation, in a radio broadcast from Studio Three of Radio Nueva Vida, located in Los Angeles, California.

The theme was the role of Most Holy Mary in evangelism.

In the broadcast, the bishop emphasized that Mary’s attitude, lifestyle, and mission make her a model of the evangelist and evangelism.

In the first place, she received the Gospel in herself, which is the living presence of Christ, by action of the Holy Spirit, and then she delivered it to humanity, showing that in Him all the ancient promises were fulfilled.

This should also be the dynamic and mission of every evangelist.

In the afternoon of September 8, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharistic celebration with the San Miguel Arcángel Parish, which meets at 227 W. Jefferson in Los Angeles.

The liturgy that was celebrated was that of the Birth of the Most Holy Virgin. In light of the prophecies of Micah and St. Matthew’s narrative of the incarnation, the bishop emphasized that God’s promise is being fulfilled, without interruption, in history, though it involves believers like Mary and Joseph in becoming manifest and evident to everyone.

The parish community, in spite of some difficulties that they have gone through, feels excited about continuing to work and carry the evangelism process forward more systematically.

The bishop ended the celebration by inviting the People of God to participate in the education program of DETYM, which takes place one Sunday morning each month.

At dusk, the bishop came to the Pacto Divino Community to celebrate the Mass.

The celebration began with administering the sacrament of Reconciliation to all who wanted it, as can be seen in the photograph at left.

After the Gospel reading, the bishop blessed the People with the Gospel, asking the Lord that sins be forgiven and the words of the Gospel be fulfilled.

During the Anaphora, the People of God knelt in prayer, asking the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the Body and blood of the Lord.

Before the Communion, while the Our Father was being sung, all the assembly joined hands, actualizing the communion and unity with the whole Body of Christ, which is the Church.

In the evening of September 8, Monsignor Eduard presided at the Eucharist with the Restauración en el Espíritu Santo Community, which meets on Third Street and Carondonet in Los Angeles, California.

In light of the readings for the day, the homily emphasized, that hearing the Word of God cannot be limited to just reading the Holy Scripture, for we have to be spiritually open to hearing the living voice of God that speaks directly to the heart of every believer.  He therefore urged everyone, as in the Gospel, to ask the Lord who made the deaf  to hear to heal our spiritual deafness so that we may hear His voice.

In an atmosphere of deep spirituality and joy, the bread and wine were offered that they may be transformed, by the Holy Spirit, into the Body and Blood of the Lord.

For four hours on the morning of September 9, the bishop gave instruction to the People of God of DETYM Los Angeles. The theme was the original meaning of the terms “Catholic” and “Orthodox” and the use of these in the course of the Church’s history.

The entire class was broadcast through Radio Carisma, la Voz del Espíritu Santo, in the Glorificación de María Parish, in Santa Cruz Barillas.

The members of the class had many question for the bishop, which he answered in detail so that by clearing up the various concerns they might have an accurate knowledge of the historical origins of the Church.

Among the issues that the bishop stressed was the fact that the only ones who have historically conserved the fullness of the catholic, apostolic, and orthodox faith—that is, faith in its entirety, which was transmitted by the apostles and the early Church Fathers— are the Syriac-Orthodox of Antioch, the Coptic Orthodox of Alexandria, and Armenian Orthodox.

This fact prompts us to draw close to these churches.

On Sunday afternoon, September 9, the bishop presided at the Eucharist in which those who attend the DETYM session participated.

The celebration was broadcast by Radio Carisma of Santa Cruz Barillas.

In light of the readings from the prophet Isaiah, who announces the messianic times, and the Gospel of Mark, which, in the passage telling of the healing of the deaf-mute, presents Jesus to us as the one who fulfills these promises, the bishop explained the symbolic meaning of these miracles.

The miracles are a symbol of the healing that in Jesus every human being receives in his or her ability to hear the living God and to recognize His presence in everybody. For this reason it is needful to avoid every kind of discrimination and also to proclaim the Good news to everyone.

To conclude, the bishop invited the participants to take seriously the Gospel message and to ask the Lord to open our ears so that we can hear Him, to open our eyes so that we can see Him present in every person and circumstance, especially among the poorest and most marginalized and those in difficulties,  and to loosen our tongues so that we may proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come among us because it is alive and present in our hearts.

On  September 13, our bishop, Father Juan Moisés Mendoza and a group of seminarians began a pilgrimage to the Santo Tomás  (or “Pecul”) Volcano, which is located partly in the department of Quetzaltenango, partly in Sololá, and partly in Suchitepéquez.

The inner meaning of the pilgrimage was the opportunity it provided to stop along the way to pray for the Church and to celebrate the Eucharist in the context of natural beauty and grandeur.

Right:  The bishop and Father Juan Moisés near to the peak of the volcano.

Left:  The bishop between seminarians Arturo Pedro and Jesús Mendoza. In the back are the clouds made by the El Fuego Volcano eruption, which recently had been unusually strong.

Right: A beautiful view of Lake Atitlán and the volcanoes that surround it, from the peak of the Santo Tomás Volcano. The clouds in the foreground are created by the eruption of El Fuego.

Besides meditating, praying the Divine Office, and contemplating, the pilgrimage also included the celebration of the Eucharist in the place where the volcanoes of Santo Tomás and Zunil are joined.

On Friday, September 14, the bishop and some seminarians went to the Santa María Volcano to celebrate the Eucharist. The special occasion was the celebration of the Liturgy of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The day was sunny at the beginning, but during the hike many clouds blew in, and the sun was mostly hidden. Right:  Peak of the Santa María Volcano.

Left:  Preparing for the celebration of the Eucharist on the peak of the volcano.

Just before dawn on Sunday, September 16, Father Herberth Urrutia’s mother died after suffering a long illness, during which she and the family deepened their understanding of the resurrection. Accordingly, the tone of the Eucharistic celebration was that of hope and resurrection.

Father Herberth and his brother Jorge, who is also a presbyter, delivered the homily.

Their message imparted the deep hope and serenity that filled the hearts of all the family members.

Many members of the Los Olivos Community (Zona 18) and the Zona 7 Community also participated in the celebration, as well as some seminarians and Father Santos Acosta.

The burial began under heavy rain, but those who were there did not let it interfere with their participation in the Eucharist.

On Wednesday, September 19, as every Wednesday in the Seminary, our bishop presided at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Syriac-Antiochene rite.

On this occasion the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in thanksgiving for the Holy Synod that was celebrated in Lebanon from the tenth to the fourteenth of September.

In the homily the bishop explained the meaning of the ecclesiastical communion with an Apostolic See, emphasizing that this meaning is especially important when the communion is with the holy see founded by St. Peter the apostle, namely the Syriac-Orthodox See of Antioch.

A very special moment in the Divine Liturgy is the mixing of the two species and the breaking of the Body.

All the seminarians participated in the celebration with special devotion.

At the end, each one came forward to receive the bishop’s blessing and then to venerate the Holy Scripture.

On Friday afternoon, September 21, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Tzununá Community on the shore of the Lake Atitlán to celebrate the Eucharist with the People of God.

The liturgy that day celebrated St. Matthew the Apostle, and in light of his calling and mission,  the bishop encouraged the faithful to respond to the call of the Lord and to take on the missionary attitude that the apostle accepted.

Since the celebration began with the administration of Reconciliation, the entire People of God had the opportunity to participate in Holy Communion.

In the afternoon of September 21, Monsignor Eduardo celebrated the Eucharist and administered Christian Initiation to a child in the Jaibalito Community in Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.

The bishop’s homily not only lifted up the figure of St. Matthew the Apostle, but also explained that the administration of Christian Initiation continues the practice of the early Church.

The child that was baptized is the son and grandson of families who have been deeply committed to the life of the community since its beginning.

The Initiation culminated in the administration of Holy Communion to the child who had just received Baptism and Chrismation.

On Saturday morning, September 22, the bishop came to the ICERGUA community at the center of Todos Santos Cuchumatanes.

This community, which was started  a little over a year ago, has experienced sustained growth.

An offshoot of this community is another community in the old section of the municipality, and still another community is in process of being established.

Besides the celebration of the Eucharist, Christian Initiation of two children was celebrated as well as two matrimonies.

Left:  Baptizing one of the children was being initiated into Christian Life.

In response to the needs of the growing community, a communion minister, who had been previously elected by the community, was installed and instructed  concerning his duties.

On the afternoon of September 22, the bishop presided at the Eucharistic celebration with the El Rodeo Community, Malacatancito.

This community made its covenant with us several months ago. Its members are characterized by their enthusiasm and growing commitment to organize its ministries and try to have a missionary outreach.

One of the reasons for the celebration was to give thanks to the Lord on the occasion of the birthday of one of the sisters in the music ministry.

After the homily, the bishop and all the People of God prayed over the young woman celebrating her birthday, and prayed the Lord that she may remain firm and persist in the faith.

Participation in the sacrament of Penance, which was administered before the celebration of the Eucharist, as well as in the Holy Communion was numerous.

On Sunday, September 23, Monsignor Eduardo went to the village of Pinada, of San Pedro Necta, Huehuetenango.

It was the anniversary of the day when, after several years of prayerful discussion, the members of the community covenanted to belong to the Church.

The celebration began with the administration of the sacrament of Penance, in which a great number of the faithful participated with devotion.

The celebration of the covenant also involved the celebration of Christian Initiation for fourteen children of the members of the community.

In the homily the bishop emphasized that the covenant meant joining the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church that the Lord founded when he sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles on Pentecost, and that now continues to be present in our midst when we maintain its complete identity and characteristics.

After the fourteen children who were initiated into Christian Life received Holy Communion, many of the faithful present also communed. Nevertheless, it needs to be noted that a great deal of pastoral work is still needed in order that all the new members may be able to participate fully in the sacramental life.

On Friday, September 28, our bishop came to the village of Xolbé for the quarterly celebration of the Deanery comprising the parishes of Sololá and Totonicapán.

Representatives of all the communities that form the parishes attended the meeting.

After the opening prayer, each of those present spoke about the successes and difficulties experienced in their respective communities during the past three months.

Finally Father Gildardo Ramírez, presbyter of the San Miguel parish, reported on what is happening in his parish.

At the end of their reports, Monsignor Eduardo spoke from his perspective of the Church
as a whole and its recent growth.

After these reports, there was a dialogue on methods for carrying out effective missionary outreach at all levels; various alternative means of working were discussed.

The meeting ended with solemn prayer in which thanks was given to the Lord for all His benefits, and it was prayed that the plans and projects would come to completion in accord with the divine will.

On the afternoon of September 28, Monsignor Eduard went to the “Unción del Espíritu Santo” Community in Santiago Atitlán to preside at the Eucharist and to administer Christian Initiation to a little girl.

Linda Noemí is the name that the parents gave the little girl who was baptized.  The parents are very active in the life of  the community, which assures that  they are prepared to carry out the commitment that comes with the administration of the Christian Initiation of a child.

After the baptism, the Holy Spirit was invoked over the new Christian, and she was anointed with the Holy Chrism so that she might receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the newly initiated child as well as her parents and sponsors communed with the Body and the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The participation in communion was massive.  More than 300of the People of God communed.

On the evening of September 28, the bishop went to the Pentecostés Community, located in the center of Santiago Atitlán.

The faithful, in spite of the difficulties that they often have to face, expressed their conviction that they are working faithfully and are committed to continue to explore new mission fields.

The bishop urged all those present to be missionaries, first through a life that is profoundly identified with Christ and with the Gospel and then also through the direct action of telling the good news and witnessing to its truth.

On Saturday, September 29, the bishop went to the Tzanixnam Community, the center of the San Miguel Arcángel parish, which on that day was celebrating its patron saint.

The parish presbyter, Father Gildardo Ramírez, along with the catechists and the seminarians who do pastoral work there on weekends, had prepared groups of young people to receive Confirmation of Chrismation and their mission charge and also a group of children to receive their Solemn Communion.

The bishop’s homily spoke about the mission of the spiritual beings that are mentioned in the Holy Scripture. He also recalled that on that day thirty-eight years ago he had been ordained as a presbyter and invited the faithful to renew their commitment  to make their life style and evangelism reflect to the fullest the life and evangelism of the apostles in the Church at its birth.

Forty-six young men and women were confirmed. They all expressed their renewed commitment to identify themselves with the apostles’ form of life and their p[roclamation of the Gospel.

Twenty-two boys and girls made their Solemn Communion.  All were full of devotion and maintained an attitude of prayer throughout.

On the afternoon of the September 29, Monsignor Eduardo went to the Chuitzanchaj Community in Santa Cruz La Laguna to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the community’s covenant with and entry into the Church.

The celebration began with a procession from the entrance of the community to the church, a distance of about 1500 meters. Praying and praising all the way, the faithful carried the Most Holy Sacrament in the procession.

In the celebration of the Liturgy, a child was initiated into Christian Life.

Left:  The grandfather holding the baptismal font while the parents remain in prayer and the bishop administers Baptism.

The administration of Chrismation followed the Baptism by invoking the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands, and the anointing of the child with the Holy Chrism.

Then, after communion had been administered to the Initiate, the parents, the sponsors and hundreds of the faithful also communed.

On Sunday morning, September 30, the quarterly Deanery of the communities in Guatemala and Sacatepéquez was celebrated.

Representatives of most of the communities now organized attended.  They all concurred that their communities are in a process of expansion.

Julián Bal, one of ICERGUA’s missionaries, also reported on the beginning of eight new communities that are still small and are in the first stages of becoming organized, for which reason they had not sent representatives to the meeting.

The bishop reported on the Church as a whole, particularly on the dialogues that we are continuing with the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the see founded by St. Peter the apostle.

All the communities promised to participate actively in the entire process of planning and celebrating the occasion.

The deanery ended with a time of prayer, asking the Lord for the wisdom and the strength to carry out the mission which He has entrusted to us.