It was the Feast of Christ the King and I’ve decided to attend a mass at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word. It is the church inside the Divine Word Mission Seminary, formerly known as the Christ the King Mission Seminary. Being established in 1934 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the Seminary was the first institution to train Filipino missionary priests in the Philippines. Before this, Filipino seminarians were usually sent to America and Rome for their novitiate and further studies.

The Seminary is located at the 20-hectare land in E. Rodriguez Ave. Quezon City. The Buttenbruch building, the seminary’s first and main building, is patterned after a medieval castle.

The Feast of Christ the King is officially known as the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This feast is instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and celebrated at every last Sunday of Ordinary Time of the liturgical year. For the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word, a Homecoming Mass coincided with the feast, as this was the first time the church will open its door for the mass attendees physically. Before this, the mass was usually held online. The mass started with an “Igorot” dance with the crown to celebrate the feast.

The mass was officiated by the famous priest Fr. Jerry M. Orbos. I used to see him on TV and it’s really great to attend his mass. Fr. Orbos is actually an alumnus of the Christ the King Mission Seminary and was ordained an SVD priest in 1980.

After the mass, Fr. Orbos invited everyone to stay as he led a “harana” with him playing a guitar.