NAGA CITY - Apostolic Nuncio the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown imposed the pallium on recently installed Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon last September 21 at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral St. John the Evangelist Parish. Alarcon received the pallium from the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Rome at the Basilica of St. Peter last June 29, on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.The Pallium: A symbol of the yoke of Christ, the Good ShepherdIn his homily, the Papal Envoy to the Philippines explained the rich meaning and symbolism that a pallium holds, which is “a liturgical vestment, a kind of woolen collar ” said to be “associated with the Pope, the successor of St. Peter”.
Historically, only a newly elected Pope receives such vestment as he “begins his formal ministry with a Solemn Mass of Inauguration [where] he is given two important symbols: the palliumand the Fisherman’s Ring”. Today, the Pope shares and gives this vestment to Metropolitan Archbishops as well. This serves not only as a “sign of the [Archbishop’s] communion with the Holy Father but also, of his special responsibilities, i.e., to watch over the [entire] Ecclesiastical Province, so the Catholic faith and the life of the Church [are] carefully preserved and enhanced”. The pallium, placed on the shoulders of its recipient, “is made of wool from lambs blessed by the Pope on the feast of St. Agnes, virgin martyr of Rome, whose name in Latin means lamb”. Once woven together, the pallium is stored “in an ornamental chest” at the Basilica of St. Peter, “close to the bones” of St. Peter. “Each year, on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, [these vestments] are given to the newly appointed Archbishops”. This serves as a reminder for the recipient “to be images of the Good Shepherd -to carry the yoke of Christ, the yoke of authority in the Church, seeking out the lost sheep bringing them home rejoicing”. “Every Bishop should imitate the Good Shepherd” Further, the Papal Envoy to the Philippines exhorted in his homily that “Pope Francis reminds us that only a pastor, a shepherd, who resembles Jesus, can earn the trust of His flock, for Jesus is the door”. Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “The significance that Jesus is ‘the Good Shepherd’ thus becomes completely clear: He gives life. Jesus offered His life in sacrifice for all of us.”Lastly, the pallium has six visible crosses on it. “These represent the Cross of Christ,” Brown explained and emphasized: “together, this image of martyrdom -the cross, and the yoke exemplify the weight of authority [of a Bishop] in the Church”. Hence, all Bishops are called to “exercise the authority of Christ” in the Church. “Faith is sustained by the preaching, the teaching [and] the governing of the Bishops,” Brown said and in conclusion, called on the lay faithful to pray for their Bishops for “they carry the Cross of Christ”.
Closing the solemn occasion, Alarcon prayed, “May I not forget the lost sheep, whom the Good Shepherd set out to seek and upon finding it, bore it on his shoulders. With the three pins, may I remember the nails that pierced the body of Jesus, who became the Lamb of God, who was crucified for our sins. In union with the Holy Father, Servus Tuus Sum.” Alarcon was installed as the 5th Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Caceres last May 2 by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown. The Archdiocese of Caceres was first established as a Diocese in 1595 and was later elevated to an Archdiocese in 1951. It has 6 suffragan Dioceses namely Daet, Libmanan, Legazpi, Sorsogon, Virac, and Masbate.
By Natalie Hazel Quimlat, MD
Photo:
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown imposes the pallium upon Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon. “To the glory of God and the praise of the Blessed Virgin and apostles Peter & Paul, in the name of Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, and of the holy Church...we confer on you the pallium, to wear within the . (Photo credit: Veritas 846)
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