Easter Sunday 2013

My beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, the last night we heard one of the most beautiful songs we have in the liturgy of the Catholic Church: the Exsultet (in Latin Praeconium Paschale). This morning of Easter Sunday I would like to stop on some parts read parts of this text and read it again with eyes full of light thanks to the resurrection of Christ, our Lord. We must read the texts of the liturgy with joy, with gratitude, asking the Holy Spirit his help to save these texts in our hearts, so we can repeat these texts, and those ideas become the background music of our soul. That exactly: the background music of our soul. ■ Fr Agustin, pastor.

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!

This is night, when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night, when Jesus broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us, had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us! How boundless your merciful love! To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. R. Amen.

Domingo de Pascua de la Resurrección del Señor (2013)

Mis queridos hermanos en Cristo, hoy, Domingo de Pascua de la Resurrección del Señor, yo quisiera que nos detuviésemos en algunas partes de el Pregón Pascual, ese maravilloso cántico que escuchamos anoche durante la Vigilia Pascual. Y quisiera que lo hagamos –que lo leamos- con ojos llenos de luz, con ojos llenos de fe, con entusiasmo y con alegría, la alegría que nos da el saber que un año más el Padre del Cielo nos ha permitido celebrar los misterios de la muerte y resurrección de su Hijo y que por lo tanto podemos alcanzar la salvación que nos prometió cuando llegó la plenitud de los tiempos, «cuando envió Dios a su Hijo, nacido de mujer (...) para que recibiéramos la filiación adoptiva»[1]. ■ P. Agustín, párroco.

Exulten por fin los coros de los ángeles, exulten las jerarquías del cielo, y por la victoria de Rey tan poderoso que las trompetas anuncien la salvación.

Goce también la tierra, inundada de tanta claridad, y que, radiante con el fulgor del Rey eterno, se sienta libre de la tiniebla que cubría el orbe entero.

Alégrese también nuestra madre la Iglesia, revestida de luz tan brillante; resuene este templo con las aclamaciones del pueblo.

Ésta es la noche en que, rotas las cadenas de la muerte, Cristo asciende victorioso del abismo.¿De qué nos serviría haber nacido si no hubiéramos sido rescatados?

¡Qué asombroso beneficio de tu amor por nosotros! ¡Qué incomparable ternura y caridad! ¡Para rescatar al esclavo, entregaste al Hijo!

Necesario fue el pecado de Adán, que ha sido borrado por la muerte de Cristo ¡Feliz la culpa que mereció tal Redentor!

Te rogarnos, Señor, que este cirio, consagrado a tu nombre, arda sin apagarse para destruir la oscuridad de esta noche, y, como ofrenda agradable,

se asocie a las lumbreras del cielo. Que el lucero matinal lo encuentre ardiendo, ese lucero que no conoce ocaso y es Cristo, tu Hijo resucitado, que, al salir del sepulcro, brilla sereno para el linaje humano, y vive y reina glorioso por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

---

[1] Gal 4, 4. 

Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor (2013)

La tarde del Viernes Santo, en nuestra comunidad parroquial, después del oficio litúrgico con la adoración de la cruz, celebramos la representación en vivo de la Pasión del Señor. Fue un momento de profunda oración. Muchas gracias a la comunidad latina de nuestra parroquia por su gran esfuerzo pero sobre todo por el cariño con el que prepararon ésta representación ■ P. Agustín, párroco. 

Good Friday 2013

At the cross her station keeping, 

Mary stood in sorrow weeping 

When her Son was crucified.

While she waited in her anguish, 

Seeing Christ in torment languish, 

Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.

With what pain and desolation, 

With what noble resignation, 

Mary watched her dying Son.

Ever-patient in her yearning 

Though her tear-filled eyes were burning, 

Mary gazed upon her Son.

Who, that sorrow contemplating, 

On that passion meditating, 

Would not share the Virgin's grief?

Christ she saw, for our salvation, 

Scourged with cruel acclamation, 

Bruised and beaten by the rod.

Christ she saw with life-blood failing, 

All her anguish unavailing, 

Saw him breathe his very last.

Mary, fount of love's devotion, 

Let me share with true emotion 

All the sorrow you endured.

Virgin, ever interceding, 

Hear me in my fervent pleading: 

Fire me with your love of Christ.

Mother, may this prayer be granted:

That Christ's love may be implanted

In the depths of my poor soul.

At the cross, your sorrow sharing, 

All your grief and torment bearing, 

Let me stand and mourn with you.

Fairest maid of all creation, 

Queen of hope and consolation, 

Let me feel your grief sublime.

Virgin, in your love befriend me, 

At the Judgment Day defend me. 

Help me by your constant prayer.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,

Through your mother's prayers

receive me

With the fruits of victory.

Virgin of all virgins blest! 

Listen to my fond request: 

Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath, 

In my body bear the death 

Of your dying Son divine.

Wounded with His every wound, 

Steep my soul till it has swooned 

In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, 

Lest in flames I burn and die, 

In His awe-full judgment day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,

Through your mother's prayers

receive me

With the fruits of victory.

While my body here decays 

May my soul your goodness praise, 

Safe in heaven eternally. Amen Alleluia.

Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor 2013

Te miro a los ojos

y entre tanto llanto

parece mentira

que te hayan clavado.

Que seas el pequeño

al que he acunado,

y que se dormía

tan pronto en mis brazos,

el que se reía

al mirar el cielo

y cuando rezaba

se ponía serio.

Sobre este madero

veo aquel pequeño

que entre los doctores

hablaba en el templo,

que cuando pregunté,

respondió con calma

que de los asuntos

de Dios, se encargaba.

Ese mismo niño,

el que está en la cruz,

el Rey de los hombres,

se llama Jesús.

Ese mismo hombre

ya no era un niño

cuando en esa boda

le pedí más vino.

Que dio de comer

a un millar de gente

y a pobres y enfermos

los miró de frente.

Río con aquellos

a quienes más quiso,

y lloró en silencio,

al morir su amigo.

Ya cae la tarde,

se nublan los cielos,

pronto volverás

a tu Padre Eterno.

Duérmete pequeño,

duérmete mi niño,

que yo te he entregado

todo mi cariño.

Como en Nazareth,

aquella mañana,

¡He aquí tu sierva,

he aquí tu esclava!

Jueves Santo 2013

Cantemos al Amor de los Amores

cantemos al Señor,

Dios está aquí, ¡venid adoradores,

adoremos, a Cristo Redentor!

¡Gloria a Cristo Jesús,

cielos y tierra, bendecid al señor

honor y gloria a Ti, rey de la gloria

amor por siempre a Ti

Dios del Amor!

Unamos nuestra voz a los cantares

del Coro Celestial,

Dios está aquí, al Dios de los Altares

alabemos con gozo angelical ■

Holy Thursday 2013

Not long ago, The History Channel showed a documentary in which scientists attempted to create what may be the most realistic 3-D image of the face of Christ. They spent many months on the project, using sophisticated computer technology to craft the image from the Shroud of Turin. The result is the face of a young man with long hair, and a beard, and scars, and blood stains around his brow. The computer estimates that he’d be about 5’8″. He looks heavier, more muscular than most may think...

…What Jesus really looked like has fascinated us for centuries, and it’s not just what he looked like, but what he did, that is the most important thing. We see him depicted so often in art as a crucified victim, or a good shepherd, or a teacher preaching to his followers. But tonight we are given a very different picture of Jesus. And it may be more surprising than anything you’d see on the History Channel. We see him on his knees, wiping away dirt, washing feet. This is truly what it means to be Christ: I have given you a model to follow, he tells his apostles. So that as I have done for you, you should also do.

So, for all those who ask the eternal question, “What would Jesus do?,” here is your answer, as simple as this.

This night when we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, and the institution of the priesthood the liturgy of the Church does not offer us a gospel reading about Christ giving us himself in the form of bread and wine. Instead, it gives us this gospel reading. Tonight, God gets down on his knees for us. Tonight, He lowers himself. Tonight, He becomes a servant to the world, so from this, we learn what it means to be like Christ.

One of his last acts on earth is spent taking care of them, purifying them, removing the dust of the day. Perhaps he is anticipating the roads they will travel in the hours ahead. So, the Imitation of Christ begins with this moment: It is in the selfless service, doing what others won’t do, or can’t.

Today is also a night to give thanks for the gift of the priesthood. It is not important if the priest is good, or is sympathetic, or if he preaches right or wrong, what matters is that it represents Jesus Christ.

Eucharist and priesthood. These are the two miracles we celebrate tonight, the two miracles for what we give thanks to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As I have done for you, you should also do. That is Christ’s message to his followers 2,000 years ago – and, of course, to us tonight. And so, this night, confronted with this challenging gospel reading, it’s worth asking ourselves: what have we done? How many feet have we washed? How have I tried to imitate Christ?

Science and technology can only tell us so much. The fact remains: if you want to really know what Jesus looked like, you won’t find it on the History Channel. You won’t even find it on the Shroud of Turin. Look, instead, to tonight’s gospel.

Because here – on his knees before others, his head lowered in humility and in love, doing the work of a slave – here is where you see the true image of Christ ■

Fr. Agustin Estrada Incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Antonio (TX)

En la tarde del Martes Santo, en el día en el que todos los sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis se reúnen con su Pastor para  renovar las promesas del sacerdocio y concelebrar la santa misa, el Padre Agustín recibió la incardinación en la Arquidiócesis de San Antonio. Oremos por él! 

¿Prometes a mi y a mis Sucesores filial respeto y obediencia?
(Pontificale Romanum. De Ordinatione Episcopi, presbyterorum et diaconorum) 

On the evening of Holy Tuesday, the day that all the priests of the Archdiocese with Archbishop gather to renew the promises of the priesthood and concelebrate the Mass, Father Augustine received incardination in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Let's pray for him!

Chrism Mass 2013

Tu es sacerdos in aeternum!

You are a priest forever! 

Holy Week 2013

My brothers and sisters, Holy Week is most definitely a very sacred time of the year, for it is now that we will commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus' life on this earth. These are the days leading up to the great Easter Feast. The Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial is about to come to an end, but this coming week is extremely important for all Christians. The greatest focus of the week is the Passion (suffering) and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it. Historical documents tell us that as early as the fourth century the Church celebrated this "Great Week" with a feeling of profound sanctity. It begins with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Holy Thursday, we reenact the Lord's Last Supper. On Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord, we have the veneration of the Cross-. We go forward and kiss the Cross in order to show honor and respect for Christ's sacrifice for our sake. There is no consecration of the Eucharist on this day, and the Communion we receive will be from the night before, which has been reserved in the tabernacle. Holy Saturday is a vigil. We keep watch for the expectant rising of Our Savior. This was the day He went down into the netherworld in order to bring back up with Him into heaven those who had died before His coming. Our minds and hearts should be fixed on Jesus and what He did for us. Let us bear the Cross so that we may be worthy of wearing the crown He wore ■ Fr. Agustin, pastor.   

Semana Santa 2013

Mis queridos hermanos en el Señor, durante la Semana Santa la Iglesia y su liturgia nos invitan a todos los fieles al recogimiento interior, haciendo un alto en las labores cotidianas para contemplar detenidamente el misterio pascual, no con una actitud pasiva, sino con el corazón dispuesto a volver a Dios, con el ánimo de lograr un verdadero dolor de nuestros pecados y un sincero propósito de enmienda para corresponder a todas las gracias obtenidas por Jesucristo. Para los cristianos la Semana Santa no es el recuerdo de un hecho histórico cualquiera, es la contemplación del amor de Dios que permite el sacrificio de su Hijo, el dolor de ver a Jesús crucificado, la esperanza de ver a Cristo que vuelve a la vida y el júbilo de su Resurrección. La Resurrección del Señor nos abre las puertas a la vida eterna, su triunfo sobre la muerte es la victoria definitiva sobre el pecados. Este hecho hace del domingo de Resurrección la celebración más importante de todo el año litúrgico. La muerte de Cristo nos invita a morir también, no físicamente, sino a luchar por alejar de nuestra alma aquellas cosas que nos separan de Dios y de los hermanos. Que esta Semana Santa del 2013 encontremos tiempo para el silencio, para la reflexión, para la contemplación de los misterios de nuestra fe, y que participemos en ella con un corazón lleno de alegría, un corazón en sintonía con el Año de la Fe. ■ P. Agustín, párroco. 

And now I would like to give the blessing, but first -first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop.  Let us make, in silence, this prayer:  your prayer over me ■ Francis

Habemus Papam!

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, those who know or have worked with him say that  our new Holy Father is a man of great humility and great simplicity, and the very name he has chosen –Francis- (the same name of the Poverello of Assisi) gives us many clues of who he is. On the evening of his election as successor of St. Peter the gesture of having bowed before the people of God gathered in St. Peter's Square was very eloquent. He is 76 and in his home country, Argentina, is a true moral leader forged in times of the worst times of economic crisis suffered by the South American country in recent decades. In Buenos Aires usually he travels by bus, and it is common to see him walking down the street or take the subway as a citizen, but always wears a cassock. It also tends to care personally sick and elderly priests of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. He moved to his home or hospital and serves them overnight. The new Pope Francis I is one of five children of a middle class Italian couple formed by Mario, a railroad worker, and Regina Sivori, housewife. Little by little we will get to know details of his life. Right now, at the beginning of this new time in the Catholic Church… What is the next step? Let us back to our normal activities! Let us still working for the extension of the kingdom of God. That is what follows! Peter's boat has a new captain, yes, and this is very important, however the Church does not hold only with the work and effort of the holy Father and the bishops: our duty is to row with them, and rowing with enthusiasm, with joy. Pope Francis has called for unity, has called us to work and pray with him. It is not important if the new Pope is from South America or the North Pole, if he is yellow or blue, what really matters is that he is a priest –sacerdos in aeternum- with a great love for the Church and for the people of God, he gave us a signal (the first) already with his simple and warm attitude when he stepped onto the balcony to greet everyone. May the Lord grant long live the Pope Francis, and may we will be more committed to our faith. We are living the Year of Faith, a wonderful opportunity to review our souls, to ask for forgiveness, to work hard for God, for the Church and for the men and women around the world, starting with our parish community. God bless you, Pope Francis, in our parish we love you and we are with you! ■ Fr. Agustin, pastor

Habemus Papam!

Con mucha alegría y emoción fuimos siguiendo los acontecimientos de éstos días, desde la marcha de nuestro querido papa emérito Benedicto XVI hasta la llegada de los cardenales a Roma; la misa ntes de iniciar el cónclave, el juramento de cada uno de los electores hasta la fumata bianca que nos ha hecho gritar Habemus Papam! La chimenea del Vaticano anunció a las 19.07 hrs. (hora de Roma) la elección de un nuevo sucesor de san Pedro. Los más de 1.200 millones de católicos ya tenemos un nuevo pastor que a imitación del Buen Pastor ha de guiarnos a la casa del Padre y ha elegido el nombre de Francisco, cono el Poverello de Asís. En su último mensaje como Arzobispo de Buenos Aires, escribía a sus fieles: «La Cuaresma se nos presenta como grito de verdad y de esperanza que nos viene a responder que sí, que es posible no maquillarnos y dibujar sonrisas de plástico como si nada pasara. Sí, es posible que todo sea nuevo y distinto porque Dios sigue siendo rico en bondad y misericordia, siempre dispuesto a perdonar y nos anima a empezar una y otra vez. Nuevamente somos invitados a emprender un camino pascual hacia la Vida, camino que incluye la cruz y la renuncia; que será incómodo pero no estéril. Somos invitados a reconocer que algo no va bien en nosotros mismos, en la sociedad o en la Iglesia, a cambiar, a dar un viraje, a convertirnos. Son fuertes y desafiantes las palabras del profeta Joel: Rasguen el corazón, no los vestidos: conviértanse al Señor su Dios. Son una invitación a todo pueblo, nadie está excluido. Rasguen el corazón y no los vestidos de un ayuno formal y de cumplimiento que nos sigue manteniendo satisfechos. Rasguen el corazón y no los vestidos de una oración superficial y egoísta que no llega a las entrañas de la propia vida para dejarla tocar por Dios. Rasguen los corazones para decir con el salmista: hemos pecado. Ésta es la realidad de nuestra condición humana. Ésta es la verdad que puede acercarnos a la auténtica reconciliación con Dios y con los hombres. No se trata de desacreditar la autoestima sino de penetrar en lo más hondo de nuestro corazón y hacernos cargo del misterio del sufrimiento y el dolor que nos ata desde siempre». Tenemos al frente de la Iglesia a un hombre de Dios. Que el Señor nos conserve muchos años al Papa Francisco a quien acogemos en nuestra parroquia con infinito cariño ■ P. Agustín, párroco. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,

we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI

and the selfless care with which he has led us

as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church

on the rock of Peter’s faith

and have never left Your flock untended,

look with love upon us now,

and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,

a new Pope for Your Church

who will please You by his holiness

and lead us faithfully to You,

who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen.