'No rock music during pabasa'

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – No rock music please.

This is one of the reminders contained in the 14-point liturgical guidelines on reading the passion of Christ this Lenten season.

The guidelines were prepared by Monsignor Andres Valera, the vicar general of the diocese of Malolos.

Valera said the guidelines were meant to maintain order in the traditional reading of the “Pasyong Mahal ni Hesus” and to keep the solemnity of the Lenten season.

He explained in Filipino, “The reading of the passion of Christ is a devotion and prayer and so it must be read solemnly and with respect.”

As one of the leading liturgists of the diocese, Valera said it is not proper to have non-religious tunes in reading the passion of Christ, most especially rock tunes.

However, he said that readers could use tunes used in masses and Christian gatherings, like the tunes used in cursillos.

He advised parishioners against eating inside churches.

“It would be nice to put an area on the side or outside, where people could eat (because) it is not proper to eat watermelon seeds while reading the passion of Christ,” he said.

He also reminded parishioners to observe abstinence during Lent, and to go on fasting on Good Friday.

Valera added that parishioners should also avoid smoking inside the chapel, maintain cleanliness, and guide children when reading the passion of Christ.

The traditional reading of the passion of Christ is usually conducted in churches and chapels after Palm Sunday, but private organizations and families observing Lent sometimes do their readings ahead.

Based on the guidelines provided by the Diocese of Malolos, reading of the passion of Christ should end at noontime on Good Friday.

Valera explained that this is to give way to the activities in the Church, in preparation for Black Saturday, which is dedicated to prayers and meditations.