Conversations with Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, S.J.: Traditional Latin Mass, Religious Life, and Sodality of Our Lady

I.  Traditional Latin Mass

Yesterday, we had a supper with Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, S.J. ; he left for Davao City today.  With me are Genie and Dr. Celine Vicente from the Observatory.  There are three others more from the Companions on a Journey, a group who organizes retreats at the Ateneo.  Beside me is Fr. Dan.

“Father”, I said.  “Fr. Tim Ofrasio is having a check up this week for his allergies.  He asked me to contact him again next week, so that we can schedule a general assembly for the Ateneo Latin Mass Society.  We already have 24 members.”

“There are also other Jesuits getting sick.”  He mentioned two names.  They are not familiar to me.

“A general assembly?” Gwen asked.  “Why don’t you meet as a core group first?”

“A general assembly,” I said and nodded my head.  Many already sent me their schedules; I just need to find a common time when I get Fr. Tim’s schedule.

“You may find it hard to find a chapel that is suited for the Latin Mass,” Fr. Dan said.

I told him that MO chapel is fine, because the altar is movable to the wall.  There is an large old altar at the back of the chapel.  We can use that.

He agreed.

II.  Religious Life

Fr. Dan and Anna’s order came.  Fr. Dan has his favorite plate-size pancake and green mango shake.  They started to eat.

“So how is your friend in Cebu,” Fr. Dan asked me.

“Her mom texted me that she was able to call her at the convent.  She said Roxanne was happy and well there.”

“I am surprised he mom was permitted to call.”  Fr. Dan said.  “Normally they don’t allow communications for two years.”

“I am also more surprised that her mom sounds supportive of her.  Her mom was not really happy even the night before Roxanne entered.”

“That is really what mothers do when they see that their children are firm in their decision to enter.”

Our orders arrived.  Mine is pork tocino, rice, and egg fried sunny-side up.  I sliced the liquid yolk and mixed it with my rice.  This is the only thing I ordered whenever we come to this same restaurant for dinner with Fr. Dan.

“The Jesuits will now change the vocation promotions directors in schools  from Jesuit brothers to priests,”  Fr. Dan said.  “It is realized that a priest is a better judge of vocations.  He can also hear students’ confessions, which a Jesuit brother cannot do.”

“We also need priests in organizations, Father,” Gwen said.  “The ACIL (Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League) is still looking for a Jesuit priest moderator.  They were given a Korean and an Indian.  But they have language difficulties.”

III.  Sodality of Our Lady

Ma’m Celine’s and Gwen’s orders arrived.  I already finished my food.  And so is Fr. Dan and Anna.  Geniee is still eating her pancakes poured with honey.

Raqs arrived.  She is a member of the Companions.

Genie (or was it Gwen still) said: “The students in Ateneo do not anymore join the socially oriented orgs.  (Religious orgs are classified as socially oriented orgs in Ateneo).  They prefer to go to parties.  That is why many go to business and management orgs.”

I turned to Fr. Dan.  “Father,” I said.  “Maybe it is time to revive the Sodality of Our Lady.”

I saw a quizzical look on their faces.  So I said to them: “The Sodality used to be the largest organization in Ateneo.  You can never be a President of the Student Council if you are not a member of the Sodality of Our Lady.”

“That’s the Christian Life Community,” Raqs said.

But I told her that the Sodality and the CLC have different spiritualities: the CLC is more socially oriented; the Sodality has a stronger Marian character.

“Yes, that’s true,” Fr. Dan said.

Raqs said that she joined the CLC.  She is now an observer.  There are three levels: observer, then two more.  She was glad that I mentioned the Sodality.  She will ask about it.

When I finally get the Ateneo Latin Mass Society going smoothly, I shall work for the revival of the Sodality of Our Lady in Ateneo de Manila University.  As Fr. Z always say: “Brick by brick.”

Fr. Robert Hogan, S.J. receives the Archbishop Thibault Award for the Daily Bread feeding program in Ateneo de Davao University

DAVAO CITY, March 28, 2009—

Fr. Robert Hogan S.J., an Irish-American missionary to the Philippines for over fifty years was chosen as an Archbishop Thibault Awardee for his commendable works in organizing the Daily Bread feeding program.

Full text at CBCP News

Hogan was born of Irish parentage on 16 February 1933 in New York City. He was educated at Catholic schools for grade school and high school. At the age of 18, he joined the Society of Jesus at St. Andrew-on-Hudson novitiate in August 1951. After his two-year novitiate and two-year juniorate studies, he was sent in 1955 as a missionary to the Philippines and did his philosophy studies at Berchmans College, Cebu City (AB, 1957 and MA Philosophy, 1958).

As a Jesuit regent he taught religion, English and physics at the Ateneo de Manila (1958-61). He was ordained to the priesthood in June 1964 after theological studies at Woodstock College, Woodstock, MD, and pursued studies in chemistry and physics at Fordham University, Seton Hall College and St. Louis University.

After tertianship at Auriesville, NY, he returned to the Philippines in 1967.

He was then assigned to teach theology, philosophy and physics and do campus ministry at Ateneo de Naga for fifteen years.

At Naga he was appointed as Ecclesiastical Assistant for the Christian Life Communities (CLC), formerly the Sodality of Our Lady.

The CLC is a worldwide association of people who commit themselves to the values and principles of Ignatian spirituality.

Hogan’s work at CLC continued in Davao where the CLC assisted the poor at the City dump at Smokey Mountain and at Tibungco after their relocation from Smokey Mountain.

When he was moved to Ateneo de Davao in 1982 to teach theology and do campus ministry.

Hogan was also the chairman of the Theology Division from 1999 to 2006. He also taught graduate Theology at the Ignatian Institute of Religious Education.

In 2008, for health reasons, Fr. Bob was assigned to retreat work at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City.

He has subsequently been moved to the Fr. Jesus Lucas Infirmary at Loyola House of Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

In close to sixty years of religious life, of which almost fifty have been spent as a Jesuit missionary in the Philippines, Hogan has been a teacher and religious formator, priest and spiritual director, friend and counselor, fund-raiser, beggar and provider for those in need.

Hogan is part of the Ateneo de Davao Jesuit community for twenty-six years. (Mark S. Ventura w/ PR)