House of Religious Relics

When the news leaked out that Rev. Fr. Roy Rosales was to be assigned elsewhere, the reaction of the parishioners openly revealed he was loved deeply by a significant fraction of the faithful in the parish of Saint James the Greater. They knew that this was a promotion of sorts, but that did not change their initial disappointment. Soon, they started talking in whispers, asking and candidly wondering if there was a way of preventing the decision of Jaime Cardinal Sin from being implemented.

Inevitably, after the dust had somehow settled, they were left with no choice but to accept the verdict, albeit grudgingly. With heavy hearts, they bade him adieu on his way to being installed with the awesome job of director, in charge of stage-managing the affairs at the Arzobispado. Not a few know that this place houses the archive alongside the museum sheltering all the relics of the Catholic religion in our country, dating as far back as the early 16th century.

Recently, I paid him a visit. To my amazement, I discovered that truly, a much heavier role and demanding task rests on the shoulders of this robust man of God. The first area I was privileged to peep into was the air-conditioned archive which houses documents written as early as 1595, replete with intricate illustrations. That was the year Manila became a diocese on August 14. We were even given the rare chance to photograph one very important document which we are sharing with our readers here.

Inside the archive, a congenial team of ladies and gentlemen do a thorough job of preserving, if not totally restoring, ancient deeds and documents plus works of art using very modern techniques and advanced equipment. One easy-to-understand process that they demonstrated was the washing of old newspaper pages to rid them of acid which can further damage these old and very fragile pieces of paper. After they are cleaned, they are reinforced with very sheer films attached to the sides of the documents via a procedure similar to lamination.

On another floor stands a museum housing scores of relics, mementoes and memorabilia that have been preserved for the generations of Christians to see. What caught my attention was the most attractive and beautiful vestments used by past cardinals as well as ordinary clerics over the years and are proudly displayed on wooden mannequins.

Tabernacles retrieved from churches and were remodeled have found their way into the museum. Obsolete and complicated church equipment such as cumbersome bells on heavy wheels are displayed as part of the history of the Catholic religion. Silver candelabras used in altars are aplenty in the museum.

One fascinating area is the one dedicated to the late Rufino Cardinal Santos. One fragile-looking glass case encases the lifelike image of the good cardinal done in wax. The details of the face were executed so faithfully and delicately you can’t help but expect the wax figure to suddenly move and speak. The cardinal red coat over the robe, highlighted by a panel of Venetian lace, inspires awe. One can’t miss the velvet slippers on his diminutive feet, highlighted by an embroidered crest in silver and gold.

One other beautiful item in the Cardinal Santos section is the four- poster bed he used. The intricately carved bed – executed in richly colored mahogany and neatly caned in rattan skin – is a testimony to the excellent craftsmanship of local furniture makers most of whom, we are told, come from Pampanga. His desk, also in mahogany, and accompanied by two guest chairs, features more intricate carvings, obviously the trend at the time.

Fanciers of objects carved out of ivory can have a feast inside the museum. A section carries a good inventory of religious images done in ivory. Some are images of the Blessed Virgin Mary dressed in silken finery embroidered in gold and silver threads. A tiny representation of the Infant Jesus lying in a manger is another attractive feature in the rare collection.

Very historical is this trio of massive male figures, said to be frontliners in the different stages of the life of the old Manila Cathedral through the years. Looking at the size and the sturdiness of the molave wood they were carved from, young people will have an idea of how formidable the church has always been since time immemorial.

All the items we have mentioned, in addition to a gigantic mural depicting the Ascension of Jesus Christ, are remarkable. But I believe they can look more inspiring if they’re presented in a more dramatic way. As I was peeping through the viewfinder of my Nikon, I saw the possibilities of building a great religious museum. Before exposing the 36th frame of the film I used that afternoon, it dawned on me that that must be the rationale behind separating Fr. Roy Rosales from the Alabangers who adore him. Surely, His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin perceived Father Rosales to be the best man to provide gloss and floss to the whole Arzobispado.

Curiously, we asked the good padre what his plans were for the museum. Off the cuff, he assured us that he’d see to it that when they move to the proposed place that will house the museum, we will see these priceless objects displayed in the same manner as items in museums like the Metropolitan Museum of New York. He informed me though that he will be tapping generous people to help him in this task. He needs all the help he can get to have the museum of everybody’s dreams. And here’s where the generous faithful can come in. A simple dinner is being organized so prospective patrons of the museum can see for themselves what can be done and what they can do to achieve this awesome goal. Any takers?

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