Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

CONSECRATION OF THE NEW TEMPLE AT SAINT MARGARET
MARY OF ALACOQUE PARISH, BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA, 10-16-06

By Fr. Michael Miller, MSC

The day began with full rain clouds spilling their contents over that part of the plateau that encompasses the capital city of seven million, Bogotá, Colombia. In fact it had been raining for the past three weeks. But for those who had waited for over twenty years for this grand celebration, not even the dreary darkness could dampen their joy of consecrating their new church building. Final preparations were being made right up to the last moment before the initiation. With about an hour to go before the ceremony the clouds moved on and the sun in all its glory broke through. Now everything was set.

The people were gathering outside of the “old” temporary church, the one that was originally built by Fr. Thomas Carney, MSC and Fr. Thomas Hayden, MSC in 1968 to be used as a gym. The dozen or so priests were vesting inside with the Bishop of Fontibon and Kennedy, His Eminence Enrique Sarmiento. It was a festive occasion with conversations all around, cameras flashing their lights like a new Hollywood production, and everyone glad to see each other again. On the green parish lawn opposite the new church the stage was set for the music, food and other treats that would be shared after the consecration Mass. Inside the new church, flowers were arranged, music was being practiced and people were moving to take their seats.

The occasion was the consecration of the new church building for St. Margaret Mary parish in Bogotá. From the inception of the vision by Fr. Joseph Jablonski, MSC to the final touches of the current pastor, Fr. Germán Barona, MSC everyone was amazed at the finished project. The church was beautiful. Everyone admired it and loved it. Finally the people of St. Margaret Mary had a real temple of God. There was no other like it in the whole city, perhaps in the whole world. With its slow curving wooden arches reaching up to the cupola, supported by four graceful wooden columns, one’s gaze was raised upward and forward to the sanctuary and the artistic Latin-style crucifix of the suffering Jesus hanging on the wood of the cross, suspended in the cross shaped window in the stone back wall. Everyone was proud to show off their new and beautiful sacred space where they would celebrate the sacraments of their Catholic faith.

As the procession from the old church filed out, a spontaneous applause arose from the assembly as the priests and Bishop took their places in line. Gathering at the front door, the ritual called for Father Provincial, Joseph Jablonski, the representative of his religious community the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, to hand the church key to the Bishop, the diocese’s representative, who in turn would pass it on to Fr. Germán, the newest pastor who was one of the first parishioners, having arrived with his family in the 1960´s when St. Margaret Mary was still just a field in the middle of the old abandoned Bogotá airport. Now as pastor he was beginning a new chapter in the life of God’s people of St. Margaret Mary. Leading the way, they entered to a chorus of beautiful music.

As the two-hour ceremony proceeded, no one was aware of the time. In fact we started forty minutes late. But no importa! The Eucharistic celebration was exceptional. The music and harmonized voices were heavenly. And the response of the faithful was full of enthusiasm. Everyone was captivated by the ritual: the proclamation of the Word, the Bishop’s encouraging preaching, the blessing of the holy water and baptismal font, the anointing of the four corners of the temple by the Provincial and Pastor, the anointing of the new wooden altar with the Holy Chrism and sacred incense rising from it, the vesting of the altar with a new mantel, holy communion and the placing of the Real Presence in the chiseled wooden tabernacle made by the Benedictine monks of El Rosal. Fr. Germán’s final remarks of thanks and appreciation to all who labored on this beautiful work of art captured the spirit of the occasion. Before the final blessing, the people of St. Margaret Mary presented blue and white banners, each with a name of one of the former pastors, as of sign of their recognition and appreciation of all the MSC who had contributed to such a monumental project.

Smiles and hugs abounded afterwards as the celebrants and participants processed out of that holy space. All was done for the greater honor and glory of God.

At the side entrance two plaques were encrusted in the wall. One recognized Fr. Joseph Jablonski, MSC as the initiator of the work and the other marked the time frame during which the project was completed. To mark the beginning of the third millennium Fr. Tito Medina, MSC had already placed a plaque noting the many prayers and contributions of our sister parish, Blessed Sacrament, in West Lafayette, IN. Their pastor, Fr. David Douglas, was not able to attend because of prior commitments, but he and his people were there in the spirit of celebration.

The festivities continued afterwards with a Colombian style barbeque. Raffled prizes were handed out like hot cakes. Children received with joyful smiles the many surprises awaiting them. There was plenty of delicious food and entertaining music.

The day came to a close as darkness settled over the participants. By 7 pm most of the people had gone. You could feel a slight drizzle starting to fall. St. Margaret Mary had interceded and nature could now continue as usual.

Fr. Mike Miller, MSC, is the pastor
of St. Therese of Jesus Parish in
Aurora, Illinois. He spent several years
in Bogotá, Colombia, and supervised
the construction of St. Margaret Mary
Parish.