Bible Enthronement Sunday

January 29th was Bible Enthronement Sunday at Christ the King and its satellite chapels in the various villages of Corinthian Garden, White Plains, Corinthian Hills, Saint Ignatius and Acropolis. January 29 was the culmination of the National Bible Week, which began January 23, 2017. A specific family was identified beforehand to lead the enthronement and the accompanying prayer. At the January 29th 6 pm mas s officiated by Fr. Bong Tupino, the enthroners were Malou Vincoy and family.

Bible Enthronement is a celebration of the Word of God. It’s a rite which started in the early part of the Church but was lost through the years. During the Second Vatican Council, the meeting of Bishops from all over the world held in Rome from 1962 to 1965, the Bible was solemnly enthroned every morning at the opening of their sessions. Through this liturgical ceremony the bishops reminded themselves that they could only effectively PREACH the Good News if they first LISTENED to God’s Word. Since then, in many Church gatherings like Congresses, Conventions Workshops, meetings, retreats and recollections, the first activity would always be the Enthronement of the Bible.

We enthrone the Bible to remind us of the importance of the Bible in our life as Christians, especially in our life as proclaimers of the Word. The Word of God – Jesus, the Divine Word who became a person like us – is our distinctive mark as workers of a Catholic Church, who speaks to us through his printed word in the Bible.

In all the January 28 (anticipated) and January 29 masses, the officiating priest introduced the ceremony by praying:

Lord, we are gathered here today to enthrone this bible for our use as a family. You are blessed and the source of every blessing. Be with us now and whenever we use this symbol of our faith, the bible.

The family members came forward in front of the bible stand, made the sign of the cross on the bible they were carrying, then the most senior family member opened the bible and placed it on the stand. Another member of the family led the following prayer:

Lord God, we have heard your words. They give us joy and bring light and truth into our lives. Your presence gives us peace in our troubled and divided world. Let your Word create in our hearts a deep desire for you. Be with us in our hearts and homes, in our community and country. Give us your Holy Spirit to help us to understand your Word. We enthrone now this Holy Bible in our midst. Make your Word the center of our lives. Make your Word inspire all that we think and say and do. May your Word bind us together in unity with each other and with you, today and forever.

Then the entire congregation is enjoined to recite the final prayer:

We promise to respect the Word of God in our midst. We shall read and reflect on it as a family of God. May we draw from it inspiration for our decisions, strength for our work, and comfort in suffering. Jesus, help us to be faithful to our promise, you who live forever and ever.