AMDG
It was a surprise going down to our local mall, Riverbanks in Manila, as they are already playing Christmas songs (and we are not even out of September). The songs are mostly American, I had to tolerate Mariah Carey screeching All I want for Christmas is you as I patiently waited in line to pay for three lemons. I am sure that the last – ‘you’ that came from the divas mouth lasted at least 2 min’. Shopping malls are a big part of Phillipino culture – every city has a couple of these huge shopping centres, with seemingly one around every corner in Manila. People slock thre at the weekends to socialise, eat, drink, browse and occasionaly actually buy things! The richest guy here, a Chinese immigrant called Henry Sy, started the SM chain of malls from nothing – according to the Phillipino blog People he started off selling smuggled shoes on the pavement, he business is no worth $7 billion. Going to the shopping mall on Sunday you will be in for a big suprise. In many malls Mass is celebrated before they switch on the escalators and open the shops.
Disclaimer – I am not responsible for the shaky camera work this time ! Clip taken off youtube.
These popular masses in malls were sanctioned by the Archbishop of Manila in 2007. This could be seen as a visionary and creative attempt to literally bring religion into the marketplace, and these masses are well attended. Mass attendance seems strong to me here, but I have been told that in a population that recently surpassed 100million, only about 15% regularly partipate in the sacraments. The churches seem full because there are relatively few churches for such a large Catholic population. So maybe it is necessary to bring mass to the people in the form of these mall masses – but I have reservations. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated only in churches and other places of worship – too restrictive – and starting in the 1950s, Church authorities began allowing Eucharistic celebrations in schools, to get children to participate. Now mass in shopping malls has arrived in the Philippines because on week-ends and statutory holidays these places are literally invaded by hundreds of thousands of people.
Good idea or not? Again I can see both sides of the argument, bringing it to the people versus the banalasation of a sacred and dignified rite. I think a crucial role for the Church is in offering a critical stance on consumerism. In fact this maybe more focused and helpful than just ranting against the evils of secularism. The recent General Congregation of the Jesuits stated that the consumerist cultures in which people live today do not foster passion, but rather addiction and compulsion. They demand resistance (GC35 decree 2/21). – and a compassionate response. My own country – Britain – has a real problem with child well-being and unhappiness, so much so that UNICEF has just released a report on the affects of consumerism on family life – basically expressing concern over patterns of ‘obsessive consumerism’ and how they affect children :
The Government must now show strong leadership in order to support families to fight back against the ways in which the UK’s materialistic culture embeds inequality in our society, affects family time and relationships, and has a negative impact on children’s well-being. UNICEF Child Well Being in the Spain, Uk & Sweden
So Mass in malls? commercialisation of Christmas ? what do you think……
Very interesting read – I’m all for it (mass in the marketplace) …. however it was quite a shock reading the report from UNICEF – something everyone who works in a school should have a read of.
Like the blog so far – Christmas Carols in September, that seems lame to me
We in the Philippines would respect your opinion, just as we urge that you respect our traditions. We do have the world’s longest Christmas season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_the_Philippines
Just read that – thanks – very interesting…. we are all being sent up to fairly remote parts in the North for the Missa de Gallo. Exciting…
Hi Totally agree that the report is significant for those working in schools in the UK – teachers in some areas / some schools having to do more and more parenting type things… particularly if mum/dad are trying to hold down two or even three part time jobs
Behind all of this is the idea of Sunday Shopping – I am suprised that a country such as teh Phillipines which is so Catholic allows Sunday Shopping. I would be interested to know when this was made legal and if it was ever illegal – surely the Sabbath should be kept holy….
I think there is a strict seperation of church and state here – perhaps wisely – so not sure whether the legality or illegality of shopping on Sunday is relevant here. back in the UK we don’t have that separation, with the Anglican Church still being the established religion. I am not sure that banning sunday shopping would do any good – it would be a bit King Canute like i.e. trying to turn back the tide when it is impossible.
This issue on “Sunday Shopping” as you put it, Anon, is not a legal matter to begin with. It was never made legal, because it never was illegal at all.
The Philippine Constitution is clear –
Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
Nor is it a Church issue.
The Philippines, though a having a Catholic majority, is not ruled by the Church. This is not like other countries where the head of the church is the head of state or of government.
Great to see you this summer Tim – and interesting to follow your adventures in the East. I like the point you make about consumerism rather than secularism. I think I will go and chew on that for a while….. are you missing the Atlantic?
Hi – I’m a student at the Ateneo, and I am enjoying reading your blog – interesting perspective for us Pinoys. Good to discover that blog PEOPLE through you too…. GO EAGLES!!!
Thanks Robby and Jem for the comments – might see you on Campus Jem! Nice to see you too Robby – even if it was briefly in August on Skye – next time longer – I’ll make sure I am not racing for the ferry!
greetings. i like your blog Catholic Consumerism | Schola Affectus and will certainly do a link to https://sjsa.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/catholic-consumerism-philipino-style/ on my site.
Hi Fr. Tim,
Shopping malls are a fixture of the urban landscape and the country is slowly being urbanised. But in many small towns, shops do not open on Sundays, or those who do (the ones that sell the staples) close at lunchtime.
And some small shops still observe siesta hours, hehehe!