A BISHOP'S LIFE, LEGACY AND VISION OF JUST AND LASTING PEACE
A Service of Remembrance for the late Obispo Maximo Tomas A. Millamena
Hymn of Preparation “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
Call to Remembrance
Leader: O God of History, you once called a man to walk, live and proclaim just peace
People: We remember how he proclaimed about the establishment here on earth
Leader: O God of Freedom, you once called a man to be with the people, in their struggles
People: We remember the life he has lived and the legacy he has left for all of us in this nationalistic church
and the continuing ministry to the laborers
Leader: O God of Justice, you once called a man to lead and shepherd your church, the Iglesia Filipina
Independiente, to reclaim its heritage of faith and struggle and to remember the beginnings of this
humble and poor church and to set goals for the advancements of its mission to serve You and the
people, more importantly the neglected and marginalized sectors of the society.
People: We gather to remember Tomas A. Millamena, former Obispo Maximo, for the life and ministry he has
shared to your church, for his vision of just and lasting peace. We remember his entry into the
beyond. We remember the life he has lived and for providing us an example of prophetic witness in
these trying times of our history. Through his life and legacy, we praise you O God – Creator,
Redeemer and Sustainer!
Opening Hymn: Sana'y Masama, O Dios MAP# 172
Ikaw ang Dios ng mga Salat MAP# 85
Diyos na Aming Gabay
Prayer of Remembrance
Leader: O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day, your servant and shepherd Tomas. We
are grateful for the life you have given to him and for the sharing of his life to church members, his
family and friends, as an inspiration and example of our faith. Tender and Loving God we gather to
give thanks for the gift of life. Keep safely, your servant Tomas, in your care. Accept our prayers for
those who have died in Christ and who are buried with him in the hope of rising again. We make
this prayer through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-3:
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he
has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, warned the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of
ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be
called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. - The Word of the Lord.
Song Response - Ang Panginoon ay Aking Pastol MAP #2
Kristo, Ikaw ang Sandigan #96
Buhay na Kasiya-siya
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he
opened his mouth and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall
inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sonsa of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when others revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your
reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Reflection/Writing of Prayers on White Origamis or White Paper Doves
Prayers of the People
Leader: As we remember the memory of the late Obispo Maximo Tomas A. Millamena, we also pray for the
church, the society and for the pursuit of just and lasting peace in the Philippines, and for the whole
world.
We pray for the church, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, for the mission to liberate the people from
all forms of bondage and slavery, in the pursuit of just and lasting peace and abundant and dignified
for all.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: We pray for the churches, that through ecumenism, may strengthen the bond among leaders and the
faithful, setting aside doctrine and tradition, And be united in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
serving the least and last in the society, and in the ministry of prophetic witness.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: We pray for the leaders of the country that they may see and hear the desperate cries of the people
for abundant and dignified life. May they be guided by the Empowering Spirit in casting the decisions
and taking actions, not for their own gains but for the betterment of the citizenry.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: We pray for the Government of Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, in the
pursuit of just and lasting peace, and unite in addressing the basic roots of conflict and come to a
lasting agreement for the good of the country and the people.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: We pray, O God, for the laborers who have been struggling to earn a living, to provide their families
with at least the basic needs. Grant, O Lord that you may continue to strengthen them and abide with
them in the unending quest for just wages and benefits.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: We pray for the masses, that in this lifetime, they may experience a life filled with dignity – through
fair wages, free quality education and free high quality healthcare services for all. That each family
may partake of decent food and avail of decent jobs here in the country. That each person, the young
and old, may experience a life that is dignified and away from discrimination and oppression.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
Leader: At the last, we pray for Tomas, our former Obispo Maximo, that he may find assurance of eternal rest
in the Lord Jesus Christ. We also pray for his family, the IFI, that his legacy and vision of peace be
embraced by every member so that he will continue to live in our memory and his life be celebrated
in our continued pursuit for just and lasting peace.
People: Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
All: O God, through Your Son Jesus, our True Shepherd of Souls, hear the prayers of your people, as we
remember your servant Tomas, our former Obispo Maximo. Grant that we who have been inspired
by his life and example, in his ministry as a peacemaker and as staunch supporter of the labor sector,
may we continue the work, in our pilgrimage and continued towards the coming of Shalom on earth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever. Amen.
Commendation (the priest will go near and stand in front of the memorial altar)
Priest: Tomas, our spiritual shepherd and brother in faith: We remember your death today and celebrate
your life. We continue to entrust you to the God who created you; may you return to the one who
formed you out of the dust of the earth. We entrust you to Christ who redeemed you; may the Good
Shepherd enfold you in his arms. We entrust you to the Spirit who sanctified you; may you shine
with all the saints in glory. May you see God, face to face, and enjoy the light of his grace forever.
People: Amen.
Act of Remembrance - (placing of origamis at the board near the memorial altar)
Commendation Rite
Kontakion for the Dead
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind;
and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return.
For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Priest: Into your Hands, O merciful Savior, we commend Your servant, Tomas. We continue to pray that you
acknowledge him as a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own redeeming. Receive him into the
arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace and into the glorious company of the
saints in light through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Priest: Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.
People: And let light perpetual shine upon him.
Priest: Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Priest: Lord, have mercy upon us.
All: Our Father who art in heaven, holy be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
sinned against us.
Priest: And lead us not into temptation
People: But deliver us from evil
Priest: From the gate of hell
People: Deliver his soul, O Lord.
Priest: May he rest in peace.
People: Amen
Priest: O Lord, hear our cry
People: And let our cry come unto you.
Priest: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
Priest: Let us pray. O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your
servant Tomas, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy
saints; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
Priest: Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.
People: And let light perpetual shine upon him.
Priest: May he rest in peace.
Peope: Amen.
Priest: May Tomas and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
People: Amen.
Benediction and Dismissal
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the
sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will,
working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever
and ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: Go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song - Beyond the Dying Sun
Ang Tulong N'yo O Diyos MAP #66
