The Techa
Leading Prayers of the Parish Community
The local prayer leader, known as the techa, has a particular role in the parish church community. The prayer leader, while non-ordained, is a representative of the church in a way that he or she serves as an extension of the pastor.
What makes the techa a minister of the church? The fact that the prayer leader is called upon to lead the recited and sung prayer of the local community at novenas and rosaries on special occasions and religious events is evidence that the leader has a gift of prayerful leadership. The techa becomes official when he or she is acknowledged by the pastor to assist in leading prayer.
It is in humble service to the church that the prayer leader serves the parish community. The prayer leader must be willing to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic church and to continue to grow in faith. With a deeper understanding of one's faith and prayer life, this ministry of service will continue to develop so that others, too, may grow in their love, understanding and service of God and one another.
For many years, devotional prayers for the Chamorus were taught orally and later recorded in a prayer book, "Debosionario," prepared by Pale Roman Maria de Bera, OFM Cap., in the 1930s. This book is a collection of Chamoru translations of Spanish and Latin prayers. It was an important resource that helped our native people through the throes of World War II. Since the 1960s, the Catholic Church has undergone liturgical reforms that have caused all of its members to make necessary adjustments for change. Today, the Archdiocese of Agana is preparing guidelines that will assist the faithful in their life of prayer and worship together.
At the Summer Liturgy Institute held this past July (2003), Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., DD, addressed the Techas at their workshop with Father Tony Perez, SS. The archbishop invited all prayer leaders to evaluate what they were doing and to follow what the Church teaches. He explained that while the rosary is a devotional prayer, it is an official prayer of the Church that needs no modification.
Father Perez offered the example of using the rosary at church for the dead. He recalled that in the past, it was common practice that prayers for the dead were held at the home of the deceased. At home, rosaries and other devotional prayers were used and prayer could be done at any time. The tradition of prayer the rosary every four, then eight hours developed and evolved. Later, the number of times were trimmed down to twice a day: one at noon for family and the other in the evening for the public.
Today, the practice of having the nine-day novena of masses and rosaries for the loved one at the parish church has become commonplace. And because the rosaries are led in the church, it is important that the prayers used in church are appropriate and approved for public prayer.
While there are many variations to praying the rosary, the Archdiocese of Agana will keep to the basic and simplest form of praying the rosary in church, particularly for funerary rosaries and parish fiesta rosaries were multiple groups of people are gathered.
It is also the desire of the church that were two or more members of the parish community has died, the entire community will pray the rosary together for these members, rather than having multiple rosaries on a given night at the church. Most rosaries are scheduled before or after the parish evening mass. Sharing one rosary will give mourners the opportunity to offer support to the families and to prayer for one another. Multiple rosaries however complicate scheduling, particularly when mass is the central prayer and the rosary for a loved one is scheduled an hour later due to a previously scheduled rosary.
The following is the official and acceptable format of the rosary to be used in the church:
1. The rosary begins with an expression of the intentions of all those gathered for prayer.
2. The rosary continues with the Sign of the Cross, Apostles' Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary (3 times), the Doxology ("Glory Be")
3. At the beginning of each of the five decades of Hail Marys, the appropriate mystery of the day is announced.
4. The Our Father is prayed, followed by Hail Mary (10 times) and the Doxology.
5. At the end of the five decades and the closing Doxology, the Hail, Holy Queen is prayed.
6. The rosary closed with a prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. The intentions of the Holy Father become our intentions as we pray for the entire church and for the whole world.
7. Option: If the Litany to the Blessed Mother (Loreto) may be prayed before tha Hail, Holy Queen, please note: The correct response to the litany employs the inclusive "us." Have mercy on us; Pray for us, Spare us, O Lord; Graciously hear us, O Lord.
A correct use of the mysteries of the rosary is important, The church has designated the days of the week to hold a particular set of mysteries for her flock. The faithful are invited to reflect on the incarnate life, the ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how Mary played an integral part in these myteries.
Last year, the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, added the Luminous Mysteries when he proclaimed October 2002 - October 2003, the Year of the Rosary. The Luminous Mysteries (the Mysteries of Light) specifically address the ministerial life of Jesus on earth. The Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries speak of Jesus' life as God and Man in his early years; his suffering, death and resurrection; the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; and of the incorruptible nature of our Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Please note: "Seasonal mysteries" do not exist. The new schedule as of October 2002 follows:
Sunday - Glorious Mysteries
Monday - Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday - Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday - Glorious Mysteries
Thursday - Luminous Mysteries
Friday - Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday - Joyful Mysteries
For more information regarding the ministry of the techa, feel free to call the Office of Worship at the Division of Pastoral Ministries, (671) 472-6116, ext. 224.
--- Prepared by the Office of Worship and the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission with the consent of Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Capuchin DD (9/2/03)
