†Dom Anscar Javier Chupungco, OSB (1939-2013)

†DOM ANSCAR JAVIER CHUPUNGCO, OSB

Benedictine Monk, Academician, Liturgist, Theologian, Philosopher, Mentor and Spiritual Father to Filipino Liturgists

10 November 1939 – 9 January 2013

Jose Herminio Javier Chupungco was born on November 10, 1939 in Cainta, Rizal. He took the name Anscar when he became a monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in 1958 at the age of 19, and was eventually ordained priest in 1965 at the age of 26.

After receiving the Bachelor and Licentiate degrees in Philosophy and Theology, both magna cum laude, from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, he pursued post-graduate studies and obtained the doctorate in Liturgical Studies at the Pontificio Ateneo di Sant’Anselmo in Rome. Thus, began a lifetime involvement and dedication to the vital aspect of Christian life, the Liturgy, of which Fr. Anscar has since been an acknowledged and revered expert and authority.

He was the President of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute and Rector Magnificus of his alma mater Sant’Anselmo. He established the Paul VI Institute of Liturgy in Bukidnon with (then Malaybalay Bishop) Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. He was one of the co-founders of the Maryhill School of Theology (MST) in Quezon City; and he held the distinction of serving as Rector of the three San Beda schools - Mendiola, Rizal, and Alabang. He was the Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines; and he was a part of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) that made the English Translation of the Roman Missal.

Furthermore, Fr. Anscar wrote extensively on the Liturgy and done pioneering work in Liturgical Adaptation and Inculturation which have benefited both the local and universal Church. As a leading expert in Liturgy, he also produced the Handbook for Liturgical Studies, which is the standard set of textbooks for liturgical education in the world. He served as Consultor in the Sacred Congregations of the Divine Worship and the Sacraments of the Vatican, and has lectured to bishops’ conferences and clergies of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Fr Anscar received two honorary degrees: in Humane Letters by the Ateneo de Manila University (1996) and in Theology by the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago (1997). In 2000, his alma mater UST also honored him with the Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award. In 2010, he was conferred the Serviam Award by the Archdiocese of Manila. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious McManus Award by the US Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. He was about to receive the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award and the Jorge Barlin Golden Cross Award when he passed away on January 9, 2013, the Feast of the Traslación of the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno. His demise marks the conclusion of an era for liturgical reform in the Philippines.

Source: www.ust400.com