Lesson 1 - The Study of Rizal in Historical and Critical Approach
Lesson 1 - The Study of Rizal in Historical and Critical Approach
Lesson 1 - The Study of Rizal in Historical and Critical Approach
Excerpt from the Philippine Hierarchy on the Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal
“Among the many illustrious Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country,
the highest place of honor belongs to Dr. Jose Rizal. And justly so; for Rizal possessed to an eminent degree
those virtues which together make up true patriotism. He loved his country not in word alone but in deed. He
devoted his time, his energies and the resources of his brilliant mind to dispelling the ignorance and apathy of
his people, and combating the injustices and inequalities under which they labored. When these salutary
activities fell under the suspicion of the colonial government and he was condemned to death as a rebel, he
generously offered his blood for the welfare of his country.”
“Did Rizal attack only the abuses of certain priest but never contradict Catholic doctrines? No. When in
May 1889, Dr. Tavera told Rizal in Paris “that he (Tavera) tried to defend him (Rizal) before Fr. Faura
explaining that, in the attack upon the friars, the stone was thrown so high and with such force that it reach
religion,” Rizal corrected him saying: “This comparison is not quite exact; I wished to throw the missile against
the friars; but as they used the ritual and superstitions of a religion as a shield, I had to get rid of that shield in
order to wound the enemy that was hiding behind it.”
“In these two novels we find passages against Catholic dogma and morals where repeated attacks are
made against the Catholic religion in general, against the possibility of miracles, against the doctrine of
Purgatory, against the Sacrament of Baptism, against Confession, Communion, Holy Mass, against the doctrine
of Indulgences, Church prayers, the Catechism of Christian Doctrine, sermons, sacramentals and books of
piety. There are even passages casting doubts on or covering with confusion God’s omnipotence, the existence of
hell, the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, and the two natures of Christ.”
Given this 21st day of April in the Year of Our Lord, 1956. Manila, Philippines
For the Philippine Hierarchy:
(Sgd.) +RUFINO J. SANTOS, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
President, Administrative Council
Catholic Welfare Organization
The Catholic Action of Manila (CAM) was one of the principal organizations that initiated campaigns
against the bills. Its two attempts were to release articles of resistance daily, instead of weekly, through the
Sentinel, and to convince the Catholics to write the senators and congressmen to junk the bill.
Fr. Jesus Cavanna, a speaker on the symposium organized by CAM, lambasted Rizal’s novels by saying
that the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo “… belong to the past and it would be harmful to read them
because they represented a false picture of conditions in the country at that time. Noli Me Tangere is an attack
on the clergy and its object was to put in ridicule the Catholic faith. The novel was not really patriotic because
out of 333 pages, only 25 contained patriotic passages, while 120 were devoted to anti-Catholic attack.”
“A vast majority of our people are at the same time Catholics and Filipino citizens. As such, they have
two great loves: their country and their faith. These two loves are not conflicting loves. They are harmonious
affections, like the love of a child for his father and for his mother.”
“This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion; between
the government and the church.”
- Francisco Rodrigo
On May 9, 1956, a sudden turn of events happened. It became apparent that Jose P. Laurel was willing to
enter into a compromise with those who oppose the bill.
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially
during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and
all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties
of citizenship.
WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE COURSE Aside
from those mentioned earlier, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in Philippine schools:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions and situations
in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects.
“Whatever our condition might be then, let us love our country always and let us wish nothing but her
welfare. Thus, we shall labor in conformity with the purpose of humanity dictated by God which is the harmony
and universal peace of His creations.” Letter of Rizal to Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt
According to Nick Joaquin, Rizal was greatly aggrieved by his physique. When Rizal was young, he was
always teased by his sisters because of his frail body and often described as a very tiny child with a
disproportionately big head that he carried even in his adulthood. When the young Rizal was in the early stages
of adolescence, he strove to erase his puny image. He became interested in body-building and athletics but his
feelings of inferiority had made an indelible mark on his soul. Rizal was forever haunted by a sense of
inadequacy which explains his inability to sustain relationships with women and great dread for responsibility.
Rizal’s inferiority complexes were not without positive side, however. It is his feelings of inadequacy
that made him dynamic and he continually looked for ways to be better than others. Jose Rizal’s dynamism was
what made him a jack of many talents, and a master of many trades. What he lacked in physique he
compensated by excelling in many fields such as science, art, literature, among many others. Because of his
insecurities, Rizal strove to overcome himself and rise above the others. Rizal’s determination to excel in as
many fields as possible was to show the world that he was capable, that he was as tall as the next man. He
proved that he was very much taller by rising above himself.