All Souls Day Reflection

Tonight is the eve of All Souls Day.  A copious downpour of rain somehow dampen the event.  But I took the time also to visit the remains of my grandparents Miguel and Maria.  November 1 is a national holiday in the Philippines, but I decided to report to work voluntarily because there seems to be plenty of work to be done which on normal days I could not accomplish.  As a form of sharing let me offer you some of my thoughts and reflection about All Souls Day.  I have also taken some snap shots of my little visit to the cemetery near the Church.  It has been customary in some Catholic Churches to have the cemetery near the Church this is because of the belief in the resurrection.  A year ago we decided to have the remains of our grandparents be moved from the local public cemetery to the Church cemetery.  

I know that some of our protestant friends criticized us for this practice of praying for the dead.  This is perhaps because they do not understand why we Catholics and the ancient church prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.  Actually this belief is founded on our faith as declared in the Nicene Creed that we recite every Sunday Mass.  We believe in the communion of the saints, which means that since all of us baptized Christians belong to one mystical body of Christ we are bounded together by that bond of love that binds the Trinity.  That whether we live or die all of us are united intimately to Christ and to one another.  In our catechism we were taught that the church has three manifestations: (1) Militant, this includes all the living members since while we are here on earth we battle we with the self, the world and the devil and we need to make the final perseverance; (2) Suffering, these are the baptized members who died in the grace of God and are saved yet because of the temporal punishment due to sin are still deprived of the total vision of God.  They are in the prison of purgatorial fires.  They have this agony of longing to be with God but are denied of the vision because they have to satisfy the justice of God.  They need our prayers because since they are in prison they cannot help themselves; and (3) triumphant these are the members who are now in heaven and are enjoying the vision of God.  Occasionally the church declares canonically some as saints but there are countless unrecognized saints.  On November 1 we celebrate the feast of All Saints and we implore their prayers for us.  On November 2 we celebrate All Souls day, here we are reminded to pray for the dead and those who are in purgatory.  Our prayers and good works and the masses offered for them will bring them relief and a step closer to the object of their longing - God.  

Here is a link that will explain what Purgatory is.  

 This evening I took the time visit this grotto near the church where the cemetery is.  This is a popular shrine judging from the number of people coming here and the number of candles flickering.

This is the cemetery where the remains of my grandparents are interred.  I owe to my grandparents  my Catholic Faith.  As a child I love to hear my grandfather tell stories about the saints and about the stories in the Bible.  My grandfather was a very devout man.  He was a member of the Adoracion Nucturna Filipina, a pious association of the faithful devoted to the worhsip and vigil of Christ in the Eucharist.  Even when he was in his 80's he would unabashedly carry the flag and banner of the association even in public.  My grandmother too was a devotee of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Joseph.  She was diligent teacher who taught me about my catechism.  She saw to it that we go to church every Sunday.  The Church has been very much a part of me because of the training they gave me.    

The outdoor altar of Christ the King.

Our Parish Church

The Man of Sorrows

O Holy Face of Christ, Have Mercy on Us.

Official and Votive Prayer to the Miraculous Icon of the Holy Face, venerated by six million Bicolano people in the Philippines and displayed for veneration at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Archdiocese of Caceres, Naga City, Camarines Sur, the Philippines.

" O Lord Jesus, in your bitter passion

You became a Man of Sorrows,

In your disfigured face,

I see in your infinite love.

I am consumed with the desire

to love you and make you loved by all men.

I venerate your sacred face

Because it is the human expression

Of the face of the Father

The tears in your eyes are like pearls

Which I desire to offer to God in

Expiation of my sins and the spiritual

salvation of sinners.

O Jesus your adorable face ravishes my heart.

And set me on fire with your love,

so that my only desire will be to contemplate your Face in heaven!"

Amen.

To the Victim of Love for the Cross: Martyr of Auschwitz

(Source: Wikipedia)

"I beg the Lord to take my life and my death … for all concerns of the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary and the holy church, especially for the preservation of our holy order, in particular the Carmelite monasteries of Cologne and Echt, as atonement for the unbelief of the Jewish People and that the Lord will be received by his own people and his kingdom shall come in glory, for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world, at last for my loved ones, living or dead, and for all God gave to me: that none of them shall go astray." - Edith Stein (St. Benedicta of the Cross)

Tribute to a Beloved Saint

What should I say to honor such a Saint whose popularity is because he simply lived the gospel and was willing to preach it with his life and blood.  In many of his images and icon he is depicted with a lily symbol of purity.  He studied the gospel, preached it and lived it.  His love and zeal has inspired millions.  Even now he answers the wishes of the faithful and is a powerful advocate.  St. Anthony pray for us!

Thank you

I am duty bound to thank St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Philomena for favors received.

The Warrior in God's Name

The Image of St. Michael enshrined in a Church named in His Honor at Visita, San Miguel Island

"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. '    (Ex 23:20-22)

A Tribute to the Father of Fathers

The Outdoor Image of St. Joseph in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the Philippines

St. Teresa of Avila on St. Joseph

"I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honor and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion to him through having newly experienced this truth."

Source of the Quote

To Thee Oh Holy Joseph

The Holy Family by Raphael, 1506

"Joseph teaches us that it is possible to love without possessing," said the Holy Father. "In contemplating Joseph, all men and women can, by God's grace, come to experience healing from their emotional wounds, if only they embrace the plan that God has begun to bring about in those close to him, just as Joseph entered into the work of redemption through Mary and as a result of what God had already done in her." (Zenit.org.).  

Our Lady of Lourdes

Rosary Basilica, Lourdes, France

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us!

St. Bernadette

St. Bernadette, the Visionary of Lourdes, photo source: Wikipedia

"Bernadette was faithful in her mission, she was humble in glory, she was valiant under trial." (Trochu, p. 379) - Pope Pius XI  (Source: "St. Bernadette and Lourdes by Fr. Ambrose Ryan, OFM) 

St. Bernadette Pray for us!

Pope Benedict on St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony de Padua with the Child Jesus by Antonio de Pereda

"Only a soul that prays can make progress in the spiritual life: this is the privileged object of St. Anthony's preaching. He knows well the defects of human nature, the tendency to fall into sin; that is why he constantly exhorts to combat the inclination to covetousness, to pride, to impurity and to practice the virtues of poverty and generosity, of humility and obedience, of chastity and purity. At the beginning of the 13th century, in the context of the rebirth of the cities and the flourishing of trade, there was an increased number of people who were insensitive to the poor. Because of this, Anthony many times invites the faithful to think of true wealth, that of the heart, which, making them good and merciful, makes them accumulate treasures for Heaven. "O rich people," he exhorts, "befriend ... the poor, welcome them in your homes: They will then be the ones who receive you in the eternal tabernacles, where the beauty of peace is, the confidence of security, and the opulent quiet of eternal satiety" (Ibid., p. 29)."  - Pope Benedict on St. Anthony given at the Papal Audience on February 10, 2010.  More can be read from Zenit.org.  

Candelaria [ Candlemass]

Yesterday February 2, I had the opportunity to hear mass at the Cathedral Church of our diocese.  I attended a meeting at the Social Action Center and happened to drop by at the church at noon time for the candlemass.  Today is also the death anniversary of my grandmother Maria Arcos Bufete, who died on Candlemass day.  She was a devotee of the Virgin Mary and God granted her the grace to die in the state of grace.  She died conscious and prior to her death she received consciously the last rites.  The night before she died, and despite of failing memory she struggled to recite the Pater Noster.  To me that was a sign of a happy predestination.  May she rest in peace.  I know that she is there praying for us.  And we too in return, as a family, offer our prayers and spiritual works of mercy for her repose.  I think that the Catholic family should be that way.

The statue of an Angel bearing the container of holy water

 at the entrance of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great

The faithful standing for the blessing of the candles.  Unfortunately I did not bring one with me.  But it was a joy to see the faithful, with devotion and delight held up their ligthed candles for the blessing.

The Cathedral, half full, but in a short while will be filled with the faithful for the noon day Mass.  Despite of their Busy work Filipinos in this cathedral parish celebrates candlemass.  The Cathedral is located in the heart of the Capital of the province of Albay beside the city hall and the provincial capitol.  So most of the faithful attending mass are government employees.  The City government even has a choir that sings in this cathedral every Sunday.

Pit Senor

Basilica del Santo Nino in Cebu City, One of the Oldest Church in the Philippine Islands

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6 (Douay-Rheims)  

After the celebration in Quiapo last January 9, the people of the Visayas will be celebrating tomorrow the Sinulog Festival in honor of the Child Jesus.  The Image of the Child Jesus, venerated in the Visayas as the Santo Nino de Cebu is very much Spanish in origin.  Though Spanish in origin, it has captured so well the innate religious sentiments of the Filipino people.  Historically the Santo Nino is also linked to the evangelization of these islands.  I myself is also a devotee of the Santo Nino.  I do not know and I cannot explain the charm and the peace that this form of devotion evokes in me and in my fellow Filipinos.  In my office desk and in my bookshelves I have the image of the Child Jesus prominently displayed for everyone to see.  There are many explanations given by some modern theologians so called about this attachment of the Filipinos.  But I would prefer to stick to the simple explanation that our national character of religiosity tends favorably to a closer devotion to the Lord.  This is our national destiny.  Christ seen as a Child, demonstrates to us his paradox once again.  It demonstrates to us that faith in God Almighty is demonstrated not by human power but by his power.  In our weakness the power of God is more manifest because faith can move mountains as our Lord said.  But on the other hand there is also a lesson to the ordinary devotee and Catholics, that our religious fervor is a good sign and a valuable trait.  But these are not ends in themselves but as a means to an end.  If our religious fervor nourishes us in the same way a baby is nourished by milk, so let this devotion be our milk to help us grow in maturity.  For indeed our maturity is made more manifest when we are increasing in our love for the Eucharist, that is to say the Holy Mass.  For they that hear the word of God shall live and they that eat of his body and blood shall have everlasting life.

Black Nazarene

The Original Image of the Black Nazarene

January 9, 2010 will see again the fervour of Filipino Catholics as they honor the feast of the Nazarene.  This is a devotion that honors an icon that depicts Christ carrying the cross to calvary.  I pray and I hope that this feast will not only make manifest the extraordinary devotion of the Filipinos but also be a way to teach us the ways of Christ and His gospel.  To hear the gospel and obey it is indeed the greatest form of devotion we can show our Lord.  There will be excessive expressions but let this be a means to uplift our faith and to make it mature.  True devotion to Christ is eloquently expressed by living a penitent life that seeks reformation of life and a desire to follow in the teachings of the gospel.

Hymn to the Nazarene by Lucio San Pedro

"Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Father Jesus Nazarene)
Dinarangal ka namin (We honor you)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Father Jesus Nazarene)
Nilul'walhati ka namin (We glorify you)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Father Jesus Nazarene)
Dinarangal ka namin (We honor you)
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Father Jesus Nazarene)
Nilul'walhati ka namin (We glorify you)"

Octave of the Nativity - Solemnity of the Circumcision of Our Lord

January 1 - Solemnity of the Circumcision of Our Lord.

Christ Baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.  Painting from the Baptistry of the Our Lady of Pnafrancia Church, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines

O God, it was through the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary that You bestowed the gift of eternal life upon mankind. Grant that we may feel the powerful intercession of Mary, through whom we were privileged to receive the giver of life, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord; who lives and rules with You . . . (Collect)

Solemnity of the Mother of God

"In the revised arrangement of the Christmas season, we should all turn with one mind to the restored solemnity of the Mother of God. This feast was entered into the calendar in the liturgy of the city of Rome for the first day of January. The purpose of the celebration is to honor the role of Mary in the mystery of salvation and at the same time to sing the praises of the unique dignity thus coming to "the Holy Mother...through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life." This same solemnity also offers an excellent opportunity to renew the adoration rightfully to be shown to the newborn Prince of Peace, as we once again hear the good tidings of great joy and pray to God, through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, for the priceless gift of peace. Because of these considerations and the fact that the octave of Christmas coincides with a day of hope, New Year's Day, we have assigned to it the observance of the World Day of Peace (Paul VI, Marialis Cultus, Feb. 2, 1974, no.5)." As qouted from ChurchYear.net

Lesson on this Feast of the Holy Family

This Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family. The gospel reading for this Sunday narrates how Mary and Joseph lost Jesus in the milieu. Upon finding Jesus conversing with the doctors of the Temple, Mary told Jesus how she and his father had been sorrowing looking for him. Jesus replied that it was his mission to be at His Father's House. Nobody understood all these words but Mary kept all these things in her heart. Many times, Our Lord works in marvelous ways to confound the pride of humankind. In the story of the nativity we saw how our Lord announced the birth of his Son not by an imperial edict and not to the mighty but to the shepherds. We know that in Jesus' time shepherds were despised and marginalized. But it is to them that the proclamation of God's favor was first made known. Here was the mighty Roman Empire conducting a census of its realms. But in the midst of night silently and quietly Jesus was born in a stable.

The Holy Family's Flight into Egypt

Today, I consider this celebration of the feast of the Holy Family significant because the church militant is confronted with life issues. There are laws and policies that promotes abortion and materialism as a central value of family life. Worldly people think that happiness can be measured by material things. To limit the number of children for the purpose that both husband and wife would have the chance to enjoy life. That unwanted children are better disposed of rather than given life. Where are now the values of self sacrifice? Ought not parents sacrifice for their children? I am grateful that I have parents who work so hard to provide us education and nurture us. Our parents never thought of their own personal convenience but totally gave their lives for us so that we may have a better future. As Christians we should stand for all these values. Materialism has destroyed our values. Human life is no lionger given its proper value. Let us pray for our Bishops who are courageously standing up for the truth. Let us pray for the misguided Catholic Politicians who are making a mockery of their faith in the public square. Remember that our faith is not something to be put under the closet. It is like a candle. we place it on top of the table so that everyone may be lighted.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph enfold us in your love, amen.

Venerable Pope Pius XII

Coronation of the Salus Populi Romani by Pope Pius XII in 1954

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Congregation for the Causes of Saints has published the decree declaring Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II venerable. Venerable Pius XII and Venerable John Paul II, Pray for us!

How can I not recognize this Pope, who in a radio message to the Marian Congress of the Philippines in 1954 said thus and I quote:

"Philippines! Kingdom of Mary! Philippines! Kingdom of the Holy Rosary! Run to this throne of grace, to this saving devotion, because the storm is raging not far away from you. Remain firm in the Holy Faith of your fathers, that you have received at the cradle, just as your islands remain firm, although shaken by earthquakes and violently besieged by irritated waves. And never let the sacred fire of your love for your heavenly Mother die in your souls, this sacred fire represented by these volcanoes erupting from time to time reveal the furnace hidden in your land.' [Emphasis supplied]

"Pope Pius XII has been declared "venerable" because he is a model for Christian life, not because of the historical decisions he made." Zenit.org

Lipa Apparition of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace

I've read a very interesting news in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.net which reported "that Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has formed a new commission to revisit the series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the Carmel monastery in Lipa, Batangas, in 1948." For a full report follow the link above.

I found this interesting because I remember a childhood experience. When I was eight years old I fould this old image of Our Lady hidden under the closet wrapped in old news papers. I asked my late grandfather why such a beautiful image of our Lady was hidden inside the closet, he told me that the Church has forbidden the veneration of the image because of the controversy that has arisen over the Lipa Apparition. I clearly heard my Grandfather that it is best to obey the orders of the Church and obey the directives of the hierarchy rather than our own feelings and sentiments. Those were the early lessons I;ve learned about obedience. Obedience entails humility because you have to submit to the teaching authority of the Church. I am glad that the message of the Lipa apparitions are being revisited. I too believe that our Lady is the Mediatrix of All Grace as prophesied in Genesis 3:15. Wioth confidence I can always state the ejaculation - Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee." Those of you who want to read about what happend to the visonary and other personalities involved in this manifestation you may read the article "Vindicated, novice of Lipa apparitions keeps low profile" from the PDI

Our lady of Salvation: Patroness of the Diocese of Legazpi

Mary, Our Lady of Salvation

Today was a pleasant afternoon for all of us. After doing our field work with my Masters students we visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation, the patroness of the Diocese of Legazpi. The shrine of Our Lady is located in the village of Joroan around 38 kilometers from the city of Legazpi. Thousands of pilgrims visit this shrine. These morning hundreds of high school students participated in the annual youth pilgrimage to the shrine.

Here are some photos. No one will ever fail to notice the breath taking view as one ascend the mountains on the way to the Shrine.

The Image of the Sacred Heart

The Image of the Immaculate Heart

The Shrine-Church, Notice the centrality of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Altar appears to be somewhat Benedictine in arrangement with seven votive candes, this morning the Bishop officiated a pontifical Mass. The cross was however situated on the side rather than on the center.