Answered Prayers

There are some moments when I just think of how St Joseph went about dealing with events like when Mary his wife was about to give birth. For example, did he assist her in delivering the baby? Did he change nappies (though they may be in their crude form then or none at all), woke up every now and then to assuage a crying baby, cancel some appointments to attend to the child's needs? Some may scoff at my rather 'human' perception of saints, but very often we have romanticized these holy men and women that we ignore the fact that they too lived like any ordinary human being.

As a dad myself, I have seen this great man not from a far distance, but just next to me. He is no longer a man who lived a simple though wonderful life with his family in some distant land long ago. He is alive in each and every man who strive to imitate his example.

When Lola Piling, my grandmother, was still alive she has been a devotee of St Joseph. She is often seen garbed in green, a colour attributed to St Joseph. She would later tell me that St Joseph is the patron of good husbands and fathers. It's then not surprising how Lolo Paul lived faithfully his vocation as a husband and father. As far as I could remember, he was man with a few words. He can be strict and would physically punish us when we erred.

But when he speaks there is depth in the message he conveys - I have in my possession a talk he delivered in the late 60s and the early 80s and reading through these, I am astounded. If he were still alive, I would have asked him to write for the web! As conscientious parents, he and Lola Piling raised their children in the Catholic faith and provided them with good education.

St Joseph is also the patron of a peaceful death. As she related for a couple of times, Lolo Paul passed away in a quick and peaceful manner. He didn't suffer a lingering illness in hospital. After having lunch, he stood up but felt dizzy. He fell on the floor, I was told. Sensing that his end is near, his wife whispered prayers on his ear. He would later breathed his last.

My grandmother lived for another 26 years. Interestingly, there was no one to witness her death. She was just found sat on a chair in her room lifeless - with her rosary on the floor. "Banal" (Holy) as Msgr Nico Bautista would tell me when I intimated to him her death.

St Joseph has granted Lola Piling's prayers. Whatever we are asking for through St Joseph, rest assured that these will also be given to us at God's appointed time.

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The number 19 has been a special number for St Joseph's devotees. Lola Piling told me how she received many graces in various forms and shapes on the 19th of the month. Maria Josefina, their youngest daughter, was actually born on the 19th of March (Happy birthday, Ninang Joji!).

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The Queen of Families Rosary Group has begun its traditional Way of the Cross in Barangay 170, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila last 1st March and will continue every Sunday of Lent until 6th April (Palm Sunday). The group has been organising this Lenten activity since 1998. I would like to congratulate the group, led by its president, Tita Luz Lina, assure them of my prayers for many more years of keeping this Lenten activity alive. If you live nearby and want to reflect on the Lord's passion, death, and resurrection this Lent, please come along. The event starts at 8pm.

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Talking about Lent, you may have been doing any (or all) of these As: Ayuno (fasting), Abstinence, Alms-giving. Want to do something new? Why don't you try Anluwage.com for a change?