I never thought that it’s also The Year of the Two Hearts in our country. This brought to mind a devotion which the Apostleship of Prayer – Youth (AP-Youth) in St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish has promoted 19 years ago.
As the first set of officers of the group was about to be inducted – strangely we were elected in January 1989 but were only sworn in on the 2nd June 1989- I intimated with Jonathan de la Llana, Vice President-elect, my dream of bringing the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the many Catholic houses in the parish. He liked the idea. It took another year though for this dream to come true – we officers and members of the group need to ‘settle in’ first before coming up with events such as these.
January/February of the following year came and that dream resurfaced. After months of making representation with our elders, the Pastoral Council, and the Parish Priest our project was approved. We wasted no time looking for the images in Tayuman (amidst the typhoon and flood that hit Manila that feast day of the Sacred Heart) and subsequently purchasing them, photocopying the prayers and hymns that will be used, and organizing the houses where the images would be brought.
It was about this month 19 years ago that we gathered to hear Mass one Saturday evening and have the images blessed. Jonathan’s family was blessed to have been the first home where the images stayed for a week.
For the next Saturdays of 1990 and the years thereafter, come rain or shine, we gathered to pray the rosary and reflect on the Sunday’s Gospel. Through this devotion dubbed as Twin Hearts Crusade, we gathered to touch base with fellow members/parishioners and their families. We were indeed brought together by these two hearts that were one in loving us and in following the Father’s will.
I’d like to thank those who have supported us in this project especially Msgr. Mario Enriquez (Parish Priest of Gagalangin during that time), Bro. Rodolfo Segovia (Parish Pastoral Council President), Bro. Eddie Jayo (ex-Worship Committee Chairman), Sis. Cely Tortosa (ex-AP-Elders President), Sis. Angie Manlutac, Sis. Mely Co and Sis. Mery Isla (our advisers then). Kudos too to Teck and Pauline Bungay for coordinating the devotion during its infancy.
I am not sure if this devotion is still on-going, but I hope it still does especially because of the significance of this year dedicated to the Two Hearts and, at the same time, dedicated to our priests. This is an opportune time for the group to be one in prayer for our priests’ sanctification as well as peace building and social change as enjoined by our bishops.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary reign in all hearts. Amen.
Speaking about hearts, there is another 'heart' to which we should pray for - former President Corazon Aquino. Mrs. Aquino represents the heart of every Filipino - ever yearning for peace and justice, always in search for God who alone could satisfy our needs.
Let us entrust her well-being and speedy recovery to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Let us also pray for her family that they will be strengthened during these trying times.
Just want to greet my college batchmates who would be getting together on Sunday 5th July at Chili's Greenbelt 1. Kudos to Benjamin "Bubong" Antonio III along with Herbie and Chi Cruz for organising this. Hope you guys enjoy the dinner! Looking forward to be reunited with you soon.
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