Tito Otie

Piet, salamat. 

That was Tito Otie's response when I sent him a photo of the Blessed Sacrament and Belen (Nativity Scene) taken in our parish church in December 2023. 

When he was still with us, he was a devotee of both. He was a member of the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, a religious group back home who spend night adorations in church before the Blessed Sacrament.  He was also a lover of the Belen. Every Christmas, his house would not be complete without this. He would make every effort to decorate it as though it was a miniature of the massive Belen in the parish church of Kawit, Cavite.

Tito Otie was such a generous uncle who, every Christmas, would give us gifts. He would give his aguinaldo after the Midnight Mass, just as we have had our Noche Buena. In our late teens, we - my brother Gio and cousins Erwin and Eldin - would feel embarrassed and hide ourselves. Sensing this, he gave us his gift unnoticed.

Part of any graduating student's life is to have their graduation photo taken. As we were on a tight budget then, Tito Otie kindly paid for it. He was so happy when I completed my studies.

He was a cool and patient guy whom I never seen to be angry or uttered curses. He always showed a confident and strong persona which puts us at ease especially during times of trial. When Tita Erling (RIP), his wife, was ill, he was her source of strength. I witnessed how he consoled and affirmed her. Never have I seen him cry during funerals, except when his aunt, Lola Chitang passed away.

Going back to the Belen. He used to tell a story that he went to the church in Kawit to pray. He was under the weather then. This happened during Christmastime. As he was praying, he noticed that the hay on top of the Nativity Scene was smoking. There was short circuit in the wire that ignited the hay. He rushed to the sanctuary to help in putting the fire off. He said that in that incident, God used him as an instrument of preventing what would have been a disaster.  In any act of kindness he did, Tito Otie would not take the credit. He would just admit that God used him as an instrument of His graciousness.

Salamat po, Tito Otie.

I guess that these words would be on my lips, heart, and mind every time I think of my beloved uncle. His generosity and words of wisdom; his faith, hope, and love; his devotion to marriage and family; his love of learning, history, and culture; his very self is a gift that will forever be cherished.

Tito Otie, many thanks for the gift of you. I missed you last Christmas as I was decorating my Belen at home and in church. As we commemorate your first death anniversary tomorrow (2 February) may the Lord Jesus - the light sent to enlighten the pagans and the glory of Israel, the Sacred Host adored in every tabernacles across the world - welcome you into His loving presence. As you bore the light of Christ when you were still with us, rest assured that we will continue your legacy. We love you!

Mabuhay si Jesus

I attended a weekend training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion a few weeks ago. The facilitator posed a question on what this ministry is all about. According to him, "it begins and ends with a respect for the Blessed Sacrament". 

We, Catholics, are blessed to have the 7 sacraments, 7 avenues where Christ confers on us the grace we need to live as God's children. More so, Jesus Himself comes to us - through the humble appearance of bread - in the Blessed Sacrament.

My late grandfather Augusto R Samaniego Sr once related to me his membership in the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, a religious organisation devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. As the organisation's name would suggest, members perform their adoration at night time inspired by Jesus' prayer routine at night up to early morning  (Mk 1:83; Lk 6:12). He told me that when they are gathered (in a meeting perhaps?) and their names are called out, they would say "Mabuhay si Jesus!" (Long live Jesus). 

Indeed, that should be the be-all and end-all of our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,: "Mabuhay si Jesus"!'. Our attendance and assistance at Mass shouldn't be just for show, for people to admire. It should inspire, engage, and even challenge those around us to draw near to Jesus.

"Mabuhay si Jesus!" Let this also be our battle cry as we leave the church and go forth to that vast mission field outside. 

Lolo Gusing, thank you for your deep respect for the Blessed Sacrament. On your 29th death anniversary (18th October 2018), I pray that the Eucharistic Lord may welcome you in His presence where, united with the angels and saints, you will forever say "Mabuhay si Jesus!".

Me Time

It's just a day before Holy Week as I write this piece. Amidst the snow that has been pouring unabatedly from the skies since the wee hours of the morning,  I read with interest today's Gospel reading wherein Jesus hid Himself in a place called Ephraim before proceeding to Jersulem to be hailed as King on Palm Sunday and condemned as a criminal on Good Friday. As He hid in the desert before His public ministry, so He hid in Ephraim (which so happened to be near the desert) before the start of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

 

In spite of being a busy, itinerant preacher cum healer, Jesus made sure He had that 'me time'. Jesus was always in communion with His Father.  His disciples would attest how they found Him in a deserted place praying or how He Himself encouraged them to go to a deserted place to rest. For Jesus, rest is important even if it's a brief one. 

 

During my first retreat ages ago, the retreat master explained to us that  just as soldiers in war retreat to assess themselves and make a better plan of action, so must we examine ourselves and make better our conduct in life. By going 'on retreat' to Ephraim, Jesus wanted to give a closer and harder look at what He has already done and how He could have made it better so as to fulfill the Father's will. 

 

For a couple of Thursdays, I have been visiting the Blessed Sacrament at the St Barnabas Cathedral, a few minutes' walk from where I work.  The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for a few hours and then towards the end of the vigil, a basket full of pieces of paper with names of sick and dying persons is placed near the altar.  Once this is done, the Rosary is recited. 

 

On the first Thursday that I made the visit, I was a bit hesitant to stay on. I was thinking that I need to have my lunch. I was thinking of the long list I have to do in the office. My mind was trying to go somewhere else.  Yet, for some reason, the lovely countenance of the exposed Blessed Sacrament held me to stay put.  When the sacred host was put back in the tabernacle, I left the cathedral refreshed.

 

I'm very grateful to the Lord for giving me the chance to visit Him. I felt that this is one of the devotions that I have neglected for a number of years already.  I wish to carry it on, with God's grace and blessing. It was indeed a 'Me Time' for me. A chance to present my poor, humble self to the Lord and allow Him to clothe me in His love.  Though we are sinners, it is still His love that conquers all. It's His love that matters!

 

God keeps on calling us no matter what or when.  He's there in the quiet of our hearts. As we usher in Holy Week, let's be more attentive to the Lord's invitation. One with Jesus, our Saviour and King, let's return to the Father's embrace and be empowered so that we may lovingly welcome the Judas, Barabas, Hestas (if I may borrow Dona Delila's common expression) in our midst, fearlessly face the mob that is eager to devour us, and patiently carry our crosses.

 

***

 

Today marks the 44th death anniversary of a grandmother that I have never known, save for some accounts told and retold by my elders: Laureana "Lola Osay" Samaniego, my mother's mother.  I was told that Lola Osay used to chant the Pasyong Mahal in the village chapel in Wakas, Kawit, Cavite.  That was a devotion she passed on to Mommy Rosie (Mama's older sister). Mommy Rosie would later pass it on to me.  In a way, her faith continues to thrive in her heirs.  May God bless your kind soul, Lola Osay! We love you.