Baby's First Word

Every 10:30pm (UK time), my siblings (3 in the US, 1 in the UK, 1 in the Philippines), our families, our mother, and I would have a group chat via Messenger to say the Rosary. When the lockdown was on its first few days in mid-March, we kept in touch to see how everyone's doing.  During those times, a former colleague in UST and I had a chat and she told how she and her siblings would gather every evening through social media to pray. I had a thought about that and floated the idea with my siblings. And so, we began our devotion on 2nd April. 

Because we are 5 siblings, we take turns in leading a decade of the Rosary. Later on, we involved other members of the family such as our mother, spouses, and children. Mama would lead in the Introductory Prayers (Apostles' Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, 1 Glory). Chiara and Stella (my niece, brother Gio's eldest daughter) would lead in the 2 special prayers to Mary which Pope Francis has asked the faithful to pray this month. In keeping with a long-standing tradition in May, we sing the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).

In one of our Rosaries, we all overheard Samantha (my 1 year old niece, Gio's youngest daughter) repeatedly saying "Mama...Mama". We smiled (and laughed a bit). The little girl is learning to talk and one of the first words she learnt is "Mama" (The other word is "Stella").

As we continued saying the Rosary that night, Samantha's word kept ringing in my ear. I thought to myself, what this little girl is saying is what essentially we her elders are saying right at that moment. We adults talked about this after our family prayer. Indeed, the exalted words of the Angelic Salutation (aka Hail Mary), for me, can be summed up perfectly in one word: "Mama".

The Hail Mary recalls God choosing a woman "full of grace" to be His Mother. It brings to mind Elizabeth recognizing her younger cousin as "the Mother of my Lord". It remembers our forebears entrusting themselves to the "Mother of God...now and at the hour of our death". It is a Christian's cry to his/her Mother!

When was the last time we recited the Hail Mary or the Rosary like a child to our mother?

Samantha has unknowingly made us realize how important Mary is in our lives as a domestic Church. The next time we say the Rosary, let's not rush uttering the Hail Mary (or any other prayer said in that beautiful devotion). Let's savour the taste of each word in that prayer. Let's mean what we are saying in prayer. Let's be child-like once again when we communicate with God and with His saints, Mama Mary especially.

Called to be Faithful

One late afternoon, God was walking in the garden of Eden. "Adam! Eve! Where are you?", cried God. "We're here...hiding", Adam whispered. "Why are you hiding?", God asked. "Because we are naked", Adam replied. Sensing that something went wrong, God asked "Did you eat of the forbidden fruit?" "Eve told me to eat it", Adam said. When God confronted Eve, she said "The snake told me to eat it." 

Fast forward, an angel of the Lord appeared to a young lady called Mary to tell her that she would become God's Mother. Mary's response was "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word." In contrast to our first parents who did not take responsibility for their failure, Mary accepted the role God entrusted to her. If Adam and Eve said "No" to God, Mary said "Yes".

Day in and day out, perhaps without us noticing it, we have said "Yes" to God. We have said "Yes" to Him in fulfilling our roles as spouses, parents, professionals, volunteers, students, workers, etc. There are moments when are in a roll in doing any of these roles, but there are also instances when we struggle, when we start to think "Does God really want me for this role?" I am sure that Mary did not fully understand the whole scope of becoming God's Mother. Ditto St Joseph who was tasked to be the protector of Mary and Jesus. The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) gives us an idea of how Mary and Joseph did not understand the young Jesus' behaviour. In spite of their struggles, Mary and Joseph continued to say "Yes" to God. They remained faithful.

“God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.”, St Teresa of Calcutta once said. In a results-driven society, we are often pushed towards getting results. In the parish for example, we may be tempted to focus on how many attended the Mass or other religious activities, how many volunteered for this or that ministry, how much  money was collected for the fundraising project, and so on and so forth. All these are good in their own right, but what matters most is how faithful the community is. It is easy to give up when Mass attendance is dwindling, the collection is not enough, and the volunteers are few. Yet this is where God would see who would stay. Are we one of those?

Let us ask the Virgin Mary's help to always say "Yes" to God. He might be calling us to a particular role, but we do have a clear picture of what it may entail. For all you know you would have already been doing that role. Just the same, let's remain faithful. Think of the farmers who till our land. They do not know how the plants would grow and yet they look after it and later on harvest its produce. Being faithful shows dependence more on God's grace than our own efforts. Being faithful requires total surrender to God's will.

***

I would like to take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Fidel Ty, my godfather when I was confirmed. A man of few words, he was kind and supportive. He was, as his name suggests, a faithful husband and father. One unforgettable incident was Christmas 1987. Fr Regino Cortez, OP said Mass at St Rita Hospital that evening. After the Mass, we waited for a taxi to pass by, to no avail. Ninong Fidel was with his friends across the road and offered to give the priest a lift. While on our way to Letran, both found out that they belong to the same province! Now, they are reunited in the Father's presence!

May God bless your kind soul, Ninong Fidel. Thank you.

Mama Mary

One of the amazing things I have experienced having friends is being welcomed into their families as though I was one of them, and vice versa.  And being Filipinos, the terms of endearment we use at home applies elsewhere. Thus, we call our friends’ older siblings as Manong and Manang, or Kuya and Ate. As for their parents it’s Tito and Tita or sometimes, Daddy and Mommy, Papa and Mama, or Tatay and Nanay.

I don’t know about you, but it felt good to have that rapport (up to a certain degree) with friend’s families. I remember two friends, Art and Vlad Reyes (They’re not related!), whose moms we address as Nanay Espie and Nanay Remy respectively. Both have been warm and welcoming to me and other friends. I must say that I wouldn’t have known and understood more my friends had it not for their mothers.  

I have another friend whose mother loved her son through and through. A mom who helps me to know and understand more her son. A mom who provides that strong link between my friend and I. A mom who continues to accept, admonish, and love me in spite of the many times I have hurt my friend. This friend of mine is not just any ordinary friend. He is a friend, Teacher, Healer, Savior, Lord, and God rolled into one. He is Jesus. And His Mother is Mama Mary, "the kindest and most loving of all mothers". 

I often wonder how (and when) we Pinoy Catholics learned to address the Blessed Virgin as Mama Mary. While the English would address her as Our Lady and the Italians as Madonna, we have called her in an informal yet intimate way. We have called her as though she was family.

A few weeks ago, I had an interesting conversation with an expatriate. She and her family are active in their parish so I thought of inviting them to come along to our group's Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in our parish. She politely declined and explained to me that she and her husband are on a spiritual journey. She admitted that she used to have a deeper relationship with Mary (deeper than her relationship with Jesus in the past) and used to pray the Rosary, but learned that she could directly pray to God and would like to focus on building a relationship with Jesus. She hopes that in God's time she will be enlightened. 

I felt sad when she told me her experience. What caused her to abandon her long-held Marian devotion? Did she feel that her deeper relationship with Mary hinders having a sound relationship with Jesus? I explained to her though that our group's focus is also on Jesus and that Mary, being His Mother, serves only as a way to Him, a companion in our spiritual journey and deeper relationship with the Lord. I closed our conversation by assuring her of my prayers.

Perhaps some of us may have had a similar experience. Regardless, I would like to offer three quotes for us to ponder: 

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” (St Maximilian Kolbe)

“Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son. There can be no doubt that whatever we say in praise of the Mother gives equal praise to the Son.” (St Bernard of Clairvaux)

"A Christian without Our Lady is an orphan." (Pope Francis)

As we celebrate Mama Mary's birthday on September 8, let us ask for the grace to have a deeper relationship with her, our spiritual mother. Let us also ask for the grace to appreciate that we are part of a family - God's People, the Church - and actively contribute to its growth. With the many tribulations the Church, our country, the world have to face, we need her more than ever. Through Mama Mary, we will be able to reach "the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son” (St Louis Marie de Montfort).

Happy birthday, Mama Mary! Thank you for your love and guidance. Help us to always listen to Your Son and to love one another as He has commanded us. Continue to lead us to Him. We love you!

Alone with Our Lady

2017 is a special year for Marian devotees because it marks the 100th anniversary of Our Lady's apparition in Fatima, Portugal. An indulgence is granted by Pope Francis throughout this jubilee year (which began on 27 November 2016 and will conclude on 26 November 2017) to: 1.) anyone who would visit Our Lady's Shrine in Fatima f; 2.) anyone who prays before any statue of Our Lady of Fatima solemnly exposed for public veneration in any church, oratory or proper place during the days of the anniversary of the apparitions, the 13th of each month from May to October (2017), and there devoutly participate in some celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary.”; and 3.) the elderly and infirm to pray in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima "and must spiritually unite themselves to the jubilee celebrations on the days of the apparitions, the 13th of each month, between May and October 2017."  

Our parish here in Bulwell is blessed because there is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Poor Clare Monastery Chapel where people who are unable to make a pilgrimage to Fatima during the jubilee could pray and venerate Our Lady's statue.  The Poor Clare sisters, described by Fr John Martin (our new Parish Priest) as "a powerhouse of prayer", have been kind enough to welcome visitors who would like to avail of the jubilee indulgence.

One sunny afternoon, I decided to pay Our Lady a visit. Mother Lilly, the Monastery abbess, opened the door for me. The chapel was empty. As I knelt before Mary's statue, I thought to myself, "I have been to this chapel many times, but it was only now that I had a look at Mary's beautiful face!". It was neither happy nor sad, in keeping with how the three visionaries Lucia dos Santos and her cousins (now Saints) Francisco and Jacinta Marto described her.

I felt at ease with Our Lady's aura and spent a few minutes pouring my heart to her. Beneath her pedestal was a box where devotees could place their prayer requests. I turned left and right to look for a piece of paper and a pen to write my petitions. Luckily, there were sheets of paper and a pen at the back of the chapel. I wrote a handful of requests, I thought of people who need prayers. Later, I approached the statue and placed the sheet of paper in the box. I held Our Lady's left hand, looked once again at her beautiful face, and (because I was all alone in the chapel), sang this popular Marian song:

As I was getting ready to leave, Sr Francis came into the chapel. I thanked her and the rest of the sisters for welcoming me. 

Two things on prayer struck me in that visit: space and specificity. We all need that space to be alone with God, with Mary and the saints in prayer. In a rat race culture we're all in, this could be a challenge. But, as I have seen from some people's experience, if we ask God to give us that space (and time), He'll grant it! 

Being specific with what we pray for is also good because it keeps us focused on what we need, on what frustrates us (be it events, people, or ourselves), and on what comes from the heart. Writing it down especially when you're running out of time helps a lot because it allows you to let go and let God do the rest. It is also heartwarming to know that someone else, like the sisters, are praying for your requests too.

I felt good making that visit to Our Lady. I am happy thinking that she will always be here to guide and protect me, to guide and protect all of us, her children. We need Our Lady, we need the message she gave in Fatima 100 years ago. Entrusting ourselves to her is the way forward if we wish to follow Jesus and obtain the peace which we badly need (Think about Manchester, Marawi, London, Syria, etc.) and which He alone could give. 

The Fourth K

What could have prevented the two disciples from recognizing the Lord on their way to Emmaus? Perhaps the experience of Jesus' shameful death on the cross was still fresh in their minds. Perhaps the loss of such a good friend and Master was still painful deep inside. 

The experience of these disciples was similar to that of Mary Magdalene when she thought of the Risen Lord as a gardener (John 20:11-18). As Mary Magdalene recognized the Lord when He called her name, the disciples would later recognize their travel companion in the breaking of bread.

The month of May is a time when fiestas occur in many parts of the Philippines. And when we talk about fiestas, the first thing that comes to our minds is sharing a meal with others.  Here in the UK, our group of friends gather for a meal every now and then, especially after our monthly Mass and Novena in the parish. Sharing a meal is an opportune time to the endless three Ks: kumustahan (greeting), kuwentuhan (storytelling), and katuwaan (banter). Sharing a meal breaks loose our stifled spirits, our stressed out minds, our restless hearts. I guess those three Ks were present during that evening meal in Emmaus. And it was made more special, more meaningful because of the fourth K: Kristo (Christ)!

As we share a meal with family, friends, and even strangers, as we share that great meal in church called the Mass, may we recognize the Risen Jesus' presence in our midst and bear witness to that presence wherever we may go.

Talking about the Mass, Pope Francis tells us "There is always a Word of God that gives us guidance when we slip; and through our weariness and disappointments there is always a Bread that is broken that keeps us going on the journey." 

***

May brings to mind two of my heavenly patrons: the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph. May is Mary's month and so we bring her flowers to express our love and gratitude. Interestingly, the first day of this merry month is dedicated to her husband.  For me, it tells us one thing: if we would like to know more about Mary, if we would like to love her, if we would like to follow her footsteps, we have to go to Joseph! If anyone (apart from Jesus) would have known, loved, and followed her it would be St Joe. This year is really special because we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary when Mary appeared in Fatima. In one of those apparitions, St Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus blessing the world. So let's ask St Joseph to help us in becoming good children of Mary, of becoming doers of "whatever Jesus tells us" (cf. John 2:5).

New Hands

Think of a challenging time in your life. You felt both helpless and hopeless, right? Suddenly your mother sees you and offers her hands for you to hold on to. How did it feel to hold on to your mother’s hands? It felt good, isn’t it? You feel consoled. You feel ready to face your challenge because you know that your mom is there for you.

Now look at the beautiful picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Look at how she offers her hands for the Child Jesus to hold on to. Strong was Mary's influence on Jesus that during His 3-year public ministry, His hands brought healing and forgiveness to all. 

It's been said that the hands are the most active and restless parts of our body. From the time we wake up till we go to bed, our pair of hands have been busy with a lot of things. We use our hands to work, to nurture our family, to tend to the needy, to communicate, and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, there have been moments when these same hands have inflicted pain on others. We have used our hands to unjustly accuse others, to spread lies against them, to disrespect them, to point people away from the truth. 

This Lenten season, let's thank God for the gift of our mothers in whose hands we have found peace, strength, and hope. Let's thank God for the gift of our hands and ask Him to forgive us for those times when our hands caused suffering instead of blessing to others. Finally, let's ask for the grace to be the new hands of Jesus for a world in dire need of His love.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

The Buck Stops Here

The late US president Harry S Truman used to keep a sign with this phrase while holding office at the White House. For him, it served as a constant reminder that as president he has to make the decisions and accept full responsibility for those decisions.

Since that day of infamy when the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) allowed the burial of Ferdinand Marcos' remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), mass protests, commentaries, statements, etc have been made denouncing the decision and vilifying the 9 associate justices who were in favour of such burial, the heirs of the former dictator for their deviousness in having the remains buried secretly at the LNMB, and Ferdinand Marcos himself for his 20-year rule of oppression and plunder.

There have been some commentators who were quick to point out that the blame for such an unthinkable burial shouldn't be put on the SC nor the Marcoses. The blame or the buck stops at President Rodrigo Duterte.  I totally agree. For wasn't Duterte the one who promised during the presidential campaign to have Marcos' remains interred at the LNMB? And when he won the elections, didn't he give orders to his subordinates to implement his promise? By the looks of it, the SC, Marcos Family, AFP, PNP, etc just took the cue from the President!

I think protests actions should not only highlight that the late strongman is not a hero. Protests should not only underscore the SC's failure to look beyond the letter of the law. Protests should not only bring to the fore the Marcoses' notoriety for using subterfuge on many, many occasions (when they were still in power and now that they feel entitled to such power, thanks to the President). 

The protests that are being organised across the country and beyond should also condemn Duterte's callousness for letting Marcos be buried in a cemetery reserved for heroes and for dismissing the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship as though they were kuwentong kutsero. 

Had Duterte steered clear of the Marcoses, had he been more aware and sensitive of the plight of the Martial Law victims, had he acted more as a statesman rather than a politician our country would not be in this mess! I find it strange that Duterte seemed to have forgotten that his late mother fought against the dictatorship. And that his rise to power began when Cory Aquino appointed him OIC Vice Mayor of Davao.

Duterte should be called to task for showing his real colour: a tuta (lapdog) of the Marcoses.

Now that's one sign we should see unfurled during these mass protests!

***

It's the start of the Advent season this Sunday! Let this season be a moment for us to rethink of our past, of our values, of all our gains and losses. Let Advent be an opportunity for us to realize where we are going to. Is it back to the manger of Bethlehem or nowhere? Let this holy season be a time for us to rediscover that only in Jesus could we find the light which will defeat in the darkness our country is in. From November 29 to December 7, let us say at least a decade of the Rosary, asking Mary Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (our country's patroness) to lead us to Jesus, to yearn for the Promised Messiah: O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Orient's Pearl!

Taize Revival

Bless the Lord, my soul
And bless God's holy name,
Bless the Lord, my soul
Who leads me into life.

Do these lines ring a bell?  I first heard these lines sung repeatedly in October 1990 when there was this parish assembly in church. A Korean brother, a member of the Taize Community, gave a talk about his community and their forthcoming event in Manila the following year. Taize Community is founded by the late Bro Roger Schutz when World War II broke out. According to its website, the community "is made up of over a hundred brothers, Catholics and from various Protestant backgrounds, coming from around thirty nations. By its very existence, the community is a “parable of community” that wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples."

Nada te turbe, nada te espante;

quien a Dios tiene nada le falta.

Nada te turbe, nada te espante:

sólo Dios basta.

I find Taize's prayer service quite different from the traditional devotions we were so used to such as novenas, Holy Hour, etc.I find the Taize way of prayer to be more relaxed, more spontaneous.  Don't get me wrong, each prayer would have their own peculiar structure. Regardless, each of these aim at giving glory to God.

O luwalhati sa Diyos

O luwalhati sa Diyos

O luwalhati sa Diyos

Luwalhati sa Diyos!

I was delighted that during the Christ the King procession in Gagalangin in 1992, the songs that were sung were from Taize's repertoire, thanks to a colleague Arnold Vidar. The following year, when it was the parish youth's turn to make an hour's vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, we used the Taize style of prayer. 

Liwanag ng buong mundo, halina Jesus halina.

Liwanag ng buhay ko, aleluya!

1993 was the last time I heard of the Taize songs. Until last Tuesday.

It was 7 o'clock in the evening. My family and I made our way to the Poor Clares Convent Chapel to attend a Taize Prayer Service. I think this is the first time it would be held in the parish. A lady was already giving a short introduction as we took our seats. She also made an announcement about this event during last weekend's Masses. The service was mostly composed of meditative singing, but there was also a time to listen to God's word, to spend a few minutes of silence, and to pray for various intentions with an opportunity to light a candle for one's intention. 

Bless the Lord, my soul

And bless God's holy name,

Bless the Lord, my soul

Who leads me into life.

By singing the songs repeatedly and with devotion, I felt as though the lyrics were my own. As I "own" it, I felt my soul striving to open itself to God. And as it opened itself to God, the more it became one with its Maker. Tuesday was a busy day and the prayer service gave me, my family, and, I am sure, everyone present an opportunity to lift up our hearts to the Lord and to refresh ourselves. Personally, it revived my Taize experience! We look forward to attend the next service. In the meantime, like Mary, we burst into song:

Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum

Magnificat, magnificat, magnifat anima mea!

Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri, nagpupuri sa Panginoong aking Diyos.

Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri, nagpupuri sa Panginoon!

Living Rosary

August 25, 2015. The second day of my second visit to the Big Apple. It was a hot day in New York. After having breakfast, my younger brother Gio and I made our way from Queens to Manhattan via train and then headed to Staten Island via ferry to see our dad.  I told my wife that on our way, I would like to visit the Shrine of St Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born citizen of the US to become saint, which was just across the ferry station.

We intended to take the 10:30 am ferry ride and ran as fast as we could, but a member of staff has signaled that the gates are closed.  The next ferry will be in the next 30 minutes. Perhaps this was a sign to visit the shrine across the street!

I have seen the façade of this church during my first visit to New York in 2012, but didn't have the chance to enter it.  The church is actually dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.  How did it become a shrine of St Elizabeth? The church is actually located on what used to be the saint's house.  On one corner of this small church, one could find a statue of St Elizabeth as well as paintings depicting her life story.

Gio and I went to a pew and spent a few minutes in prayer. Then, I approached the main altar to marvel at the stained glass featuring some important events in the life of St Elizabeth. To the right of the main altar is a statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus. I approached this too and said a prayer to the Blessed Mother. I took a photo of the statue and wondered, how come the Virgin nor the Lord is not holding a rosary? Surely, if this is the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary then there should be a rosary similar to statues like that of Our Lady of Fatima or Our Lady of La Naval or Our Lady of Manaoag?

A few weeks back, on the Eve of the Assumption of Mary, Cardinal Chito Tagle of Manila, said "Magpractice na tayo ng langit dito sa lupa. Practice makes perfect. Gusto natin ng langit, magpractice na dito. Eh ang langit ay never-ending communion with Jesus. Practice na ngayon! Sige na! katulad ni Maria: joyous, sorrowful, luminous, glorious, always with Jesus".

Reflecting on what the good cardinal said, could it be that the statue is telling me - and all other devotees - to become Mary's living rosary, to mirror the various mysteries wherein both Mother and Child were united? I'm sure if we do so, we would be able to convince more people to appreciate this devotion, to love Mary, and ultimately to love Jesus.

October is just around the corner, that month dedicated to the recitation of the Holy Rosary. As we once again observe this revered devotion, as we lovingly repeat the Hail Mary, let our hearts say to Our Lady "Yes, Mama Mary we would like to become your rosary. Help us to reflect your virtues. Help us to be like you, constantly united with Jesus in spite of what life throws at us".

Ears to Hear With

Since the third Sunday of Advent, the manger scene (or Belen) has already been put up in our parish sans the Holy Family, shepherds, and kings; only cows, donkeys, and of course the manger.  Last Sunday, just a few steps from the Belen were papier mache figures of Mary, Joseph, and an angel. All three have their distinctive costumes - Mary wearing a veil, Joseph also wears a veil and has a beard and moustache, and the angel has wings and a halo. They didn't have faces though. What caught my attention was that one of Joseph's ears could be easily seen.  I am not sure if this was done on purpose, but it just gave a link to another event I attended the day before.

The day before we went to church, our rosary group held its annual Christmas Party celebration. For this year, members - young ones and once - were asked to wear a cartoon character costume. Chiara and Nidz were Princess Anna and Queen Elsa (from the Disney's "Frozen") respectively, while I was Superman.  

Others 'portrayed' Snow White, Woody, and Prince Charming, to name a few. This was the first time we did this in observance of our fifth anniversary this year. In my welcome remarks, I told my colleagues that Christmas is indeed for the children, and for the child at heart.  Hence, our attempt to capture that 'child in us' via our costumes.

But what if we fail to capture that child in us?  Beyond the costumes and glitter, I think it is necessary for us to listen. Going back to Joseph's papier mache in church (or to his ear to be more specific), we would recall how this unassuming man lent his ear to God's word. By listening to God, he became enlightened (i.e. that his future wife is bearing God's Son), by becoming enlightened he obeyed (i.e. he took Mary as his wife), and by obeying he cooperated with God's plan (i.e. he nurtured Jesus, our Savior). 

Listening is key to welcoming Christmas.  Jose Mari Chan tells (or sings) us more about this in this beautiful Christmas carol:

As we celebrate Christmas, may we also have the ears to hear God's word with so that we too may recapture that child in us - a child who trusts God wholeheartedly, a child who treats others fairly, a child who humbles himself to wash someone else's feet, a child willing to make sacrifices for the good of others, a child like that newborn King lying on the manger, the very reason for Christmas.

From all of us here in anluwage.com, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas!

Blessed Paul VI

When I was a kid in Tondo, there used to be a free clinic along Cavite and Fidel Streets named after Pope Paul VI, the first pope to have visited the Philippines way back in 1970; the pope who has just been beatified almost a week ago by Pope Francis. As it was located across the street from where our grandparents lived, we would usually play in front of this clinic (famously called 'Pope Paul') - it was situated facing the east so it provides enough of a shade in the afternoon when the sun is at its peak. Inside the clinic, one could see a photo of a European cleric in full regalia with his right hand raised up in blessing (similar to the photo above). If I am not mistaken, the clinic was erected in memory of this pope who visited the poor of Tondo during that historic papal visit. Sadly, the clinic is now defunct.

We recently had two popes being canonized: John XIII and John Paul II. I guess Paul VI would pale in comparison with the two. Some even commented that he was the forgotten pope.  Being a 'Paul VI baby' since I was born during his pontificate, part of his accomplishments was to reopen Vatican Council II with priorities on a better understanding of the Catholic Church, Church reforms, advancing the unity of Christians, and dialogue with the world. 

Such priorities have turned the Church upside down. Gone were the days when Catholics and their siblings from other Christian denominations such as the Orthodox and Protestants were isolated from one another.  Pope Paul VI also sought a dialogue with the world - Christians and non-Christians alike, everyone!  A Euro-centric Church has become a Church of the world! 

In his visit to the Philippines, it was said that after seeing a poor family in their home, he as badly shaken (Read: http://opinion.inquirer.net/74108/forgotten-pope). The kind of poverty in the slums of the Philippines were a far, far, far cry from its European counterpart!

When I was in college, part of our curriculum was to study the Church's social teachings. "Populorum Progressio", which this pope wrote in 1967, comes to mind. In this encyclical, he called for an economy that serves mankind and not a privileged few. It also discussed people's right to just wages, security of employment, joining a union, etc.

He was also a Marian devotee, writing three encyclicals in honor of the Virgin Mary: "Mense Maio" (1965) where described Mary as the way to Christ; "Christi Matri" (1966) where he recommened the Rosary in light of the Vietnam War and the dangers of atomic conflicts; and "Marialis Cultus" (1974) where he promoted Marian devotions especially the Angelus and the Rosary. At the conclusion of Vatican Council II, he named Mary "Mother of the Church".

Pope Paul also effected reforms in the Roman Curia, introduced Synod of Bishops as a way for the Pope to consult his brother bishops on various topics (the recently concluded Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family is an example), did away with the Vatican army and the papal tiara (I look forward to see his tiara which he donated to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.), and revised the Mass (i.e. The New Order of Mass).

Like anyone of us, he wasn't spared from controversy.  It seems to me that his accomplishments mentioned above have been overshadowed by "Humanae Vitae" which he wrote and for which he is best remembered. In this encyclical, he reaffirmed Church's traditional view on marriage and marital relations and a continued condemnation on artificial birth control. Some actions too of his successors like Benedict XVI have undone what he has introduced such as resurrecting from the lumang baul the 1962 edition of the Mass and calling it the "Extraordinary Form" while the other one as the "Ordinary Form". 

Pope Paul VI (and the charity clinic in Tondo named after him) may have been long forgotten, but Pope Francis' beatification of this humble pontiff seems an opportunity for us all to revisit who this man was and how his ministry, teachings, and reforms are still relevant in our times.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for us!

Intertwined Lives

We were about to say the Rosary one weekend, when Chiara asked her Mom if she could use the Rosary beads. Nidz obliged and gave her the beads - the same ones which were given her by a Poor Clare nun years ago.  As I gaze at how Nidz taught Chiara how to use the beads, I suddenly recalled my own experience of saying this beautiful prayer with my own mother.

The earliest I could remember was when I was in my second grade. She would ask me to recite with her the Rosary in front of a statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the living room of our house. If I'm not mistaken it was October.  I would begrudgingly kneel next to her and recite the prayers like a robot or worse, like a broken record.  Getting bored , I would mischievously move away from her until I could make my way to the staircase nearby. Almost. Until I got caught by her slipper flying in my direction!

I think I didn't try to escape the next time around.  

Mama has always been a devotee of the Rosary. During our student days, as we kids start to wake up and proceed to our morning rituals, the radio is already tuned in to the Rosary recitation.  In the mid-90s, out of the blue, Mama was tapped by a former neighbor to succeed her in looking after the Block Rosary Group in our barangay.  Little did we know that this would open for both of us an opportunity to serve the community through the Rosary.  In October 1997, just a few months since being elected a barangay councilor, I led our barangay in reciting the Rosary in selected homes every evening. I coordinated this annual event for a few years. Up to this day, this devotion is still being observed.

Looking back, I realize that the last years I spent at home before migrating to the UK were devoted to the Rosary. Mama was there all along to support me. There were no flying slippers during those times, I promise you, but there were moments when she would gently call my attention to the mistakes I have done and encouraged me to correct these straightaway. Apart from that, I have often sought her counsel.

Thank you, Mama for sharing with me the Rosary.  Our lives have been intertwined by this beautiful devotion.  A devotion that has seen us through the many joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious chapters in our family. Indeed, through the Rosary we are always looked after by the Virgin Mary. There is no escape from her maternal gaze and protection.

As you celebrate your special day, may you be continuously blessed by our good Lord with long life, good health, and sound wisdom. Keep up this good devotion, entrusting yourself to the Blessed Mother's reliable care and constant intercession. 

Happy 60th birthday, 'ma!  Hope you have a wonderful time. We love you!

Post Assumption Thoughts

My family and I went to church last Friday to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary, a holyday of obligation in England and Wales. The church wasn't jam packed, but the atmosphere was solemn.

As we sung the final hymn, I was touched with these lines:

All I have I give you,

Every dream and wish are yours,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of mine, present them to my Lord.

We have recently heard the sad news of the demise of the Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres, former President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, President of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), and first Filipino Rector of UST.  Diagnosed to have lung cancer in 2009, Among (as he was fondly called by the Bicolanos) "...spent hours before the miraculous icon [of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Bicolandia’s patroness] praying he survive the disease until after the 300th anniversary celebration of the devotion in September 2010" (http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=39350). Indeed, his prayers were granted. He later retired in 2012.

For me, Archbishop Legaspi is an example of how it is to be a devotee of Mary, of how it is to entrust to her our "every dream and wish". Our tasks, responsibilities, wishes, and dreams may pale in comparison to what this beloved Marian prelate may have done or aspired for, but if we place them wholeheartedly in Mary's hands, she will present them all to the Lord. Why? Here's what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes: "precisely because Mary is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us. While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is actually 'within' all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God".

Mary, our Mother assumed into heaven, pray for us!

***

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate my brother Giovanni for his safe arrival in the US last week.  Keep up the good work there, Gio! Pray to Mama Mary as you have always been doing! Take care and see you soon!

Coming Close Through the Heart of Mary

Last weekend, our parish celebrated the feast of our patroness, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.  The celebration coincided with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. As such, the liturgy was that of the Lord's feast.  However, there was an opportunity for all worshippers to pay tribute to Our Lady by offering flowers to her icon.  In his homily, Fr Gerry (our Parish Priest) was able to fuse together the two feasts by calling our attention to two treasures of our church: the Last Supper mosaic at the main altar and the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.  What was catching between the image of Jesus in the former and that of the Blessed Mother in the latter were their eyes. Beholders, wherever they are located in church, won't fail to be 'caught' in the gaze of these pairs of eyes. For 10 years now, I have always been 'touched' by that gaze of Jesus' eyes every time I go to that church.  Apart from the gaze, the Lord's hands are outstretched as though inviting everyone to the feast, encouraging those afraid to come and have that conversation with Him. Fr Gerry invited us to think of Mary as being in that Last Supper mosaic.  With her in that celebration, how can we refuse to take heed of Jesus' call?

June 27, the traditional feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, happens to be the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this year.  Just like that Corpus Christi event in our parish, the liturgy for Friday will be that of the feast of Our Lord.  And yet, you would hear that the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, is due to observe its patroness' feast on the same day. I guess Jesus won't mind if devotees pay tribute to His Mother and ours on His feast day.  As St Louis Marie de Montfort, a French priest known for his devotion to Mary, once said "We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son".

Coming from a culture known for being makaina (pro-mom), we approach Mary so that through her we can come close to Jesus. Catholics, and Pinoys in particular, are convinced that the best way to know and be near the Heart of Jesus is through the Heart of Mary.  The first few lines of the Apostleship of Prayer's Morning Offering say: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day...

Mary has been known to be of help to others even when she was in need herself.  As of this writing, the Church celebrates the Birth of St John the Baptist. Mary, upon learning that her elder cousin Elizabeth was pregnant (with John the Baptist), travelled to Judea to visit her, to come to her aid.  Mary did this in spite being pregnant herself.  Then again at Calvary, in spite of being sorrowful Mary wholeheartedly accepted her new role as our mother.  Jesus Himself came to the aid of others even to the point of scandalizing some of his self-righteous contemporaries, even to the point of emptying Himself so that others could have their fill.

As we celebrate these feasts, let us ask for the grace to have a heart ready to help others.  There is another celebration happening on the 27th - World Day of Priests. One of the 12 promises made by the Lord to St Margaret Mary Alacoque was that He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. Touching the most hardened of hearts seems to be an uphill battle nowadays, not only for priests, but for parents and other concerned people. Let's entrust our priests to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary that they may remain open, humble, and caring to the flock entrusted to them. Only if their hearts are like that of Jesus would they be able to touch others' hearts.  Our diocese currently has no bishop. May the good Lord send us a new shepherd whose heart is after the heart of God Himself.

***

June 29 marks the sacerdotal anniversary of two priests I know of in the Diocese of Nottingham.  

Fr Gerry Murphy, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Delegate to the Diocese's College of Consultors, will be celebrating his 40th anniversary. Through Fr Gerry's support, our rosary group has been able to hold the monthly Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the church every last Saturday of the month. Our group was also given the opportunity to contribute further to the life of the parish through assistance at Mass, visit to the elderly, and gardening at the monastery and parish hall.

Fr Geoffrey Hunton, Dean and Parish Priest of St Barnabas Cathedral, will be commemorating his 12th.  He's one of the first priests I have known since migrating to the UK.One of the first 'ministries' I got involved with in church was to assist Fr Geoff in the cathedral bulletin. Although I don't do that any more, I feel welcomed at the Cathedral every time I go there, especially during Thursday noon time for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Geoff's warmness made that possible.  I am truly blessed to have him as a friend!

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspire and animate you in your ministry! May the Immaculate Heart of Mary be your refuge! May the Apostles Peter and Paul intercede for you.Thank you.