Consecration to St Joseph

The last public Mass I attended was on the Solemnity of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. I felt it was ironic that the penultimate public Mass in England before the lockdown happened when the Church celebrates the feast of her patron. Be it as it may, Fr John Martin, our parish priest encouraged us to "go joyfully glorifying the Lord by your life".  The lock down meant homeschooling for Chiara and working from home for me. Nidz, the bravest of us three, is a front liner in the health service.

Previous to the lock down, I received from the post the book "Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father" by Fr Donald Calloway, MIC. I learned about it from social media. I listened to the talk of Fr Calloway and decided to order the book, after all, St Joseph is my patron. He's the saint I fondly call Tay (short for Tatay or Itay, the Tagalog word for father). The book was published at a very appropriate year - 2020 marks the 150th anniversary when Pope Pius IX declared St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 focuses on a 33-day preparation where, on each day, a short invocation on the Litany of St Joseph is explained. Part 2 showcases the wonders of this beloved saint as written by saints, mystics, popes, and other devotees. Part 3 features various prayers to St Joseph, including acts of consecration to him.

Statue of St Joseph (a gift from my former teacher and colleague, Prof Maribel G Nonato)

Initially I planned to do the 33 day devotion on 30th March (to finish on 1st May, feast of St Joseph the Worker) on my own. The lock down changed that! I talked to my wife about the devotion and asked her what if we do this as a family? She agreed with me. And so, for 33 nights, we gathered in front of an altar with a statue of St Joseph and read through the book. Chiara was our main reader. She told me how she enjoyed doing it as well as learning a lot from St Joseph. I felt the same way too! It was refreshing to revisit the Church's teachings on this great man, testimonies from people who looked up to him as their spiritual father, and the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St Joseph. I once wrote about this devotion and Fr Calloway's book serves as some sort of affirmation to my own work.

There were also some stories there that I vaguely or never knew before such as the Holy House of Loreto, the Santo Anello (holy ring), the Miraculous Staircase, St Joseph's Holy Cloak, how Pope Pius IX eventually declared St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church in 1870, and the bishop whose testimony moved Pope John XXIII to include St Joseph in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

The author also wrote his thoughts, backed up by good and strong references, whether St Joseph was an old man or not when he became engaged to Mary. I am glad that this was included. Personally, I am not a fan of St Joseph being depicted as an aged dad, but as a young man. We laughed when Fr Calloway quoted the saintly Mother Angelica: "Old men don't walk to Egypt". 

When we were reflecting on St Joseph as "Patron of the Dying", it brought back memories of St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish Church (where I was baptised). Back in the day, the main altar had a huge and beautiful painting of the dying St Joseph. To his right stood Jesus holding St Joseph's forehead with His left hand (I think the Lord's right hand was raised in blessing). To St Joseph's left was Mary in tears. In the foreground were two angels and a vase with lilies. On top of the painting were two cherubs and an inscription: "Mahal na Poong San Jose, ipanalangin mo kami" (Dear lord St Joseph, pray for us). Unfortunately, the painting is now gone when the altar was renovated in 1985.  The reflection reaffirmed too my belief that one of the gifts of devotion to St Joseph is a peaceful death. My late grandmother Pilar passed away peacefully. She was a devotee of St Joseph.

Learning more about St Joseph made me, or should I say made us three, love him more. And from that love comes a desire to imitate him further so we could serve Jesus whom he served faithfully and lovingly. 

I am very grateful for joining in this 33-day preparation with my family. The lockdown may have shut our churches, but it made our home a domestic Church indeed. The journey with Tay Joseph continues! If you want to know more about St Joseph and how he could be your spiritual father, I strongly recommend that you buy this book. 

St Joseph, our spiritual father, pray for us!

Ayoko ng Garapal

When we were young, most of us would have heard some of our elders say cuss words. Of course, all of us would become curious what those words mean. One time, I asked my late aunt Mommy Rosie. All she told me was "Piet, ayoko ng garapal." (Piet, I do not like you to be flagrant.) I never heard Mommy say any foul language. Even when she was angry, she would not say any curses. 

A teacher way back home once admitted that it becomes more difficult nowadays to teach good manners and right conduct because young people are exposed to the President's foul language. I totally agree. Remember when he swore at the Pope for causing traffic when the latter visited the Philippines in 2015? Remember his many statements impregnated with vulgarity? As the youth witness how the President conducts himself, whatever and however he speaks and acts become good examples for them.

Ayoko ng garapal.

Lately, the President called God "stupid" in a speech. I could tolerate his foul language, but to call God stupid is highly uncalled for. This is not exercising his free speech, as some of his apologists would put it. It is actually an abuse of such freedom, because his remarks is plain blasphemy. 

Ayoko ng garapal.

It got me thinking why would he call God as such? Was he angry at God or perhaps he was angry with the men of God - bishops and priests of the Catholic Church - whom he has lambasted ever since assuming office? When Fr Mark Ventura of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao was killed, instead of conveying words of sympathy to the family and parishioners, what did Duterte say? He alleged that the priest had illicit affairs! 

Ayoko ng garapal.

Come June 30, it would be Duterte's second year as President. When he was sworn in, what were the last words of his oath? "So help me God" isn't it? As pater familias, he should have known better what invoking God's help meant. Asking for Divine Providence then and calling the same God stupid later is quite contradictory. Similar to his abhorrence to corruption and allowing Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the hallow grounds reserved for the nation's heroes or firing his dishonest friends from one government agency and appointing them to another after the issues against them cool down.

Ayoko ng garapal.

I join fellow Christians - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - in condemning the President's irresponsible remarks. As we condemn such act - we are not condemning the person, take note! - let us reflect on what God has done for us. Surely, there is a reason why we call Him loving, merciful, forgiving, generous, and so on and so forth. I'm sure it's what we experienced from Him. Did Mr Duterte not experience the goodness (or any other attributes) of God? I hope not. At any rate, let's pray that he would be enlightened and realize that there is more to know about God. Let's also become good role models for our youth through our gentle words and good actions. 

Let us remain steadfast in the faith, the way Saints Peter and Paul - whose feast day we are celebrating today - lived, defended, and laid their lives for it.

Overtaken

You were driving comfortably on a long stretch of road when, suddenly someone overtook you. No signal lights flashing. No nothing. What would be your reaction?  Annoyed, yes? Swore at the culprit, perhaps? Put your foot down the gas pedal to chase up and overtake the other driver, no? Or simply remained calm, minding one’s driving and the safety of one’s passengers (if any)?

I guess the last option would probably be our last option.  For one, the other driver didn’t have an ounce of respect for other drivers.  Should we go down to their level though?  Come to think of it, if we resort to swearing or getting even, it shows how we used such an ‘embarrassing’ experience to fuel our hurt ego. 

St John the Apostle warns us “Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you.” (Jn 12:35). Of all things that would overtake us, this is something we should be wary of. I would like to think of the seven deadly sins as examples of “the dark” mentioned by St John. In our Catechism, we were taught that the seven deadly sins are: pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, avarice, and sloth.

Pride. In our life as individuals and as a community, pride has been lurking around.  At times, it may have overtaken us. Take for example two neighbours.  One purchased a new television set. Feeling overtaken or nasapawan, the other decided to buy a new (and much better) one too, even if it was beyond his means!

Anger. All of us may got angry at one point or another. But what if it got the better of us? I remember years ago, when I was still in Manila. Every morning, between 7:30am and 8:00am, garbage trucks roam around large streets to collect household rubbish. Sounding off the horn is normally done to let people know that it’s time for them to bring out their rubbish.  Unfortunately, that fateful morning, an irate man woke up at the wrong side of the bed and, in his rage, gunned down an innocent garbage collector. 

Lust. In our faith, sex is considered an expression of love between husbands and wives. But what if lust overtakes love? Think of the news of young girls and women being raped. Worrisome isn't it? There is no more respect for others. When I was in New York a few years back, I felt bad hearing on TV that a woman was raped in Central Park. Not only that. The crime was done in broad daylight! Overtaken by lust, sex and persons have been downgraded as tools for self-gratification. 

Envy. Whenever someone we know of (family, friend, colleague, etc.) has achieved something, be it a promotion at work or having a new car, etc. what is our first reaction? Are we happy or are we envious? If such blessings were posted in Facebook, would we like what was posted or not? If we are overtaken by envy, we will do everything just to be at par with the person we are envious of. If that is impossible, we'll resort to backstabbing, slander, or even murder. Look at what Jesus' contemporaries did to Him! 

Gluttony. Mr Gregorio Prado, my former Mathematics teacher in high school, once stressed out to us the difference between kain (eating) and lamon (gluttony). Eating is necessary, but it has to be in moderation. (Ditto drinking.) As Mrs Estrella De Leon, my philosophy teacher in UST, once cited "We eat to live, not live to eat."

Avarice. How do we use God's blessings? Do we share it with others or keep it to ourselves?  If avarice (a.k.a. greed) overtakes us, we would be so attached to our possessions as though we can bring them to the after-life. We can't. Never. Everything in this world is on loan.

Sloth. As Christians, we have duties to fulfill, e.g. respect for one's parents, care for one's children, attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, etc.. If sloth overtakes us, we would stop doing those and other duties. Remember the Lord's parable of the rich man? He went to hell when he died because he failed to care for Lazarus, the poor man who waited for some scraps falling down from the rich man's table.

How can we avoid being overtaken by these seven deadly sins? Here's what St Paul has to say: "Fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise." (Phil 4:8).

A Priest of Mercy

Ever since retiring from active ministry and moving back to Bulwell in September last year, Fr Anthony Dolan has made his presence felt in the community. He would often concelebrate Mass whenever he could. During his first few months, I haven't heard him deliver the homily.  A few friends of mine told me that he actually did during Christmas Morning Mass. Too bad, I attended the Vigil Mass. It took a few weeks later - the feast of the Lord's Baptism to be exact - when I heard him preach to the congregation. 

His homily during that celebration focused on Jesus as the Lord's Servant. Being the Servant, Christ manifested in His life the Father's Mercy. Indeed, as Pope Francis once wrote, "Jesus is the face of the Father's mercy."

Since then, I had the chance to attend a few Sunday Masses with Fr Anthony presiding and preaching.  And in all of these instances, he would always remind people of God's mercy and of how we should celebrate the Year of Mercy.  In one of those Masses, he recommended that we assign a holy door of Mercy in our own homes. He suggested that it would be the door where we could pray as we enter and as we leave. He even gave as an example the main door of his house as his own holy door of Mercy. 

There was one instance when Fr Anthony didn't preach, but only read the Bishop's Pastoral Letter in observance of Safeguarding Sunday (24 April 2016).  What caught my attention in that Letter was the Bishop's story of "Maria" (not her real name) who was a victim of human trafficking in our own diocese.  Furthermore, I noticed Fr Anthony so much affected by such an incident that he invited us to spend some time in prayer after Mass for "Maria" and other victims of human trafficking. He told us that he too would stay for a few minutes in church to pray. Listening to him speak, I felt as though he was almost in tears.

At a time and age when mercy seems to be archaic, when we give more emphasis on "Me, mine, and myself", when we seek more independence from rather than trust in God, when our battle cry would often be "Justice!" (as though justice and mercy are completely divorced from each other),  Fr Anthony's emphasis on God's mercy comes as a wake up call. 

I think there are three things that we could learn from Fr Anthony if we wish to "Be merciful just as our heavenly Father is merciful". First, remember. During the Mass, Fr Anthony and his brother priests across the world would quote Jesus' words "Do this in memory of me". It's to our best interest to remember how merciful God is to us otherwise we won't be able accept the invite to be merciful like Him. By remembering, comes being rooted. As a priest, Fr Anthony has shown how it is to be rooted in God. As a son of Bulwell, he has shown how rooted he is in the parish which, like a mother, nurtured him in the faith.

Second, devotion to Our Lady. One thing noticeable about Fr Anthony is that he would kneel in front of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for a few minutes before proceeding to the sacristy to get himself ready for Mass. Next to Jesus, Mary stands out as our model of how it is to be open to God's mercy and to share that mercy to others. Apart from that, Mary is a good teacher on how we should treasure in our hearts the great things that the Lord has done for us.

Third, action.  As we were leaving the Poor Clare Monastery Chapel, after the Taize prayer service held in June, Fr Anthony quipped "We have been praying all the time!". I took as though Fr Anthony was telling me, "Now that you've prayed, it's time to put that fully charged heart, mind, and soul of yours to work and bear fruit."

Happy 50th sacerdotal ordination anniversary, Fr Anthony, this coming Saturday (23 July 2016)! Thank you for your inspiring words and faithful service.  Keep on proclaiming the Lord's mercy to all! God bless you always.

Shining Within Us

Lord Jesus, your light is shining within us,
Let not my doubts and darkness speak to me.
Lord Jesus, your light is shining within in us.
Let my heart always welcome your love.

I have accidentally omitted this beautiful song in my recent article on the Taize prayer service which was held in our parish.  With a slow and gentle tempo, this song allows us anyone who sings it to meditate, to let one's heart speak to the Lord.

 

Lord Jesus, your light is shining within us,
Let not my doubts and darkness speak to me.
Lord Jesus, your light is shining within in us.
Let my heart always welcome your love.

I think of this song as I recall that horrible mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In an interview, the father of the gunman had one question to his son: Why? Indeed, most if not all of us affected by this incident would echo the same question. Is it pure hatred on the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community? If it is, would killing 49 people and wounding another 50 be justifiable?

 

Lord Jesus, your light is shining within us,
Let not my doubts and darkness speak to me.
Lord Jesus, your light is shining within in us.
Let my heart always welcome your love.

My thoughts too go to that bishop in Shanghai, China, Thaddeus Ma Daqin who recently made an about face when he publicly recanted his decision to bolt the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA). CCPA is sanctioned by the state to control the life of the Catholic Church in China since the 1950s. Control includes ordaining their own bishops without the blessing from Vatican. When Daqin was ordained, he publicly dissociated himself with CCPA. Put under house arrest, he did not give into pressure to recant and served as a model to Catholics who secretly maintained their loyalty to Rome. Until last June 12. What made him change his mind?

 

Lord Jesus, your light is shining within us,
Let not my doubts and darkness speak to me.
Lord Jesus, your light is shining within in us.
Let my heart always welcome your love.

While my heart has high hopes for the President-elect in my land of birth, I felt uneasy with how he has already alienated a host of people: the UN, the Catholic Church (albeit I would imagine that his ire is more focused on the leaders of the Church), the Martial Law victims, women, the media, and the Vice President-elect (I could understand why he is not going to appoint her to his Cabinet, but having a separate inauguration is beyond me!). He seems hell-bent to have the former dictator buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.  Why? To console the Marcoses at the expense of the many who suffered under the dictatorship? Elections are political exercises. They divide people. Some are in this camp, while another is on that camp, etc. But now that they're over, shouldn't Duterte, as paterfamilias, reach out to everyone (regardless if they voted for him or not) instead of catering only to the needs of his friends and others close to him?

 

Lord Jesus, your light is shining within us,Let not my doubts and darkness speak to me.
Lord Jesus, your light is shining within in us.
Let my heart always welcome your love.

In these moments of darkness and doubt, in these times when we would often ask "Why?", let us take courage in Jesus' light "shining within us". Let us also pray that this same light will shine on the victims of the Orlando shooting, on Omar Mateen (RIP) and others who have wrong views on other people, on Thaddeus Ma Daqin, on our fellow Catholics in China who keep the faith alive, on President-elect Duterte, and on our country.  And because it's Father's Day this Sunday, let us also remember all fathers in our prayer.  May we all be guided by this light to work for what is true and just.

 

Priest Hole

I turned on the TV one night, not so much to really watch but to help me doze off. Pampaantok baga! The show was about the persecution of Catholics in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. The intense persecution came about after two attempts by Catholic nobles to depose the Protestant Queen and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, her cousin who was a Catholic. 

A law prohibiting a Catholic from celebrating the rites of his faith (e.g. Mass) was implemented. Old Catholic families had Mass secretly celebrated in their homes. Hiding places, or what has now been commonly called as priest hole, were built to protect the priest in case suspicious soldiers would suddenly barge into the homes. Harvington Hall in Worcestershire has several priest holes such as the photo above. Other castles and homes that have these are Ripley Castle in North Yorkshire and Chesterton Hall near Cambridge.

One of the holes was just next to a big fireplace and the TV presenter mentioned that, to protect the priest from the fire, his vestment was soaked in water!

It has been said that much of these holes were attributed to St Nicholas Owen, a Jesuit lay brother, who constructed these hiding places. St Nicholas was both architect and engineer of these holes. Eventually, he was arrested, tortured, and killed, but he didn't reveal anything to the authorities. 

The house searches of these soldiers were rigorous and could last for a week. More often than not, they leave empty handed. There is a risk that priests hiding in these holes would die due to lack of oxygen (some would hold their breath lest they would be detected) or starvation.

Priests, like in those days, are an endangered species. Although persecution is no longer prevalent in England (and in most parts of the globe), our priests still need that hole, that hiding place to protect them from the perils of this world. Apart from protection, they need that hole where they could be nurtured, where they can recharge when the going gets tough. It's not the hole which shielded the priests of the 16th century. It's not the gadgets or vices that some of them have been allegedly holed up to. It's far better than those.  

The hole where priests should hide is the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The Lord once spoke these words: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…" (Mt 11:28).

As we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 12th of this month, let us entrust to Him all our priests. May they make time to be hidden in this sweet and loving heart so that, when they go out into the world, when they resume their duties, they would touch people's hearts, especially the most hardened ones (Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You!

A Martyr, Finally!

I am pleased that Pope Francis has confirmed the late Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr of the Church, as someone who was killed because of hatred of the faith. With this development, his road to sainthood is unblocked. (I'm sure my fellow writer Fr Shay Cullen is also delighted.)

Romero was archbishop of San Salvador (El Salvador) from 1977 to 1980.  Initially considered as a conservative and was therefore seen as a contravida by progressive priests in the archdiocese, he became outspoken following the murder of his friend Fr Rutilio Grande SJ (Grande's cause for sainthood is under way.).  He said "When I looked at Rutilio lying there dead I thought, 'If they have killed him for doing what he did, then I too have to walk the same path". 

Ignoring his calls for the government to investigate the killings of Fr Grande and companions, Archbishop Romero cancelled all Sunday Masses in his archdiocese a week after their deaths. There was only one Mass celebrated and it was at the cathedral. It was a well attended liturgy where this courageous prelate called for an end to violence.  Romero, though supported by the common tao, was opposed by his brother bishops in El Salvador as well as the Vatican. Almost three months after Grande's death, he was gunned down while saying Mass.

If you haven't yet watched the movie "Romero", a film on the life of the Archbishop produced in 1989, I suggest you watch it!

Living the faith 24/7 , in and out of the church, is a call for all.  Dying for the faith is for a privileged few.  Romero trod that path and by doing so, woke up a Church from its deep slumber of apathy to become once more a community working for justice and peace (Acts 2:44-45), a people who, like their founder, have been anointed to bring the Good News to the poor (Lk 4:18).  Indeed, as Tertulian once said "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church".

Romero's declaration as a martyr is good news not only to our brothers and sisters in South America; it is also a good news to all parts of the world where there is poverty, injustice, and oppression. As our own country celebrates the Year of the Poor, may we all see in Romero a champion, an inspiration, a heavenly intercessor.

Arzobispo Oscar Romero, Martir, ruega por nosotros!

Sister Act

Last New Year, the movie featured on TV was "Sister Act 1".  Most would remember it as the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer in Nevada, who was hidden in a monastery as Sister Mary Clarence after witnessing a crime committed by her mobster boyfriend Vince LaRocca.While in the monastery, she 'woke up' the sisters to their calling by her involvement in the choir.  When this movie was shown in 1992, I wasn't able to watch it for some reason. I only had a glimpse of it when some friends from the Legion of Mary performed it during the farewell party to Fr. Mario Enriquez who was then parish priest of Gagalangin. Never thought how some of the performers such as Jeanette Guevarra, Margie Quinio, and Nana Tayang Bernardo could belt out the songs, and dance with gusto.Their performance was a hit! 

I only saw this movie years later over 2 pitchers of Red Horse Beer (never thought it was Red Horse until we finished drinking!) with a friend in Bulacan. The songs were great such as these 2.

Friends, here's "My God"!

"More, sisters!", you said? Right, here comes "I will follow Him"!

This year has been designated by Pope Francis as the Year of Consecrated Life.  We oftentimes wonder how religious priests, nuns, and brothers could live up to their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  For the world, it seems that their lives in the convent is boring and meaningless.  I came across an article about a lady who works for a magazine staying for a few days in a monastery.  To her amazement, she found the nuns to be happy and content with their decision to leave the world for Christ and their role in the Church and the world: 

http://www.poorclaresarundel.org/Content/Stylist_Life_in_a_convent.pdf

Another interesting article I read was from a Filipino Dominican priest who was all praises to the cooperator-brothers in his order: http://opphil.org/ph/the-glory-of-cooperator-brotherhood/

I must say that I am touched by the Poor Clare nuns in our parish for their simplicity, kindness, generosity, and cheerfulness.  Christmases won't be complete without a gift from them, be it a rosary or a doll for Chiara, a cake they baked, a bottle of jam they made, or a Mass offered for our intentions.

The nuns (and their fellow religious across the globe) have something - no, someone -  deep in their heart: Jesus to whom  "There isn't an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep, keep me away, away from His love".

Each of us has been touched by the unique charism of these religious. We have been molded in the schools they run, we may have fostered a devotion or two which they promoted (e.g. Rosary by the Dominicans, Stations of the Cross by the Franciscans, Brown Scapular by the Carmelites, Sacred Heart of Jesus by the Jesuits, Perpetual Help Novena by the Redemptorists, etc.), or we may have sang songs they have composed.  Let's support them in our prayers and other good works so their lives would be a continuous chorus waking up the world.

***

Pope Francis has done it again!  A year ago, when he announced the names of the new cardinals, people - including those whom he appointed -  were surprised.  This year, he surprised us again with his selection of prelates who will be receiving the red hat during the Consistory on Valentine's Day. Gone are the days when prelates from 'cardinalatial' sees would automatically be chosen as a 'prince of the Church'. It already happened in the Philippines last year when the Holy Father selected the ordinary in Cotabato instead of his counterpart in Cebu.  (My hunch is, if this will go on, time will come that archdioceses like Manila or New York or Westminster might not be led by a Cardinal.) Pope Francis is indeed showing us the right way of looking at these positions not as career, but service.  (Prior to his first consistory, he already mandated that only priests aged 65 and up can be named 'Monsignor'.) I hope and pray that our pope would live longer to continue his reform of the Church and that his selection of cardinals, bishops, and other servants of God's people would continue his legacy. I hope and pray too that everyone would support him. Finally, let's ask God to guide and protect him in his pastoral visit to the Philippines this month.

***

May the good Lord have mercy on the souls of Josephine Darang, Ricardo Leyson, and Estelle Carson.  These three have passed away towards the end of last year. Ms. Darang was a columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer known for her fervor in spreading various devotions to our Lord, the Blessed Mother, and the saints. One time, she wrote an article in our annual "The Seven Last Words" online devotion. She also helped us publicize this and other projects.  Mr. Leyson was the father of Richard Leyson, former President of Tanghalang Anluwage, Inc. Ms. Carson was an elderly fellow parishioner here in Bulwell whose gentleness and smiling face have often touched me. May they rest in peace! My sincerest condolences to the bereaved families.

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!

When the Eucharist Excluded No One

Pope Francis continues to inspire people with his down-to-earth approach of 'feeding the sheep and tending the lambs'.His emphasis on mercy rather than on doctrines and rites is turning the Church upside down. Who couldn't forget how he washed the feet of 12 prisoners - male and female, Catholic and non-Catholic - in a youth prison during the first year of his pontificate? Who wouldn't take to heart his now famous quote "Who am I to judge?", when asked about his views on homosexuals? And who wouldn't recall his reaching out to victims of clerical sexual abuse and other evils? 

Way back in February of this year, the Holy Father invited Cardinal Walter Kasper, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, to speak before the College of Cardinals. In his address, Cardinal Kasper put forward the idea of allowing divorced or civilly remarried (without annulment of their first marriage) Catholics to receive Holy Communion. According to Church teaching, Catholics who remarry without having their first marriage annulled may not receive Holy Communion unless they abstain from sexual relations.

Going fast forward, this 5th of October the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family will be convened. It hasn't opened yet, but a handful of Cardinal Kasper's confreres have been criticizing his idea, to the point of publishing books reasserting Church teaching. Word has it that the Pope got irritated with this.  

I read with interest Fr Peter Day's blog entitled "The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, Cardinal Pell" (http://www.thetablet.co.uk/blogs/1/439/the-eucharist-is-not-a-prize-for-the-perfect-cardinal-pell). In his blog he put to task Cardinal George Pell, former Archbishop of Sydney and now Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, for being a hardliner.  What I find striking was when he asked this prince of the Church - his fellow Australian- what was in the mind of Jesus when He instituted the Eucharist; whose hunger it was that our Lord was responding to (in giving His body and blood as food and drink); and the need to be compelled to reach out to outsiders (in this case, those who are banned from receiving Communion because they remarried without seeking annulment of their first failed marriage). Fr Day wrote "Cardinal, can any of us look our Lord and Master in the eye and say: “Yes, I am a follower; but you must understand there are rules …”?"

It is lamentable to think that there are pari-seos (priests with Pharisaic mindset; I coined this name from the word pariseo or Pharisee, but hyphenated it to stress the word pari or priest) in the Church, the Church founded by Christ who criticized the Pharisees of His time. Pari-seos who would go by the book, whose one-track mind disregards the pleas of those who suffer, whose rigidity prevents fresh air and light from entering the Church.  

I believe in the indissolubility of marriage, but I am also aware that some marriages do fail. To exclude people in this sad situation from receiving Jesus in Holy Communion isn't healthy, isn't Christian at all! Don't get me wrong: I am not condoning couples cohabiting without the blessing of marriage. I do realize though that this situation does happen for various reasons. To close the doors on these brothers and sisters of ours would potentially make them no longer go to church or if they do, they wouldn't care what others say and just receive Communion. Either of these will not be good examples for children, isn't it? To close the doors on these people is to effectively push them to live in sin!

Christ is asking for mercy not sacrifice (Mt 9:13). And that "the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27). Unless our Church leaders move out of their comfort zones, our Church will just be a hollow institution of rules and rituals, a mausoleum in the making.  Only recently, Pope Francis presided over the wedding of 20 couples at St Peter's - with one bride already a mother, some couples had been living together, and other had previous marriages. If we take this as Papa Francesco's hints on how he would like to reintegrate individuals (and families) from failed marriages, then this is something to be welcomed. I hope his brother bishops, especially the likes of Cardinal Pell, would see eye-to-eye with him. The extraordinary synod next month is an opportunity for the Pope, bishops, and other stakeholders to transform the image of the Church into a vibrant community of believers where everyone is welcome, just as Jesus would have wanted it.

This coming Sunday, let's join the rest of the Church across the world in praying for the synod by saying this prayer written by Pope Francis:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

in you we contemplate

the splendour of true love,

to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families too

may be places of communion and prayer,

authentic schools of the Gospel

and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may families never again 

experience violence, rejection and division:

may all who have been hurt or scandalized

find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may the approaching Synod of Bishops

make us once more mindful 

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,

and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer.

Amen.

Making Friends With

Thursday this week saw us having a sunny weather.  It was already early evening, but the sun was still up.  As we were preparing dinner, Chiara was outside the garden playing. Later on she began to sing "Let it go" (a famous song from the movie "Frozen"). As she was belting out the song, the little girl from next door happened to be outside their garden too. As she heard Chiara singing, she sang too albeit struggling to enunciate some of the lyrics.  Chiara sang even louder. The little girl didn't let her guard down.  

A few minutes later, they began to talk to each other in spite the tall hedge which separates them.  Chiara volunteered to go to the neighbor's garden, although she expressed her reservations as she was scared of their dog.  Later on, we found Chiara and the girl (her name is Siena and is of the same age as our daughter) playing in the swing in our garden.  Chiara found a new friend. 

How do we make friends? It seems that as we age, befriending gets more difficult.  We have reservations for various reasons. Perhaps some would have told us something negative about this person. Probably we're happy with our comfort zone and any 'disturbances' aren't welcome. Or we just don't want to.

Seven years ago, our parish had a new parish priest.  Like any parishioner, there were  some 'fears' in me. A few thoughts crossed my mind. Will the new person be good? Will he effect any changes? If so, will these be beneficial to us? What will he do with what has been the 'norm' in the parish?

In his first Mass, Fr Paul Newman dispelled those fears.  He came across as a friendly and accommodating person.  This impression became more evident as days, weeks, months, and years went along.  There have been moments that I have expressed delight, gratitude, fear, or concern to him and in all of these he listened and gave words of encouragement and comfort. He was also a man who was generous in giving praise and appreciation to people's contributions to the community. Because of the respect and care he showed to parishioners, they in turn supported him. Bulwell and Bestwood parishes, in my book, found a friend in him. 

The last time I saw Fr Paul was in May last year when there was a diaconal ordination in the parish. I was on the queue where he was distributing Holy Communion.  As I received the Body of Christ, I felt his touch. A touch of a friend whom I missed a lot.

Fr Paul may have left us (in 2011), but the friendship that he made with me and my family remains cherished in my heart. I am sure fellow parishioners share the same view. Tomorrow, 20 July, he will be celebrating his 25th year as a priest!

May God bless you, Fr Paul, as you reach a new milestone in your priestly vocation. Remain trustful in Jesus who called His disciples (that includes you!) as friends, not servants (John 15:15).  Continue to be a blessing to others, wherever the Lord of the harvest sends you. Keep up the good work of affirming people's faith, reassuring their hope, and kindling their charity. It's a shame we won't be in Chaddesden to join the celebration, but you would be one in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you, my friend!

Look Who's In Control

During the Good Friday Service at our parish last week, I was asked to be one of the readers of the Passion of Jesus according to John (18:1-19:42).  At one point I was the maidservant, later I was Peter then the soldier who slapped Jesus' face, and finally I was Pontius Pilate.

Reading through the Passion - before and during the service - I felt the tension experienced by most of the characters. Peter was a classic example with his denials of Christ before the cock crew. In the earlier parts of the Passion, this was the same apostle who drew his sword cutting off Malchus' right ear.  Another character who felt tense was Pilate who told the Lord: ‘Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?’.

And yet, throughout that Passion, Jesus was in control. Notice His reply to the exasperated Roman governor: ‘You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above; that is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater guilt.’. And towards the end of the story, He uttered: ‘It is accomplished’.

Jesus' being in control has been reiterated to the world through the visionary nun Faustina Kowalska.  To this 20th century nun - now a saint - Jesus appeared as the Lord of Divine Mercy.  To a world mired in sin, Jesus offers His mercy. To souls bogged down with despair and incredulity, Jesus offers His mercy. 

If Jesus was (and is and will always be) in control, what should we be afraid of? What should we worry? What is holding us back?

Only one response is necessary. And this response was taught by the Lord to St Faustina:  "Jesus, I trust in You"!

***

I am one with the whole Catholic Church in celebrating the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II this coming Mercy Sunday.  Both popes strove to trust and mirror Jesus' mercy to the world.  A day after Christmas in 1958, Pope John XXIII visited the Regina Coeli prison in Rome where he told the inmates: "You could not come to me, so I came to you.". Before the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square on the day he announced the opening of the Second Vatican Council, this beloved pope said: "Dear children, returning home, you will find children: give your children a caress and say: This is the caress of the Pope!". Another touching moment was when he He 'opened' the Church through many efforts such as eliminating the description of the Jews as 'perfidious' in the Good Friday Liturgy, removed the word 'faithless' from the prayer for the conversion of the Jews, and convened the Second Vatican Council. 

In his encyclical Pacem in Terris, he wrote:  "Man has the right to live...the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services. In consequence, he has the right to be looked after in the event of ill health; disability stemming from his work; widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever through no fault of his own he is deprived of the means of livelihood."

The last words of Il buon Papa (The Good Pope) were "I had the great grace to be born into a Christian family, modest and poor, but with the fear of the Lord. My time on earth is drawing to a close. But Christ lives on and continues his work in the Church. Souls, souls, ut omnes unum sint (That all may be one)". 

Pope John Paul II visiting Mehmet Ali Agca (a Turkish gunman who shot and wounded him in May 1981) in prison comes to mind when I think of the Divine Mercy.  In his pontificate, he built good relations with other faiths and apologised to those who suffered in the hands of the Catholic Church such as Galileo Galilei, the victims of the Holocaust, and the victims of sexual abuse.  During his visit to Yad Vashem (the national Holocaust memorial in Israel) in march 2000 he said: "We are deeply saddened by the behaviour of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours to suffer, and asking your forgiveness we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant".

On the sexual abuse scandal that hit the US, he told American cardinals who went to Rome in April 2002: "Priests and candidates for the priesthood often live at a level both materially and educationally superior to that of their families and the members of their own age group. It is therefore very easy for them to succumb to the temptation of thinking of themselves as better than others. When this happens, the ideal of priestly service and self-giving dedication can fade, leaving the priest dissatisfied and disheartened".

His last words were "Allow me to depart to the house of the Father".

Unfortunately, John Paul II's papacy comes under a cloud of doubt due to clergy sexual abuse: he recalled Cardinal Bernard Law (who was known to cover up sexual abuse committed by priests in his archdiocese) to a key post in Rome and supported Fr Marcial Maciel (founder of the Legion of Christ who abused boys, had relationships with women, fathered several children whom he also abused).  His 'centralization' of power at the Vatican made the Roman Curia behave as though it should be served rather than serve the local churches. (Look at how the new English translation of the Mass was implemented!) These issues have made some quarters uneasy with his canonization.

I'm aware that Pope Francis is facing these two issues head on. Perhaps that is the way forward. Definitely, the Holy Father needs our support.  Let's entrust him to Jesus, King of Mercy! May Sts John XXIII and John Paul II intercede for him and the entire People of God!