Perpetual Help Novena in Nottingham

The Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North, which I am leading, has launched the Perpetual Help Novena in our parish on 24 Septemeber 2011. I'd like to share with you the Introduction I delivered during that event. Please remember us your kababayans here in Nottingham, UK as we continue to spread this popular devotion, as we "fight the good fight of faith".

Good afternoon and welcome to the launching of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help here at the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish.

Seven years ago, when I started worshipping in this church, I had an interesting conversation with John Staniland, our lead altar server in the Mass a while ago. I told him that we Filipinos fondly call the Parish’s Patroness as ‘Mother of Perpetual Help’. John replied that the word “succour” is an old English equivalent for “help”. Regardless of the variation of words, both titles (i.e. “Our Lady of Perpetual Succour” and “Mother of Perpetual Help”) share a common denominator: Mary comes to assist those in need.

If we look back at Holy Scriptures, we can recall how Mary helped her cousin Elizabeth when the latter was pregnant at an old age. She also came to the aid of the newly wedded couple in Cana. She helped the apostles and surely she did the same to St. Joseph, her husband. She also helped Jesus. When Jesus was about to die on the cross, He entrusted Mary to us as though saying “I have been helped by My Mother. I am sure she will also help you!”.

There is a beautiful story behind the picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It was said that the Child Jesus had a vision of two angels : one holding a cross, the other holding a spear, tools that would be used when He would offer His life for our salvation. Being young at that time, the little boy didn’t understand this and became afraid. He ran to His Mother who in turn carried Him in her arms. The fear of Jesus was so great that one of His sandals, as you can see from the picture, was dangling from his foot.

We thank Fr. Gerry Murphy for allowing us to hold this novena in this church, a novena which has been used in the Philippines for the last 65 years. Through this devotion, we aim to provide a way for Filipinos to serve in the parish, to celebrate the church’s 60th dedication anniversary, and to promote the devotion in the parish named after Our Lady.

Going back to the picture of Our Lady and the Child Jesus, let us have that childlike confidence as we present our needs and cares to her.

I would like to turn you over to Joey Mabalot who will be leading us in this month’s Novena.

Thank you.

Election Triduum Part 3

It's the eve of the national and local elections in our country! Yesterday, we reflected upon the Joyful Mysteries with the Lord's Nativity as focus for reflection. Today, we offer the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for this event. I'd like us all to recall the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

In the last mystery of the Rosary, we remember how God rewarded Mary, how she was raised to be Queen. A title so unique that no human being deserves, except her! The previous mysteries of the Rosary would give us a clue why she became worthy of such. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her to say that she is to become God's Mother, she humbly accepted the invitation. When she heard that Elizabeth her cousin was pregnant, she visited and looked after her in spite being pregnant herself. When she saw Jesus her Son being crucified, she humbly accepted this as part of God's plan. Mary has always been after God's will no more, no less!

Mary, whom we call as "full of grace", lived with a heart always attuned to God's own heart. And because of that she allowed God to direct her through thick and thin. Mary was able to share in His glory after spending a life dedicated to the Lord. Not only seeing Him face-to-face, but also having that place of honor in heaven. It has to be pointed out that Mary's queenship takes its roots from Jesus' kingship like the moon having the sun as its source of light. Our future leaders should also realize that their authority actually comes from the people who voted them. This power from the people has no other source but God Himself which is why we often hear the dictum "Vox populi, vox Dei".

We Filipinos hold Mary in high esteem. In fact, this month, devotees would flock to churches to offer flowers to her. Our history won't be complete without ever mentioning the devotion to her. The various titles of Mary like Our Lady of the Rosary "La Naval de Manila" and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage attest to the role she played in the lives of our ancestors. She continues to do so till the present age. Recall EDSA Uno? How the people formed a human barricade against the tanks that Marcos sent to Camp Crame? The people were not carrying any arms except for the Rosary!

Mary reigns as our Queen. Not like any other queen who gives numerous decrees and orders, but a queen who serves, a queen whose only command is: "Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you." (John 2:5)

If we want God to take hold of our country, to direct it to its right path, let us follow our Queen's command. Let us imitate humbly subject ourselves to her reign, to Jesus' own reign. Let us profess this allegiance to Jesus and Mary when we cast out votes tomorrow and when we keep vigil during the whole election process.

Prayer:

Father, You have crowned Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Through her maternal protection and intercession, reign over our country. Take hold of our elections. For only in You there is life and light, freedom and salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.