A Woman of Courage

2014 has been named the Year of the Laity by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). With the theme "Filipino Catholic Laity: Called to be Saints...Sent Forth as Heroes!", the pastoral exhortation written for this occasion calls on all Filipino laity to "choose to be brave".

To become a saint, let alone become a hero is indeed a daunting aspiration.  And yet, that's our calling according to our faith.  How does one become brave in the midst of the many trials we Christians have to face?

I have been engrossed with promoting the late Aurora Aragon-Quezon's cause for beatification and canonization  lately.   Reading through Doña Aurora's life, here's her qualities of how it is to be brave:

Awareness.  I think this is the backbone of how it is to be brave.  Doña Aurora was aware of the issues that were happening during her time. Take poverty for example. It has been said that having been orphaned at a young age she did hard work such as fetching water, washing clothes, and planting in the rice field. When her husband became President of the Commonwealth from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s, Mrs Quezon didn't stay in Malacañan Palace very often and preferred to reside in a nipa hut nearby or in her farm in Pampanga.  For me, this was perhaps her way of staying "on the ground". How do we get out from our ivory towers?

Understanding.  With awareness comes understanding.  By her own personal experience and her encounters with the less fortunate, Doña Aurora understood how it was to be poor, marginalized, and downtrodden.  So much so that she did everything in her power to tackle poverty, injustice, and suffering through education, women's right to vote, and charitable works. According to the late Fr James Reuter, SJ: "She looked upon all the poor as her special children".  Do we truly know where those in need are coming from?

Righteousness.  Mrs Quezon was an upright woman.  When Philippine Congress voted to grant her a pension worth PhP 1,000 per month after her return from the States following the death of her husband, she declined the offer citing the many war widows and orphans who were more deserving of such help. How is our sense of sin nowadays?

Openness. Doña Aurora was a woman of prayer.  Apart from daily Mass she was also a devotee of the Virgin Mary.  Mrs Quezon's gentleness and patience reflected how she opened herself up to God.  Being rooted in the Lord, she bore much fruit - her family remained strong in spite of the many challenges and trials, the Philippine National Red Cross became an independent Red Cross organization, churches ravaged by the war were rebuilt, Mount Carmel College of Baler was established, etc. She also showed such quality when she and her daughters volunteered as nurses for the Red Cross in California while waiting for their return home.  Does the Holy Spirit still have an influence in our lives?

Respect. Fr Reuter wrote: "President Quezon was so occupied with official affairs that he sometimes left a little to be desired as a husband. But Doña Aurora never uttered one negative word of criticism. Not a syllable. She was his pillar of strength, always".  Indeed, President Quezon publicly praised his wife, recognizing her as "my friend, companion and partner".  How do we deal with those on the other side of the fence?

Aspiration. It was said that Doña Aurora wanted a national period of prayer in honor of the Blessed Mother and spread her message of peace.  Sadly, she died a violent death.  And yet, her dreams continue to make their presence felt in the country and in the Church.  Evil forces may attempt to thwart these, but for as long as there are people who are willing to continue Mrs Quezon's legacy, her dreams will take flesh.  What is your dream for our country and for the local Church?

As we commemorate Doña Aurora's 126th birth anniversary today, let us strive to follow her lead. Like her, let's choose to be brave!

Doña Aurora, pray for us, your kababayans, your fellow laity. Amen.

***

Once again, I would like to invite our dear readers to please support us in our online petition to Bishop Honesto Ongtioco asking him to open the diocesan process for Mrs Quezon's cause for beatification and canonization. The more people sign it, the better our chances to be heard:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/petition-to-open-the-diocesan-process-on-the-cause-for-beatification-and-canonization-of-aurora-aragon-quezon

Also, please join our group page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/118643504977298/

Thank you. God bless us all through Doña Aurora!

Three Wise Men of 2013

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Hope you all had a wonderful season.  Like in the previous year, I have picked my wise men of the year. Two have unfortunately passed away towards the end of last year. Without further ado, here's my Three Wise Men of 2013!

Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013) was the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Known as the first black president of his country, Mandela was instrumental in dismantling apartheid (a system of racial segregation). He did so by tackling racism, poverty, and inequality and by fostering racial reconciliation.  Regarded as "the father of the nation" and "the founding father of democracy" in his country, he wasn't spared from criticisms such as his friendship with known dictators (e.g. Fidel Castro and Muammar Gaddafi).  He had a number of quotes.  For me, one stood out.   "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Mandela's legacy is the wisdom of being free and working side by side with others regardless of race, color, or creed.

June Keithley-Castro (10 March 1947- 24 November 2013) was a Filipina actress, broadcast journalist, and wife of the late broadcast journalist Angelo Castro Jr. A mentee of the late Fr James Reuter, she had a key role during the final days of the Marcos dictatorship. Working for 14 long hours in Radio Veritas and later in Radyo Bandido (when Veritas was bombed by Marcos' henchmen), she appealed on her countrymen to go to EDSA to protect the mutineers.  In grateful recognition, she was accorded the Philippine Legion of Honor during the time of President Corazon Aquino.  She later received the EDSA Spirit Award from President Benigno Aquino III. A known Marian devotee, Castro hosted a documentary on the Virgin Mary's apparition in Lipa, Batangas entitled "A Woman Clothed with the Sun". Lately, she was diagnosed with cancer.  During an interview she told Tina Monzon-Palma how cancer has spread in her body and commented "At that point he (God) has taken away all fear...he has given me great peace. I knew he was in control."

Castro teaches us the wisdom of being brave to face, speak, and stand for the truth without counting the cost. 

Pope Francis has been our reigning pope since 13 March 2013.  From then on, he has wowing us with his many gestures and pronouncements: from living at the hostel instead of the papal apartments to wearing black shoes instead of the traditional red; from washing the feet of youth prisoners during last Maundy Thursday to embracing a man totally disfigured due to a genetic disease; from speaking against frivolous spending by the Church (read: He suspended German bishop who spent $3M on a marble courtyard) to redirecting Vatican employee bonus to charity; from acknowledging atheists as good people to denouncing judgment against homosexuals ("If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good intentions, who am I to judge?"); from inviting some homeless men to his birthday meal to amending Vatican law to make sexual child abuse a crime; from condemning the violence in Syria to speaking against the Church's 'obsession' with abortion, gay marriage, and contraception.  Recognized as Time's Person of the Year 2013, the Holy Father has been seen as a blessing for the Church that has been rocked with scandals during the time of his 2 predecessors.  

Ever since becoming bishop, he has chosen "Miserando atque eligendo" (lowly but chosen) as motto.  He has retained this for his coat of arms as pope. No wonder he has taken to heart these words in his ministry such as the examples mentioned earlier.

This beloved pontiff imparts us with the wisdom of being humble - a true hallmark of a servant whose heart is after that Jesus the Good Shepherd - so that those humbled (e.g. the poor, the outcast, the sick, etc.) may have hope.

These three wise men have left or, as in the case of Pope Francis, has been giving us gems of wisdom for us to take.  As we usher in the New Year, let us follow their example. Have a wisdom-filled 2014!

Three Wise Men 2012

Happy New Year, dear readers!

As we welcome the New Year, it's important to look back at the year that was, count one's blessings, take on board the lessons learned, and then move on.  I came across 3 people in 2012 whose wisdom I truly admire.  Unfortunately, all of them have already passed away, but their contribution to society will always be celebrated. Friends, here's my Three Wise Men of 2012!

Fr. James B Reuter, SJ (21 May 1916-31 December 2012) was an American Jesuit priest who moved from Pennsylvania to the Philippines at the age of 22 and remained in the country since then.  Fr Jim is known for his great contribution in the Family Rosary Crusade in the Philippines and the Philippine Chapter of the Jesuits Engaged in Social Communications (JESCOM). I once met him when Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco hosted a lunch in San Carlos Seminary in 1991.  We shared the same table and while most of us were using our spoon and fork while eating chicken, he was using his hand (which was the right thing to do)! According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer's editorial "Great Soul" (1 January 2013), Fr Jim was quoted to have said 2 years ago, “When I first came here, I thought I was bringing God to the Philippines. But what I discovered was [the Filipinos] brought God to me.” Fr Jim fascinated me with his wisdom in utilizing mass media and other possible means to evangelize people to the full.

Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, SJ (15 February 1927-31 August 2012) was an Italian Jesuit and a prince of the Catholic Church. It was said that progressive Catholics hoped he would become pope, but because of his liberal views and frailty, that was a far-fetched dream.  When Pope Benedict XVI resurrected the Tridentine Mass (now known as the Extraordinary Form of the Mass) in 2007, Cardinal Martini refused to say that Mass (I must say I am not happy either with this papal move. This and the new English translation of the Mass has further divided our fragmented Church!).  In 2004, he  called for a greater collegiality in the governance of the Church (Clap! Clap! Clap!).  He once said that "...there are, in the Church, some wise people who have ways of making their voices heard other than a simple vote." In the final interview he called the Church as "200 years out of date" and added that, "Our culture has aged, our churches are big and empty and the church bureaucracy rises up, our rituals and our cassocks are pompous". Controversial as they may sound to be, I find in Cardinal Martini's views the reality of Church affairs (especially here in Europe) and, more importantly, the wisdom that challenges us to think out of the box.  

Hon. Jesus M Robredo (27 May 1958-18 August 2012) was a Chinese Filipino who served as Acting Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the Aquino Administration (2010-2012).  A Mayor of Naga City for 19 years, he transformed the city to being one of the "Most Improved Cities in Asia" (Asiaweek, 1999). A man known for having no ere, Secretary Jesse led a simple life in spite the many temptations and perks of being a politician. As mayor, he would be seen in his bike making the rounds or doing menial work such as shovelling to protect a building from floods when a typhoon was about to hit his city.  He didn't favor political dynasties which is why when his term expired as mayor, no one from his family ran. He was one of the good guys in the Aquino administration. It was a shame that the Commission of Appointments bypassed his appointment not once, but twice. It only gave in to public ascent when Robredo died in a plane crash on his way back to his family in Naga after the conference in Cebu.  "Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo," I quipped.  Secretary Jesse once said "We do not need another EDSA… for our country to move ahead. EDSA must be everyday. That means everyone understands he has an obligation to serve. That means reform is an every day activity. That means the daily grind is more important than the one-time heroic moment.”  I tip my hat to this beloved statesman for his wisdom to be of humble service to his countrymen to the end.