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!

A People of Mercy

April 28 this year marks the 67th death anniversary of a great Filipina who was known for her works of mercy: Mrs Aurora Aragon-Quezon.  Even before becoming the nation's first First Lady, she was already engaged in works of mercy. One incident which I find touching happened when she discontinued her studies due to poor health. Returning to her hometown in Baler, she brought the books she purchased while still in Manila and put up a library for the benefit of her town mates, some of which may not have received proper education. 

Later in her life, she became involved in charitable institutions such as the Associacion de Damas de Filipinas and White Cross. Towards the end of her life, she became the first Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. Apart from these organizations, she was also engaged in religious associations like the Catholic Women's League and the committee in charge of raising funds for the rehabilitation of the Antipolo Church.

In celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which Pope Francis opened on December 8, 2015, a renowned bishop urged the seminaries in his diocese to become seminaries of mercy. In order to achieve this, he offered the following steps: (1) by becoming in touch with humanity; (2) by being united to divinity; and (3) by cultivating spirituality.

I think the bishop's exhortation applies even to other groups and individuals who wish to be merciful like the Father. I also think these three served as hallmarks of Mrs Quezon rendering mercy to her fellowmen.

She was in touch with humanity. Described as a strict, but understanding mother, she looked after her family well. There was a time when her husband Manuel became a lapsed Catholic. It was said that through her perseverance, her husband returned to his faith. She was also a hands-on landowner, a staunch supporter of women's rights to vote, and according to President Elpidio Quirino, "a mother to her people".

She was united with divinity. She was a woman of prayer who would frequently attend Mass and say the Rosary.  A Marian devotee, she led other lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Manila in making an appeal to the country to pray for peace.

Finally, she cultivated spirituality in her life. It was not enough that she was engaged with broken humanity. It wouldn't suffice too if she just said a hundred and one prayers. Equally important was for her to imitate the Father who is "rich in mercy" (Psalm 103:8). 

Through Mrs Quezon's numerous works of mercy, healing was effected on those whose lives she touched. As Fr Pacifico Ortiz, SJ would put it "(Mrs Quezon) walked through life doing good, who was light unto the blind, protecting unto the weak, the mother of the poor, and in a sense the mother of us all...to keep us together, to heal broken friendships, to bind up political wounds, to pour the oil of compassion upon the social ulcers of our age, to cherish and guard the sanctities of the home."

At times, it is not easy to be merciful; let alone being merciful like the Heavenly Father. Some people would misunderstand us. Some may take us for granted. Some may become envious of us. Worse, some may even say or do evil things to us. Sadly, this was what happened to Mrs Quezon. While on her way to her hometown to inaugurate the Manuel Quezon Memorial Hospital, she and a number of her companions were ambushed and killed by insurgents. A story goes that Mrs Quezon was forewarned of insurgents, but shrugged off the threat because she knew the leader of the insurgents. Be it as it may, Mrs Quezon showed her determination to continue her good works in spite of these threats. If her poor health and subsequent withdrawal from university didn't prevent her from helping her town mates, I believe her death didn't halt her works of mercy - the charitable and religious organisations she was affiliated with are still existing and continuing her legacy!

Becoming merciful like the Father doesn't have any perks. "Get ready to be hurt," says Cardinal Chito Tagle. The only promise that Jesus assures those who are merciful is that they will be shown mercy in the afterlife (Matthew 5:7). Regardless of the difficulties we are encountering or may encounter, let us keep ourselves focused in doing works of mercy. That way we would keep the memory of Mrs Quezon alive. We would become a people of mercy!

 

***

 

In a few days, the Philippines will be having its national (and local) elections.  Elections would naturally polarize people. Some will go for this candidate while others would go for that candidate. Still others would be undecided. The Year of Mercy is an opportune time for us to think and act. Are the candidates merciful like the Father? Do their track record attest to this or not? I know it's so easy to be swept away by candidates' words, but we need to check if their actions would agree with whatever they say. It's not enough for us to hear candidates condemning corruption, poverty, injustice, and other maladies of society. We need to hear what will they do to eliminate these. One problem that the country is still suffering from is that 40% of its annual budget is automatically allocated for debt servicing, thanks to Ferdinand Marcos (who made it a law) and to his successors (who keep on implementing such an immoral law). From what I gather from the presidential candidates, it seems that it will be business as usual. How unmerciful!

***

 

When Mrs Quezon was still alive, she was asked to run for public office. She declined the offer, but instead supported those she believed to be capable of serving the country. She could have grabbed the opportunity since she was the wife of a former president and has earned respect from the people, but she chose not to. Looking at some candidates, I can only shake my head in disgust. There's this movie actress running for the Senate. Ditto this boxing champion-turned congressman. What will they do there? Pose? It's as though becoming a politician would be the only way for them to help the people. It sometimes makes me wonder what their real motive is to run.  It may be too late in the day to appeal to these candidates to withdraw from the race, but it is not yet late for the voters to look for better, much deserving candidates. The power's in your hands, dear voters! Maawa kayo sa ating bayan!



 

 

 

Borne out of Poverty, Sustained by Prayer

In his Lenten message, Pope Francis urged the faithful to give up indifference so as to be more attentive to the needs of others. According to the Holy Father, it is when we live comfortably that "we forget about others." And when we do so, the pope continued,"our hearts grow cold."

Individualism has been the norm especially here in the West. To which, the Pope tells us " (Jesus) is interested in each of us; his love does not allow him to be indifferent to what happens to us." 

How interested are we in others? Interested not in the sense of being nosy, but in the sense that we are concerned about others' conditions. 

Just a day after Ash Wednesday, we'll be commemorating the 127th birth anniversary of the late Aurora Aragon-Quezon.  Mrs. Quezon was known for her humanitarian acts, particularly through her active participation in the Philippine Red Cross till her untimely death in 1949.  What motivated her to reach out to people? Was it power or prestige?  Surely, she was once the country's First Lady and was a prominent figure in society, but there is something deeper in her persona.

Born from a middle-class family in Baler, Aurora and her brood suffered poverty when her father was imprisoned and their properties were confiscated by the Spanish conquistadores. In his book "Aurora A. Quezon: Her Life and Deeds", Sol Gwekoh, the Quezons' biographer, wrote that the young Aurora and her siblings have to do menial jobs such as pounding rice, fetching water, etc. Her elders saw in her "an exceptional industry in the home and kindness towards her playmates and neighbors...she was...the personification of hope and faith!"

True, that hope and faith came alive when she formed the Baler Reading Circle and Library.  She wanted to train as a teacher, however she was forced to discontinue her studies due to her poor health. Nevertheless, she developed the habit of reading good books in various languages and shared her meager collection of books with her kababayans in Baler. Thus, the Baler Reading Circle and Library was born. It has been said that because of her generosity, her town mates were able to learn the rudiments of English.

Gwekoh also told a story about how Mrs. Quezon made an appeal to Governor General Frank Murphy on behalf of a Bilibid inmate on the verge of dying (She was not yet First Lady at that time). She was informed about the prisoner's condition - he was afflicted with tuberculosis and was not getting proper treatment. The prisoner was moved to a sanatorium; his treatment expenses were shouldered by Mrs. Quezon. 

When her husband became President in 1935, they opened the Palace to the less fortunate of Manila at Christmas to share a meal with them and give them packages of toys, clothes, etc. 

In another part of her biography, I note that it was Mrs. Quezon's practice to visit the poor districts of Manila especially Tondo and San Nicolas. Her biographer mentioned that she "...devoted her time to orphans and children...giving them food, clothing, and not infrequently money. She even sent these young boys and girls to school and defrayed their expenses." Gwekoh also mentioned how this great woman would arrange quietly the wedding ceremony of poor couples who could not afford to pay their marriage fees.

These are just a few of the many works of love, acts of care, endeavors of concern by Mrs. Quezon.  For me, they were borne not from power nor prestige, but from first hand experience of how it was to be poor.  If we are/have been poor, let that poverty inspire us to rise up and help others to do the same. If we are better off, we can be one with the poor by embracing a simple lifestyle. Living simply allows us to share so that, as the Canadian bishops once said, "other may simply live."

Doña Aurora's experience has been sustained by prayer, especially the Holy Mass.  Going back to Papa Francesco's message, he said "we become what we receive: the Body of Christ. In this body there is no room for the indifference which so often seems to possess our hearts." 

In our journey this Lent, let's be a new Aurora to others. Let's be that personification of hope and faith for the less fortunate.  

Doña Aurora, pray for us!

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!

The Cold Won't Bother Me Anyway

"Put on your socks! It's cold." I told Chiara as she was playing in the living room.

"It doesn't matter", she replied.

I am sometimes puzzled that my daughter doesn't easily feel cold when her Mom and I would have wanted to bury ourselves under sheets this winter. One time, I told her again to keep herself warm. And again, she gave the same response. I retorted, "Why? 'The cold won't bother me anyway'? It made her laugh as she realized that I quoted Queen Elsa's last lines in the song "Let it go".

I saw the same behavior in our countrymen who braved the rain and all just to be with Pope Francis during his Pastoral and State Visit to the Philippines last week.  I must admit that I wasn't able to focus that much on the Holy Father's visit, but from what I gather his trip was heart warming.  

For his part, Lolo Kiko, as he was fondly called in the Philippines, reached out to them.   His words "Some of you lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent. And I walk with you all with my silent heart." cuts through the heart. St Francis of Assisi once said “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words". Papa did preach, but it was a moment when words won't be necessary or would suffice. His mere presence with the people per se was the preaching! 

Moving on, the Philippine Church has asked believers 10 things to do:

Our country,in spite of many catastrophes (man-made or not) it faced and continue to face, has shown its openness and resiliency during those blessed days with the Pope. Let's take to heart his message. Let's proclaim it wherever and whenever. As he once said: "We have a Lord who is capable of crying with us, capable of walking with us in the most difficult moments of life". 

With Jesus by our side, the cold - of sin and evil, of uncaring people, etc.- won't bother us anyway!

PS: There's two things that disconcerted me though about the recent visit. First is that there were three pope mobiles used instead of just one. Second is that children are caged to keep the streets clean during the visit. The first runs counter to His Holiness' simplicity while the second not only opposes the Pope's preference for the poor, but also prevented him from reaching to them!

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.

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!

A Sunday with the Pope

Being in Rome, for me, would be incomplete without seeing the Pope.  During our first trip to the Eternal City, we didn't get that chance to see Pope Benedict XVI - we arrived a day after the general audience and then we heard that he was on a pastoral visit in another part of Italy.  

The papacy has been an important part of our Christian faith.  It traces its roots from St Peter the Apostle who was chosen to lead His Church.  Because of his role as our spiritual leader, we Catholics fondly call the Pope as Holy Father.  

February 23, a day after the Consistory.  I woke up at 5:30am. After having a light breakfast, we made our way to St Peter's Basilica.  We met  some aunts and a lone uncle from the Valdes Family along the way. Tia Dulce Valdes-Barangan and I were teasing each other for we came early this time! There was already a queue at the piazza. My uncle and godfather Noel Valdes looked for some relatives who may already be lining up. Chiara went with him.  Just a few minutes and he was waving his hand to us.  People were in a huddle as we all waited for the doors of the church to be open.  Chiara was enjoying her time with her great uncles, great aunts, and other relatives.  Nidz, Jackie, and I were next to another uncle (and godfather) Paulino "Sonny" Albano, Papa's oldest brother, the patriarch of the Valdes-Albano clan.  Ninong Sonny was recalling stories of how he heard about Tito Orly's appointment as a cardinal.  I asked him how we became related with the Cardinal as I thought it was through the Beltran side (Cardinal Quevedo's middle name is Beltran; the same surname as my great great grandmother's when she was still single). My uncle explained that it was through the Edralin-Estavillo side; his grandmother (Hilaria Estavillo-Albano) and the Cardinal's grandmother were cousins.

Men smartly dressed approached all those in the queue to remind them of their tickets.  Some of the guests such as Ninong Sonny and his wife Ninang Noemi had special tickets. They were asked to follow the men as they have reserved seats in the basilica. 

The church doors were now open. People slowly made their way passing through security checks. As we entered the basilica, I was pointing Chiara to some statues and pictures.  Ushers were distributing Mass booklets for all churchgoers.  We chose seats near the aisle to have a good view of the Pope. We were quite near the statue of St Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of Nurses. (Just a few days before this occasion, we visited his mortal remains at the Church of St Mary Magdalene situated near the Pantheon.) Filipinos from Cotabato, Tito Orly's archdiocese, sat next to us. For some reason, I didn't see Papa, my sisters Nicola and Kristina, and some other relatives from where we were. I later managed to see my 2 sisters who were sat near to us.

Cardinals and bishops started to arrive. Tito Orly approached a few of us before making his way to the sacristy. In preparation for the Mass, the Rosary was recited. Each mystery was announced in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. The prayers though were in Latin.  Afterwards, the choir led in singing the Salve Regina.  Chiara, with a prodding from her mom, joined in the singing - this caught the attention of my aunt Ching Valdes-Aran and an Italian woman who were both sat in front of us.  Towards the last few lines of the song, I suddenly remembered Lolo Paul, Lola Piling, and Mommy Rosie - all three taught me how to sing this song. I couldn't sing any more.  I just felt my eyes wet.

Mass followed immediately.  I held my breath as well as Nidz's mobile phone while waiting for Pope Francis walk along the aisle. Altar servers, cardinal-concelebrants, and finally the Holy Father.  Pope Francis came across as a simple man. His green vestments and miter were not as ornate as his predecessor's. These simple apparel were matched by the papal ferula - a silver cross used by Pope Paul VI. As he walked past us, I made the sign of the cross. I felt blessed! 

On the right hand side of the basilica, I could see the statue of St Peter sat on a chair. One of the feet of this statue is worn out because of the many pilgrims touching it. During the Consistory, the statue was dressed like a medieval pope with a tiara and cape.  Personally, I would prefer an undressed statue.  First of all, St Peter would not have dressed like that. Second, let's keep things consistent with Pope Francis' simplicity.

The Mass was in Latin, but the booklet has provided English and Italian translations. (I wish though that the Mass was said in Italian. Ditto the Rosary. Italian, unlike Latin, is a living language.) Some readings and prayers were in other languages. The verses of the Psalm were in English. One of the prayers in the Prayer of the Faithful was in Filipino!  The Pope, having only 1 lung, recited all the presidential prayers.  In spite of that, his homily - although in Italian - was full of power. He spoke about the Holy Spirit, underscoring our calling to listen to Him "...who enlivens the Church".  He also mentioned the importance of holiness in the ministry of a cardinal. Furthermore, he reminded that cardinals enter the Church of Rome and not a royal court. To illustrate his point, he enjoined all cardinals to "...avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality". Towards the end of the homily, he asked everyone for prayers "that the College of Cardinals may always be ever more fervent in pastoral charity and filled with holiness, in order to serve the Gospel and to help the Church radiate Christ’s love in our world".

After the Mass, we once again huddled near the aisle again to catch a glimpse of the Pope.  As he got nearer to us, some from the crowd shouted "Papa! Papa! Papa!".  This caught his attention and he smiled! 

We proceeded to the piazza for the Sunday Angelus led by the Pope. We met Nicola there as well as Ninong Sonny and Ninang Noemi. While waiting for the Angelus, Chiara had a photo op with an Asian bishop.

When the clock struck 12, we saw the Pope from a far distance (in a window on the papal apartments).  I think the location where the Holy Father leads this Marian prayer should be changed to make him more nearer the people. Being on a window of the apartment where he doesn't reside still shows trappings of medieval power. Why not the balcony of the basilica?

In his message, the Pope mentioned that "in Jesus Christ we are all children of God!" and that "Those who have received a ministry to lead, preach and administer the Sacraments should not consider themselves as possessing special powers, as masters; rather, they should place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to pursue the path of holiness with joy". He later asked people to assist the new cardinals through their prayers: "Pray for us, that we might be good servants: good servants, not good masters!" All of us together....must offer the witness of a Church that is faithful to Christ, animated by the desire to serve the brethren, and ready to go out with prophetic courage to meet the expectations and spiritual needs of the men and women of our time".

It's almost a year when Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope by his brother cardinals.  His first act was to ask people to pray for him.  Let's renew our support to the Holy Father - he really needs it considering the many challenges he is facing: clergy sexual abuse, role of women in the Church, reform of the Roman Curia, family life, to name a few.

Heartfelt greetings, prayers, and best wishes, Pope Francis on the occasion of the first anniversary of your pontificate!  May the Good Shepherd continue to strengthen you so that you may "Feed my lambs...Take care of my sheep...Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17). Viva il Papa Francesco! Noi ti amiamo!