Keep on praying

Prayer can be classified as Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. ACTS for short. The "Glory Be" is an example of adoration. Saying sorry to God for our sins is an example of contrition. If you won the Euro Millions and exclaim "Thank you, Lord" that is a prayer of thanksgiving. If you pray for your or someone else's need, that is supplication.  ACTS can be seen in the Holy Mass, the highest form of prayer.

Prayer can also be described as communal or personal. An example of communal prayer is when religious communities, such as the Poor Clare sisters, gathering together to pray. The Mass is another example of communal prayer. 

A priest, commenting on Jesus' healing of St Peter's mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31), showed an example of communal prayer when "they immediately told Jesus about her" (Mk 1:30). We cannot identify exactly who's "they", but we could only guess that these were Peter's family and friends. The power of prayer was shown here because Jesus "went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them." (Mk 1:31). Indeed, where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt18:20).

The same priest thought that it was also possible for Peter to told Jesus about his mother-in-law and asked Him to heal her. This is an example of a personal prayer. Peter was a staunch follower of the Lord and, in spite of his weaknesses, opened his heart to the Christ. In our personal prayer, we develop a relationship with God.

Towards the end of August we celebrated the feast of St Monica. She was a devout Christian who prayed hard for the conversion of her son Augustine. Unlike Peter's mother-in-law who was healed after people entrusted her to the Lord, Augustine's conversion took a while. Guess how long? Fifteen years!

There was a story that the Virgin Mary appeared to St Monica and gave her a belt, assuring her of Our Lady's intercession. That belt is now being worn as part of the habit of the Augustinians.

St Augustine would later explain that the reason why God sometimes delays answering our prayers is because He is preparing our hearts to receive our answered prayers. St Monica prayed for Augustine's conversion and indeed, after 15 years, he was converted. However, that was not the end of it. Augustine became a priest, then a bishop. He put to good use his knowledge and wisdom. Through his magnificent writings and teachings, he is recognised as one of the doctors of the Church. 

God has bigger plans for Augustine. He has bigger plans for all of us. So don't lose heart if your prayers are not yet answered. God is preparing your heart to receive His blessings which is beyond human imagination. Don't lose hope. Keep on praying!

(This is a reflection I shared during the Filipino Rosary Crusade's Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help held at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish, Bulwell, Nottingham, UK on 31 August 2024.)

Baby's First Word

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alone with Our Lady

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taize Revival

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

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

Nada te turbe, nada te espante;

quien a Dios tiene nada le falta.

Nada te turbe, nada te espante:

sólo Dios basta.

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

O luwalhati sa Diyos

O luwalhati sa Diyos

O luwalhati sa Diyos

Luwalhati sa Diyos!

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

Liwanag ng buong mundo, halina Jesus halina.

Liwanag ng buhay ko, aleluya!

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

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

Bless the Lord, my soul

And bless God's holy name,

Bless the Lord, my soul

Who leads me into life.

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

Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum

Magnificat, magnificat, magnifat anima mea!

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

Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri, nagpupuri sa Panginoon!

Thy Will Be Done

"Hanapin mo ang kalooban ng Diyos. Sabihin mo lagi 'Panginoon, ituro mo sa akin ang kalooban Mo'". (Search for the will of God. Always say, 'Lord teach me Your will') These were the words I would often hear from Lola Piling during my teenage years.  For some time, I would just let the words pass from one ear to another. Like any teenagers, I wanted to gain that independence, to seek my will and not someone else's. Such was my stubbornness that I didn't even bother to ask her what God's will is.  

One time, Ms. Melba Silvela, our Religion teacher in 4th year high school, asked us to write an essay. I can't remember now what the topic was all about, but I wrote something like it was God's will that something bad has happened (An earthquake perhaps? Mind you, there was an earthquake that hit Luzon that year).  Nanay Bang, as I now call this beloved teacher, read my paper aloud and corrected me. She said it wasn't God's will that calamities happen. Rather God permitted them to happen. So from then on, I learned that God's will isn't the same as God's permission; particularly that God won't will for His creation to be destroyed.

I continued to ask my peers (rather than my superiors). One classmate Fernando Lopez (not the former Vice President!) who once was a seminarian told me that God's will is in His 10 commandments. Later in college, when I was studying Ethics, I learned that to know God's will is to read the Scriptures. Finally, another ex-seminarian, told me that God's will can be discovered when you are at peace with your decisions.

We've often prayed "Thy will be done" without fully understanding nor sincerely seeking for it.  However, as a parent now myself, I realize the huge responsibility of raising my child as a good Christian. I dread the day Chiara might ask me what it is and I'll find myself dribbling my answer like a basketball. Worse, I might set a bad example to her (and to others). 

During Lola's final phone call to me and my siblings in Manila about 15 years ago, her last words to me were "Always communicate with God." What a perfect way to know the Lord's will than to communicate with Him!  

Lent gives us all that opportunity to have a hard look at our stubborn selves.  Is our will working? If not, then it's definitely time to try someone else's; someone who is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). We may not find it straightaway and be perplexed like St Joseph when he discovered his future wife to be with child. But if we are humble and open like this son of David, we will soon discover what God really wants.

God's will may seem to be undrinkable like the cup of suffering that Jesus referred to in His agony in the garden (Matthew 26:39), but let us trust the Father the way Jesus did. Didn't Christ say that "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34)?

Going back to Lola, she was a devotee of St Joseph. Her favorite color is green which is one of St Joe's symbolic color (the other being yellow). But beyond the green attire she wore, I found in her persona the true essence of being a devotee of this great saint: obedience to God's will.

Happy 100th birthday, Lola Piling! Thank you for your unfailing love and motherly guidance. Thank you for putting up with such a hard-headed grandson. Thank you for always reminding me with what matters most in being a Christian, in being a person.  Keep on inspiring us, keep on praying for us that our hearts too may always say "Thy will be done"!  Rest in God's abiding peace. I love you!

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!

Something is Going to Happen

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ,vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

These are the first lines of a popular Marian song sung at many churches in the Philippines in May. The first time I heard the Salve Regina,  I was a little kid attending Mass at the St Rita Hospital Chapel many summers ago. It was the closing song sung by my late grandparents during May.  While they are making a duet, some attendees would place flowers on the altar table for the Blessed Virgin. 

Since then, every time I hear this song, I have a feeling that something is going to happen. For example, in Gagalangin church (as well as other churches for sure), once the Salve is intoned by the priest, the statue of Mary is incensed. This is followed later by sprinkling holy water to all devotees present.

During our visit to relatives in Staten Island, New York in 2012, my uncles and aunts asked me to say "Grace before Meals". I agreed. For some reason, after the prayer I intoned the Salve. I thought I would be doing a solo, but lo and behold, others gathered especially my uncles sang! Nidz told me that even Chiara was singing. (See, something has happened!) I imagine how our forebears would have smiled at the sight!

When Chiara was still 2-3 years old, I once sang this song to her.  She kept on looking at me and then when I finished she said "Ang galing!" (Excellent). Now, she could sing it on her own! Part of our night prayers for quite some time now is singing this beautiful song. One time my daughter was too tired so I told her just to close her eyes while I sing. I thought of doing this because the Salve is like a goodnight kiss to Mama Mary. As we entrust ourselves (when we were kids) to our earthly mothers as we go to bed, so now we confide ourselves to our heavenly mother. Before you know it, something has happened - another day has dawned. Our mission continues! 

I have always believed that the Blessed Mother has been praying for me, her unworthy son, through and through.  In the many ups and downs of life, I have sought her maternal care and protection and I have never been turned down.

I'm turning 40 on the 20th.  As I look back at those many years - of fruits coupled with thorns, triumphs hand in hand with failures, light constantly challenged by darkness, friends mixed with foes -  I believe that God has plans for me, that something in His own time and fashion is going to happen. Like Mary and her husband Joseph, may I have a heart which is open, humble, thankful, and trustful.

Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. 

(Pray for us O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.)

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!

Live Life Beautifully

(The first item below is the reflection I shared during the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help organised by the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Church on 23 February 2013.)

I was walking past Super Drug(a drug store in the UK) a few days ago when my attention was caught by its poster which says: “Live Life Beautifully”. Of course, that store was enticing buyers to purchase a host of their products that could ‘beautify’ their customers. As to what extent in their lives, that is another story.

Lent offers a similar message, but presented in a rather negative slogan: “Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” Being dust all along and being dust in the future isn’t beautiful at all. This is Lent’s wake-up call for us. And with this call, Lent offers us 3 important gifts: Prayer, Penance, and Charity. Here in our parish, they are given a more practical context: Live simply, sustainably, in solidarity with others.

Most if not all of us have been availing of these gifts every Lent and even beyond. Perhaps it’s good to ask ourselves:

Prayer


Do we pray like Samuel who once said “Speak, Lord your servant is listening” or do we just want God to listen to what we have to say to Him?

Are we like the Pharisee, in Jesus’ parable, who prayed as though God would be impressed with all his good deeds or are we like the tax collector who couldn’t even raise his head to heaven, but could only strike his breast while saying “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am a sinner”?

Are we like Jesus who always prayed that His Father’s will be done?

Penance

Do we fast and abstain just to lose weight or do we do it to alleviate the sufferings of others?

Do we make sacrifices grudgingly or with a smile?

Do we face our crosses with a moan or with trust?

Charity

Do we serve the community just to win people’s praise?

Are we just after the number of likes in whatever religious posts we make in Facebook?

Do we feel bad when someone else has outdone us in our service in the parish/community?

Are we annoyed when people don’t see eye-to-eye with us?

Do we love because we are compelled to do so or do we just love to love?

Are we choosy when being nice to others?
Fr Richard Veras, a parish priest in New York, commented that “There is a temptation to see Lent as a time of self-improvement, during which my focus is on myself. However my sin shows me that my hope can never be in myself. My only hope is that someone save me…Let our focus be not on ourselves, but on Jesus…He is the one who saves me from my miserable condition; it is his merciful gaze which awakens and transforms me.”

If we focus our prayer, penance, and charity on Jesus, Lent can be a wonderful experience for us. Not something that we avoid or something that we commemorate for the wrong reasons. Rather than a sad occasion in the life of the Church, Lent can be a moment of rejoicing because of the salvation that the Lord has won for us. Such is the beauty of Lent! Yes, we are dust, but if we follow Jesus faithfully and lovingly, our destiny is far better than dust. Our destiny is to be with Him forever.

Let’s therefore ask Mama Mary’s help that like her, our attention and our actions will be only in and for Jesus. And let's encourage and nurture others - our kids, our colleagues, our neighbours - to do the same.

United with our Lord in this holy season, let us live life beautifully!

***

Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on February 11 came as a shock. It was just a day ago when the Gospel was about Simon Peter being chosen by the Lord to be a 'fisher of men'. We acknowledge the Pope as St Peter's successor (As I write this, it's the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, a celebration commemorating the primacy of Peter in the community of believers; an unbroken role filled in by Peter's successors, a.k.a.the popes).  The resignation is new to almost everyone since the last pope to step down lived 5 centuries ago.  Some quarters cried foul saying the Pope can't do that because it's like saying 'No' to God.  I learned that the Pope can do that in his own volition as contained in Canon Law.  I was shocked and yet I admired him for doing such a courageous act.  It has been said that John Paul II once contemplated of resigning,  but in the end left everything as is.  I could understand Benedict's decision for he would have definitely witnessed how his predecessor ebbed away.

Benedict XVI has been described more as a teacher than an administrator of the Church. Compare his writings against the various controversies that bedevilled the Church in his term: Vatileaks, Vatican Bank controversies, sexual scandals involving priests, etc. Some commentators consider him as a weak pope for not being able to effect the needed change in the Roman Curia (the departments and agencies in Vatican).  The process involved in the new English translation of the Mass is an example of how the Roman Curia imposed changes to the English-speaking churches rather than leaving things in the hands of the bishops conferences. To be fair, Benedict did what he could to reach out (read: meet up) with victims of sexual abuse. By doing so, he has acknowledged that such evil existed. Unlike Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who dismissed the issue as mere gossip. The Pope has also sanctioned Fr Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, when it was discovered that he  was involved in sexual abuse and sired children. During John Paul II's time, this priest was untouchable as his congregation gave huge donations to the Vatican.

There is a buzz that cardinals who will be electing Benedict's successor next month are looking for a pope who will bring order to the Curia. Indeed, there are curialists who have behaven badly which put the present pope in bad light.  If a revamp can be done, then the collegiality of bishops (with the pope as primus inter pares) as envisioned by Vatican II will become a reality. And I also hope that they would look for someone who' will reexamine  the current English translation of the liturgy.

This Lent. let's offer our prayers, penance, and charity for Benedict XVI thanking God for his leadership, service, and example.  Let's also offer these Lenten gifts to the College of Cardinals that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to elect a pope who will be a true shepherd of the flock and fisher of people.

When Heart Speaks Unto Heart

The alarm clock went off at 1:30 that Sunday morning (19th September). I got up slowly and made my way to the kitchen to get some breakfast. I later got myself fixed. As I was tidying up the kitchen, someone was knocking at the door. “It’s Bridget!”, said the lady in a very soft voice. Bridget Casey was our parish pilgrim coordinator who kindly offered me a lift to Becket School where all coaches in our diocese would be making their way to Cofton Park. It’s in this park where, hours later, the Holy Father would preside in the Mass and Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

It was obviously dark; the pavement was wet and it was cold. On the car was Mary Harris, a Eucharistic minister. We drove to Our Lady’s Church to meet fellow pilgrims who have been congregating in front of the church. Bridget went out to make a final check. She brought another fellow parishioner to her car, Pauline who lives “4 minutes away from the church” as she told us.

Becket School grounds were being filled up with cars, people, and coaches. I saw more fellow parishioners like Rita Connell and son John, her sister Jean Durkin, Maureen Hancock, Sr Francis, etc. The parish has been well represented; sadly Fr Paul was unable to make it being a Sunday.

Marshals have been deployed on almost all areas guiding people, announcing which buses have arrived, etc. We rode on Bus 8. Bridget introduced herself and welcomed all passengers – we shared the coach with parishioners from the Cathedral and Hucknall parishes. There was a Filipino couple on the same bus as I was.

An hour and a half or so, we arrived in Cofton Park. People from various parishes and dioceses across the country were processing to the venue – some where carrying their parish banners. I met a couple of Filipinos – who were in their jovial mood ready to see the Pope.

After passing through security checks, our group settled on a spot to the left of the aisle leading to the main stage – another stage has been allocated for some singers who soon led us in a handful of praise songs. Bishops too were at hand to lead us in prayer and in reflecting on some of Cardinal Newman’s writings. We may have been wet and feeling cold during that time, but our spirit was not dampened! From time to time, a priest (I would imagine) would go to the podium and welcome or motivate people in preparing for the Pope’s arrival and for the Eucharistic celebration. There were a number of big screens which showed what’s happening on stage as well as monitor the Pope’s travel to the park.

A moment of hush followed after. I closed my eyes and remembered my loved ones and everyone else who were not present in that occasion. Later I saw priests garbed in white marching down the aisle to the main stage. People were anticipating that the Holy Father would also pass that way. I had my camera ready and while waiting had a chat with or a smile at fellow Filipinos who came from other parts of the country. I saw banners and flags of various colours including a huge Filipino flag. There were two interesting banners. One said “B16 (short for Benedict XVI) es Petrus (literally “Benedict XVI is Peter” highlighting the Pope as St Peter’s successor.) Another one said “Omnes cum Petro” (“All with Peter”).

No sign of the Pope. Growing impatient, I went back to where our group was when suddenly the big screens showed the Pope riding on the Pope mobile which made its way on another route! People started to clap their hands or wave their flags. We saw how babies were brought near the Pontiff who in turn kissed and blessed these. As these things took place, one thing was noticeable – the drizzle stopped, the clouds gave way to the sun!

Mass followed shortly. When the Pope declared Cardinal Newman as “Blessed”, his portrait on stage was unveiled. The proclamation was met with a great round of applause. One of England’s sons has been raised to altars!

I was delighted to see Deacon Jack Sullivan proclaiming the Gospel that Sunday – his recovery from a debilitating illness was a miracle obtained from Cardinal Newman’s intercession, the miracle that has made Newman eligible for beatification.

The Pope’s homily began by underscoring that day as the Lord’s day, “when our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and changed the course of human history for ever…” He then moved to cite what is more ‘local’ – the remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Pope could relate very well with this occasion having “lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime…” Finally, he mentioned Cardinal Newman’s beatification as “…another, more joyful reason why this is an auspicious day for Great Britain..."

The Pope delved on Blessed John Henry's motto Cor ad cor loquitur ("Heart speaks unto heart" which is the theme of his state visit). He said that this motto "gives us an insight into his (Blessed John Henry's) understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into communion with the Heart of God."

The Holy Father cited a reminder from this new blessed that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness. The Gospel that Sunday conveyed that no one can be the servant of two masters. Benedict XVI told his listeners that Newman's teaching on prayer explains how faithful followers of Christ are taken into the service of our Lord. He went on by on quoting Newman: "I have my mission. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place...if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling."

Recalling the Pope's homily vis-a-vis Blessed John Henry's life and teachings, I kept asking myself: "When was the last time I really prayed from the heart?" I may have said prayers a hundred times, but have all these been 100% from my heart? I may have attended many Masses, said a thousand rosaries, but my mind might have been somewhere else. If I don't pray from the heart, I am like a withered plant deprived of water and all the nutrition I need!

And because prayer prods us to serve, I asked too: "When was the last time I really did something good out of love?" I may have given monetary contributions to charities or shared my 'excess goods' with those in need or participated in any parish celebration, but may have done so because of fame or false pride or just being 'one of the good guys'? (Incidentally, during the Papal visit I saw a huge and strange poster which said something like "You don't need God to be good".) if I serve without love, I'm like chaff that when ignited easily burns up! (Ningas-cogon as a Filipino cliche goes.)

I'm glad the Pope presented Cardinal Newman not as a theologian and an intellectual, but as a priest, as a pastor of souls. By doing so, he made it clear to all that holiness is achievable even in the most simplest of activities.

The Mass concluded with everyone felt being blessed to be in that once-in-a-lifetime event. For me, this was the first beatification ceremony I attended. The celebration was followed by song numbers from a Catholic secondary school in Birmingham to the audience's delight. I recall "Sway" and "Twist and Shout" to name a few. This occasion was a real fiesta for this archdiocese and for the whole of England!

I'm pretty much sure that we all went home refreshed. Life goes on. Our mission continues - as individuals and as a community - inspired by Blessed John Henry, a man who was tested just like you and me, yet had a fruitful life. A man whose heart always sought God's very own.