Ano ang Kumpisal at Paano Magkumpisal?

Lahat ng Kristyano ay inaanyahan mg magsisi sa mga nagawang pagkakasala ngayong panahon ng kwaresma. Sa mga Katoliko, ag kaakibat ng pagsisisi ay ang Sakramento ng Kumpisal. Kaya nga sa panahon ng Kwaresma ay laging may kumpisalang bayan para magkaroon ang mga tao ng pagkakataon na magkumpisal ng kanilang mga kasalanan.

(Source: Catholic News World)

Ayon sa Katekismo, ang kumpisal ay ang sakramento na nag-aalis o nagpapatawad ng ating mga kasalanan pagkatapos tayong binyagan. Ang binyag ay kayang mag-alis ng mga salang orihinal at personal pero ito ay pwedeng gawin isang beses lang. Kaya naman ang Kumpisal ay para sa pagpapatawan ng mga personal na kasalanan na nagawa pagkatapos mabinyagan.

Ang kumpisal ay nagpapanumbalik ng kaisahan ng taong nagkasala sa grasya ng Diyos.

Ano ang Ginagawa sa Kumpisal

Ang kumpisal ay isinasagawa sa kumpisalan (confessional). Ang nangungumpisal ay babanggitin sa pari ang lahat ng nagawa nyang pagkakasala. Sa huli ang pari ay magbibigay ng absolution o pagpapatawad ng kasalanan at mga “acts of penance”.

Bago magkumpisal ay mabuting suriin ang iyong budhi o kalooban. Sa pagsusuri ay inaalala mo ang mga nagawa mong pagkakasala. Maarin mong gawing gabay ang Sampung Utos ng Diyos sa iyong pagsusuri ng budhi.

Narito ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng gawain sa Kumpisal:

1. Pumunta sa lugar kumpisalan o confessional, lumuhod at sabihin: “Sa ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo. Amen. Basbasan mo po ako Padre (o Father) sapagkat ako ay nagkasala. Ang aking huling kumpisal ay: (sabihin kung kailan ka huling nagkumpisal). Ito po ang aking mga kasalanan: (sabihin ang lahat ng nagawang kasalanan mula noong iyong huling kumpisal)
2. Pagkatapos sabihin ang mga kasalanan banggitin: “Padre (o Father) ito po ang lahat ng nagawa kong kasalanan”
3. Pagkatapos nito ay magsasalita ang pari. Sa puntong ito ay pwedeng magbigay ng payo ang pari. Dito rin magbibigay ng penitensyang ang pari.
4. Dasalin ang panalangin ng pagsisisi.
5. Magpasalamat sa Diyos sa kapatawarang ibigay Niya sa iyo, lumabas ng lugar kumpisalan at iyong gawin ang ipinataw na penitensya.

Hindi mo kailangan banggitin ang ekstaktong araw kung kelan ka huling nagkumpisal. Halimbawa, pwede mong sabihin na ang iyong huling kumpisal ay isang buwan na ang nakalipas o isang taon na ang nakalipas. Pwedeng magbigay ng tantya.

Ang madalas na ibigay na penitensya ay ang pagdarasal ng Ama Namin o Aba Ginoong Maria. Maari ring penitensya na ipataw ng pari ay ang pagbabasa ng Biblia. Sunding mabuti ang ipapataw na penitensya sa iyo. 

Bakit Kailangan mong Magkumpisal Ngayon?

Ang kumpisal ay ang sakramento na nagpapatawad sa ating mga kasalanan at nag-aayos ng relasyon natin sa Diyos. Ang taong hindi nagkukumpisal ay hindi dapat tumanggap ng Kumunyon o Katawan ni Kristo (ostia) dahil ang kumunyon na walang kumpisal ay mas magdadala sa atin ng matinding kaparusahan. Nas ng Diyos na linisin muna natin ang ating sarili bago natin Siya papasukin sa ating mga puso. Nais ng Diyos na iwaksi natin ang pagkabulid natin sa kasalanan dahil hindi pwedeng dalawa ang panginoon natin. Hindi pwedeng pagsabayin ang “mammon” at si Kristo. Ang kumpisal ang magpapaalis ng mammon sa ating buhay.

Ngayon ay panahon kwaresma kaya naman inaanyayahan ko kayong mangumpisal, pagsisihan amg mga kasalanan, at magbalik loob sa Diyos bago pa man dumating ang mga Mahal na Araw.

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Basahin ang tungkol sa iba pang Sakramento:

1. Ano ang Ginagawa sa First Communion?

2. Ano ang Ginagawa sa Kumpil?

3. Ano ang Ginagawa sa Binyag?

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Ano ang Ginagawa sa Binyag?

May mga tanong ka ba tungkol sa binyag? Tanungin mo ako sa pamamagitan ng pag-follow sa aking Facebook page at pag-iwan ng comment o message.

Ang binyag ang pinakamahalagang Sakramento dahil ito ang pintuan upang maging kaanib ng Simbahang Katolika. Kaya naman ang Sakramentong ito ay ibinibigay sa mga sanggol upang sila ay maging kaanib na sa Simbahan kahit sila ay musmos pa lamang.

Ang binyag ay isinasagawa sa pamamagitan ng pagbuhos ng Banal na Tubig (Holy Water) habang binabanggit ang Ngalan ng Ama, Anak, at ng Espiritu Santo. Ang simbolo ng binyag sa isang tao ay paghuhugas ng Orihinal na Kasalanan na namana ng sangkatauhan mula kina Adan at Eba.

Maliban sa Banal na Tubig ay may iba pang simbolo na ginagamit sa binyag at isa na dito ang kandila. Ang simbolo ng kandila sa binyag ay liwanag na gagabay sa bata sa kanyang paglaki. Ang mga kandila ay hawak ng mga magulang, ninong, at ninang dahil sila ang gagabay sa bata patungo sa Diyos.

Sino ang Pwedeng Maging Ninong at Ninang

Maliban sa mga magulang ng batang bibinyagan ay dapat kasama din ang magiging ninong at ninong mg bata sa seremonyas ng binyag.

Ang tanong ay sino ang pwedeng maging ninong at ninang?

Ang tungkulin ng ninong at ninang ay maging pangalawang magulang ng kanilang inaanak. Sila ang mag-aakay sa bata patungo kay Hesus. Kaya ang dapat maging ninong at ninang ay dapat isang Katoliko na nasa wastong gulang.

Pwede pa ring mag-ninong o ninang ang hindi Katoliko pero dapat may Katolikong ninong at Katolikong ninang sa mga listahan ng ninong at ninang.

Ilang ba dapat ang ninong at ninang? Pwede nang isang ninong at isang ninang lang ang kunin para sa binyag.

Ano ang Ginagawa ng Ninong at Ninang sa Binyag?

Simple lang ang tungkulin ng ninong at ninang sa araw ng binyag at iyon ay ang kanilang pagdalo sa mismong seremonyas ng binyag.

Heto ang mga ginagawa ng ninong at ninang sa binyag:

1. Sumagot sa tanong ng pari patungkol sa pagtanggap nila ng tungkulin bilang ninong at ninang.

2. Mag-antanda ng krus sa noo ng inaanak.

3. Sumagot sa mga tanong patungkol sa pagtakwil kay Satanas, kanyang mga gawa, at mga kasalanan.

4. Sumagot sa mga tanong sa paniniwala sa Ama, Jesus, at Banal na Espiritu bilang Diyos.

5. Paghawak ng kandila na sumisimbolo sa liwanag ng pananampalataya ng batang bininyagan.

Hindi kasama sa tungkulin ng ninong at ninang ang magbigay ng regalo o pakimkim sa bininyagan. Ito ay naging tradisyon na lang ng mga Pilipino.

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Ang binyag ay isang importante at banal na sakramento ng Simbahan. Ang mga ninong at ninang ay mahalagang bahagi ng sakramento na ito.

Dapat ang binyag pinahahalagahan at ang pagkuha ng ninong at ninang ay pinag-iisipan para ikabubuti ng bibinyagan.

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Ano ang Ginagawa sa First Communion?

May mga tanong ka ba tungkol sa first communion? Tanungin mo ako sa pamamagitan ng pag-follow sa aking Facebook page at pag-iwan ng comment o message.

Ang "first communion" ay isa sa pinakamahalagang pangyayari sa buhay ng isang Katoliko dahil ito ang unang beses na tatanggap ang isang Katoliko ng komunyon o ng banal na ostia.

Ito a madalas ginagawa ng mga batang Katoliko. Ang mga nasa Grade 2 ay pwede nang ihanda para sa first communion. Ang matatanda, lalo na ang mga bagong sanib sa Simbahan, ay dumadaan din sa first communion pagkatapos nilang mabinyagan.

Ano ba ang Komunyon?

Ang Komunyon, o "communion" sa wikang Ingles, ay isa sa 7 sakramento ng Simbahang Katolika. Sa sakramento na ito ay tumatanggap o kinakain natin ang banal na ostia. Tinatawag din itong Banal na Eukaristiya (Holy Eucharist) at itinuturing na “source and summit of ecclesial life”.

Ang banal na ostia ay mismong Katawan ni Kristo. Ayon sa katuruan ng Simbahan, ang ostia ay nagiging tunay na Katawan ni Kristo pagkatapos ng konsekrasyon sa Banal na Misa. Ito ay isa sa mga misteryo ng Simbahan na dapat pinanaligan ng mga Katoliko.

Dahil sa kabanalan ng Katawan ni Kristo ay hindi basta basta tinatanggap ang komunyon. Ang mga bata ay dumaan muna sa katekismo bago makapag-first communion.

Sino ang Pwedeng Mag-first Communion?

Ang mga pwedeng mag-first communion ay mga Katolikong bata na Grade 2 o higit pa na nakapag-katesismo na.

Ano ang Requirement sa First Communion?

Ang mga requirement sa first communion ay ang mga sumusunod:

1. Binyag - dapat ang mag-first communion ay nabinyagan na. Ang baptismal certificate, na makukuha sa opisina ng parokya kung saan ka nabinyagan, ang patunay ng iyong binyag.
2. Kumpisal - ang mag-first communion ay dapat magkumpisal muna upang mapatawad muna ang kasalanan bago timanggap ng Katawan ni Kristo. Alamin sa opisina ng parokya ang schedule ng kumpisal.
3. Cathechism - ang communion ay Katawan ni Kristo at hindi basta-basta tinatanggap dahil ang maling pagtanggap ng communion ay maaring maglagay sa isang Katoliko sa matinding pagkakasala. Ang cathechism o katesismo ay paraan ng Simbahan upang turuan ang mga Katoliko tungkol sa kabanalan ng communion at iba pamg katuruan. Ang schedule ng katesismo ay makukuha sa opisina ng parokya.

Ano ang Dapat Suotin sa First Communion?

Ang mga batang mag-first communion ay pinagsusuot ng puti. Ang lalaki ay pinagsusuot ng puting polo samantalang ang mga babae ay pinagsusuot ng bestidang puti.

Ano ang Ginagawa sa First Communion?

Ang first communion ay isang malaking pagdiriwang sa Simbahan lalo kung ang mga bata ay nag-aaral sa isang Catholic School, na minsan ay may ginagawa pang rehearsals para pulido ang first communion activity.

Ang first communion ay ginagawa sa loob ng Banal na Misa. Ang highlight ng event ay yung pagpila ng mga bata sa pagtanggap nila ng unang komunyon. Ang magulang ay kasama ng mga bata sa pagtanggap ng first communion.

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Basahin ang aking blog post tungkol sa kumpil.

Para sa mas malalim na impormasyon tungkol sa komunyon, inirerekomenda ko na inyong bisitahin ang Catholic Answers.

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Visita Iglesia: Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, & The Life (SM MoA)

In the midst of the busy shopping district of the SM Mall of Asia stands a refuge for tired shoppers. This place is no other than the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

This church always catch my attention whenever we go to SM Mall of Asia. It seems to be out of place because of the shopping complexes around it.

I only got the chance to enter the church after attending a convention at the nearby SMX Convention Center. I instantly fell in love with the its altar that features the scene where the young Jesus was found in the temple after he went missing for three days.

It was the first time that I saw an altar that features the scene where the distraught Mary found the missing Jesus.

I like the way this church was constructed because it retained the traditional look of a Catholic church despite it being in the midst of modern buildings. However, SM MoA’s church is not ornately decorated because it sticked to simplicity. The church’s simple-looking door is the proof of this.

It doesn’t mean that the church doesn't have a tinge of modernism because the tabernacle was placed at the side.

The tabernacle holds the Hosts, which is the Body of Christ Himself. Thus, the tabernacle should be placed at the center.

One thing that caught my attention is this sign:

I guess that cell-fishness is also rampant in this church. I have seen this attitude in the many churches that I visited. Many churchgoers couldn’t put down their phone for a while and put their full attention to the Holy Mass. They no longer respect God.

Outside SM MoA’s church are statues of Saint Pope John Paul II…

...and Cardinal Sin, who was instrumental in the fall of Marcos Dictatorship.

It is good that the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life was built within the SM Mall of Asia Complex. It gives the shoppers and tired mall employees somewhere to go for refuge, for prayers, and the much needed space for them to commune with God.

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Holy Mass is celebrated in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life every Wednesday at 5 PM and 6:30 PM; every Sunday at 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM, and 7 PM; every Saturday (anticipated mass) at 5:30 PM; and other days at 6 PM.

For weddings, couples must submit their application and complete documents at least two months prior to the date of wedding. For baptism, application must be filed at least two weeks before the date of baptism.

If you are interested in having a baptism for your child in this church, I suggest that you read Maggie's experience for his son's baptism in SM MoA's Church.  

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Visita Iglesia 2018

We Filipinos have plenty of traditions during the Semana Santa (Holy Week). We have the pabasa, which is the uninterrupted reading of the Pasyon for three days. There is also the senakulo and prusisyon. We also have extreme traditions like self flagellation and crucifixion of some devotees in Pampanga.

Another popular tradition during Semanta Santa is the Visita Iglesia. This tradition was started in the Philippines by Augustinian missionaries in the 1560s. It is believed that this tradition was started by San Felipe Neri and some friends as “Seven Churches Walk” in Rome. It became so popular that many people joined San Felipe in their walks.

In the Philippines, the Visita Iglesia was popular in Intramuros because the churches are quite close with one another. This changed after the Second World War because many churches were destroyed during “Liberation of Manila”.

Nowadays, the Visita Iglesia became an opportunity for parishioners to go to faraway and famous churches. Devotees who do the church visits pray the 14 Stations of the Cross. Two stations of the cross per church. Others do one station per church so they visit 14 churches for their Visita Iglesia.

I also have my own tradition of Visita Iglesia in this blog. I post about 7 churches from Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday.

This is a sort of penance for me and also an opportunity to show to the world the beautiful and interesting Philippine churches. So, I invite you my dear Readers to join me in this virtual Visita Iglesia and learn a lesson or two about our Filipino Catholic heritage.

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Check out my posts about the Philippine Churches to help you in making the list of churches that you will visit for the Visita Iglesia.

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Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 12): Why Cebuanos Call Mama Mary as Birhen sa Regla?

There is one church on Mactan Island that piqued my curiosity during my first visit to the Province of Cebu. That church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title of “Birhen sa Regla”.

“Why regla?”, I asked. Is Mama Mary a patron saint for ladies suffering dysmenorrhea and pains related to menstruation? Is regla the Cebuano word for blood?

These questions popped to my mind because we Tagalogs define regla as menstruation. I didn’t find having a patron saint for ladies suffering menstrual pains implausible because the Catholic Church has many saints for “random” and “weird” things. An example would be St. Eligius who is the patron saint of gas station and garage workers. In fact, there is a saint who is called upon during menstrual cramps. He is a guy and the general of the Theban Legion named Maurice.

A little Google search revealed that my assumption that regla means menstruation is wrong. Regla is actually an abbreviation of the Spanish word reglamento, which means rule. In short Birhen sa Regla is Our Lady of the Rule in English.

The veneration of Our Lady of the Rule was said to be begun by St. Augustine. According to tradition, St. Augustine has an image of a black Virgin Mary and through that image the saint received the rule that he used to guide his monastic community.

The islands of Cebu and Mactan were placed under the care of the Augustinians. Thus, it is not surprising that they brought the veneration of the Birhen sa Regla to the islands. The veneration became so popular that the people of Opon (the old name of Lapu-Lapu City) has a big fiesta honoring the black virgin.

The image of Birhen sa Regla was so dear to the people that they offer their precious jewelries for every answered prayer. The image was adorned by precious things until the parish priest decided to remove it after a robbery incident.

I was so oblivious of the fame of the Birhen sa Regla that I didn’t even know that the church where I attended a Sunday mass during my first visit to Cebu housed her famous image!

As newbie collector of Marian images, I found the image of Birhen sa Regla in Cebu unique to the many Marian images that I saw in this archipelago. I considered her as a defining image of Cebu.

I brought home an image of the Birhen sa Regla and she is now placed in our living room.

What I like with this image is that she holds another image that is so popular in Cebu. And that is the image of the Santo Niño.

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Read more of my latest adventure in the island of Cebu!

Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 19): Temple of Leah - The House of Vanity
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 18): A Better Stay in Bayfront Hotel in Cebu
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 17): A Great View of Cebu City from Tops Busay
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 16): A Taste of Mandarin in Cebu City
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 15): Taboan the Pasalubong Center of Cebu City
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 14) – My Accidental Visit to Mt. Carmel Church
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 13): Another Visit to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 11): Sto. Niño Basilica - Mother and Head of All Churches of the Philippine Islands
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 10): A Visit to the Fake(?) Magellan’s Cross
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 9): The Story of Rajah Humabon - King of Cebu
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 8): Calle Colon, the Oldest Street in the Philippines
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 7): The Worst Cebu Hotel
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 6): The Colorful Lighthouse of Lilo-an
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 5): The Mysterious Church of Lilo-an
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 4): Bagacay Point Lighthouse

Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 3): Feasting on Consolacion’s Fresh Talaba
Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 2): Finding Consolation in Consolacion Church

Laag-Laag sa Cebu (Part 1): My Boat Ride Under the Bridges of Mactan Channel

A Foretaste of Cebu in Mactan Cebu International Airport
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Visita Iglesia 2017

(Source: Catholic Lane)

Semana Santa or the Holy Week is just around the corner. Thus, it is time once again for my yearly tradition: the virtual Vista Iglesia.

Visita Iglesia is a Holy Week tradition wherein Filipino Catholics visit seven churches during Maundy Thursday. Prayers, paticularly the Stations of the Cross, is prayed for every church that was visited.

The Visita Iglesia was started by San Felipe Neri in mid-16th Century. They would visit the four major basilicas in Rome plus three more significant minor basilicas. This practice became popular that it spread to other countries. This tradition is more likely handed down to Filipinos by the Spaniards.

Now, the traditional Visita Iglesia had some modern twist. There is the Bisikleta Iglesia for bikers who prefer their bicycles than walking on foot. There is the online Visita Iglesia hosted by the CBCP for OFWs and other people who are not able to do the tradition because of illness.

My virtual Visita Iglesia will feature seven churches. One church for each day of the Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday.

I will feature the follwing churches for this year:

Palm Sunday: Saint Michael the Archangel Chapel in Taguig City

Holy Monday: Saint Polycarp Church in Cabuyao City, Laguna

Holy Tuesday: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the Queen of Caracol Church in Rosario, Cavite

Maundy Thursday: Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall

Good Friday: National Shrine of Our Mother of Perepetual Help in Pasay City

Black Saturday: Saint Peter’s Church in Quezon City

So starting tomorrow, let us journey on toward the Sacrifice on the Cross and the our Lord’s victory against sin and death. May you find the Lenten Season as the season of your conversion. God bless you.

Resurrection

Rejoice brethren for the Lord had risen,
Death and Devil were defeated,
The promised salvation finally given.

Play the harp and ring the bell,
Throw away that mourning sack,
Holy souls were finally saved from hell.

The lamb is here,
The king is here,
Our God is finally here.

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The Resurrection by Sebastiano Ricci.

The image was obtained from Wikimedia.
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Merry CHRISTmas!

The Holy Child is here.

Hallelujah!

For all of my blogger friends who keep on visiting my blog and all the readers, MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone of you.

May you receive Jesus Christ in your hearts.

:-)

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Image Source: WikiCommons

Day for All Saints

Halloween is meant to be a holy occasion. The mere presence of the word hallow (as in “hallowed be Thy Name” in the Lord's Prayer) signifies holiness. But despite of this, people of this generation twisted Halloween and made it a gory and unholy event.

The Devil, he who hates anything holy, is behind all of this twisting of the traditionally holy feasts. He, through commercialism, destroyed Christmas and Valentines Day. The former became a full blown event of relentless buying and feasting and the removal of the Child born in Bethlehem as the reason for the season. The latter became an opportunity to trivialize sex by turning it into source of pleasure.

The Devil is crafty. He didn't attacked All Saint's Day directly. He used the greed of men and the lack of faith of many to create a twisted version of Halloween or All Hallows Eve. The result are Halloween parties where monsters and evil spirits are celebrated. God and all of His angels and His saints were ignored in their feast. It is as if a gatecrasher entered the party and then drove away the host.

The tide of the time is upon us and it will take a long time before it subsides. While we are in this age of twisted values, I guess it is well that we pray to the saints and ask for their intercession. Call upon them everyday and they will bring your worries to God.

As for me, here are the saints who I regularly ask for intercession:

Oh holy servants of God please pray for me; for my Beloved, for our families; for all of our love ones; for our friends; for our neighbors; for our country; for our Pope; for all the bishops, priests, and deacons; for all the religious and consecrated; for all Christians being persecuted; for the whole Church; and for those who oppose the Lord and those who do not know Him.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers

Today, I join the whole world in greeting all mothers a happy and blessed Mother's Day!

What will be the fate of the world if there are no mothers to bear, rear and sacrifice for all of us. I bet that this world would be a dull one.

I remember the days of my youth when my mom is doing everything just to bring food to the table and support our education. My father has a job, but like many Filipino fathers, his salary is not enough to support the family. My mother didn't hesitate to wash other people's clothes and sell various things to increase the family income. She even had to humble herself to borrow money that will be used for our tuition every start of a semester.
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(Source: 100% Katolikong Pinoy)

I know that my mother sacrificed a lot for me. That's why I can say that I am so blessed to have her as my mother. I feel so loved even now that I am already a grown-up man.

Did you know that Mother's Day originated in the Catholic Church's fourth Sunday of Lent, which is the day when Mama Mary is honored as the mother of the Church?

Mama Mary is mother of Christians. Remember when Jesus, while He is nailed on the cross, told the beloved disciple (Saint John the Evangelist) that Mary is to be his mother. Thiese words of our Lord signify that He is appointing His mother to be the mother of all of his disciples. All of us, “modern day” Christians, are also her sons and daughters because we are the current disciples of her Son. That is why it is very fitting to greet Mama Mary a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Today is an extra special day because we also celebrate to feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
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I love you Mama Mary!

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Solemnity of Saint Joseph and the Labor Day

Today is special day not because it is Labor Day in the Philippines but because it is the day of a special man in the Church. That man is Joseph, who is also called as the Worker.

Saint Joseph is the foster father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the husband of Virgin Mary. God chose him to provide for the Mother and Child. The role of Saint Joseph is important yet he is just mentioned in few sentences in the New Testament. It shows that Saint Joseph is not a showy kind of man. He is the one who works, silently and piously, at the background.
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Saint Joseph is a carpenter by profession. That is why he is revered as the patron saint of laborers. It is fitting that his Feast Day coincided with Labor Day. The timing of Saint Joseph's feast day reminds us that more prayers are needed in these days when there is great discontent amongst the laborers. Labor Day is always accompanied with noisy rallies and protests. There is always a clash between policemen and protesters. Word wars between employers and laborers is a common event all throughout the year.

There is too much noise to the point that people just keep on babbling and everyone stop listening. Saint Joseph is perhaps telling us that nothing will be resolved as long as there is noise. There will be no solution for the problems of the Labor Sector if people shut their ears and just opened their mouths.
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Being the foster father of Jesus and husband of Virgin Mary is not an easy feat. I believe that he experienced suffering when he accepted God's call to be the head of the Holy Family. The moment he discovered that Mary is with child due to the Holy Spirit, he felt afraid and he decided to “put her privately away”. This action of Saint Joseph shows how deep are the doubts in Joseph's heart. Why is he afraid? Did he found himself unworthy to be the husband of the woman chosen to bear the Saviour of the world?

Another trial that Joseph faced is when our Lord was born in Bethlehem. The Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape the murderous intent of Herod. Imagine how hard it is to carry the fear for your life while being pursued by soldiers. Imagine the his thoughts as they leave the land of their birth. A lesser man will exclaim “I didn't sign up for this!” but Joseph still followed God's will without complaining.

Jesus promised that those who follow Him will experience suffering and tribulations. I believe that Joseph experienced that promise of his foster Son. He, an unworthy sinner, is tasked to take care of God who is infinitely more virtuous than him. The Devil may have pester him with thoughts of unworthiness and tempted him to run away from Jesus because of it. Yet, despite of these, Joseph persevered and suffered in silence.

We, Christians, especially Christian laborers, are called to emulate Saint Joseph. We are called to work more and to talk less. We are called to fulfill our works in silence and without claiming that what we accomplished was only due to our own doings.

Injecting the solemnity of Saint Joseph to Labor Day is the good way to return civility in the talks between employers and workers. Word wars, burning of effigies, sloganeering and being self centered will never resolve the problems. May we trust in the Lord like Saint Joseph and let all the sectors resolve labor problems in a civil and peaceful manner.

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Heroic Priests in the “Unsinkable” Titanic

Ask anyone about the sinking of RMS Titanic and the most probable responses that you will receive are related to the popular movie “Titanic”, which is starred by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Few of the responses might be related to the true crew and passengers of the “unsinkable” vessel. But, I believe that no response will be given that is related to the heroic priests who did not abandon the sinking ship for the sake of the perishing passengers.

It is a little known fact that two Catholic priests are on board the famous RMS Titanic. This is what the report of Evening World (April 1912) said about the two priests:
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“Two priests of the Roman Catholic Church went down on the Titanic with men and women grouped about them responding to prayers. Not only Catholics, but Protestants and Jews, realizing that their last hour was at hand, took part in the final religious service on the sloping deck of the Titanic as she was heading downward for the depths.”

The priests are Reverend Thomas R. Byles from London and an unnamed German priest. Only the story of Rev. Byles is known and a website was dedicated for him.
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Reverend Thomas R. Byles

According to the report, both priest officiated Holy Mass in the vessel. Both their homilies is about the “necessity of man having a lifeboat in the shape of religious consolation at hand in case of spiritual shipwreck”.

When Titanic is struck an iceberg and is about to sink, Rev. Byles helped children, women and other people to the lifeboats. While he is active in saving other people, the priest did not forgot his calling. He also led the prayers, give absolution and comforted the people.

This is what a witness said of Rev. Byles:
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"A few around us became very excited," Miss Mocklare continued, "and then it was that the priest again raised his hand and instantly they were calm once more. The passengers were immediately impressed by the absolute self-control of the priest. He began the recitation of the rosary. The prayers of all, regardless of creed, were mingled and the responses, "Holy Mary," were loud and strong.

The sinking of the RMS Titanic is due to human error. The captain and crew are so sure that the vessel is unsinkable that they failed to be vigilant of icebergs. I believe that the presence of the two priest aboard Titanic is not a coincidence. God placed them to calm the spirit and bring salvation to passengers and crew.

I know that many people blamed God for the sinking of Titanic. I know that many people mock Christians for believing a God that allows tragedies, like the sinking of the Titanic, to happen. People of little Faith! Many of the tragedies that occur to human beings are due to their own faults. Isn't it unfair to blame God for things of our own doing? We also don't have the right to blame God even if many people die of natural calamities. God owns everything, even our own life. He has the right to give life or to take it. Our own responsibility is to ensure that we are pleasing in the eyes of God so that we are ready to face Him when we die.

Though we are disobedient and unfaithful, God still send His help for all of us. The presence of the two priests aboard Titanic is a testament to this. Many people were saved during that day simply because they believed in the two priests. The sea had swallowed them but God gave them, believers and non-believers alike, a chance to be with Him in heaven.

As the world remembers the sinking of Titanic, I hope that we also remember these heroic priests who served God and people in great time of need.

A Late Easter Reflection

Easter is the most joyous event in Christian History. It is the moment when Jesus Christ finally destroyed the bonds that chain men to eternal damnation. It is the moment when the risen Lord broke the power of death. This is the reason why Easter Sunday is one of the most joyous Christian celebrations. People around the world; either they are Protestants, Orthodox, or Catholics join in one accord to celebrate to resurrection of God. One look at the photos taken around the world and you will see how many people revere this holy event.

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Byelorussian Catholics during an Easter Procession

Unfortunately, I am one those who are stuck in Black Saturday. While all the people around me celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, I still feel that my faith is inadequate to welcome Jesus Christ when he went out of His. I feel that I haven’t loved Him enough or obeyed Him enough. I am not worthy to be part of the welcoming party for Jesus Christ.

There is one event in the Easter story that I like the most. That portion of the Gospel was narrated by Saint John the Beloved Apostle:

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." 

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." 

Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. 

Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 

Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what he told her.

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What I like with this narrative is the reaction of Mary Magdalene when she recognized Jesus Christ. She exclaimed “Rabbouni”. I can feel the great joy of Mary when she recognized Jesus. Rabbouni! Rabbouni! Rabbouni! I can almost hear her heart shouting. How I yearn to exclaim like Mary. How I yearn to shout to the whole world that I finally found the Lord. “Rabbouni!”

The reply of Jesus is equally outstanding.  "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…” Our Lord didn’t want Mary to hold on to Him yet He let her recognize Him. How great His love is for those who are seeking Him! In His mercy, He allowed Mary Magdalene to see Him so as to replace her sorrow with great joy.

I believe that Jesus Christ does the same thing for all of us. None of us here on earth are worthy to touch Him yet He still allows us to find Him. In His mercy, he allowed us, wretched sinners to recognize Him to replace the sorrow of sin with the gladness of hope for the eternal.

My Lord is doing the same thing for me. Though still clinging to the sorrow of my sinfulness, Jesus has come to bring Easter to my life. The only question is when will I open my eyes and recognize Him.

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Visita Iglesia:San Isidro Labrador Church

We now go to the seventh and last church for this year's online Visita Iglesia. From Balibago Church in Santa Rosa City, I now take you to Biñan City for a visit to San Isidro Labrador Parish Church.
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(Source: Wikipedia)

It was evening when I reached Biñan City to meet my beloved, who is searching the market for cloths. The traveler/blogger part of me made me searched for Biñan's tourist spots while I was waiting for her. What I found is a park dedicated to Jose Rizal in the middle near the marketplace.
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I found, to my delight, a church located near the park. The church that I saw is the church that has a relief image of Saint Isidore the Laborer, or San Isidro Labrador in Spanish, on its facade. The lover-of-old-churches in me prompted me to enter this church.
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The evening mass is about to start and many people are waiting for it to start. I failed to take many photos as a courtesy for the Holy Mass. I also failed to have a look at the grounds of the church since it is already evening and my beloved is already looking for me.

I hope that I can visit this church again someday. I want to see more of it and know more about its history. I believe that this church is full of history because it is the first church built in Biñan City. Biñan City is already a bustling town during the Spanish Colonial Era and Jose Rizal even visited this place.

Prayer to San Isidro Labrador

Dear Isidore, you know how normal it is to cultivate the land for you were employed as a farm laborer for the greater part of your life. Although you received God's help materially through Angels in the field, all farmers are aided spiritually to see the wonders God has strewn on this earth. Encourage all farmers in their labors and help them to feed numerous people. Amen.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

May the Lord deepen our faith in Him this Holy Week! Amen.

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Visita Iglesia: Balibago Church

I read a certain blog wherein the blogger wrote that she was surprised to see the Chair of Saint Peter Parish Church painted in pink. Her comment made me realize that that church in Santa Rosa, Laguna is the only church that I saw that has the unique color of pink. Many of the of churches that I saw are in the grey colors of adobe (i.e. Manila Cathedral) or painted in white (i.e. Cebu Cathedral).

Pink is an eyesore, specifically if it is used to color structures. Just recall the pink fences and pink footbridges during the reign of Bayani Fernando in MMDA and you will understand how irritating pink is. However, the Chair of Saint Peter Parish Church, used the pink color yet avoided being an eyesore.
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Chair of Saint Peter Parish Church is located in Barangay Balibago, Santa Rosa City. Hence, the church is more popularly known as Balibago Church. The church is painted in pink to honor Saint Rose of Lima, of whom the City of Santa Rosa was named after. Saint Rose is usually depicted with pink-colored roses in artworks. The saint is one of the patron saint of the Philippines.
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Saint Rose of Lima

I usually drop by Balibago Church whenever I visit Santo Rosa City. I also pray to Mama Mary in the little room dedicated for her at the side of the church.

Balibago Church follows the architectural form of the old churches erected during the Spanish Colonial Period. There is a separate bell tower and the altar is at the end of the church. The interior part of Balibago Church is simple. No fancy artworks or gimmicks, unlike some churches following the modernist forms.
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I am a fan of old churches and I really love the old architectural forms used in those churches. Compare the old churches like the Danao Church, Binondo Church and Lucban Church with the Church of Gesu inside the Ateneo de Manila University. All I can say at the last church is “ugh!” Is that a church or a conference hall with a white cross used as an accent?

I am glad that the builders of Balibago Church avoided the use of modernist style of architecture. Filipino Catholics appreciate the old-style church than the modernist ones.
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Prayer to Saint Rose of Lima

Admirable Saint Rose, thou wert truly
a sweet flower blooming
on a rugged soil: thou wert indeed a rose
among thorns, bearing with meekness
and patience the stings of envious tongues,
and preserving perfect purity and modesty
amid the alluring blandishments of a deceitful world.

By the merits which thou hast thus gained
with our Divine Lord, obtain for me
the grace to bear afflictions with patience,
to remain pure and modest,
to be meek and humble,
and to be faithful to the inspirations
of the Holy Spirit, so that I may be
ever pleasing and acceptable in the sight of
my dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

May the Lord deepen our faith in Him this Holy Week! Amen.

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Visita Iglesia: Santa Cruz Church

Let us go now from the ancient church of Binondo Chinatown to another church at the other end of Ongpin Street. That church is the Santa Cruz Church.
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What I love most with this chrch is that the Holy Eucharist is exposed not in a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, which are usually located on the side of the main church, but on the altar. Yep! Parishioners of this church has the privilege to be with Jesus Christ inside the the main church.

I always drop by Santa Cruz Church whenever I am in the area just to be in the presence of the Holy Eucharist.

Another thing that I like with Santa Cruz Church is the painting at the altar.
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Painted on the wall of the altar is a lamb, which represents Jesus Christ, with the living water flowing freely to the tabernacle. I am awed with this painting because it perfectly represents what the Lamb had given us, wretched being as we all are. Through His sacrifice, the living water flowed freely and all we have to do is to open our hearts and accept it.

The first structure of the church was established by the Jesuits in 1619. The Jesuits enshrined the image of Our Lady of the Pillar, of which there are aconsiderable number of devotees. Santa Cruz Church is currently run by the priests of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

May the Lord deepen our faith in Him this Holy Week! Amen.

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Visita Iglesia: Binondo Church

From the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval Manila, we go to another shrine dedicated to another saint who is also much revered by Filipino Catholics. Our second station for our virtual Visita Iglesia is in the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, which is more popularly known as the Binondo Church.

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Binondo Church is a famous structure that marks the entrance to Binondo Chinatown. It was established by Dominican priests in 1596 to serve the large number of Chinese converts in the area. The original structure was destroyed during the British bombardment in 1762. The second structure was destroyed during the Second World War.

The church became the basilica for San Lorenzo Ruiz of its connection to the saint. San Lorenzo trained in Binondo Church before he was sent to a mission to Japan.

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Notice that the image of San Lorenzo is holding palm leaves in his left hand. The palm frond signifies the fact that San Lorenzo received the crown of martyrdom. The Japanese killed the saint, together with his companions, because they don’t want to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.

My favorite part of Binondo Church is its altar.

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I like it because the tabernacle is at the center, which is its rightful place. Above the tabernacle is the image of Mama Mary robed in golden clothing and carrying the child Jesus. Flanking them are the images of saints, many of whom I am not familiar.

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The ceiling at the altar shows the painting of Saint Michael the Archangel and other angels. Looking at that painting give an assurance that I am fully protected from the Devil because Saint Michael and the heavenly hosts.

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The ceiling of Binondo Church is painted with the scenes from the Bible. The paintings are arranged based on the mystery of the Holy Rosary. The center part of the ceiling shows the Glorious Mystery:

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The Ascension and Crowning of Virgin Mary. 

The left part of the ceiling shows the Sorrowful Mysteries:

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The carrying of the cross and the crucifixion.

The right part of the ceiling shows the Joyful Mysteries:

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Finding of Jesus in the Temple and the Presentation.

Looking below the church’s dome make you think that you are looking through heaven. There are so many cherubim looking down upon you.

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The stained-glass windows are also good to look at.

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Archangel Gabriel greeting the Virgin Mary.

If you are somewhere in Binondo Chinatown, I highly recommend that you visit Binondo Church. Many tourists go to this church because of it being a part of the Manila’s heritage. Devotees of San Lorenzo Ruiz must visit this church because this is where he learned and grew up in the Faith.

Prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz

Beloved SAN LORENZO RUIZ DE MANILA, confronted with death, you proclaimed your readiness to die a thousand times for your Christian faith. Today the whole world admires your courage. We feel particularly proud of you as our brother. And we pray: You, a family man, protect our families. Keep them united in love. You, who bore your sufferings with patience and resignation, intercede for the sick of mind and body; help them to receive the grace of God’s miraculous healing. You, who died in a foreign country, take care of Filipinos living and working in this country and in other parts of the world. You, an example of Christian fortitude, sustain our faith and make it spread and grow strong all around us. You, the Philippines’ first saint, be the country’s special protector. Unite us as one people; help us to work in harmony for development and progress; and give us peace. AMEN.

(State your intentions). San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.

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Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting seven churches during Maundy Thursday. For each day, this Holy Week, I will feature one church as a sort of virtual Visita Iglesia.

May the Lord deepen our faith in Him this Holy Week! Amen.

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