On the Immaculate Conception...

The Immaculate Conception of Our Mother...
__________________

December 8, 2006 - The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Principal Patroness of the Philippines
Gospel : Luke 1: 26 - 38

26
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28
And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"
29
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
30
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34
And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"
35
And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
36
And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37
For with God nothing will be impossible."
38
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

__________________

Inmaculada Concepcion. this title has been one of the most memorial ones in my life. She has been the Titular Patron of Our School in Malabon, as well as of its Parish. Before, I serve in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Malabon as a Choir Member. Years after, and as of now, I shifted, and now serving in my Parish in Navotas. Sa totoo lang, naging bahagi na siya ng buhay ko.

Ngayon, na grumaduate na ako sa Alma Mater ko, nami-miss ko na yung mga Choir Days namin sa School. Hindi sa pinagmamaybang, ngunit dun nako nahubog sa pagiging isang Christian Catholic Servant. At iyun ang Message ng Gospel para sa araw na ito. Ang pagiging Bukas sa mga balakin ng Panginoon, at ang pagtanggap sa lahat ng ito. God wants all the good things for us. kaya nga nais niya tayong makasama dun sa itaas.... na sa kasamaang palad, ay parang ayaw natin.

Sa araw na ito, ay lumapit tayo sa ating Inang Birhen. Kasi kung naranasan niya ang lahat ng magagandang balak ng Diyos sa kanya, eh paano pa kaya tayo? Patuloy lang tayong lumapit. Wag matakot. naghihintay si Maria, yayakapin na sana tayo, pero ayaw nating lumapit.

Nawa, ay patuloy tayong gabayan ni Ina sa ating mga Balakin. at Pagpalain tayo ng Panginoon sa araw na ito ng Kasiyahan.

Ave Maria Purisima Cimpecado Concevida. Ora Pro Nobis!!!

In Advent of the Liturgical Year C...

From the Title itself, we are going to talk about the Coming Year, as well as the passing year... in Liturgical Sense.

Advent is just around the corner, as well as Christmas and New Year.

But the Question is... Ano nang nangyari sa buhay mo? What happened in your life?

Alam ninyo? I always hear in our Celebrations the words:"Wag mong padaanin si Kristo sa Buhay mo na parang walang nangyari." and It's true... most of the time, we see Christ walking in some part of our lives, but it seemed as if nothing is happening. Christ is walking, and we cannot see Him. He is in the beggar, and we don't care about the Beggar. He is in those people that are in need of our help, but it is as if we are blind and deaf of their cries...

This is what Advent is all about. This is a call for all of us, hindi para maghanda ng mga material na bagay para sa mga kaibigan nating mga mayayaman din. But for all of us to prepare our hearts, to prepare our good deeds. kasi kung iisipin, eh nagsasayang ka na nga ng pera, parang malungkot ka pa at nanghihinayang pag binigay mo ang regalo mo sa kaibigan mo, kasi mahal yung bagay na iyun...

What we need is a heart, mind, soul, and body na handa sa pagdating ng KYRIOS, ng Kristo, sa pamamagitan ng kawanggawa. Hindi ka na naglustay ng pera, masaya ka pa, and it makes you worthy, di ba?

So, do you want to have a more fulfilling Advent, Christmas, and New Year? Do the Three P's... Panalangin, Paglilimos, and Pag-aayuno( kahit na hindi mo mapigilan ang pagkain, o sige na nga!!!)

Happy Advent 2007, and may we have these 4 weeks a fulfilling spirit, a spirit of Anticipation for Christmas!!!

PEACE!!!

Nov. 29, 2006

On the Kingship of Christ...

Christ in all his Majesty, Humility, and Justice, the PANTOCRATOR...
____________
Solemnity of the Kingship of Christ - 34th Sunday in the Ordinary Time
November 26, 2006

Gospel : John 18, 33-37

33
Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
34
Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?"
35
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?"
36
Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."
37
Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."

____________

Sa mga nagtataka kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng Icon ng Christ Pantocrator na nasa itaas, eto ang explanation niya...

Nakapaligid kay Kristo ang tatlong bilog, na sumisimbulo sa Santisima Trinidad, ang Ama(symbolized by the biggest circle), ang Anak (simbolized by the next circle, na nagre-rest sa halo sa may ulo niya), at ang Banal na Espiritu (symbolized by the smallest circle). Sila ay nagkakaisa sa pag-ibig upang ipamahagi sa mga tao ang kanilang pagmamahal at awa.
Sa Pinakamalaking bilog naman, ay nakapaligid ang mga animo'y triangle na kulay pula, sumisimbulo sa apat na Ebanghelista, na nagpahayag ng Mabuting balita ng kaligtasan sa lahat.
At kung nagtataka kayo kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga nakasulat sa libro na "AMATE I VOSTO HEMICI, VENGO PRESTO", ang ibig sabihin nito ay "IBIGIN MO ANG IYONG KAAWAY, DARATING NA AKO!!!"

Sa ibang mga version ng icon na ito, makikita ang isang Kristo na mabangis, malupit, at parang walang habas na hahatulan ang mga tao sa kanyang pagdating, ngunit idini-deplect ng Version na ito na mayroon Isang Kristo na mapagpatawad, maawain, naghihintay sa ating pagbabalik-loob, na hindi tayo hinahapit, kundi binibigyan ng pagkakataon (kung iisipin nga naman, ay masyadong malupit ang mga painters noon, at sinadya nilang magmukhang nakakatakot ang mga Mukha ng kanilang mga version ng Pantocrator... talking about the arts!!!).

At ito ang mensahe ng ating Ebanghelyo para sa Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kristong Hari.... ang kababaang loob ng Diyos Anak, na nagpakababa hanggang kamatayan, upang iligtas tayo mula sa kamatayan. Kahit na totoo na darating ang panahon na huhukumin tayo, ay binibigyan pa rin tayo ng panahon at pagkakataon upang magbago, at ipahayag sa tanan ang Ebanghelyo ng Kyrios, ng Kristo, na ang ipinapahayag ay hindi tungkol sa masamang mga gawa, at ang pagbulag sa mundo tungkol sa mga gawa sa Kalangitan, kundi ang pagmamahal ng Diyos, at ang KATOTOHANAN ng kanyang kadakilaan. Sabi nga ni Kristo, "ang Sinumang nasa katotohanan, ay nakikinig sa aking tinig." Ito ang panawagan sa ating lahat sa araw na ito. Wag natin sanang iisipin na wala nang pagkakataon upang magbago... Kapatid, may oras pa. Sama-sama tayong magbago, at sama-sama nating paghariin si Kristo sa ating mga puso, para sa ikaliligtas ng tanang mundo!!!

AMEN.

November 25, 2006

Sa mundo ng Kawalan...

( I created this last night, bunga ng inis ko... hindi ko naisip na makakagawa ako ng ganito. well, anyweyz, eto na, ang bunga ng inis!!!)


Isang araw, nasa harap ako ng Altar, nakaluhod sa harap ng isang malaking Krusipiho.

di ko nga alam kung bakit ako naroroon, at kung ano ang ginagawa ko doon...

At mula sa kaloob-looban ng aking kaluluwa, ay naramdaman ko na lang na may sumisigaw sa hapdi at hirap ng kanyang nararamdaman. Nararamdaman ko siya, lumuluha nang masagana habang isinisigaw ang kanyang daing.

Ito ang sigaw niya...

"Panginoon!!! Bakit? Bakit ako humaharap sa mga sitwasyong ito? kailangan ko bang pagdaan ang lahat ng ito? Sabihin mo, Panginoon! Bakit ako naririto? Ano ang dahilan ko upang mabuhay? Ano ang dahilan upang pagdaan ko, at danasin ang lahat ng ito? Ano ba, Panginoon? SABIHIN MO!!!"

At mula sa kawalan ng bulwagan, ay may biglang nagsalita...

"Makinig ka, anak."

Lumingon ako, tumingin sa likuran, at nakita ko naman na walang tao. binalik ko ang aking tingin sa Altar. Muling may nagsalita...

" Anak, makinig ka sa sasabihin ko.

"Kayong lahat na mga tao, ay kailangan na dumaan sa mga pagsubok na dumadaan sa inyo. lahat ng iyun, ay hindi ninyo nalalaman kung gaanong kahirap, o kung gaanong kagaan, o kung ano mismo ang pagsubok na iyon. Iyan ang dahilan ko kung bakit ako naririto...

"Tandaan mo anak. Ikaw ay hindi pinanganak para sa sarili mo. Ikaw ay pinanganak para sa iba. Hindi ka nabubuhay para punuin ang sarili mo ng kung anu-ano. Nabubuhay ka para sa kapwa mo, upang magsabog ka ng kaliwanagan na tulad ng isang bomba, isang nukleyar na bomba, nagsasabog siya ng kaliwanagan sa lahat ng dako, iyan ang dapat mong ginagawa.

"May dahilan ang lahat. kung ngayon ay nahihirapan ka, ay wag kang matakot na lumapit sa akin. Iyan ang kulang sa inyo. Lagi ninyong iniisip na kaya ninyo, na sa totoo, ay hindi, at malayong mangyari. Wala kayong magagawa kung wala ako sa piling ninyo. Iyan ang katotohanan.

"Tandaan mo, anak. May dahilan kung bakit ka nabubuhay. Sa ngayon ay hindi ninyo pa alam, ngunit sa paglaon ay malalaman at maiintindihan mo na rin. Mahihirapan ka ngayon, ngunit tandaan mo na lagi akong nandyan sa puso mo. Tumawag ka sa akin!!! Maghihintay ako para sa iyo!!!

"Tanggapin mo ang lahat ng mga karuwahaginan, ang mga inis, ang pait ng mga salitang masasama, lahat ng mga nakakababa sa iyo. Tanggapin mo lahat ng iyun para sa akin, at para sa mas lalong ikakadakila ng ngalan ko. At makukuha mo ang kaginhawaang walang hanggan.

"Lagi akong naririto para sa iyo.. Mahal na Mahal Kita!!!"

... biglang....

" Wewe, 5:00 na!!! gising na!!! magse-serve ka pa, di ba?"

Panaginip lang pala ang lahat. Pero sana, ay hindi na lang makulong sa panaginip ang mga mensahe ng Boses na iyon...

11-17'06

Alam ninyo, habang sinusulat ko ito kagabi, parang napapaiyak ako sa mga sinusulat ko. alam ninyo ang nasabi ko kagabi, hanggang ngayon? ito:

OO, Panginoon!!! hindi ako bibitiw sa pagkakahawak ko sa iyo!!! Alam ko na mahal na mahal mo ako, kahit na makasalanan ako. Tulungan mo ako na mas lalo pa kitang mahalin sa kapwa ko. Patuloy mo akong yakapin,upang sa kabila ng mga masasamang salita at pang-iinis ng iba, ay maintindihan ko sila, at mas lalo ko pa silang mahalin!!! Patuloy mo akong gabayan, sa buhay na ito, at sa kabila. ibigay mo sa akin ang iyong grasya ng kabaang loob, nang magawa ko ang lahat ng mga pagsubok na ibibigay mo sa akin, at upang mas lalo kita maipakilala sa mundo, maging tanda man ito ng pag-aalay ko ng aking buhay.

AMEN!!!



Mula sa harap ng Kompyuter at sa kaibuturan ng puso ko...

11-18'06

:)

dahil sa mga indulhensya...

alam ninyo?
balisang-balisa ako.
bakit naman?
malay ko.

Lagi akong nakatingin sa buhay bilang isang perpektong bagay. walang problema, walang magbabawal sa iyo, walang masama, walang hindi pwedeng gawin, as in... lahat, pwede.

pero, hindi naman ganoon, eh... laging may bawal, laging hindi pwede, laging may problema, laging may masama,...

bakit nga ba ganoon?

pero sa pagtagal, nakita ko ang dahilan, kung bakit nga ba ganoon...

I'm just insecure...
I'm not walking in the right way.
I'm not who I must be.

I need help...
I need someone to guide a guy like me.

I found him, but I just can't recieve fully his teachings.
I loved him, but it just seems it's still lacking.
I want to be with him always, but there is something that makes me not to follow him.

i'm in sin.

I took the test. failed.
I took another one. failed again.
I had a retake. failed for the nth time.

I want to be a saint, but I'm in sin.
I want to be in glory, but I'm in sorrow.
I'm in sin, but still, I don't have that enough supplications.

But I still hope.
hoping that he will still be there for me.
hoping that I will be out of sin.
hoping that I will get out of the sorrow.
hoping that I will pass the test this time.

Conclusion?

tayo ay laging nahaharap sa mga sitwasyon na napupunta sa resolusyon na "ayaw ko na. suko na ako. baboosh na!!!" mali iyun.
kahit na tayo ay nasa kasalanan, kahit na tayo ay nadadapa, kahit na tayo ay pinagtakpan ng langit at lupa, kahit na kamukha natin si bakekang, magbago man ang ikot ng mundong ibabaw, kahit na dumaan ang maraming bagyong milenyo, kahit na ilang EDSA revolution ang dumaan, kahit na magunaw ang mundo...
isa lang ang hindi magbabago. si God.
Mahal na mahal niya tayo. kinakalinga niya tayo. sumisikat pa rin ang araw. nagigising pa rin tayo. may mga konsensya pa rin tayo. nakakapaglakad pa rin tayo. yung iba, may wheelchair, pero nakakapag-ikot-ikot pa rin. nakakakanta pa rin tayo. nagagawa pa rin natin ang iba't ibang mga bagay na pwede nating gawin.

talagang mahal na mahal niya tayo. nararamdaman ko kasi, eh.

wag tayong sumuko. wag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. wag tayong masiraan ng loob.

Lagi siyang nandiyan para sa atin. mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal na MAHAL NA MAHAL NA MAHAL NA MAHAL NIYA TAYO!!!

(PS: ngayong November 01, bukas, November 02, ay pinagkakaloob ng Simbahan ang PLENARY INDULGENCE para sa mga taong magsisimba,bibisita sa Sementeryo, o magdarasal para sa mga kaluluwa sa Purgatoryo. kaya ako inspired ngayon!!! hehe!!! :))

November 01, 2006

On the Saints and the Souls...

The Glory of all the Saints in Heaven...

November 1, 2006 - Solemnity of All the Saints
Matthew 5: 1 - 12
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you
___________________



The Poor Souls in Purgatory...

November 2, 2006 - Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed
John 11: 17 - 27
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz'arus had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."

_______________


Ninais ng Diyos na tayong lahat ay magkaisa sa iisang katawan, ang Simbahan. kaya nga, tayong lahat ay mapapalad, kasi ating pinagdiriwang ang dalawa sa mga dakilang kapistahan ng ating Simbahan. ang tawag ng iba sa dalawang araw na ito ay UNDAS, ang iba, Todos Los Santos, ang iba, Araw ng mga Patay... pero in one sense, iisang kahulugan lang. Pinahahayag nito ang iisang Katawang Mistiko ni Kristo, ang Simbahan.

Ang Simbahang Matagumpay, o ang mga Santong maluwalhating nabuhay sa Mundo...

Ang Simbahang Nakikibaka, o sa ibang salita... tayo.

Ang Simbahang nagdurusa, o ang mga banal na kaluluwa sa Purgatoryo.

pero paano nga ba tayong nagiging isa?

humihingi tayo ng tulong sa mga Santo, at sa mga kaluluwa.

humihingi sa atin ang mga kaluluwa ng tulong at panalangin, gayon din naman, tinutulungan nila tayo sa paggabay sa atin.

humihingi ang mga Banal sa Diyos ng mga biyaya't grasyang kailangan natin, at ginagabayan tayo.

ganoon lang naman.

nawa, sa pamamagitan ng dalawang araw na ito, ay mas lalo nating maunawaan na tayo ay kaisa ng mga Banal at ng mga kaluluwa sa mga pakikibaka dito sa mundo.

Siya Nawa.

On the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary...

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila


Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan

____________________
The 150 Davidic Psalms (the Psalter of David) have always been prayed by Old Testament Israel , Jews, and Christians for personal prayer, communal prayer, lamentations, praise, thanksgiving, and, in the case of Christians, to demonstrate the fulfillment of prophecy. They came to form a large part of the Divine Office sung at the various canonical hours by religious. Lay people who didn't have copies of Scripture or the Breviary and lay people and religious who were illiterate would substitute 150 Pater Nosters (Our Fathers) or Aves (Hail Marys) in place of the 150 Psalms they could not read. The prayers were originally counted by transferring pebbles from one bag to another, but soon enough Christians began to tie a rope with knots on which to count. This evolved further into using beads or pieces of wood in place of the knots, and this soon came to be called the "Psalter of the Laity." Around the end of the first millennium, Rosaries contained the present five decades (sets of ten beads), with the Ave beads shaped like white lilies for the purity of the Virgin, and the Pater beads shaped like red roses for the wounds and Passion of Christ. St. Dominic de Guzman popularized the Marian Psalter in the form we have it today (150 Aves with a Pater after each 10) when Our Lady encouraged him to pray it that way in response to the Albigensian heresy. So associated with the Rosary is St. Dominic that the Rosary is often called the "Dominican Rosary." Our Lady also appeared to the children at Fatima and asked that the Rosary be prayed daily, including the "Fatima Prayer," as part of what must be done in order to prevent Russia from spreading its errors throughout the world (the other things being the faithful wearing of the Brown Scapular, the First Five Saturdays Devotion, acts of reparation and sacrifice, and the Consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart by the Pope and all the Bishops in union with him. This last has not been done). The Rosary, thus, has always been a weapon against heresy and trouble; in fact, the 7 October 1571 victory of Christendom over Islamic warriors at the Battle of Lepanto -- the first naval victory against the infidels -- was attributed directly to the Rosaries prayed by the faithful.While non-Catholics see the Rosary as a mindless chant, what they don't understand is that the Rosary is a meditation on the lives of Mary and Jesus. Each decade (each set of 10 Ave beads in the circular part of the Rosary beads) represents a single Mystery in their lives, and as the prayers are prayed, we contemplate that particular Mystery. There are 4 sets of 5 Mysteries -- the Joyful, Luminous or light, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. One set of Mysteries is traditionally prayed on different days of the week, and one who prays a single set (i.e., 50 Aves) can be said to have "prayed the Rosary," but, literally, a complete Psalter consists of all 15 Mysteries (150 Aves, going around the beads three times). The typical way of Rosary-praying -- i.e., praying a third of a Rosary -- is more accurately, but uncommonly, called praying a "chaplet." (Note that there are many, many different kinds of chaplets -- some to Jesus, some to the Holy Ghost, some to Mary and the other Saints, etc. -- each with different arrangements of prayers and many having their own style of beads). Like the Mass, what you take emotionally from the Rosary is what you bring to it, but in any case, emotional highs aren't the point of prayer. Prayer is for the glory of God.

----------
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary... ano nga ba ang aking masasabi tungkol sa kanya? isa lang. ROSAS. ito ang ating mga iniaalay sa Mahal na Ina. Sa tuwing ating dinarasal ang limang dekada ng Santo Rosaryo, ay animong limang dekada ng mga rosas ang ating inilalagay sa kanyang paanan. Mary likes that, and that honors her. honor beyond everything. and this also makes us love her. napapamahal tayo sa Ina ng Mananakop, dahil sa ating pagdarasal na ito...

Nawa, sa ating pag-observe sa Buwan ng Rosaryo, ang Buwan ng Oktubre, ay tunay tayong mapalapit sa Diyos, sa pamamagitan ni Maria, sa ating tuwi-tuwinang pagdarasal ng Santo Rosaryo.

---------

Amin po kayong inaanyayahan para sa aming October Devotion, comprising of the praying of the rosary, and some reflection to the first 15 mysteries: Joy, Sorrow, and Glory; mula po Oct. 1, hanggang Nov. 2, 2006, sa ganap na ika-4 ng umaga. Maraming Salamat Po!!!

Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii, Ora pro nobis!!!

Whatever...

ano nga ba ang susulatin ko? tungkol ba sa mga pasaway na walang magawa kundi magpasaway pa lalo, tulad ng mga dabarkads ko na walang magawa sa buhay kundi magpayabang sa mga galz? o tungkol kaya sa mga kabutihang ginagawa ng mga tao sa paligid ko, tulad ni GMA, si Mayor, o ang Barangay Captain namin kaya, o ang aming parish priest? o tungkol kaya sa mga ginagawang kabalbalan ng iba na nasa puwesto, tulad nina ___, ___, o kaya si ___?
Malay ko. Ewan ko!!!
sa totoo lang, ang mga tao sa ngayon, mas lalo pang nagiging pasaway, mas lalo pang nagiging mabait, o mas lalo pang gumagawa ng kabalbalan. lahat tayo, we are no exception to that, kasi tayo lahat iyan, eh. kung baga nga, eh lagi tayong nagpapapalit-palit ng anyo. tulad na rin pala tayo nung iba na lalaki sa araw, ngunit babae sa gabi!!!
well, anyweyz, tayo din naman, ay maraming hinahanap. marami tayong mga bagay na nais makuha. ang latest na model ng cellphone, ang in na in sa mga kikay kits ng iba dyan, ang mga latest na bags, damit, at iba pa na nais nating makamit. marami tayong mga ambisyon, at marami rin naman tayong mga paraan upang makamit iyon, kahit ang pagkitil ng buhay ng iba.
Eh ano ngayon? anong pakialam ko dyan? itong taong ito, nababaliw na!!!
sa totoo lang, alam ko na ang sasabihin ninyo about me. and that's the reality of life... wala tayong pakialam sa mga nasa paligid natin. Sa lahat ng mga concerns na napagdaan natin, itong SOCIAL side ang hindi natin nabigyan ng tunay na pansin.
Hindi ninyo ba napapansin...
ang utang natin na hindi natin mabayad-bayaran?
ang ating mga bundok na makakalbo na, ang mga dagat na wala nang mga isda, kundi mga basura ang mga lumalangoy?
ang mas lumalaking problema ng Extra-Judicial Killings?
ang mas lalong dumadaming bilang ng napapariwarang mga kabataan?
ang mas lalong nasisirang pamilyang pilipino?
ang mga pasikretong abortion?
ang mga paglalapastangan sa mga Simbahan, at ang mga problema sa Celibacy?
ang mga mas lalo pang lumalaking problema ng Drugs?
ang mas lumalalang problema sa Sekswalidad ng tao?
ang mga pasaway na nasa lipunan, nagmamani-obra sa pera ng bayan sa masamang paraan?
at mas higit pa...
ang mas lalong paglayo natin sa ating Poong Bathala, sa ating Diyos na manlilikha?
Oo, napapansin natin. ngunit ang mas higit na tanong...
Ano ang ating Gagawin?
Tayo, bilang mga laiko sa Simbahan, ay may tungkulin tayong dapat gawin sa mga panahong ito. Hindi natin dapat ito ipagwalang-bahala, tayo ay may responsibilidad na dapat nating gawin sa mga panahong ito. We have the Duties and the Responsibilities, therefore, we must do what we are supposed to do. We must give everything for the continous growth of our Country, and of the Church in this World. We must not be sitiing here, doing nothing. We must do something, and quick, and now.
ngayon, balik tayo sa tanong ko kanina. ano ba ang susulatin ko? well, nasulat ko na ang dapat na sulatin, at dapat na hindi ito matapos dito. Ilabas natin ito sa ating mga salita, at sa gawa. :)

September 27, 2006, sa pakikiisa sa National Laity Week, na may temang:"Building a Culture of Love."

Add me up, mga guyz!!!

Kung nais po ninyo akong maging friend sa friendster, add me up!!!

ito po ang aking url...

www.friendster.com/litra003

Ingatz po lagi!!!

On the Triumph and the Sorrows...

The Cross...


The Mother...


-_-


Kahapon, ipinagdiwang Natin ang Pagtatampok o ang Pagtatagumpay ng Krus na Banal. Sa araw na ito, ay ginunita ang pagkakadiskubre ni Santa Elena sa Krus ng ating Panginoon.

Sa Ebanghelyo natin kahapon, ay ibinigay sa atin ni Jesus ang mga salitang: "Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa Sangkatauhan, kaya niya binigay ang kanyang bugtong na anak, na ang sinumang maniwala, ay magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan."

Oo, gayon na lang. Sobra-sobra ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa ating lahat, Mahal na mahal niya tayo sa kabila ng ating kawalang-paggalang sa kanya.

-_-

Sa araw naman na ito, ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang Mater Dolorosa, o ang Birheng nagdadalamhati. gayon din naman, ay inaalala ngayon ang Siete Dolores, Seven Dolors, Pitong Hapis ng Inang Birhen.

Sa Ebanghelyo natin ngayon, ay sinasabi sa atin ni Jesus ang mga Salitang "Anak, ang iyong Ina... Babae, ang iyong anak."

Ipinagkatiwala tayo ni Kristo sa mapagmahal na pagkakandili ng Mahal na Birhen. Nawa, ay masuklian natin ito ng kahit mga simpleng mga bagay na makakapagsaya na ating Ina.

-_-

Nawa, ay lumapit tayo sa Ating Ina, upang kasama niya, tayo ay makalapit sa Ating Panginoon, na namatay sa Krus, at muling Nabuhay para sa ating lahat.

:)
Septyembre 15, 2006

The Day before the Birth of My Mother, Our Mother.

-----
This feast of the Birth of Mary is one of the first links between the Old Testament and the New Testament and the origins of the feast date back to the fifth century when a Church was built on the site where the pool of Bethesda was, as told in John 5:1-9. The scholars of those days deducted that it was also the site of where Our Lady's parents Saint Joachim and Saint Anne lived, and Mary was born. Since Mary was the one God chose to become the Mother of Our Savior, the Church felt it important to honor her feast. Though it started in the East, by the seventh century Rome was celebrating it in the universal Church instituted by Pope Sergius I in the early 700's. In the 13th century the feast became a Solemnity with a day of fasting the day before. Though there were various dates over the centuries on which different countries and cultures celebrated her birth, the Church officially attributed the Blessed Mother's birth to September 8th - nine months after the Feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception which is celebrated December 8th.
-----

Si Maria ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang tao sa kasaysayan ng Kaligtasan. Kung wala si Maria, ay hindi maisisilang ang ating Panginoon, at walang kaligtasang naganap.

Minsan naisip ko, kung wala si Maria, ay wala si Kristo, wala ang Simbahan, wala ang kamatayan sa Krus para sa lahat. at totoo, kasi sabi nga, ang pagsilang sa Mahal na Birhen ang pagbukang- liwayway ng kaligtasan para sa lahat, kasama tayo doon.

Sa aking buhay, I cannot say that I am a devotee of the Blessed Virgin, because I am one of his children. I do not call myself as her devotee, but as her child. sa kabila ng aking kakulangan ng papuri sa kanya, sa kabila ng aking mga kamatayan, sa kabila ng aking mga kasalanan, ay nandiyan pa rin siya, dinadala ako kay Kristong anak niya. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, ay wala ako kung saan ako ngayon. She took me to the Church, through the Legion of Mary, and later on, through the Neo-Catechumenate and Altar Servers, At masaya ako. Napamahal ako sa kanya. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, eh wala ako ngayon sa Simbahan. Dinala niya ako sa kanyang anak, at nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya.

Ikaw, na nagbabasa nito, ano ang nagawa na para sa iyo ng Mahal na Birhen? wag mong sabihing wala, baka masapatos kita dyan (joke!!!). Imposibleng walang nagawa para sa atin ang ating Ina, dahil araw-araw, gabi-gabi, ay palagi siyang nasa piling natin. palagi niya tayong ginagabayan. at mas matindi pa, palagi niya tayong tinutulungan sa ating paglapit sa Kanya.

-----

O Mahal na Birheng Maria, Ikaw na nagsilang sa ating Panginoon, nagpapasalamat kami sa Iyo, sa lahat-lahat ng iyong mga ginawa para sa amin, lalung-lalo na ang pagdadala mo sa amin sa Diyos na lumikha sa amin. nagpapasalamat din kami sa iyo, sa palagiang paggabay, pagsuporta, at pagkalinga.
Tulungan mo kami na humingi ng tunay na pagsisisi sa aming mga nagawang kasalanan, sa lahat-lahat ng pagkakataon na nagkasala kami sa Iyong Anak, at sa Aming Ama.
Tulungan mo rin kami na maisabuhay ang tinuro sa amin ng iyong anak: mahalin namin ang aming kapwa tulad ng pagmamahal namin sa aming sarili, nang sa gayon ay magawa rin naming mahalin ang Diyos ng higit sa lahat.
Sa iyong mahal na paanan ay itinataas namin ang mga taong nasa kapaligiran namin, ang mga gumagawa ng mga pangyayari sa kasalukuyan. Tulungan mo kami upang maitaas namin sila sa Iyong Anak at aming Panginoon...

Ang Simbahang itinatag ng iyong Anak, ang mga tao na nagbibigay sa amin ng mga tinuro ng iyong anak... Si Benito na aming Papa, ang aming mga Obispo, ang aming mga Pari, ang mga Relihiyoso, ang mga Misyonero... tulungan mo sila upang mas lalo pa nilang maibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang nasasakupang diyosesis, at parokya.
Ang mga umuugit sa Pamahalaan sa gitna ng krisis ay magkaroon nawa ng liwanag, upang matapos na ang mga suliranin ng aming bayan, at upang mapangunahan kami ng pagmamahal, upang kami'y maging tunay na Kristiyano, mapagmahal sa aming bayan at sa aming kapwa.
Ang mga maysakit at mga nasa bilangguan sa mga sandaling ito, lingapin mo sila, kalingain, at bigyan ng kaginhawaan na ikaw lang at ang iyong Anak ang makakapagbigay.
Ang mga nangamatay na, upang makakita sila ng tunay na liwanag. Dalhin mo sila sa kaharian ng Iyong Anak, at bigyan mo na ng Kapayapaang walang hanggan.
At ang aming mga personal na kahilingan........ dalhin mo ang lahat ng ito sa paanan ng Iyong Anak at aming Panginoon.

Ngunit ipinapaubaya pa rin namin ang lahat ng ito sa iyo tulad ng sinabi ni Kristo sa Hetsemani:
"Wag ang Kalooban namin, ngunit ang Kalooban ng Diyos ang mangyari."

Ang lahat ng ito ay itinataas namin sa Diyos Amang Makapangyarihan, sa pamamagitan ni Kristong iyong anak at aming Panginoon, kasama ng Banal na Espiritu, at sa mga panalangin mo, O Mahal ng Birheng Maria.

AMEN...

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedictatum in mulierabus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in ora mortis nostre. AMEN.

:)
September 07, 2006

Nakakahiya, pero totoo...

Well, I was thinking, would I post this now, or sometime?

Well din, I decided to post it now.

Once, I was reading one of the articles of Word and Life Magazine, when I noticed in the "Heart to Heart" portion, this guy (o girl ba? ewan ko!!!), and his situation. Alam ninyo ba? I was inspired with his problem, that days later, matapos ang matagal na pagdi-discern kung sasagutin ko ba o hindi, I wrote to the guy, as well to the publisher, about my reply to his situation.

Ngayon, I recieved the news that his problem, and my reply to him (or her), was published. Alam ninyo, hanggang ngayon, eh nasa state of shock pa rin ako. I don't know what will be the reaction from the guy, or worse, from my Alma Mater. Well, Bahala na si God.

:)
August 29, 2006

(Guyz, kung gusto ninyong mabasa ang Problema niya, at yung reaction ko, Please get a copy of Word and Life Magazine, August-September 2006 issue, dun sa may portion ng Heart to Heart. If I'm not wrong, the name of the one with the problem is Ayutegamgam. Then, kung may reactions kayo, just let me know by posting a comment.)

Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor

St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.
This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore. Through the prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion. Yet he did not become a Christian then, because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day, however, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St. Antony, and he felt terrible ashamed of himself. "What are we doing?" he cried to his friend Alipius. "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!"
Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine flung himself out into the garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?" Just then he heard a child singing, "Take up and read!" Thinking that God intended him to hear those words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul, and read the first passage his gaze fell on. It was just what Augustine needed, for in it, St. Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus. That did it! From then on, Augustine began a new life.
He was baptized, became a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer, Founder of religious priests, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived. He became very devout and charitable, too. On the wall of his room he had the following sentence written in large letters: "Here we do not speak evil of anyone." St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor right up until his death. "Too late have I loved You!" he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion. His feast day is August 28th.

(Two of the Many Great Prayers of Saint Augustine is published Below.)

Two of the well-known Prayers of Saint Augustine

Lord Jesus, Let Me Know Myself

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You,
And desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You,
And ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear You,
And let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing save only to You,
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me that I may see You,And for ever enjoy You. Amen.

-_-

Prayer to Our Lady, Mother of Mercy

Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent! Receive our gratitude, and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace with God.

Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who venerate you feel now your help and protection. Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God, foryou were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

-_-

To love and to be loved was sweet to me, and all the more when I gained the enjoyment of the body of the person I loved. Thus I polluted the spring of friendship with the filth of concupiscence and I dimmed its luster with the slime of lust. Yet, foul and unclean as I was, I still craved, in excessive vanity, to be thought elegant and urbane. And I did fall precipitately into the love I was longing for. My God, my mercy, with how much bitterness didst thou, out of thy infinite goodness, flavor that sweetness for me! For I was not only beloved but also I secretly reached the climax of enjoyment; and yet I was joyfully bound with troublesome tics, so that I could be scourged with the burning iron rods of jealousy, suspicion, fear, anger, and strife.

-Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop, Writer, Doctor
(from the Book, Confessions)

three stories...

Meron akong mga kwento, hindi lang isa, hindi lang dalawa, kundi tatlo. Ito ang mga kwento na naganap during my first week as 16 years old. At sa tingin ko, magiging masaya, kahit na malungkot ang isa dun, kung ikukwento ko ito. NAMAN!!!

-_-

Last wednesday, August 23, 2006, exactly 9:17 am, nanganak yung wife ng kuya ko, and it was a bouncing baby boi, until we found out na ngiwi siya, o pilas ang nguso niya (well, sabi lang yun ng kuya ko, hindi pa confirmed. sana, hindi naman!!!). Gising pa ako nung gabing dalhin siya sa ospital. kasi naman, pinasan niya yung panganay nila na sobrang mabigat. Ayun, sumabog na yung panubigan niya. kaya, dinala na siya sa may malapit na Maternity Clinic sa amin. ngayon, nang dumating sa M.C., bigla siyang bumahing. pagkabahing niya, nagsidaluyan na yung dugo mula sa privates niya. dahil dun, ni-reject siya ng Clinic, at diniretso siya sa ospital (Fabella, to be exact.) and then, dun na siya ipinanganak. Kasingtaba siya ng panganay nila nung iluwal. Well, hindi ko naman siya masisisi, kasi, dapat ang overdue niya ay nung August 20 pa, a day after my birthday. Well, at least, nakaraos na siya. ngayon, ang challenge sa kuya ko, kung paano niya maipapalaki yung tatlong boys niya. at for sure, tutulungan siya ni God.

-_-

A dad that is oh so (sorry for the word) stupid. dun umiikot ang second story ko. well, it was my birthday, mga 5:30 ng umaga. I was on my way to the church, nang biglang ang taas ng tubig. kaya naman, pinagising sa akin ng Mommy ko si daddy ko. ngayon, nang ginising ko, ehparang ang ganda ng bulalas niya sa akin... mura. ang nasabi ko na lang, wag mo na akong batiin. pero nang lumabas ako ng bahay, pinagsarhan ako ng gate. ang sabi ko, parang nakakapanloko itong lalakeng ito, ah!!! pero bigla ko ring naisip na tatay ko siya. kaya, tumawag na lang ako sa mommy ko, at pinagbuksan naman ako ng pinto. Alam ninyo, naisip ko, ang diyablo, laging andiyan sa tabi-tabi, para sirain ang araw mo. pero for me, natalo siya, kasi hindi niya nasirang totally ang araw ko. Still, masaya pa rin ako!!! Ngayon, hindi pa rin kami nagkakausap, pero there is still the hope na sana, eh magkasundo na kami.

-_-

Social Concerns. and all that stuff. Yun ang third Story ko, all about the Diocesan Congress, na ginanap the whole day, of my birthday. Bigatin ang mga speakers ng Congress namin na yun, sina Tita De Villa at Bishop Ted Bacani lang naman. All about Social Concerns ang pinag-usapan namin the whole day. Lalo na, about the Government of today. alam ninyo, if we will all just pray for a change in the hearts of all those na nasa gov. eh di siguro, hindi tayo nagkakaganito. idagdag mo pa dun ang ating Ecological status, at many more. well, para po sa kaalaman nating lahat, 2006 is declared as the Year of Social Concerns by the CBCP.

-_-

Kasama nito, ay binabati ko na rin ang mga kakosa kong may birthday this month, especially my two nephews, Ingat kayo lagi!!!

O, dyan na nagtatapos ang aking tatlong kwento, dun umiikot ang 1st week ng life ko as 16. With that, I end this blog.

August 24, 2006

On the Queenship of Mary

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
__________________________

Matthew 19:23-30

[23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.[25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.[30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

_________________________________________

--- Today, we are celebrating the Feast of the Queenship of Mary. Sa araw na ito, ay ipinagdiriwang ng Buong Sambayanang Kristiyano ang pagiging Reyna ng Mahal na Birheng Maria.

Nuong ika-11 ng Oktubre, 1954, ay idineklara ni POPE PIUS XII ang Kapistahan ng Pagkareyna ng Mahal na Birhen.

Sa Ebanghelyo para sa Araw na ito (ayon kay Lukas), ay ipinahayag ni Maria ang kanyang kababaan ng loob, na siya namang naging Basehan ng kanyang Pagiging Reyna. Bagama't sa ibang mga Simbahan ay ipinahayag ang Ebanghelyo galing kay Mateo, ay meron din naman siyang Relavance sa Kapistahan para sa Araw na ito. Sinasabi ni Hesus, na merong mga bagay na mapangyayari sa Diyos, isa na doon ang pagiging Ina ng Anak ng Diyos ni Maria. Si Maria, ay nagpakita ng kanyang kababaan ng Loob, sa pamamagitan ng Pagpapahayag niya ng FIAT sa Anghel.

Karapat-dapat siyang maging Reyna ng Lahat, dahil sa kanyang Mabubuting mga gawa. Sa Mahal Nating Reyna, na siyang nagdadala sa atin sa Kanyang Anak, ay marapat lang na bigyan siya ng titulong Ito. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, ay wala tayong natatamasang kaligtasan ngayon.

Nawa, ay maging tulad tayo ng ating Mahal na Ina, sa mga mabubuting mga Gawain natin sa ating kapwa. Nawa, ay maging karapat-dapat tayo sa Kaharian ng kanyang Anak, na kung saan ay Siya ang Reyna. Nawa, sa araw na ito, ay tunay tayong lumapit sa Kanya, at tunay namang ilalapit niya tayo sa kanyang Anak, ang ating Panginoong Hesukristo.

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Pray for Us!!!

August 22, 2006

The saints for August 19...(part 2)

Saint Ezekiel Moreno

Ezekiel (1848-1906) was an Augustinian Recollect known for his simple and open spirit. He was deeply devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He ministered for many years in foreign lands. He stongly defended the rights of the Church.
He was born in Alfaro, Logrono, Spain, April 9, 1848. His family was poor in material goods but committed in faith. Ezekiel professed his vows as an Augustinian Recollect in 1865. He was ordained a priest in Manila, Philippines in 1871.
During the next 15 years, he worked at bringing the Gospel of Jesus to the people of the Philippines. He was called back to Spain in 1885. There he served as Rector of the College and Novitiate of Monteagudo.
He then went to Colombia in 1888, where he devoted himself to missionary activity. He also brought renewal to the Augustinian Recollect communities in the region where he was living and working.
Ezekiel was in 1894 named the first Vicar Apostolic of Casanare, and ordained bishop of Pasto, where he remained until 1906. During this time there was war in Colombia. Ezekiel showed himself a voice of strength for his people.
In 1906 a diagnosis of cancer caused him to reluctantly return to Spain for treatment.
There he died August 19, 1906. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1975 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1992

The saints for August 19...(part 1)

Saint John Eudes

John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14, and despite his parents' wish that he marry, joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France in 1623. He studied at Paris and at Aubervilliers, was ordained in 1625, and worked as a volunteer, caring for the victims of the plagues that struck Normandy in 1625 and 1631, and spent the next decade giving Missions, building a reputation as an outstanding preacher and confessor and for his opposition to Jansenism. He became interested in helping fallen women, and in 1641, with Madeleine Lamy, founded a refuge for them in Caen under the direction of the Visitandines. He resigned from the Oratorians in 1643 and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists) at Caen, composed of secular priests not bound by vows but dedicated to upgrading the clergy by establishing effective seminaries and to preaching missions. His foundation was opposed by the Oratorians and the Jansenists, and he was unable to obtain Papal approval for it, but in 1650, the Bishop of Coutances invited him to establish a seminary in that diocese. The same year the sisters at his refuge in Caen left the Visitandines and were recognized by the Bishop of Bayeux as a new congregation under the name of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge.
John founded seminaries at Lisieux in 1653 and Rouen in 1659 and was unsuccessful in another attempt to secure Papal approval of his congregation, but in 1666 the Refuge sisters received Pope Alexander III's approval as an institute to reclaim and care for penitent wayward women. John continued giving missions and established new seminaries at Evreux in 1666 and Rennes in 1670. He shared with St. Mary Margaret Alacoque the honor of initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (he composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart in 1668) and the Holy Heart of Mary, popularizing the devotions with his "The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus" (1670) and "The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God", which he finished a month before his death at Caen on August 19th. He was canonized in 1925. His feast day is August 19th.

______________________________

the wishes... (a sequel to the birthday essay)

(I started this as a simple bulletin in friendster, but now, I decided na ilagay na lang ito sa aking blogspot, at sa aking weblog.)

Before anything else, I want to say to all, na kung may mga comments kayo, wag mahiya na sabihin sa mga comments ninyo.

okie, let's start this...

my first wish.

Oo naman, siyempre, I look at things at their positives. Pero there is still that thing, that one thing that I cannot see. MYSELF. kung paano ko minamani-obra ang mga bagay-bagay. kung paano ako makitungo sa iba. kung paano ako magpakita ng mga expressions. alam ninyo naman, lahat ng mga bagay-bagay, nakikita natin, but the only thing that we cannot see is ourselves. At yun ang nilalaman ng first wish ko... ang makita ko ang sarili ko, not as a lunatic kind of person, yung tipong nababaliw, pero bilang lingkod, isang lingkod na handang sumunod sa lahat ng mga panuntunan ng buhay. sabi nga, one is called to serve and not to be served.

my second wish.

People look at me bilang isip-bata. bilang isang taong walang pag-asa sa buhay. bilang isang taong patapon na ang kinabukasan. kahit na may mga taong talagang look at me on the positives, talagang iba ang tingin sa akin ng iba... na parang nakakaloko. haay naku. sabi nga nila, bahagi daw yun ng paglilingkod. at kahit din naman paano, ay naiisip ko rin sila bilang mga paalala. bilang mga payo. at doon ko na ipinapasok ang aking second wish. ang pagkakaroon ng some sort of understanding sa mga tao sa paligid ko. I don't look at this at the negative, rather at the positive, kasi if I look at it the other way, I would rather breakdown, and break out.

my third wish.

I carry the tradition that I always do at friendster. I will keep my third wish as SECRET. Usual ko na itong ginagawa... kasi, alam ko na It's better kung I will keep it in my heart.

ayan. these are my three (oo na, two!!!) wishes na gusto ko sanang mangyari. But in the end, I give it all to God, and I let His Will happen.

August 17, 2006

Nasaan si Hesus? Nasaan na ba siya?!?

oo nga naman,... alam ninyo, nung una kong mabasa yung banner na may nakasulat na "Nasaan Si Hesus?", ay na-realize ko ang pangangailangan ko para sa kanya.

well, tungkol nga ba saan ang pinagsasabi ko? well ulit, it's all about a musical play na Directed ni Nestor U. Torre. it's all about the situations na kinahaharap ng mga tipikal na tao sa ngayon, at ang paghahanap niya kay Hesus (na sa totoo lang, eh nakita na niya, pero hindi niya talaga maramdaman. Hayy naku...).

Maraming mga klaseng tao na ipinakita sa play na ito... meron yung mga Drug Addict, mga Street Children, mga "Manang de Iglesia" o yung mga matatanda sa Simbahan na walang ginawa kundi tsismis, yung Parish Leader na namamangka sa dalawang ilog, yung inosenteng babae na kinasuhan ng krimen na hindi niya ginawa, yung mga batang pinipilit na pagtrabahuin, yung mga indegenous people na dinala sa siyudad, yung kabataan na hindi sinasadyang nakabuo, at hindi alam kung paano ito sasabihin sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. Lahat sila ay nagtatanong... "Nasaan na nga ba si Hesus?"

Habang nanood ako, natatawa, naiiyak, at iba pa, ay nare-realize ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko pa nakikita si Hesus, kasi, kung nakita ko na siya, eh meron akong nagagwa para sa mga taong ito, pero sa realidad, wala pa akong nagagawa. Kasi nga, sabi niya, "Kung anong gawin ninyo sa mga pinakamaliliit na mga ito, ay ginawa na rin ninyo sa akin." Alam ko na hindi ko pa siya nakikita, pero malapit na, alam ko, malapit na.

Sana, kung may makapanood pa ng napakagandang play na ito, eh marealize din natin ang mga bagay na ito, sana.

NASAAN SI HESUS?

all for the love of the YOUth...

okay, let us face the truth...

so, wala ako sa Ministry of Altar Servers for a year, hangga't hindi nagkakaroon ng renewal for this year, hanggang November 2006. kung walang renewal this year, ewan ko na lang kung ano ang mangyayari. isa sa mga paa ko ay naputol... at kahit na meron pa namang iba, hindi pa rin makayanan ng kalooban ko na mawala sa Ministring ito.

Isa ito sa mga pinakamasakit na bahagi ng buhay-simbahan ko... noong mga panahong yun.

Ngayon, nakakayanan ko na ring harapin iyon, kasi alam ko na this is just one of the plans of God for me. at dalangin ko na sana, ay muli akong makapaglingkod sa Altar ng Panginoon.

and with the "sort of" end of one thing, comes a brand new package na hindi ko naman pinagsisihan...

Here comes my comeback to the Parish Youth Ministry. within that time na nasa MAS ako, ay inintroduce kami sa PYM. at nagustuhan ko naman, pero hindi ganung kaseryoso. ngayon, sa pagkawala ko sa MAS, ay talagang tinanggap ako ng mga kakosa ko sa PYM, at na-feel ko na at home ako kasama sila. and with that, ay natanggap ko ang misyon ng pagiging isang tunay na Katolikong kabataan. kahit na hindi ko kaya, alam ko na nandiyan ang Panginoon, at gagabayan ako.

mula sa harap ng kompyuter at sa kaibutruran ng puso ko, Agosto 06, 2006.

litra003@yahoo.com

the 31st of july... (the birthday essay 2006)

It is the end of another day... another month... another year...

and the coming of another one...

I always think of it as another sunset and sunrise... the end of a busy day, and the beginning of a brand new morning...

kung iisipin nga naman, malapit nang matapos ang isang taon ng buhay ko... at kung iisipin lang din naman,... I will pass that year with tears in my eyes... both of joy and sorrow.

JOY, dahil sa mga masasayang mga happenings sa buhay ko, lalo na yung mapasama sa Second Community of the NeoCatechumenal Way sa aming parokya. mas marami akong nakilala pa na mga kasama sa komunidad, marami ding mga attitudes na sinusubukang ko namang maki-ride. masaya nila akong tinanggap... masaya din ako kasama sila!

isasama ko pa dun yung mga experiences ko sa loob ng seminaryo, kasama ang mga Rogationists, kahit na hindi ako natanggap sa loob, ok lang, kasi at least, naging memorable yung 5 days na yun... tsaka at least, meron na akong masasabi dun sa mga nais na pumasok sa loob.

idadagdag ko na rin doon yung mga nakilala kong mga tao na nagdala sa akin sa kung nasaan ako ngayon. mahirap yung pinasukan kong mga responsibilities, pero nakakayanan ko pa rin, kasi andun yung mga taong yun na nagmamahal, at nagdarasal para sa akin... alam ko yun...

ang aking paglilingkod sa Legion of Mary tsaka sa Ministry of Altar Servers, dadadagan ko pa ng Parish Youth Ministry... yun ang mas lalong nagdala sa akin sa aking mas lalong pinatinding paglilingkod...

ang mga kaibigan ko sa eskwela, na laging nandiyan to guide me... sa panahon ng inisan, laging mga kakosa ko... kung may trip-tripan, laging mga kasama... alam ninyo, kaka-miss ang mga classmates ko, lalo na ngayong hindi na kami nagkakasama ng ganung katagal... sana, magkasama-sama uli kami...

ang mga lagi kong kasama sa Simbahan, lalo na yung mga kakosa kong youth sa community at sa parokya... kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi ako ganito ngayon...

at syempre, ang aking pamilya. lagi silang nandyan sa panahong kailangan ko sila... sa pera man, kung may problema man, tsaka sa iba pang mga bagay. I'm not who I am with them... I'm truly thankful for them... I want them to be more proud.

masaya ako... hindi dahil meron akong mga natatanggap na mga papuri, pero dahil nakakapaglingkod ako sa kapwa ko... masaya ako dahil I am doing what I was supposed to do. dahil doon, talagang masaya ako.

SAD, dahil sa katotohanan na kahit maraming humahanga at pumupuri sa akin, there are still some who has doubt with what I am doing. ang iniisip nila, eh kakaiba akong tao. inaamin kong tao lang ako, nagkakamali. paulit-ulit kong sinasabi yon, kasi mahirap talaga. kahit na ganyan sila, ay patuloy kong itinataas sila sa Panginoon, kasi alam kong Siya lang ang nakakaalam sa mga mangyayari sa akin.

there is my "prophetess" friend, prophetess kasi nakakakita daw siya ng mga apparitions... ewan ko sa kanya. lagi niya akong binabalaan ng mga bagay na alam ko, ay kailangan kong maniwala sa mga sinasabi niya, pero hindi niya ako talaga mapaniwala... kasi paano kung hindi totoo ang mga sinasabi niya... ewan ko talaga sa kanya.

there is my brother, eventhough he's always there for me, hindi pa rin siya bilib sa akin... hindi ko talaga maintindihan sa kanya... pero bahala na si God sa kanya, at sa kanilang lahat, kaibigan man, o kaaway...

and the sun is setting, the end of another day, another month, another year... pero kung ano man ang mangyari, I know that there is still the sunrise, a new day, a new month, a new year, well, my 16th year of life...

if there is a sun setting, there is always a sun rising... full of hope. full of adventures. full of service. full of aspirations. full of dreams. full of life.

KALOOBAN NG DIYOS ANG MANGAYARI NAWA... MAGPAKAILANMAN!!!

GOD'S WILL BE DONE... ALWAYS!!!

AMEN!!!

An invitation to all...

I invite you all para bisitahin ang site na ito... I tell you all, this is worth saving of every soul!!!
For those na nagmamahal sa mga Santo, eto po ay para sa inyo....

www.loversofsaints.blogspot.com

Marami na siyang nagawa para sa akin... at alam ko na marami rin siyang magagawa para sa inyo. Bisitahin ninyo na!!!

The Cross, A hope of a Barangay and a Parish...

this is the image of our patron in Tanza, Navotas...
it is entitled as
"Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz"
it was a long, long time when this Image was found, in a river near our barangay. it was said that on its beginning days, it was found as a simple Cross floating in the sea. one time, as said from the mouth of the elders of the Parish, it was time of the Japanese, and they were planning to invade the barangay (at that time, Tanza was just a simple barangay, the present streets today, were just a part of a fishpond at that time.) and with it, take the men as prisoners. The men of Tanza, at that time, were very threatened with that, and planned one thing, one thing that, they do not know, will save them. One night, as the Japanese are on the way to Tanza, the men got up, and gone in a procession, bare naked, the Cross with them, around the Barangay, praying the Rosary. When they came to the bridge, they saw the Japanese in front of them. they were frightened, but inspite of that, they continued to pray. To their suprise, the japanese did not saw them. Instead, they were seemed to be shocked, as if they saw something, and turned back and never came back to the Barangay. With that, the people truly came to believe that the Cross had something they did not knew.

it was brought in a chapel in a street that was came to be known as Tanza Kaliwa. after some time, it was brought to the church constructed in E. Rodriguez street, the present seat of the parish. it was said that as time goes by, the Cross grows in length.
from that time on, up to this very day, this image is bringing the Catholic people of Tanza to God, who sent His Son to save Humankind by dying on the Cross.
Its feast is being celebrated on the Second Saturday of May.
The Catholic feast of the Triumph of the Cross is celebrated on September 14.

The Beginning of Everything... I wish.

this is something I will never again experience. the gogo man (kuno) has entered the world of e-blogger!!!

yun lang naman.