Prayer for Healing....

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
our only hope in time of need:

We humbly beseech Thee to behold,
visit, and relieve Thy sick servants,
for whom our prayers are desired.

Look upon them with the eyes of Thy mercy;
comfort them with a sense of Thy goodness;
preserve them from the temptations of the enemy;
and give them patience under their affliction.

In Thy good time, restore them to health,
and enable them to lead the residue
of their lives in Thy fear, and to Thy glory,
and grant that finally they may dwell
with Thee in life everlasting,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

9 May 2015:

Thank You for the blessings..... go on to dream....

We can learn many great lessons about life in Mother Nature. I am fascinated, for example, observing water flowing in a stream. I can feel it in my hands but never hold on to it even for a second longer. It goes on to flow almost non-stop into the wide oceans and the seas.

In reflection, the flowing water of a stream mirrors some truths about life as well. For

our life is a continuing journey too, much like the flowing water of a stream in Mother Nature. We can feel it, live it, but life moves on in a journey until we reach life's destiny one day.

But if for an instant God gives me a moment to pause from this journey of life, I would take advantage of the time to reflect and appreciate life's many blessings:

Thank You, Lord, for many answered prayers of mine; and thank You more when You made me the answer to someone else's prayer.

Thank You for the gift of each day. How I live my day is my gift to myself, and to You.

Thank You that I have seen both the good days and the bad ones. Thank You that I may not always have what I want, but You always bless me with all that I really need.

I realize that my life is far from perfect..... but thank You, Lord that I had my perfect moments.

Thank You that I do not grieve for the things I don't have, but instead rejoice over the things that I already have.

Thank You for the gift of family, the blessing of dear friends; for their patience, understanding, and the joy of their acceptance of me, in spite of myself and my imperfections.

Thank You, Lord for all that You give: the life I celebrate today, the food on my table, and for my loved ones and friends who walk with me in this journey.

And, Lord,if you allow me more time to journey, I would go on to dream, wallow in the sunlight like the child I once was, leaving uncovered, not only my body but also my soul.

For there is always morning when life gives us another opportunity, second chances if you wish, to make things better.

Then I would try to sleep less and dream more. Because now I realize that for every minute that I close my eyes I lose sixty seconds of light.

Perhaps, I would even dare to try where others gave up, or rise up when others prefer to sleep, so that second chances and opportunities are not wasted.

I would enjoy life more, and prove to everyone that we must not stop to fall in love as we get older, because we actually get older when we stop to fall in love.

I would go  on to celebrate life, feel young always, despite my age, by surrounding myself with family and friends to keep me company in this journey, albeit towards the sunset of life.

Yes, Lord, I just go on to dream, to face life's challenges, enjoy the journey, explore the unknown, and never be afraid... because I know You are already there.... waiting for my return to the heavenly home.

But today is something special, to appreciate all my blessings and be truly grateful for everything that was, that is, and will be: the gift of my life, the food on our table, the good health I enjoy, the blessings of my loved ones and friends. 

Dear Lord, I pray for mercy and grace to help me go on enjoying every step along the way, always with a thankful heart and loving ways, so that those I touch with my life in this path of life may see a reflection of You in my very self. Amen.

Caroling in the Philippines:

Caroling is an enduring and beautiful Filipino Christmas tradition. Once the month of December comes, we see carolers going around singing Christmas carols from house to house spreading the spirit of the season through Christmas songs, traditional and modern versions.

Usually it is the children grouping together and going around house to house in their neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. Among the old time favorites are Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silver Bells. Traditional Filipino Christmas songs add to the festive atmosphere, like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko na Naman, Himig Pasko, Payapang Daigdig.

Filpino ingenuity comes naturally with handmade musical instruments made from bottle tops for tambourine, or drums fashioned out from used cans or biscuit tins. The children are happy with whatever amount from the generosity of people is shared with them.

Even adults are into caroling during the Christmas season. Church organizations, clubs, and other adult groups also do their caroling to raise funds. Some of these groups give a letter in advance to inform the date and time of caroling. They usually come with more "professional" musical instruments like the guitar, drums, tambourine, and even portable musical organ. For these groups, it is a wonderful feeling not only to spread the joy of the Yuletide Season but to raise needed funds for their organizations or causes and advocacy.

In my community, a group of chapel volunteers do our annual caroling during the first week of December among our community to raise funds for the annual maintenance and operational expenses of our community chapel. We end up before the start of our Simbang Gabi Masses which at 5 in the morning to have time to prepare for the Simbang Gabi Masses in our chapel.

Christmas carols make the Yuletide Season livelier and more spirited. They remind the people that Christmas is really giving and sharing, which also manifests the Filipino spirit of generosity and magnanimity.

Simbang Gabi  in the Philippines

As our Advent pilgrimage draws near to Christmas Day, Catholics in the Philippines begin their spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with novena Masses popularly called "Simbang Gabi".

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a devotional nine-day novena in honor of the

Blessed Mother in preparation for Christmas. It is a tradition with deep roots in the country's religious culture, and one of the longest and most popular among Filipino traditions in the Philippines. Simbang Gabi expresses the faith of Filipinos who hold the belief that God is ever present in human history, in the simple joys and anxieties of life's humblest activities.

This novena Mass begins on December 16 until 24. Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn at 4 or 5 in the morning, to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi Mass.

Many urban parishes now celebrate anticipated Simbang Gabi around 8 or 9 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of people on a great variety of work schedules. Anticipated Simbang Gabi Masses start on December 15 to 23.

Origin

It is said that Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico in 1587. Here in the Philippines it originated in the early days of Spanish rule. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture.

Christmas Celebration

The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi in the Philippines. The tradition continuous to our generation, although the celebration incorporates new ways. 

For example, there are colorful lights and lanterns that fill every street leading to the churches. Songs of the season are played to warm the hearts. Families, friends and the faithful in general go to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena Mass. And shortly after Mass families go back home to feast on various delicacies like bibingka, puto bungbong or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

Relevance

Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It provides a significant moment to strengthen relationship among family members. More importantly, it is a time when our faith is intensified. It is the time when we feel the presence of the Lord because it is our spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

The old Spanish name for the Simbang Gabi is actually "Misa de Aguinaldo". The phrase offers some insight into the meaning of Simbang Gabi. In Spanish "aguinaldo" means a gift. So Misa de Aguinaldo suggests a gift for the Child Jesus on his birthday. Because the observance of Simbang Gabi is somewhat a sacrifice of love as it requires dedication, will power and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all of one's daily duties and obligations.

It is good to be able to complete the nine-day novena Masses. Even if we miss some days, the blessing does not depend on the number of Mass attended. What is important is the disposition of the person who makes some sacrifice of waking up early to attend the Simbang Gabi Mass and receive the Lord's blessing.

Church Bells Ring

Let the bells of Simbang Gabi break the pre-dawn silence of the whole land. For the bells of Simbang Gabi offer a message of hope in God, especially at this crucial time when our nation has been devastated by series of calamities, both man-made and natural. 

Let us hope in God, and pray for peace on earth to people of good will.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Woman full of God's grace!

The angel Gabriel greeted the young Mary in the annunciation, thus: "Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you!"

Indeed, Mary is full of God's grace from the very beginning, since she is the only human without the stain of original sin that we inherited from our first parents. Because from the very beginning of creation Mary was chosen by God to be the Mother of his only begotten Son. Thus, from her human womb God the Son became one like us in all things but sin.

Today, September 8 is traditionally celebrated by the Catholic Church as the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although it is no longer a day of obligation, Catholics are encouraged to go to Mass to greet Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Mother too, a Very Happy Birthday!
            

     Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!


"The prayers and readings" in the Mass for this special day "point to the birth of Jesus, which is the 'dawn of our Salvation'". Because the "liturgy wants us to view the birth of Mary in relation to the birth of her Son." (Source: Ordo 2012) For it was Mary's "fiat" (translated, "let it be") that made possible salvation from our sins.

Our Dear Mama Mary, on your birthday, we greet you with the prayer of Hail Holy Queen, in Latin version:


Salve Regina, 
Mater  misericordiae,
Vita, dulcedo, 
et spes nostra, salve

Ad te clamamus, 
exsules filii Evae,
Ad te suspiramus, 
gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, 
illos tuos misericordes oculos 
ad nos converte; et lesum, 
benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O Clemens; O Pia, 
O Dulcis Virgo Maria!


Mama Mary, please pray for us,
our country, and the whole Church!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

September 5, 2014: 

Today I woke up with a home-made choco cake from my son, Mico, to celebrate my 6th year "graduation" from the corporate world.

I decided to "retire" earlier than the mandatory age six years ago to enjoy life and my family,

after working for more than three decades of my adult life. I guess my family celebrates that day since I spend more time with them ever since.

Thank You, Lord for the blessing of work, the benefits I earned and continue to enjoy at retirement, and the friends that accompanied me in my journey of life through the corporate world. These are the sweet memories I bring along, as I continue my journey towards life's sunset. Amen.

The "Ber" Months in the Philippines

September 1 is the start of the "ber" months in the Philippines.  It is part of the Filipino customs that at the beginning of the "ber" months, which include September through December, is also the beginning of the holiday season that will lead to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Thus, the Philippines has the distinction as the only country that starts the holiday season once September comes in. In fact the world's longest Christmas season is celebrated in the Philippines, Asia's predominantly Christian nation.

It is no wonder that since this morning some radio programs begin playing holiday tunes, and tv stations greet the beginning of September with special shows that have Christmas themes already. Even the weather joins in, as it is expected that the mornings will get colder in the coming days.

Despite the hard times, Filipinos have reason to smile as the cool "ber" months begin, ushering in the joyous countdown to Christmas.

While Filipinos are normally known for their last-minute shopping, usually after the release of 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses in mid-December, it is not unusual that many actually begin preparing their lists for holiday shopping and gift-giving as early as the month of September.

It is still 116 days before Christmas as of today, yet shopping malls start to become busy and crowded with shoppers and onlookers as the "ber" months progress. This atmosphere is expected to become more lively and happy when stores are finally decked with holiday attractions.

On top of all the anticipation, the Catholic Church always reminds the faithful about the real meaning of the Christmas season: it is all about love, God's love. For God gave His only Son to save us. That's the true meaning of CHRISTMAS!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!