The celebration of the Year of the Priests was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI from June 2009 to June 2010. It was to commemorate the 150th death anniversary of
St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests. It was also meant to draw attention and appreciation for priests who do so much for the Church- the People of God.
Last July 17, 2010, the relic of St. John Vianney, his heart, visited the Holy Spirit Church in Fremont, California. The HSC was among the few sanctuaries in the Diocese of Oakland chosen to host the veneration of the relic. It was a signal honor indeed!
St. John Vianney happens to be among the saints whose "incorrupt" bodies I have been privileged/blessed to see in the pilgrimages I have so far undertaken. My experience of actually seeing the incorrupt bodies of saints who were in their lifetime ordinary people like us has made me more bold to proclaim , "Truly, there is a God!" The fact that I have actually seen the natural law of human decay suspended after decades, nay, in some cases, centuries in these holy men and women has made my faith more deep and impregnable. Also, the experience of being that close to them in their shrines has carved an indelible imprint in my memory. To date, I have seen the incorrupt bodies of St. John Vianney, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Bernadette, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Padre Pio. A sister who founded a religious order in Caracas, Venezuela who has been declared "Blessed" but whose name I cannot recall at this time, is also incorrupt after more than 55 years dead at the time of my visit in 1997. Some saints whose whole bodies may not be incorrupt except for only some parts are St. Francis of Assisi, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Faustina and St. Claude de la Colombiere.
St. John Vianney is commonly known as the Cure d' Ars or The Village Priest. He was born in Dardilly, France on May 8, 1786. He grew up as a shepherd and farmer. As a boy, he loved to pray since his mother was a very religious woman. She was constantly teaching him about God and was a frequent church-goer taking John often with her. The influence of his mother was tremendous! He had a special devotion to our Blessed Mother and to St. Philomena. But in school, he struggled in his studies having so little capacity for learning the three R's. He went to a seminary to become a priest but failed twice in Latin. He was the least promising among the students and remained in the lowest quartile of his class. Prayer was his only strong point and was a model for piety. He was one of those of whom St. Paul said, "God chose the weak to confound the wise." The greatest favor God gave John was to befriend Father Balley who saw the seminarian's earnest desire to serve the Lord so that he offered to be his mentor. He exercised the greatest patience in helping his aspiring student.
After a long and difficult struggle, John at age 30 was ordained a priest who could say mass but without the faculty to hear confessions. After two years, the prohibition was lifted and he was assigned to the poorest parish in a tiny remote village called Ars in France. He stayed in Ars for 41 years until his death. His Superior said, " There is not so much love for God in that place. You'll put love into it. " It was poor in material resources and equally poor in the spiritual view. With only 200 inhabitants, there were four taverns because the people were fond of drinking and dancing. Prayer was the most important force in his life and his virtue of humility was of heroic degree. Souls were touched and conversions worked by the power of John's holiness more than by the appeal of his arguments. Soon people became impressed with his selflessness, humility and his powerful love of God. How true is the saying, " The best preacher is the one who loves God the most."
People came to John for confession. He stayed in the confessional from 10 to 13 hours each day though he ate only a meagre meal, slept only for 2 hours to rest and was often tormented by the devil at night. Hundreds to thousands of people came to Ars from all over France and nearby countries to confess to him. While still a priest, the late Pope John Paul II went from Poland to have his Reconciliation with St. John Vianney. Truly, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways! St. John Vianney's weakness; not being allowed to hear confessions at his ordination, later, became his strength.
St. John Vianney organized a most magnificent Feast of Corpus cChristi celebration which became a reason for a yearly pilgrimage of thousands of people from all over France and Europe to Ars. He put Ars in the map of the world!
St. John Vianney died on August 4, 1859 and was canonized in 1925 by
Pope Pius XI. He composed an prayer which runs thus :
Act of Love Prayer
I love you, O my God and my sole desire is to love you
until the last breath of my life
I love you, O infinitely lovable God and I prefer to die loving
you than live an instant without loving you
I love you, O my God and I do not desire anything but heaven
so as to have the joy of loving you perfectly
I love you, O my God and I fear hell because there will not be
the sweet consolation of loving you
O my God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you
I want my heart to say it in every beat.
Allow me the grace to suffer loving you, to love you suffering
and one day to die loving you and feeling that I love you
And as I approach my end, I beg you to increase and perfect my love for you.
Any pilgrim in Ars will see the incorrupt body of St. John Vianney on the high altar of the huge basilica. Displayed in a room are some crutches of the sick whom our saint healed in the course of his ministry.Thank-you letters, medals and plaques hang on the walls. A small shack standing in a corner of the churchgrounds houses the bedroom of St. John Vianney with the simple wooden bed and a small table showing his Breviary and the instruments of his personal mortification. He indulged in punishing himself with whips having pointed tips as a form of mortification for all the sins confessed to him. Some wounds on his body, however, were those inflicted by the devil who often visited him at night. St. John Vianney is considered one of the most admired and venerated saints of God in being the Patron Saint of Priests.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
July 18, 2010 - BIBLE STUDY - For the Day
It is not until the 12th chapter of Genesis that we are able to place a date when God called Abram to go to Canaan. It was about 1850 B.C. At that time Abram was 75 years old. God made him three promises of blessings which later became "covenants." They were the following:
1. A Nation - Made a covenant in Genesis 15 and fulfilled in Moses
2. A Name - A kingdom/dynasty which was made a covenant in
Genesis 17 fulfilled in David
3. A Wordwide Blessing - Made a covenant in Genesis 22 and
fulfilled in Jesus Christ
For today's first Reading, Abraham had his name changed which now means "Father of many nations" and was 99 years old, also, along with all male members of his household have just been circumcised. He was near a terebinth (a small tree that yields resinous liquid , also called a turpentine tree) when three strangers came. He offered food and comfort to the strangers and was assured a son by the same time the next year. Sarai who was within hearing, laughed because she was advanced in years. So, the stranger said that the boy would be named "Isaac" which means laughter.
The Second Reading tells of Paul's role in proclaiming the Gospel. The phrase, "filling up what is lacking in Christ" does not mean that Jesus Christ's work was insufficient. It meant that Paul as an apostle is to complete the preaching of the Gospel by bringing the Good News to places where Christ was never preached. In being an apostle for Christ, Paul explains that suffering is entailed but the suffering is one that purifies and focuses all the more on working head-on for Jesus. He said, "Persecution is "reward" for discipleship.
The Gospel today relates of Jesus being in Bethany where Martha busily prepares food for Him while Mary sits by His feet listening intently to His words. The Gospel shows Jesus acting contrary to the accepted cultural norm of the day in three ways:
1. He is alone with women who are not His relatives
2. He is being served by a woman
3. He is teaching a woman in her own house
In ancient Israel, women were second-class citizens. They amounted to servers, practically subservient to men and are not meant to be seen with men. By being with women, Jesus elevated the status of women, making it known that women deserve recognition and respect.
Todays's Readings and Gospel clearly points out the virtue of "Hospitality."
This is the basic theme which we as followers of Jesus should try to develop in our lives. Sharing is a mark of a child of God!
Another point brought out today is the value of both Active and Contemplative Prayer Life. Christianity needs both Marthas and Marys in our desire to bring Jesus known in this world. Also, the Gospel gives us a lesson in prayer. Martha approaches Jesus with a problem and the solution she wants. Our Blessed Mother at the wedding feast at Cana points out the problem to Jesus and left it up to Him to work out the solution. Do we
"dictate" to Jesus the solution to our problem which He is to do? Or do we lift up our problem to Him and leaves it up to Him to provide the solution in His time and in the form/way He sees fit for us?
By the way, let us remember the acronym - A C T S when we pray.
1. A Nation - Made a covenant in Genesis 15 and fulfilled in Moses
2. A Name - A kingdom/dynasty which was made a covenant in
Genesis 17 fulfilled in David
3. A Wordwide Blessing - Made a covenant in Genesis 22 and
fulfilled in Jesus Christ
For today's first Reading, Abraham had his name changed which now means "Father of many nations" and was 99 years old, also, along with all male members of his household have just been circumcised. He was near a terebinth (a small tree that yields resinous liquid , also called a turpentine tree) when three strangers came. He offered food and comfort to the strangers and was assured a son by the same time the next year. Sarai who was within hearing, laughed because she was advanced in years. So, the stranger said that the boy would be named "Isaac" which means laughter.
The Second Reading tells of Paul's role in proclaiming the Gospel. The phrase, "filling up what is lacking in Christ" does not mean that Jesus Christ's work was insufficient. It meant that Paul as an apostle is to complete the preaching of the Gospel by bringing the Good News to places where Christ was never preached. In being an apostle for Christ, Paul explains that suffering is entailed but the suffering is one that purifies and focuses all the more on working head-on for Jesus. He said, "Persecution is "reward" for discipleship.
The Gospel today relates of Jesus being in Bethany where Martha busily prepares food for Him while Mary sits by His feet listening intently to His words. The Gospel shows Jesus acting contrary to the accepted cultural norm of the day in three ways:
1. He is alone with women who are not His relatives
2. He is being served by a woman
3. He is teaching a woman in her own house
In ancient Israel, women were second-class citizens. They amounted to servers, practically subservient to men and are not meant to be seen with men. By being with women, Jesus elevated the status of women, making it known that women deserve recognition and respect.
Todays's Readings and Gospel clearly points out the virtue of "Hospitality."
This is the basic theme which we as followers of Jesus should try to develop in our lives. Sharing is a mark of a child of God!
Another point brought out today is the value of both Active and Contemplative Prayer Life. Christianity needs both Marthas and Marys in our desire to bring Jesus known in this world. Also, the Gospel gives us a lesson in prayer. Martha approaches Jesus with a problem and the solution she wants. Our Blessed Mother at the wedding feast at Cana points out the problem to Jesus and left it up to Him to work out the solution. Do we
"dictate" to Jesus the solution to our problem which He is to do? Or do we lift up our problem to Him and leaves it up to Him to provide the solution in His time and in the form/way He sees fit for us?
By the way, let us remember the acronym - A C T S when we pray.
First, we offer our Adoration and praise to God. A litany of praise on the attributes of God would be wonderful:
Jesus, King of Kings, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, Lord of Lords, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, The Way,The Truth and The Life, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, The Resurrection and The Life, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, Our Divine Healer, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, My Strength, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, My Patience, Praise you, Jesus
Second, we declare our Contrition for our sins
Third, we offer our Thanks for all God's Blessings upon us and our family
Fourth, we state our needs in all forms/ways - Supplication.
Jesus, King of Kings, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, Lord of Lords, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, The Way,The Truth and The Life, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, The Resurrection and The Life, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, Our Divine Healer, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, My Strength, Praise you, Jesus!
Jesus, My Patience, Praise you, Jesus
Second, we declare our Contrition for our sins
Third, we offer our Thanks for all God's Blessings upon us and our family
Fourth, we state our needs in all forms/ways - Supplication.
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 16, 2010 - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and also the birthday anniversary of my late mother, Carmen Miranda Calara. So to me this day is doubly significant! My devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel stemmed from what I have seen and observed from my mother during my growing-up years till the time of her passing. She lived a life truly devoted to our Virgin Mary and in every possible way imitated her virtues especially of humility, generosity, and a vibrant prayer life.In one of my older blogs, I narrated my mother's remarkable affinity to Our Lady of Lourdes and the extent to which she managed to hand down to her family especially her daughters said devotion. To this day, our profession of faith is as strong as ever!
Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in Northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. On the sloped mountainside is luxuriant vegetation and laurel trees. The steep sides are covered with rocks and many caves. In ancient Canaanite culture, high places were considered sacred. Mount Carmel was held sacred since the 15th Century. The prophet Elijah is associated with this mountain in Jewish, Christian and Islamic thought. In 1 Kings:18 Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to determine whose deity was in control of Israel. The challenge was to see which deity could light a sacrifice by fire. After the Baal prophets failed to achieve this, Elijah had water poured over his sacrifice several times and then prostrated himself in prayer. Then fire fell from the sky and consumed the sacrifice. Afterwards, the clouds gathered, the sky turned black and rain fell heavily ending a long drought.
A Catholic religious order was founded on Mount Carmel in the 12th Century by a man named Berthold who was either a crusader or a pilgrim. It was located at the site which was known to be Elijah's Cave - a place where Jewish hermits were supposed to have lived in holy penitence.
Later, a Carmelite monastery was built dedicated to our Blessed Mother in her attribute as "Star of the Sea" - Stella Maris. Elijah's Cave forms the crypt of this monastic church. Inside this grotto is a statue of Elijah and an altar. Right above on a higher level, in fact, the Chapter Room of the Carmelite Monastery, sits the beautiful image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Baby Jesus and the Brown Scapular. It was a total surprise for me to see the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a sitting position! In the many churches I have so far visited in Asia, Europe and America, She is represented standing with her Baby in her arms with the Brown Scapular. Yes, my daughter, Marissa, and I along with my cousin Joe (God bless his soul), his wife Tina and sister-in-law Nieves had gone on a pilgrimage to Rocamadour, France where our Blessed Virgin sits, enthroned and venerated but not in her title as Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Brown Scapular is a sacramental signifying the wearer's devotion to Mary. Tradition says, that St. Simon Stock, a Prior General of the Carmelite Order had a vision of the Blessed Mother in which She gave him the Brown Scapular promising that those who died wearing it would be saved. In 1996, a doctrinal statement approved by the the Congregation of Divine Worship states that, "The Scapular is both a sign and a pledge - a sign belonging to Mary and a pledge of her motherly protection not only in this life but also after death. It is a sign signifying three elements: firstly, belonging to a religious family consecrated to Mary; secondly, consecration to Mary especially a devotion to her Immaculate Heart; thirdly, a desire to become like Mary by imitating her virtues especially her humility, chastity and spirit of prayer."
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel every July 16th was instituted in 1376.
My visits to the Carmelites' Stella Maris Church on Mount Carmel have always been exceptionally soul-stirring and edifying because of the magnificent setting of the place. It is situated on the highest mountain terrain which happens to be a promontory. As such, it shoots out into the lovely Mediterranean Sea. Looking at the slow rolling waves of the royal blue waters of this fabled sea in rhythmic cadence with the soft caress of a gentle breeze on my dry, wrinkled face lifts me up into heavenly bliss! To me, it is a touch of heaven on earth! I inevitably associate the scenery with Jesus as He says, "I am the Spring of Living Water!"
Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in Northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. On the sloped mountainside is luxuriant vegetation and laurel trees. The steep sides are covered with rocks and many caves. In ancient Canaanite culture, high places were considered sacred. Mount Carmel was held sacred since the 15th Century. The prophet Elijah is associated with this mountain in Jewish, Christian and Islamic thought. In 1 Kings:18 Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to determine whose deity was in control of Israel. The challenge was to see which deity could light a sacrifice by fire. After the Baal prophets failed to achieve this, Elijah had water poured over his sacrifice several times and then prostrated himself in prayer. Then fire fell from the sky and consumed the sacrifice. Afterwards, the clouds gathered, the sky turned black and rain fell heavily ending a long drought.
A Catholic religious order was founded on Mount Carmel in the 12th Century by a man named Berthold who was either a crusader or a pilgrim. It was located at the site which was known to be Elijah's Cave - a place where Jewish hermits were supposed to have lived in holy penitence.
Later, a Carmelite monastery was built dedicated to our Blessed Mother in her attribute as "Star of the Sea" - Stella Maris. Elijah's Cave forms the crypt of this monastic church. Inside this grotto is a statue of Elijah and an altar. Right above on a higher level, in fact, the Chapter Room of the Carmelite Monastery, sits the beautiful image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Baby Jesus and the Brown Scapular. It was a total surprise for me to see the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a sitting position! In the many churches I have so far visited in Asia, Europe and America, She is represented standing with her Baby in her arms with the Brown Scapular. Yes, my daughter, Marissa, and I along with my cousin Joe (God bless his soul), his wife Tina and sister-in-law Nieves had gone on a pilgrimage to Rocamadour, France where our Blessed Virgin sits, enthroned and venerated but not in her title as Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Brown Scapular is a sacramental signifying the wearer's devotion to Mary. Tradition says, that St. Simon Stock, a Prior General of the Carmelite Order had a vision of the Blessed Mother in which She gave him the Brown Scapular promising that those who died wearing it would be saved. In 1996, a doctrinal statement approved by the the Congregation of Divine Worship states that, "The Scapular is both a sign and a pledge - a sign belonging to Mary and a pledge of her motherly protection not only in this life but also after death. It is a sign signifying three elements: firstly, belonging to a religious family consecrated to Mary; secondly, consecration to Mary especially a devotion to her Immaculate Heart; thirdly, a desire to become like Mary by imitating her virtues especially her humility, chastity and spirit of prayer."
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel every July 16th was instituted in 1376.
My visits to the Carmelites' Stella Maris Church on Mount Carmel have always been exceptionally soul-stirring and edifying because of the magnificent setting of the place. It is situated on the highest mountain terrain which happens to be a promontory. As such, it shoots out into the lovely Mediterranean Sea. Looking at the slow rolling waves of the royal blue waters of this fabled sea in rhythmic cadence with the soft caress of a gentle breeze on my dry, wrinkled face lifts me up into heavenly bliss! To me, it is a touch of heaven on earth! I inevitably associate the scenery with Jesus as He says, "I am the Spring of Living Water!"
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 24, 2010 Solemnity of St. John the Baptist
Today is the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, the Precursor of Jesus Christ who proclaimed His coming as the Lamb of God Who will take away the sins of the world. Jesus said of him, "John is more than a prophet. Among those who are born of woman, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist." (Luke 7:24-28)
Zechariah, his father serving as a priest in the temple, was told by an angel of a son to be born to him at his old age and that the " son shall be great before the Lord and shall drink no wine and shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb." Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was a cousin of Mary, our Blessed Virgin. Mary at the Annunciation was told of Elizabeth's condition so she "hastened" to visit her cousin in the hill country of Ein Karim several miles away from Nazareth.
Zechariah, his father serving as a priest in the temple, was told by an angel of a son to be born to him at his old age and that the " son shall be great before the Lord and shall drink no wine and shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb." Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was a cousin of Mary, our Blessed Virgin. Mary at the Annunciation was told of Elizabeth's condition so she "hastened" to visit her cousin in the hill country of Ein Karim several miles away from Nazareth.
I had to take a few rest stops in the climb up the summit of the hill to the house of Zechariah in Ein Karem the first time I visited in 1995. I imagined our Blessed Mother Mary catching her breath while in her rest stops, too, since she was at that time already with child. And in 1999 with my sister, Beth, I made many more rest stops while leaning against the rocky cliff which bordered the trail leading to a surprisingly well-constructed stone house. Well, Zechariah was among the affluent priests of the time! The large front yard now has a tall, long wall on which the Magnificat written in different languages is displayed.
The famous portico where Elizabeth welcomed Mary remains the focal point of interest in the house. Here was the setting for Mary's Magnificat, the song of praise and hope ever chanted by any man or woman:
" My soul doth magnify the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior
For He has regarded the humility of His handmaid for behold all generations shall call me blessed
For He that is mighty has done great things for me
and holy is His name
He has pulled down the mighty from their seat
and has exalted the humble
He has filled the hungry with good things
and the rich He has sent empty away
As He received Israel, His servant being mindful of His mercy
As He spoke to our Fathers, to Abraham, His seed forever.
The Bible records St. John, the Baptist, still in his mother's womb leaping up with joy at the "encounter" with Jesus also within the body of Mother Mary. This event relates to the Old Testament account of King David singing and dancing with joy as he meets the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. A significant parallel, too, is our Blessed Mother as an Ark of the Covenant having carried Baby Jesus in her womb and the Ark of the Covenant being the receptacle of the Ten Commandments of God along with Aaron's Staff and the "manna" which nourished the Israelites during the forty-year journey in the wilderness enroute to the Promised Land.
The Louvre, the magnificent museum in Paris has the original painting of the famous "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. Also within its confines is Da Vinci's painting of our Blessed Virgin with the "tiny tots" John, the Baptist by her left feet with his right index finger pointing to Jesus who is huddled by her right leg with outstreched right hand towards His cousin. I was mesmerized by the undefinable joy etched in their faces that only the genius of Leonardo da Vinci can portray. Oh, the "enigmatic" smile of Mona Lisa has made it an invaluable art treasure for centuries !
Zechariah had two houses - one on a hilltop where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and the Magnificat was proclaimed and the other one on the lowland which is now the site of the Church of St. John, the Baptist in Ein Karem. In this church is the room and the marked spot where the saint was born. It is on the left side as one faces the altar. In the rectory is a room which is a museum of things and artifacts related to St. John. What attracted me most is a painting of St. John as a child with an angelic face and curly hair. How distant is the image of John, the Preacher as described in the Bible, as he preached the call for "repentance."
The Gospels on the days nearing the birth of Jesus focus on St. John, the Baptist, the precursor of our Messiah !
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 23, 2010 The Remarkable St. Anthony
Rejoice! Rejoice! Today I rejoice because of one of my favorite saints, St. Anthony of Padua (as he is popularly known). Two "long" weeks of anxiety over the loss of a basic "ingredient" for traveling finally turned into joy and thanksgiving. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, St. Anthony!
As I have previously mentioned in one of my blogs, my grandsons, Michael and Christian and I, along with my son, Bobby and Carla are scheduled to go to Paris, Lourdes, Nevers or Lisiuex in France. Michael graduated from Grade VIII and so gets the trip as a graduation gift. Christian gets the reward for his outstanding achievement in piano. Similarly, Tiffany Anne, went with Joshua and Christina(graduates) last year because of her accomplishment in gymnastics.
In all my trips abroad, I make it a point to exchange currency right here in the United States because of convenience. Oftentimes, the itinerary becomes so hectic, whether in a customized tour or on one's own, so that looking for a bank and making transactions consume time which otherwise could be put to better use. In addition, sometimes arrival day in a country can fall on a Sunday when all banks are closed. In fact, I had experienced a situation with a tour pilgrimage when we arrived on a Sunday in a country I have now forgotten. It happened that the next day was an official holiday and we were to go to a place 4 or so hours away. Many pilgrims got hungry and thirsty during our bus ride but could not use dollars in the villages we passed by. The natives would not accept the green bucks. It was a good thing that I had the currency available and as the Lord willed it, their needs were met. Days later, some people offered to pay me but I declined the offer because I was convinced that it was God's purpose for me to do just what I did. God's generosity to me since that little act of kindness has been many times over - a hundredfold!
Now, back to my rejoicing today. I managed to get Euros last month. I put them in an extra wallet which I usually take in my trips just so not all of my money are in one place. But I have been looking for it for more than two weeks! I have prayed long and hard! Somehow I felt St. Anthony was turning a deaf ear. I was beginning to have a panic attack because we are scheduled to leave for Paris in "three days." Then I found it! I rejoice!
St. Anthony did it again!
May I introduce St. Anthony to you?
St. Anthony was born as Fernando Martins de Bulhoes in Lisbon, Portugal on June 13, 1231 to a wealthy family. He was a brilliant student and studied the Scriptures and Latin classics. Against the wishes of his family, he entered the Augustinian Order. But his contact with five Franciscans who went to Morocco as missionaries and who later were murdered attracted him to the Franciscan community. He obtained leave from the Augustinians and went to Assisi. With some difficulty, he was admitted by the Franciscans and was assigned to the kitchen in a hospice in Forli,Italy.
One day, on the occasion of an ordination, there was a misunderstanding over who would preach. St. Anthony was unexpectedly called to fill the void. The entire theme and substance of his discourse and his moving eloquence created a deep impression. From then on, his skills were put to good use by the Church. It was as a preacher that St. Anthony revealed his supreme gift. He served as envoy from Pope Gregory IX. At papal court, his preaching was hailed as a "jewel case of the Bible."
St. Anthony died on June 13, 1231 in Padua, Italy at age 36. When he died, it is said that all bells of the churches in Italy rang of their own accord - rung by angels to honor the death of a saint. He is buried in Padua and his tongue is "incorrupt" and in a reliquary. The tongue "glistens" as if it is still alive and moist.
St. Anthony of Lisbon and Padua is known to have become the "quickest" saint to be canonized by Pope Gregory IX less than one (1) year after his death on May 30, 1232. He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church on January 16, 1946. He is often invoked for " lost " things by many devotees around the globe. But in Portugal and Brazil, legend has him also as one who " conciliated couples whose marriage were going to the rocks."
The St. Anthony Church in Lisbon stands over the house where our saint was born. We had to go down to the basement to see the small room where he first saw the light of day. As one enters the church, on the left wall is a huge painting of St. Anthony who natives claim is miraculous. So, I stayed for some time praying for his help to have miracles in my life and family. Through the years, he has proved to be one of my great intercessors. He has never failed me as in this particular day of my rejoicing!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010 St. Thomas Moore
Today is the feast day of St. Thomas Moore and John Fisher. St. Thomas Moore is the patron saint of statesmen and politicians. During his lifetime, he was recognized as a leading Renaissance humanist. He was a brilliant man, a doting father, an author, influential in English government, an important counselor to King Henry VIII and was elected Speaker of the House of Commons in England in 1523. He was a "knight" and during his later years, the Lord Chancellor of England. Above all these achievements, he was a Catholic through and through.
He coined the word, "Utopia," a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island whose political system he described in his novel, " UTOPIA." It was in Latin and published in 1516. He also wrote " A Dialogue Concerning Heresies," (1528) in which he asserted that the Catholic Church was the true church whose authority has been established by Christ and the Apostles and that its traditions and practices were valid.
After refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church of England, he was arrested and imprisoned at the Tower of London. While in prison, he wrote a devotional, "Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation," along with others on the Passion of Christ.
He was sentenced to die on July 6, 1535. His last words on the scaffold were, "I die, the king's good servant but God's first." After being beheaded, his head was fixed on a pike over London Bridge for a month while his body was buried in the Tower of London in an unmarked grave.
London is a fascinating place to visit because of the historic places so well described in history books and the aura of sophistication of kings and queens, and royalty as a whole. I enjoyed watching the "Changing of Guard" right at the Buckingham Palace and even had a picture taken with one of the guards in full regalia. I did not expect him to smile because he was the sentry at the Palace outpost. Actually, he may not even have wanted to pose with me but the tourists who unceremoniously step
by his side for a photo were numerous. I found Windsor Castle elegant in its beauty and Hampton Court Palace so magnificently an experience of the splendor of the court. Its Great Hall is a feast for the eyes with the large and splendid tapestries, truly England's last and greatest medieval hall. The Parliament by the river Thames is something to behold with Big Ben towering behind.
The Tower of London is one of the world's major tourist attractions and a World Heritage Site. As early as 1590, the Tower of London allowed paying tourists to visit it. By 1901, the end of Queen Victoria, over 500,000 visitors came a year. Today, around two million people come yearly. It is located near the famous London Bridge. No, the bridge was not falling down as the kindergarten song says, when I saw it.
It is with William The Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the tower begins. Its primary function was a fortress stronghold, a role that remained unchanged right up to the 19th Century. It earned a reputation as a place of torture and death. People including kings and nobility who were condemned to die were imprisoned in the tower and had the luxury (?) of the topmost room the night before execution. St. Thomas Moore used it, too. Being a formidable fortress, it later also became a place for important valuable and papers of the throne. In fact, the Crown Jewels, the various multi-filligreed, diamond encrusted crowns of all kings and queens England ever had are on display in a special area of the Tower. I looked at the dazzling crowns open-mouthed with wonder at the amazing incalculable wealth each had and the pressure of its weight on the monarch's head. How were they able to endure such "burden" during the coronation rites which, I imagined, must have taken, ceremoniously, a long time?
He coined the word, "Utopia," a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island whose political system he described in his novel, " UTOPIA." It was in Latin and published in 1516. He also wrote " A Dialogue Concerning Heresies," (1528) in which he asserted that the Catholic Church was the true church whose authority has been established by Christ and the Apostles and that its traditions and practices were valid.
After refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church of England, he was arrested and imprisoned at the Tower of London. While in prison, he wrote a devotional, "Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation," along with others on the Passion of Christ.
He was sentenced to die on July 6, 1535. His last words on the scaffold were, "I die, the king's good servant but God's first." After being beheaded, his head was fixed on a pike over London Bridge for a month while his body was buried in the Tower of London in an unmarked grave.
London is a fascinating place to visit because of the historic places so well described in history books and the aura of sophistication of kings and queens, and royalty as a whole. I enjoyed watching the "Changing of Guard" right at the Buckingham Palace and even had a picture taken with one of the guards in full regalia. I did not expect him to smile because he was the sentry at the Palace outpost. Actually, he may not even have wanted to pose with me but the tourists who unceremoniously step
by his side for a photo were numerous. I found Windsor Castle elegant in its beauty and Hampton Court Palace so magnificently an experience of the splendor of the court. Its Great Hall is a feast for the eyes with the large and splendid tapestries, truly England's last and greatest medieval hall. The Parliament by the river Thames is something to behold with Big Ben towering behind.
The Tower of London is one of the world's major tourist attractions and a World Heritage Site. As early as 1590, the Tower of London allowed paying tourists to visit it. By 1901, the end of Queen Victoria, over 500,000 visitors came a year. Today, around two million people come yearly. It is located near the famous London Bridge. No, the bridge was not falling down as the kindergarten song says, when I saw it.
It is with William The Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the tower begins. Its primary function was a fortress stronghold, a role that remained unchanged right up to the 19th Century. It earned a reputation as a place of torture and death. People including kings and nobility who were condemned to die were imprisoned in the tower and had the luxury (?) of the topmost room the night before execution. St. Thomas Moore used it, too. Being a formidable fortress, it later also became a place for important valuable and papers of the throne. In fact, the Crown Jewels, the various multi-filligreed, diamond encrusted crowns of all kings and queens England ever had are on display in a special area of the Tower. I looked at the dazzling crowns open-mouthed with wonder at the amazing incalculable wealth each had and the pressure of its weight on the monarch's head. How were they able to endure such "burden" during the coronation rites which, I imagined, must have taken, ceremoniously, a long time?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
June 20, 2010 - " Who Do You Say That I Am? "
The Gospel setting for today must have been a pastoral one under the shade of a fig tree in the rolling Judean hills. Jesus was with His disciples praying. After a long silence, Jesus asks, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John, the Baptist." Others said,"Elijah." Still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen? Then He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" The apostles must have looked at each other with knitted brows. Others must have straightened their backs, taking deep breaths as they rapidly breezed through their mental file searching for the answer - the right answer which will win the approval of the Master. The search proved futile. There was a lull. The air of expectancy filled the place. Then Peter proclaimed, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!" Then Jesus said, " My Father in heaven has revealed that to you." He told them not to tell this to anyone.
Let us imagine ourselves sitting comfortably around Jesus. He has just started the story of the camel and the master who was on a journey through the desert. The man had finished pitching the tent for the night and was ready to sleep when the camel asked whether he could put his head inside the tent. The master agreed. After a while the request to put in the camel's shoulders was accepted. A succession of requests to shelter different parts of the camel's body was graciously honored until the camel finally occupied the whole tent and the master left shivering in the cold. Can you see the twinkle in Jesus' eyes and hear the thrill of His laughter?
Then He looks at you directly in the eye and asks you specifically, "Who do you think that I am?"
You lower your gaze, start fidgeting with your hands and sketch a mental picture of Jesus according to the dictates of your heart. Yes, who is Jesus to you?
Do you see Him garbed in red and white with a long beard as Santa Claus? As Santa Claus, Jesus is the Giver- the one who satisfies your craving for material wealth, the huge house, car or adult toys to display and boast around. He is the ever-flowing well of goodies for instant gratification!
Does your prayer start with solicitation - a request for things to meet your needs first before adoration and praise and thanksgiving? It is good to remember Luke 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written: Not by bread alone shall man live but by every Word of God."
Do you see Jesus in a neatly pressed outfit as a Teacher with a pair of black-rimmed glasses holding a ruler standing by a desk? He is the teacher of all teachers since His lessons are the ones that make up how life is to be lived in this chaotic, temptation-filled world. He teaches the Truth that will make you free - truth without compromises. He teaches you to be a firm and persevering follower of his teachings in spite of the prevalent attitude of convenience and compromise to get by and go ahead among your peers for easy living. Do you hear him say, "Abide in me and I will abide in you." How about in Deuteronomy 28:1, 8, "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord, being watchful to do all His commandments; your God will set you high above the nations. The Lord shall command the blessings upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake."
Do you see Jesus as a man in an immaculate white gown with a stethoscope around his neck- the Doctor - the Healer? Do you seek Him because He can heal the aches and pains in your body that has kept you from enjoying life as you want it to be? Yes, His Omnipotence and Mercy to a suffering humanity brings forth healing in both body and spirit. But it requires faith. Do you have that faith that can withstand the forces of evil and doubt in this skeptical world? The Bible relates the episode of the woman who suffered years of hemorrhage and Jesus said,"Your faith has healed you." We claim His promises in Jeremiah 30:17, "For I will restore you to health; of your wounds, I will heal you." and in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord, shall find their strength renewed. They shall mount on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Do you see Jesus in a rustic brown pair of loose pants holding a crescent- hooked wooden staff leading a flock of sheep across the meadow? Do you see Him as the Good Shepherd? True to His word, "I am the Good Shepherd. I tend my flock. My sheep know Me and I know them." Yes, a true shepherd calls his flock by name and that every sheep responds to his name. It is true that even to the present time, when it rains, the shepherds and their respective flock of sheep seek shelter together inside a mountain opening or cave. The sheep intermingle with each other. But when the rain stops, the shepherd stands by the opening and calls his sheep by name. He will surely have his own flock of sheep. No sheep will find himself stranded in another flock. How wonderful it is that Jesus, our Good Shepherd knows us by name. He cares for each and everyone of us. In fact, He says, "Even your hair is numbered!" That is how much he loves us! Isn't that truly remarkable?
Do you see Jesus with a fireman's hat and boots holding a huge hose by a water tank? Yes, He is our Protector - our Shield. As Protector, Jesus helps against the "dangers that lurk in the dark and the evils that strike during the day" as Psalm 91 so vividly puts it. He guards us from physical harm as well as the misleading conjectures and propaganda that most smooth-tongued, evil-minded persons show on TV, books or other forms of media. He gives us the strength to carry on and live a Christian life in spite of the arrows of deceit hurled against us in this chaotic world. We pray as in Psalm 18, "I love you, Oh, Lord, my rock of refuge, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold!"
Do you see Jesus elegantly robed in a black gown before the court of humanity as a Judge - a Merciful Judge? As Judge, He holds before us our individual book of Life upon which He bases His judgment. How have we made use of the free will that He has given us? Have our decision-making process been done in consonance with the Commandments He has given us? Somehow we are relieved to know that his judgment is tempered with mercy if we become the repentant sinners that we ought to be. Jesus now leans forward and asks, "Do you remember my words in John 15:12, "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." Before executing judgment, He quotes Mark 4:24, "With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you."
Now, what is your answer to His question, " Who do you say that I am? "
My answer is , " All of the above! "
A N D M U C H M O R E !!!
Then He looks at you directly in the eye and asks you specifically, "Who do you think that I am?"
You lower your gaze, start fidgeting with your hands and sketch a mental picture of Jesus according to the dictates of your heart. Yes, who is Jesus to you?
Do you see Him garbed in red and white with a long beard as Santa Claus? As Santa Claus, Jesus is the Giver- the one who satisfies your craving for material wealth, the huge house, car or adult toys to display and boast around. He is the ever-flowing well of goodies for instant gratification!
Does your prayer start with solicitation - a request for things to meet your needs first before adoration and praise and thanksgiving? It is good to remember Luke 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written: Not by bread alone shall man live but by every Word of God."
Do you see Jesus in a neatly pressed outfit as a Teacher with a pair of black-rimmed glasses holding a ruler standing by a desk? He is the teacher of all teachers since His lessons are the ones that make up how life is to be lived in this chaotic, temptation-filled world. He teaches the Truth that will make you free - truth without compromises. He teaches you to be a firm and persevering follower of his teachings in spite of the prevalent attitude of convenience and compromise to get by and go ahead among your peers for easy living. Do you hear him say, "Abide in me and I will abide in you." How about in Deuteronomy 28:1, 8, "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord, being watchful to do all His commandments; your God will set you high above the nations. The Lord shall command the blessings upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake."
Do you see Jesus as a man in an immaculate white gown with a stethoscope around his neck- the Doctor - the Healer? Do you seek Him because He can heal the aches and pains in your body that has kept you from enjoying life as you want it to be? Yes, His Omnipotence and Mercy to a suffering humanity brings forth healing in both body and spirit. But it requires faith. Do you have that faith that can withstand the forces of evil and doubt in this skeptical world? The Bible relates the episode of the woman who suffered years of hemorrhage and Jesus said,"Your faith has healed you." We claim His promises in Jeremiah 30:17, "For I will restore you to health; of your wounds, I will heal you." and in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord, shall find their strength renewed. They shall mount on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Do you see Jesus in a rustic brown pair of loose pants holding a crescent- hooked wooden staff leading a flock of sheep across the meadow? Do you see Him as the Good Shepherd? True to His word, "I am the Good Shepherd. I tend my flock. My sheep know Me and I know them." Yes, a true shepherd calls his flock by name and that every sheep responds to his name. It is true that even to the present time, when it rains, the shepherds and their respective flock of sheep seek shelter together inside a mountain opening or cave. The sheep intermingle with each other. But when the rain stops, the shepherd stands by the opening and calls his sheep by name. He will surely have his own flock of sheep. No sheep will find himself stranded in another flock. How wonderful it is that Jesus, our Good Shepherd knows us by name. He cares for each and everyone of us. In fact, He says, "Even your hair is numbered!" That is how much he loves us! Isn't that truly remarkable?
Do you see Jesus with a fireman's hat and boots holding a huge hose by a water tank? Yes, He is our Protector - our Shield. As Protector, Jesus helps against the "dangers that lurk in the dark and the evils that strike during the day" as Psalm 91 so vividly puts it. He guards us from physical harm as well as the misleading conjectures and propaganda that most smooth-tongued, evil-minded persons show on TV, books or other forms of media. He gives us the strength to carry on and live a Christian life in spite of the arrows of deceit hurled against us in this chaotic world. We pray as in Psalm 18, "I love you, Oh, Lord, my rock of refuge, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold!"
Do you see Jesus elegantly robed in a black gown before the court of humanity as a Judge - a Merciful Judge? As Judge, He holds before us our individual book of Life upon which He bases His judgment. How have we made use of the free will that He has given us? Have our decision-making process been done in consonance with the Commandments He has given us? Somehow we are relieved to know that his judgment is tempered with mercy if we become the repentant sinners that we ought to be. Jesus now leans forward and asks, "Do you remember my words in John 15:12, "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." Before executing judgment, He quotes Mark 4:24, "With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you."
Now, what is your answer to His question, " Who do you say that I am? "
My answer is , " All of the above! "
A N D M U C H M O R E !!!
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