By Fr. Michael Martin

Fr. Mickey, as known to many, is a Columban priest assigned in Malate and is the author of the books Walking in Their Light and Remembering Fr. Niall O’Brien.

February has always been a special month for me in the Philippines: it is usually the coolest, and always the shortest month in the year; we priests would often take our local vacations during this month.

But February became even more special when I was assigned to Malate. So much Columban History was lived out there: in February 1945, all five Columban priests assigned to Malate Parish were killed in the Battle for Manila. Four of the Columban priests along with some twenty male parishioners who had taken refuge in the Church, were arrested and killed by the Japanese military on February 10. A fifth priest was killed three days later while working with the sick and the injured in Malate School, which had been transformed into a Hospital. He died from American shells which killed hundreds who had taken refuge in the school on that fateful day – February 13, 1945.

The youngest of the Columban priests who disappeared at the hands of the Japanese was Fr. Joseph Monaghan, an Irishman, who served in Malate Parish for more than ten years. He was appointed as the Malate-based Pastor of the special Parish for foreign residents in Manila. Energetic, young, and loved, it was he who brought the Legion of Mary to Malate.

Two of his nephews became Columban priests: Fr. Brendan McPolin who served in Korea where he died in 1981, and Fr. Damien McKenna who continues a lifetime of active ministry in Mindanao.

Columban Fr. Damien McKenna and cousin Dermot Monaghan, nephews of Columban martyr Fr. Joseph Monaghan

Another nephew, Dermot Monaghan, taught and lived in Canada for years. This February 2018, he was the special guest of his cousin, Fr. Damien, and the Columbans in Malate as he visited there and researched the life and death of his uncle, Fr. Joseph, a Malate martyr.

He was informed and deeply moved by the selection of war pictures in Malate Church’s Mission Exhibition. What he saw made him proud of his uncle who suffered and died with his people.

In 1997, Malate Parish erected a bronze PIETA shrine at the side of the Church in memory of the one hundred thousand people who were killed in February 1945, and their priests who stayed with them and died with them.

Dermot with Aling Saling, a parishioner in Malate

Dermot delighted in the vitality and the goodness of the people he met. He enjoyed visiting the Columban house in Singalong and seeing the spirit and the enthusiasm of the young men and women from diverse cultures there. He was also keen to see how the poor survived in their poverty and congested housing, and delighted just to experience the warm welcome extended to him. Their welcome was especially warm when they learned about his uncle’s life and death in Malate.

Dermot’s visit refreshed our memories of the sacrifices made by our ancestors in faith, while also reminding us of the horror and the insanity of war.

By Joan Yap

Joan is a Columban lay missionary assigned to Taiwan. Here is what she shared during her renewal of commitment with the CLM along with RP 19 on February 12, 2018.

Today is a special day as we celebrate the gift of lay vocation - a celebration of thanksgiving for Sherryl Lou Capili, Reina Mosqueda and me. We finished our second-term as Columban lay missionaries in Taiwan having learned many new things and having had memorable experiences of joys and challenges.

I worked with the Migrants’ Ministry in Taiwan. I was inspired by the stories of how migrant workers survived the challenges and the sacrifices they had to make being away from their families - stories of marriages being challenged by extra-marital affairs; survival stories of women who were sexually and physically abused in their workplace; and stories of discrimination. What sustained them was their love for their families and their faith in God. I was blessed to accompany them in their journey.

Joan renewing her commitment on February 12, 2018, CLM house, Cubao

There were times when I felt very lonely and missed my family back home. I had difficult times adjusting and living in a different culture, learning the Mandarin language, dealing with the people I worked with and many others.

One incident happened three years ago, a day before New Year. I was excited to go to the central house after my language class to celebrate New Year with my fellow lay missionaries. While walking, I was really shocked when somebody kicked me from behind and shouted, “You, Filipinos, go back to your country! You are stealing our money!” It was a Taiwanese lady. I wanted to shout back at her but I controlled myself and left.

These difficulties made me think that maybe I am not worthy to be a missionary. But faith made me see that these were lessons that helped me grow as a person and I am grateful. I was able to see how God was working in my life and felt his everyday love for me.

Being a missionary is about offering oneself to God. It requires a lot of grace from Him.

Today, Sherryl, Reina and I thank God who continues to call us to take part in His mission. As we renew our commitment, we pray for God’s love and mercy to be with us always, that we remain faithful to His call.

Joan Yap, Reina Mosqueda and Sherryl Lou Capili
All our bags are packed...

Giving Honor

By Arlenne Villahermosa

Everyday in our lives we meet people of various ages and coming from different backgrounds. Many of them we don’t know but some of them we know and interact with. And maybe, in one way or the other, whether we know them personally or not, certain people make an impact on us.

There are a good number of people who, by their works, words and simply by their being, have given voice to those who have none – especially the poor, those in the margins and creation – and have become inspirations to those who are wanting. They have given hope to peoples and nations to continue the works for justice, peace, dignity of life and integrity of creation, bringing about the love of God, the source of all life and goodness.

As the Missionary Society of St. Columban celebrates its 100 years this year, we honor those people who have given much from what they have, others have been maltreated, abused or ill-treated for the sake of the Gospel and some have been killed for standing up for what they believed in. There are also those who generously and selflessly helped out in whatever way they can so that the mission that Jesus started will continue to flourish.

It is our hope and prayer that the efforts and lives of these courageous people will not fade in vain but will spark a light in our troubled times and awaken our consciousness to the great work of loving life in all its forms and living out love amidst all the difficulties and challenges. And we do this with joy and gratitude to God who is love and life itself.

As we celebrate Flores de Mayo, which will culminate with the Santacruzan procession, we ask the help of the Blessed Mother to show us the way of peace and loving obedience to the will of the Father.

A Privilege and a Pleasure

By Ma. Criselda A. Mendoza

Crissy started working with the Columban Missionaries in Singalong in 2013.

“Didn’t you do Creative Writing?” – A question Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue, aka Boss #1, asked me while coaching me on writing a letter for him.

The big thing about working as a Secretary to the Regional Director is that, not one day is the same as the last day or the day to come. It is an aspect of the job that I love and, on the really bad days, detest. There is always something different to do, someone new to meet. Sometimes you get surprises, like you get asked to write an article for Misyononline and you find yourself picking up old, rusty skills, talents or tricks, and it gives you a bit of a thrill, a touch of risk. I’m not really complaining, though. I have expected this unpredictability from the start, when I accepted the job. And I wouldn’t really have it any other way.

Being the Secretary to the Regional Director is not a cakewalk. It sometimes feels like a blind-folded tightrope act combined with some skillful juggling of balls of fire, but I have survived and thrived for almost five years and three Regional Directors so far. And I think I can still continue. The main reason for this is because of the Regional Directors I have worked with.

“The reign of terror begins.” – Fr. Daniel O’Malley, aka Boss#2, said to me jokingly after he learned of his appointment as Regional Director.

Each one of the Regional Directors is a different person with qualities and capabilities that have convinced others to elect them into the position of Regional Director. Each of them has a different style and disposition when it comes to doing their work. It is part of my job to adjust and assist each Regional Director in the best way that I can. Each new Director presents his own challenges and expectations. There are times when I feel a bit clueless and lost, but they are always there to provide guidance and support when necessary. Eventually, the task gets done and we move on to the next task on the list.

My Bosses have different managerial approaches but they can all be counted on to be there when I flounder.

“Kung kailangan mo magpahinga, magpahinga ka.” (If you need to rest, rest.) – Fr. Paul Glynn, aka Boss#3, told me before he left for his first Christmas vacation in 2016 as Regional Director.

But the best thing about working with the Regional Directors, and the Columban Missionaries, in general, is that, whoever you are and whatever you do every day is recognized and appreciated. This is something very rare in the work force and even in everyday life nowadays. The world moves forward at the speed of light and people tend to forget virtues such as caring and gratitude, but thankfully, they are present here and that makes working with and for the Columban Society a privilege and also a pleasure.

This is the work of the mercy of our God, who comes from on high as a rising sun, shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.

~ Luke 1:78-79

Dialogue happens especially in shared richness as well as in shared fears and anxieties. Real sharing is possible only among persons who enjoy basic trust, one for the other. In other words, the atmosphere of trust is necessary for genuine dialogue.

Bishop Bienvenido Tudtud of Marawi (1931 - 1987)

~ Bishop Bienvenido S. Tudtud, Dialogue of Life and Faith

One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.

Jeanne d'Arc statue at Place des Pyramides, Paris by Emmanuel Frémiet, 1874

~ St. Joan of Arc, Maid of Orleans (c. 1412-1431)

Mary, give me your Heart: so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate; your Heart so full of love and humility that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life and love Him as you love Him and serve Him in the distressing guise of the poor."

Statue depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary as described by Sister Lúcia, visionary of Fátima [Wiki]

~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Founder of the Missionaries of Charity (1910–1997)

IN COMMUNITY

Let us not forget that Jesus asked his disciples to pay attention to details.
The little detail that wine was running out at a party.
The little detail that one sheep was missing.
The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins.
The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay.
The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had.
The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the disciples at daybreak.

A community that cherishes the little details of love, whose members care for one another and create an open and evangelizing environment, is a place where the risen Lord is present, sanctifying it in accordance with the Father’s plan. There are times when, by a gift of the Lord’s love, we are granted, amid these little details, consoling experiences of God.

~ Pope Francis, Gaudete Et Exsultate, #144-145

I remember enjoying the sight of beautiful ladies and lads parading during Santacruzan in the month of May when I was still a kid. But for more than a decade now, I didn’t get a chance to witness such event again. It’s a shame maybe but I must admit that I never understood its significance as I observed rather that people are more busy dressing up and taking pride as it seemed to be a beauty pageant. It was only a few months ago that a good friend told me that it is something Marian and a religious practice? Will somebody enlighten me please?

Filipinos indeed are fiesta fanatics. Every province has its own kinds of festivities. But there is one festival that is celebrated all over the country. Being predominantly Catholic and with fervent Marian devotees, the Filipinos dedicate the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. All throughout the warm month of May, the Flores de Mayo festival has been observed annually. Flores de Mayo is a Spanish phrase that literally means Flowers of May, which refers to the offering of numerous flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the altar in the church. In many parishes this has become primarily a catechetical activity for children and teens. The culmination of the Flores de Mayo festival is the Santacruzan procession.

Catechumens as angels at the culmination of Flores de Mayo [School of Saint John Bosco]

Santacruzan is a coined word from Santa Cruz which means Holy Cross. It is a religio-historical pageant held in many cities and even in small villages in the Philippines that highlights the festival. This religious procession is a re-enactment of the finding of the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by Queen Helena, the mother of the very powerful Emperor, Constantine the Great, who ended the persecution of Christians.

According to accounts, some 300 years after Christ’s death, St. Helena aged 75, set out for Calvary to find the True Cross of Jesus. There she found three crosses. St. Helena then asked sick servants to touch or lie down on each cross, and the one that healed them was deemed as the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified and died.

Santacruzan [Zamboanga City]

In the procession, Queen Helena is joined by the sagalas, a Tagalog word which means maidens in costume. These maidens portray various biblical and historical characters. Some of them represent the history of our Christian faith and others, a variety of Marian titles. In this modern era, where Santacruzan has slowly turned into a sort of beauty pageant, we need to remind ourselves that this is a significant Christian tradition.

Santacruzan is a symbol of the strong Catholic faith of the Filipino people. According to Cardinal Tagle,“Santacruzan invites us to reflect on the Cross, and how, through it, Jesus Christ made our salvation possible.”

By Mary Joy Rile

This article first appeared earlier this year in issue 30 of Columban Mission, the 12-page newsletter published three times a year by the Columbans in the Philippines. The author, who is assistant editor, interviewed the Tabaco Family in their home in Agusan, Cagayan de Oro.

Tabaco Family
L to R: Eriberto (Erl's father), Grace (mother), Fr. Erl, Siara Isabel (niece), Rhea Joyce Mae (older sister), Earlick John (younger brother), and Mr. & Mrs. Eric Glenn (older brother) & Yoradyl (sister-in-law)

“Milukso ang akong dughan sa kalipay nga napari na jud si Bobong,” Grace captured the very sentiment of her heart when her son, Rev. Erl Dylan J. Tabaco, was ordained a priest by Most Reverend Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro at the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City on February 17, 2018. No words could describe what the family truly felt, just tears to express it. Holy Rosary parish was jubilant to have its first ordination. It was under the Columbans since 1971 until 2012. The Columbans are grateful for the gift of Erl in time for its centennial celebration.

As a child, Erl helped in the family business as a delivery boy for the pre-ordered pork. He played with kids too, but spent more time in the church. He was delighted by the many religious statues. “Several times, Erl came home with broken statues which he rescued from the trash,” his sister Rhea recalled.

Mrs. Grace Tabaco with her daughter Rhea on their way to Fr. Erl’s Thanksgiving Mass

Erl served as a sacristan in the parish with his older brother Eric. Fondly remembering those moments, Eric now shares something more, “God has called me to a different path and I am happy with my marriage. But definitely Erl’s ordination was like fulfilling my own dream to become a priest.”

When the Columban vocation team visited Erl’s house, it was the start of something bigger. Uncertain of what lay ahead, only Eriberto accompanied his son to the Columban Formation House in Cubao. “It seems only yesterday when I brought Erl to the seminary. Now, he is a priest! This kind of happiness is way beyond description. He has our support. We hold him in our prayers as we entrust him to God.”

Mr. Eriberto Tabaco kissing the anointed hands of his newly ordained son, Fr. Erl

Erl, in his homily, recalled the words of his then formator, Fr. Mick Mohally, that consoled him in his doubting moments, “Be patient with the process. Patience... patience... patience...” Erl held it as his guiding principle in this journey. These same words resonated with his mother who, at times, became impatient in waiting. “You already went to other places for mission, but still you are not a priest. When will you become a priest?” Grace continued, “Erl would reply, ‘It’s not that quick and easy, Ma. Just be patient. We will come to that in God’s time.’” Erl trusts in God’s compassion and believes that God has a purpose for everything happening in his life.

Bishop Antonio Ledesma laying his hands on Reverend Erl

At mass, Bishop Ledesma anointed the hands of Rev. Erl and tied them with a cloth. Then Erl went to his parents, requesting his mother to untie his hands. Grace did not understand it but was touched by the ritual. Untying the anointed hands of his son was like freeing a lamb. Was this an act of offering his son to God to be like Christ and serve His people? Was this affirming the important role she played in the journey of her son? Was this a reward to her patient waiting? “When I asked him what I will do with the cloth, Erl advised me to keep it. I might use it in due time. So I am keeping it and treasuring that very moment,” mused Grace. She, too, has to live the virtue of Patience.

Grace untying the anointed hands of her son Reverend Erl

Erl is armed with his love and fear of the Lord, simplicity, kindness and humility that brought him to where he is now. To capture Erl’s attitude toward life, I quote St. Teresa de Avila’s words, “Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” I know Fr. Erl will continue to live these words in his missionary journey.

By Fr. Jude Mirasol Garceniego

The author wrote the article My First Fiat To God's Call when a seminarian, which we published in Misyon (then a magazine) May-June 2007 issue. Fr. Jude was ordained priest in 2013. He founded SPAG-Asa on September 22, 2016 while doing further studies in Rome, Italy. You may visit the Facebook Group of SPAG-Asa here.

I was baptized by Rev. Fr. Donal Hogan, a Columban Missionary, on February 10, 1985, a day before the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Candoni, Negros Occidental. I was then two months and one day old. I finished my secondary education in Our Lady of Lourdes High School of Candoni established by the Columbans, and attained my bachelor’s degree in Kabankalan Catholic College, also a Columban school. Furthermore, I finished my five years of Philosophy in the Little Way College Seminary, as one of the pioneering seminarians, supported by the Little Association – a group closely connected with the Columbans Missionaries. Presently, I am a priest of the Kabankalan Diocese assigned to the Parish of St. Paul in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. This was the last Columban parish in the Diocese of Kabankalan. Fr. Michael Doohan served as the last Columban parish priest in this parish. Fr. Seán Coyle confirmed this in his message to me during my transfer on September 2, 2017.

Fr. Jude (right) with Columban Fr. Brian Gore (left) on the latter’s 50th sacerdotal anniversary celebration

When I was still in my Philosophy years, I read the books written by Fr. Niall O’Brien about his amazing experiences living the life of the “Kristianong Katilingban” together with Fr. Brian Gore. My life as a young seminarian was, indeed, influenced by the Columbans, most especially by their love and dedication in serving the poor and the marginalized – the beloved of God. I dreamed not just of becoming a priest but to be a priest with a heart dedicated to the poor – as I am also one of the poor. The day of my ordination to the priesthood came on August 27, 2013, on the Feast of Santa Monica, the Mother of San Agustin. On that day, while I lay prostrated in front of the altar and praying the Litany of the Saints, I asked the Lord to always remind me of my commitment to the poor – “Lord, if I forget the poor, this gift of priesthood you shared with me today will turn into nothing...” And then, during the consecration rites presided by Bishop Patricio A. Buzon, SDB, DD, then Bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan, I offered the same prayer. I was poor. I am poor, and will always be a poor priest with and for the poor.

With this inspiration and commitment, and with the grace from God (always in His grace and inspiration), SPAG-Asa, - “Sharing with the Poor is Always a Grace – a Hope”, was created and made possible. It is a “Charity-Work” and aims to provide meals for the poor and malnourished children in the Southern Part of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is basically a feeding program but does not limit its task to feeding only. It also educates children in Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and teaches them about Christian Faith through catechesis, together with their parents who are their first teachers. SPAG-Asa also provides opportunities for parents to learn practical ways or techniques on how to give proper nourishment to their children.

SPAG-ASA derives its name from the food spaghetti, shortened into “SPAG” as we commonly call it and with the word “ASA” which means HOPE. People of good heart donating foods, especially spaghetti pasta, will not only nourish the physical aspect of the children but will also give them HOPE, the hope that indeed God is really a God who provides, who always gives through the generosity of His beloved people.