The author, from Northern Ireland, has been in the Philippines since 1960 and in recent years has been working in Malate Parish, Manila. He spent many years in Mindanao, much of that time in parishes in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

30 May 1929 is an historic date for Columbans in the Philippines. On that day Fr Michael Cuddigan, who had sailed from Sydney, disembarked in Manila Harbour and made his way to Our Lady of Remedies Church, Malate. He was not the first Columban to visit Manila; several others had made it a port of call in the 1920s en route to and from China, but he was the first in a long line of Columbans who, over the next 80 years, would make the Philippines their home.

The following day, 31 May, a second Irish Columban, Fr Patrick Kelly, arrived. He had sailed from Ireland via Genoa, was met by Father Cuddigan at the pier and escorted to Malate, a short distance south along Manila Bay. The Columbans had been founded in 1918 to work in China so it was only after protracted negotiations between Rome and the Archbishop of Manila that the Society leadership had agreed to send a few men to staff Malate. As a result of overwork and TB Fr Michael Cuddigan collapsed and eventually returned to Australia where he spent the rest of his missionary life. He died at the age of 84. 

1898 marked the end of nearly 400 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines. The Spanish priests were deported and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a Filipino nationalist church popularly known as the Aglipayans, after their first head, Fr Gregorio Aglipay, gained strength and broke with Rome. Catholics were left leaderless and their traditions were rarely respected by the American Protestant missionaries and school teachers who poured into the country. The Philippine Catholic Church cried to the world for help.

Redemptorists from Ireland, who had come to Cebu in 1905, were requested by the Irish-born Archbishop of Manila, Michael O’Doherty, to accept the parish of Malate. In 1912, they signed a contract to work there for seven years but as time went by were persuaded by the Archbishop to extend their stay for a further ten years. Australian Redemptorist, Fr Dennis Grogan CSsR, graciously stayed on in Malate for a few months to introduce the two Columbans into Manila parish life.

In letters to their superiors and members of their own family the new priests described their early experiences. Excerpts give us a flavor of parish life 80 years ago. On 25 September 1929, Father Cuddigan wrote: ‘The parish is well organized and speaks well for the efforts of the Redemptorists. When they came they found a deserted church and after years of hard work brought the people to a very devout stage in the practice of their religion. The love they have for the “Virgen” is simply wonderful.’

In a letter to his sister the following year, Father Kelly described ‘the grand old customs from Spanish times. Malate is a very popular shrine of our Lady of Remedies. On Fiesta Day many beautiful statues are brought in procession on specially decorated carriages lit up with electricity. Last of all is Our Lady of Remedies on a carriage covered with old Mexican silver. As the evening was dark the whole thing looked very beautiful, thousands marching in the procession, with music from seven bands. It is all so different from the quiet manifestation of faith in Ireland . . .’

Malate church was established by the Augustinians in 1588, only 23 years after the imposition of Spanish rule and the official beginning of Christianity in the country. A statue of the patroness, Our Lady of Remedies (Healing), was brought from Spain in 1624 and installed behind the main altar. Father Cuddigan writes, ‘The Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is the great attraction. Each Saturday is a day of pilgrimage. Hundreds arrive from the back of the mountains across the bay. Their parked bancas (boats) make things hum on Malate Beach. I’m sure 500 children come along in arms to be blessed at Our Lady’s Shrine.’ He then describes how the priest would stand inside the altar rails and sprinkle the children and the parents with Holy Water as he moved along.

This custom has endured until today although devotees come now on jeepneys and on foot. Children are still brought for a blessing on Saturday mornings.

In the years that followed, the Society leadership undertook the staffing of several inland parishes outside the city. In 1938, a large group came and was assigned to Northern Mindanao. After WW2 and the expulsion of priests from China the Society took on more territories: southern Negros Occidental in 1950 and Zambales in 1951. By the mid 1970s the total number of Columbans stationed in the Philippines had reached 253. Since then, because of the acceptance of mission assignments in other parts of the world, and because of aging and deaths, our numbers have been drastically reduced. The work of building up the local Church has been accomplished. How Columban missionaries contributed in this great work is a story of grace and blessings.

You may email Father McHugh at kaymac@eastern.com.ph or write him at Our Lady of Remedies Parish, 2000 M.N. Del Pilar St, Malate, 1004 MANILA

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

In Nchiraa village, a Methodist choirmaster died. I was asked on the spot to give a homily during his funeral held on a stage in an open field. I was not prepared and my first thought was to look for an exit or, at least, an excuse. After struggling with my introduction, it began to rain heavily. The people began to disperse when I exploded: ‘Death is like the rain. When it rains, life comes to standstill. When death comes, life too comes to a standstill,’ and I ran for cover myself. I think that was the best homily I ever gave. When it rains here, especially in the villages, literally, there is no work, no Church services, no classes . . .

On my way to a village, I crossed a river and a woman was calling me in broken English but in a commanding way, ‘Carry me, carry me!’ ‘How can I carry such an amazona?’ I was asking myself. Coming nearer, I saw beside her a big bucket full of water. So, with actions, I said, ‘Oh, you mean you want me to help you put the bucket on your head?’ ‘Yes,’ she said to my relief. Perhaps this is what they mean when they say, ‘Use your eyes, not just your ears’.

Our big truck got stuck in the mud. After unsuccessful attempts at pushing it was still in the mud. Then I told the passengers to place more dry leaves, gravel and sand on the mud and commanded them to try again. Then I went and touched the vehicle. Luckily, it began to move. Excited, the people asked, ‘Osofo (Father), what did you do?’ ‘Nothing, I only blessed it’. From there, people said that the blessing of a priest was very powerful. It brings a stuck truck out of the mud.

The author is a contemplative nun who has written for Misyon a number of times before. ‘Flight 306’ isn’t that of any airline company but refers to the code number of ‘A Hidden Pearl’ in her community.

We missionaries, share the mission of Jesus. As his disciples our mission is: ‘TO LOVE GOD IS TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER, AND TO SERVE GOD IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.’ We are on a journey striving to live as Jesus lived so that our lives may be fruitful for others when we die. Life is short, eternity long. We have only this brief lifetime to receive love, deepen love, grow in love, and give love. What a wonderful way for us missionaries to witness to the GOD of LOVE as his beloved children like his only Beloved Son JESUS on whom his favor rests. Our revered Co-foundress Mother Mary Michael left us a simple maxim on how to live in the following guiding principles of her life.

‘Live quietly with God
Work gladly for God
View things from God’s viewpoint
Talk things over with God
Glow with zeal for the glory of God
Find your joy in God
Rest deep in the Heart of God.’

This is really a simple but effective practice to be connected, with God which enables us to labor quietly in his loving presence in our life of WORSHIP – WITNESS – WORK. As we live so we die. I have become familiarized with death due to the ‘death rehearsals’ in my own life – three of which I now share with you – in August 1983, New Year’s Eve 1995 and August 2007. However, I survived and could remark in good faith and humor each time ‘FLIGHT DELAYED – back to the Father’s business as usual’.

I remember the first ‘death rehearsal’ when I underwent an emergency operation due to intestinal obstruction . . . and I stayed several days in the ICU. (An elderly Sister mistakenly called it the ‘Expensive Care Unit!) I could hear the muffled murmur, the hasty steps when I developed an erratic BP necessitating a quick cut-down surgery on my right arm. I was gazing intently and praying to the Crucified Lord: ‘My heart is ready, Lord, my heart is ready. Into your hands I commend my spirit. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, help me’. Suddenly a bright light engulfed the Crucified and I saw his right hand extended toward me, and heard his gentle loving voice: ‘Not yet!’ I sank into a coma for several days. Many prayers were offered for this ‘Hidden Pearl’ and even three bishops visited and blessed her. They are all now resting in the bosom of the Triune God, but as for me, I am still waiting in hope because of my ‘delayed flight’. My mission is still going on and I continue ‘to be more and to do less’ – meaning to be more loving, more compassionate, more forgiving, more patient and gentle because our being human is not in the things we can accomplish with our mind, but what is in our heart – TO LOVE and SHARE LOVE!

It was New Year’s Eve and I had a splitting headache so I took a painkiller. I was surprised that the pain got worse, and I felt my tongue hardening, and my speech becoming slurred. I went to the chapel thinking I could ask help from one of the Sisters at adoration. I made signs to her to call our infirmarian, but because of my slurred speech, she dashed out leaving me there at the door of the sanctuary. For my part, I thought my ‘hour’ had come and I joyfully prayed the ‘MAGNIFICAT’ with our Blessed Mother in front of our Eucharistic Lord. Soon the infirmarian came, brought me back to my room and gave me a sedative, and I fell asleep. New Year’s Day found the community rejoicing, but when I reported to our cardiologist he said with some alarm, ‘Sister, you had a mild stroke!’ What a surprise and revelation! Another instance of my ‘flight delayed!’

Well, I am still waiting in hope in the ‘Pre-departure Area’ at 83, striving evermore to be like JESUS and living as the Beloved – more human and holy in my relationship with God and fellow missionaries as I endeavor to have a ‘third eye’ in observing others, a ‘listening ear’ to hear, and a ‘hearing heart’ to be ever compassionate and understanding. Attentive to our Beloved who dwells in our hearts, we can live more meaningful lives and be effective evangelizers.

Our God is a God of Love, but I have experienced him time and again as a ‘God of surprises’: surprises which delight and, yes, also surprises that shock like my third ‘death rehearsal’. I was clearing up to prepare to go for our Noonday Office or Midday Prayer when suddenly everything around me was spinning rapidly and I felt dazed and could not stand. The dizziness got more intense and, snail-like, I managed to crawl to my bed. ‘My God! Are you there?’

I felt weak and helpless for some days, ordered to complete bed rest by the neurologist. Her suspicion was confirmed by the MRI brain scan – a mild stroke in the brain and chronic ischemia. More surprises! On 17 August my left arm was stiff and numb and I could hardly move it. The doctor advised immediate hospitalization. With blaring sirens the ambulance quickly arrived at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and I was brought to the Emergency Room and given all the ‘works’! Results confirmed what the brain scan had shown and I was confined for some days.

My courage and strength was the Lord who came every morning to be my bread of life and cup of joy. A welcome surprise was a visit by some of the ‘Blue Sisters’, the Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS). They prayed over me, sang a healing prayer and each one blessed me. What a joy to love and share God’s love even when my ‘flight’ was delayed again. When I came home I greeted Sr M. Assumpta with the psalmist’s words, ‘I was punished, punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die’. In the dining room was a giant plastic sunflower balloon with a contagious smile and the large letters: GOD LOVES YOU! How I rejoiced at God’s merciful love and prayed in my Heart of Hearts:

Lord, how great you are! You want still to polish this ‘Hidden Pearl’ before she receives the crown of glory you promised. In that ‘hour’ may I hear your comforting words: ‘Don’t be afraid. You are safe. I am bringing you home. You are mine. You belong to me and I belong to you.’

MISSIONARIES: SVD, SSpS And SSpSAP

(founded by St Arnold Janssen in 1875, 1889 and 1896 respectively)

A pleasant reunion of missionaries took place in the Convent of perpetual Adoration in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, last August 5, 2008. Fr. Joaquim Andrade, SVD of India, now Superior Provincial of Southern Brazil, met with Sister Leonie Pergunta, SSpS from Loay, Bohol presently stationed as procurator of their big College in Uniñao de Vitória, Brazil and three Sisters SSpSAP, Pink Sisters from the Philippines: Sr. M. Socorro Saplala, from Santa Rita, Pampanga, Sr. M. Reparatrix Zafra from Clarin, Bohol and Sr. M. Joselita, Milagros Ramos from Agoo, La Union. It was the 25th anniversary of the convent foundation and the 70th anniversary of religious profession of its foundress and first superior of this contemplative community. Several SVD priests concelebrated a thanksgiving mass with our Bishop, Dom Sergio Arthur Braschi in the presence of many Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit, friends and benefactors of the community. The SVD priests are in charge of some parishes, the SSpS have a big College in the city, while also attending some charitable centers for poor children. Our cloistered branch in Brazil has only one Convent of Perpetual Adoraton: “ Nossa Senhora do Cenácula” in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. As a contemplative congregation we lead a life of prayer and sacrifice and perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to support the mission work of the whole Church, especially of the SVD and SSpS. We have already vocations for the cloistered life originating from several places of Brazil.

We are celebrating the 100th death anniversary of our father and founder, St. Arnold Janssen on January 15, 2009, and also of the first SVD Missionary to China, St Joseph Freinademetz, SVD whose 100th death anniversary was on January 28, 2008. Pope John Paul II canonized both in Rome on Oct 5, 2003.

By the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters
Convento Nossa Senhora do Cenáculo
Nunes Machado, 150
BR-84045-410 Ponta Grossa (Paraná)
Brazil

By Sister Carmela OCD

Before we enter into the beautiful season of Lent, allow us to share with you some good news and significant beginnings taking place now in our Carmel here in Vilvoorde,Belgium.

Yesterday, 23 February, we had our community elections. Our youngest Belgian sister, now Mother Lutgardis, 65, was elected prioress. With her in the council are Sister Lutgart, Mother Ann Christi and Sister Carmela. Please, pray for us as we begin a new triennium, a real beginning for Mother Lutgardis, who is in this office for the first time. Mother Ann Christi deserves a much needed rest after 24 years of wisely and lovingly leading the community during those difficult years of transition. She has laid the foundations and set the course towards making Vilvoorde an international community.

Another new beginning is the re-opening of our novitiate after 22 years with the arrival today of our two Filipina postulants: Jurechille ‘Jijie’ Catalan, 30, and Glenda ‘Lisa’ Tanudtanud, 49, who had been a Franciscan missionary for 11 years before transferring to Carmel.

At around 11am today, 24 February, their plane landed at Zaventem-Brussels airport, where Mother Ann Christi, Sister Luisa, their new Mistress, and Dr Philippe Cornut, the president of Vriendenkring, Friends of the Troost, met them.

When they got out of the vehicle at our entrance door, the big clock in the belfry struck 12 noon, for the Angelus. The president said, ‘That is for you!’ The newcomers thought that one of the sisters was watching for their arrival so she could ring the bell to welcome them. But our clock is automatic! It was Our Lady's way of welcoming them!

We were in the choir praying the Divine Office when the doorbell rang. The Sister-chantress in her excitement, exclaimed in Flemish, between the psalms, ‘There they are!’ The rest of us couldn’t answer right away, trying to control laughter and excitement too. But when the sister chanted the next line with more or less the same words as these ‘I cannot go on anymore’, then we burst into laughter. Our Mother went out ahead and we followed after the Office to welcome them. Oma Teresia was surely with us in spirit as she had been praying for them.

Of course the first stop was in the choir, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and to pour out their mixed emotions, especially that of gratitude. Then we all gathered before the miraculous ancient statue of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Troost, Our Lady of Consolation, our Patroness, to sing the Salve Regina. Our Mother gave a short welcome message in English. Then we proceeded to the refectory in procession.

Sr. Maria Luisa prepared a para-liturgy for the re-opening of our novitiate, which was supposed to take place on the same evening but due to an unforeseen interruption we had to postpone it till the following day. The postulants too needed to adjust to the time difference so Mother sent them to bed early. The whole community went in procession with votive candles, prayed in the novices’ oratory before our Mother gave them a blessing as they knelt at the door of their cells. 

By the way, our Mother was the last novice in our novitiate 22 years ago after she transferred from her active congregation and now she has re-opened it during her first term as prioress. We find this significant.

And last but not least, this month Sister Luisa has also made definite her transfer to Vilvoorde. So, we now have two Filipina Chapter Sisters who are permanent members of the community while another young Chapter Sister from the Carmel of Cagayan de Oro City, is now processing her papers to join us soon. That will make our community one of five Belgian and five Filipina Sisters. Sister Cecile returned to the Philippines last month for health reasons.

Please do keep us in your prayers especially for the perseverance of our postulants and a fruitful, hopeful and blessed triennium!

We wish you a blessed and holy Lent! May we all enter deeply into the spirit of the season so that after plunging into the mystery of Jesus' Passion and Death, together we will partake of the joy of His Resurrection at Easter!

Lovingly in Jesus and Mary,
Sister Carmela

You may email Sister Carmela at carmel_troost@belgacom.net

You will find more photos from Vilvoorde here.

A Bonus from Belgium

Just over 30 minutes by train from Vilvoorde is Antwerp Central Railway Station. Why not take a stop there for this delight.

Another Bonus

Sister Carmela went from the Cebu Carmel to that in Vilvoorde, Belgium,where she is now a permanent member of the community and also on the monastery's council. She is currently visiting the Cebu Carmel for the 60th anniversary of its foundation. Here you can see some of the Sisters in Cebu interpret Something More, sung by Lea Salonga.

WE ARE EACH OTHER’S INSTRUMENTS OF LOVE

By Elaine Roselle C. Aquino

The author is from Cagayan de Oro City and sent us this reflection some time ago.

Every day, I try to find myself and I try to find the meaning behind the things I see and the things that happen to me. Why? Because, like most of us, there is a struggle within me that never ceases; I am discontented, a word that can easily define us humans in the natural sense.

As I observe the people around me when I go to and from school on a jeepney, I wonder if they also make an effort at finding themselves or the meaning of things. On a daily basis, they work for a living. And during their day-to-day routine of pushing carts, selling barbecues, begging money, driving jeepneys or even doing almost nothing the whole day, I wonder if, at the end of the day, they still try to figure out why these things happen to them? When I ride the jeepney, tired yet still surprisingly energized from the activities in school, I often look at some of the passengers and wonder how it would be like to live in their shoes. It would probably be a whole new kind of life-story different from mine. We probably lead different, unique lives.

Even if coincidence has it that some of us may have certain similarities pertaining to the events of our lives to others we may or may not know, I still believe our lives are unique. I strongly believe such because we are created one-by-one, each with his or her own mind, body and soul. And thus, we think and feel differently. But when I say we’re unique, it doesn’t mean we don’t need each other. Although I’m a loner and a very private person, I can say that people still need other people not because we are dependent, but because God gave them to us to accompany us, to befriend us, to love us as He did. And although we can’t love other people as God loved us and will still love us, I believe we can at least share it in our own way to everyone as a sign of appreciation for what God has given us.

Isn't that very smart of Him? That, even if he gave us unique minds, souls and bodies, he still gave us other people to share our lives with; I guess that’s how God loves us and much more. Maybe, He doesn’t want us to be lonely.

Next time, when we get tired at the end of a day’s work, maybe we can spend a little time to thank God for whatever he gave us, for what he will still give us and especially for the people He created as instruments of His love.

You may contact the author at #526 Blk 11 Lot 2 Gold City Village, Phase 2, Balulang, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City or email her atelaine_aquino14@yahoo.com

‘Be at peace with your own soul,
then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.’
Saint Jerome
Christ is Risen!

by Catherine Doherty

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Verily he is risen! Because he has, darkness has been conquered by light, death by life, and hate by love. Now the world lives in the resurrected Christ.

Whether men and women know it or not, the world has changed; it and the cosmos are now living, existing in the Lord of history, of eternity, of time, and of love. And not only is the Church on pilgrimage toward the Parousia, the Second Coming, but so are all men and women and all the world, and all that surrounds God’s world.

The resurrection of Christ brought love among us, and it is the very principle of our existence. If we recognize this, we can transform the world.

It’s such a simple thing that requires only faith in the resurrected Christ. It is so simple that it is overlooked by many who write heavy treatises about abolishing poverty and stopping wars.

But human beings are not satisfied with bread alone. They desperately need love, almost more than the air they breathe.

Why not start the fire of love by loving—one by one—all whom we meet and deal with during the day? Then indeed the resurrection of Christ will become meaningful. Our pilgrimage to him will become joyous, and we will restore the world to him.

We will eat the fruit of love daily—peace and happiness, the like of which we never dreamed existed. Let’s begin now.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Verily he is risen!

—From Grace in Every Season, (2001) April 11, pp. 107-108, http://www.madonnahouse.org/publications/doherty/gies.htm Photo of Catherine on http://www.madonnahouse.org/restoration/2009/04/christ_is_risen.html ]

Steps to Reduce Social Violence

In 1974 Jamaica instituted a wide scale anti-crime program that included strict gun control and the censorship of gun scenes from television and movies. In the following year, robberies dropped 25 percent, and non-fatal shootings dropped by 37 percent. (From: Peace Ideas, No. 24)

May I find my joy in You

Lord, inaccessible light is your dwelling place, for no one apart from you can enter into it and fully comprehend you. If I fail to see this light it is simply because it is too bright for me. Still, it is by this light that I do see all that I can, even as weak eyes, unable to look straight at the sun, see all that they can by the sun’s light.

The light in which you dwell, Lord, is beyond my understanding. It is so brilliant that I cannot bear it, I cannot turn my mind’s eye toward it for any length of time. I am dazzled by its brightness, amazed by its grandeur, overwhelmed by its immensity, bewildered by its abundance.

O supreme and inaccessible light, O complete and blessed truth, how far you are from me, even though I am so near to you! How remote you are from my sight, even though I am present to yours! You are everywhere in your entirety, and yet I do not see you; in you I move and have my being, and yet I cannot approach you; you are within me and around me, and yet I do not perceive you.

St Anselm of Canterbury, feast: 21 April; died 21 April 1109.

[Some images of St Anselm: http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images_adv_prop=image&fr=moz2&va=st+anselm+canterbury&sz=all ]

The Secret of Peace of Mind

Happiness and peace of mind from the realization that we are one with all the others as expressions of the One Life, the One Self, and from the practical application of that realization in a life of service by action and thought.
~ From Peace Ideas, No. 40 ~

Eco-Action Beyond Band-Aids

If you wish to be really helpful and effective in environmental work, there are two guidelines suggested by author Jon Naar which you must always keep in mind:

• Go to the root of the problem. Go beyond the symptoms (such as cleaning the dirt of coal smokestack) and go to the cause (burning coal) and eliminating it (by switching to clean fuel, or using conservation to make power plant unnecessary.
• Be prepared to make changes. The health of a system depends on its ability to change. So long as a biological, political or energy system responds to its environment, it stays healthy - otherwise, it gets sick, that is, it pollutes. If we want clean air, clean water, safe food or accountable politics, we have to remove the underlying causes of the pollution. This means changing unhealthy systems and institutions and, in so doing, we will change ourselves. Like charity, the process of protecting and cleaning up the environment begins at home.

Source: Jon Naar, Design for a Livable Planet. (From Peace Ideas, #17)

Rey A. Ibañez

The author will be starting in fourth year in June at St Vincent de Paul College Seminary, Dagum Hills, Calbayog City, 6710 Samar, where you may write him. You may email him at reylatus27@gmail.com

Magmula ng yakapin ko ang buhay ng isang magpapari, malimit kong marinig at mapagtanto ang mga katanungang madalas ay ‘di ko masagot-sagot o ‘di rin matarok ng musmos kong pag-iisip. Ito ay mga katanungang gaya ng, ‘Bakit ka magpapari?’ ‘Paano mo nalamang ika’y tinawag nga ng Panginoon?’ ‘Kaya mo bang harapin ang mga hamon sa buhay ng isang Pari?’ At ang pinakamahirap sa lahat ay ang katanungang, ‘Saan ako patungo?’

Saan nga ba ako patungo? Aling daan ba ang nararapat kong tahakin? Patungo saang direksyon ba ang dapat kong baybayin? Bakit sa tuwing ako’y nasa kalagitnaan nitong mundong mapanlinlang at mapang-akit ay tila nawawala ako sa direksyon? Bakit hindi ko lubos maaninag ang tamang daan ng buhay? Kapag nakikita ko ang mga bagay na kaaya-ayang tingnan at kaysarap angkinin ay para bang ako’y uhaw at nagpupumilit na kamkamin ito at lasapin ang kaligayahang maidudulot nito. Para bang gusto kong maghanap pa ng mas maganda at mas kaaya-aya pa rito.

Paano ko ba matatanggihan ang mga mararangyang luho ng sanlibutan? Paano ko ba malalabanan ang tila mapang-akit na alindog nito sa aking buong pagkatao? Paano ko maiiwasan ang maging alipin nito?

Maraming beses na akong nangako sa Poon na iaalay ko ang aking buhay sa Kanya. Nangako akong wala ng ibang babalingan pa kundi Siya lamang. Pero bakit dumarating ang mga panahong binabawi ko ang mga pangakong ito?

Alam na alam ko na ang buhay pagpapari ay isang buhay celibato na ang ibig sabihin ay walang katuwang sa buhay, asawa’t anak na mag-aaruga pagdating ng taglagas. Pero bakit may iba akong nararamdaman? Bakit parang nahahati ang puso ko sa Kanya at sa kanya rin? Sino ba ang pipiliin ko? Sino ang aking babalingan? Saan ako tutungo?

Hindi maikakaila na sa buhay naming mga seminarista, mahirap ang maging banal, lalo na ang maging paring banal sa hinaharap. Napakahirap, sobrang hirap at pagtitiis ang aming dinaranas at daranasin sa loob o labas man ng seminaryo. Napakaraming mga hamon ang nakaantabay sa daang aming tinatahak at tatahakin pa lamang. Isipin mo na lang ang sampung taon o higit pa nito na iyong dadaanang pormasyon bago ka magpari. Kakayanin mo bang lumagi sa seminaryo sa loob ng sampung taon?

Makakayanan mo bang makihalo-bilo sa mga taong ni minsan ay ‘di mo nakilala sa buong buhay mo? Kaya mo bang makipagsapalaran sa mundong ‘di mo pa alam? Kakayanin mo rin bang makipagtunggali sa lahat ng mga taong maaari mong makalaban sa ministrong iyong pinaghahandaan? Lubha ngang napakarami ng katanungang ukol sa pagpapari ang ’di ko alam kung masasagot ko. Sobrang dami rin ng hamon sa buhay ang nakasubaybay sa amin. Unang-una, kalaban namin ang pangungulila sa mga magulang, kaibigan, kamag-anak o sino pa mang napalapit sa aming kalooban. Bakit? Dahil malimit na namin silang makita at makasama ‘di gaya no’ng nasa labas pa kami ng seminaryo. Hindi rin puwedeng umuwi ka at dalawin sila kung hindi pa panahon ng pagdalaw, dapat maghintay sa nakatakdang panahon. Pangalawa, kalaban namin ang mga tentasyon ng mundo at ang labis na karangyaang ipinapakita at ipinapang-akit nito. Partikular na kalaban namin ang mga luhong ‘di naman pala tunay na nagbibigay kaligayahan at kakuntentuhan sa buhay. Pangatlo, kalaban namin ang mga taong tila bagang ‘di kami matanggap bilang magpapari. Pang-apat, kalaban din namin kung minsan ang aming mga magulang na nangangambang wala na raw magpaparami ng kanilang lahi. Hindi lang nila alam na mas dadami pa ang lahi nila dahil mas maraming magiging anak ang pari pagdating ng panahon. Magiging ama siya hindi lamang ng iilan kundi maging ng mga taong hindi niya kilala at kadugo. At higit sa lahat, ang aming panghuling kalaban ay mismong mga sarili namin. Maraming beses na kami ri’y nawawala sa sarili o nawawalan ng direksyon. Sa halip na piliin namin ang tama at makabubuti sa amin, mas pumapabor pa kami minsan sa kabaliktaran nito. Sa halip na gumising ng maaga upang magbigay puri sa Maykapal at dumulog sa pangaraw-araw na misa ay pinipili pa ng ilan na magsakit-sakitan o matulog na lamang. Sa halip na yakapin at sumunod sa pormasyong talaga namang makatutulong sa amin ay gumagawa pa kami ng sarili naming gimik para lamang makuntento sa mga makasariling hangarin. Minsan ay hindi na namin nabibigyan ng pansin ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito – na ito’y para sa amin din at para kay Kristo!

Kaya, pinili ko ngayon na pagninilay-nilayan ang mga bagay na ito habang ako’y kasalukuyang nakikipagsapalaran dito. At sa aking pakikipagsapalaran sa mga sugal ng buhay, dahan-dahan kong natutuntun ang tamang daan, unti-unti kong natatahak ang mga kalyeng nakita ko na pala subalit ‘di ko lang binigyang pansin noon. May kabagalan ang aking pagdedesisyon subalit tumpak naman ang mga ito. Alam kong ako’y naliliwanagan na at ‘di na kayang linlangin pa ninuman. At ang katanungang, ‘Saan ka pupunta?’ ay unti-unting natutugunan ng tamang kasagutan.

Seminarista, saan ka patungo?

Ako ay patungo roon sa bagong mundo ng buhay subalit luma pa rin. Ang bagong mundo ng pagpapari subalit luma na dahil wala pa ako ay nariyan na ang pagtawag ni Kristo. Ako ay patungo sa daan kung saan walang bakas ng pagmamahal na mula kay Kristo at doon ay ipararamdam ko sa kanila ang tamis na dulot ng pagmamahal Niya. Doon ipakikilala ko ang ‘Kristong’ buhay ko at buhay din nating lahat. Pupuntahan ko silang nagnanais na makita si Kristo kahit man lang sa mga anino ng kanyang matatamis na sermon at pangaral. Pupuntahan ko ang mga kabataang tila bagang wala ng kinikilalang Diyos at ang akala sa sarili ay kayang pasanin ang mundo ng walang sinumang babalingan. At higit sa lahat, babalikan ko ang aking sarili na alam kong may posibilidad pa ring mawala. Tutuklasin ko ang mga bagay na lingid pa sa aking kaalaman at ang mga misteryong nakatago sa likod ng aking katauhan. Pag-iibayuhin ko pa ang mga talentong ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng sa gayon ay makapamunga ito at makapamahagi ako sa mga mas nangangailangan nito. Magtatanim ako ng mga binhing mamumunga ng marami upang maialay itong muli sa Kanya na nag-alay ng walang katumbas na butil, ang butil ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sa gabay ng Banal na Espiritu at sa pagkalinga ng Santa Iglesia Katolika, pagbubutihan ko ang aking pagpapari hanggang sa abot ng aking makakaya. Humihingi rin ako ng inyong mga panalangin sa araw-araw na sana’y makayanan kong lagpasan ang lahat ng mga hamon ng buhay.

At sa pagpapala ng Mahal na Ina, nawa’y maging pari ako at ang lahat ng mga seminarista!

Hearing Mass via TV

My Lola and aunt, God rest their souls, were bedridden before they passed away. They regularly had Holy Communion, through the kindness and compassion of their priest-friend. As for their Sunday Masses, they attended them from home, by watching a televised Mass. Is that acceptable? How about some of my friends who when they're too busy or too tired, opt to hear Mass too by putting on the TV?

The Mass is a sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus himself. It's not a matter of convenience. Yet Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest and a day of worship. There are many Filipinos who find it physically impossible to take part in Sunday Mass but many are able to go to Services of the Word in their barrios or districts. So they're not opting out for 'convenience' sake nor because they are tired.

The Word of God, proclaimed at Mass, and the Body of Christ, received in Holy Communion, are meant to 're-create' us, to renew us, to strengthen us as we try to follow Jesus in our daily lives.

By attending Mass on Sunday, or a Service of the Word if there's no Mass, we are also joining the Christian community and living out our baptism. If 'tiredness' were a reason for staying away from Mass I would also find it a reason for not having dinner, as I am often quite tired just before dinner. But the meal, which I usually have with someone else, takes away my tiredness.

And I'd much rather eat real food than watch someone eating on TV!

But to come back to the basic point: the Mass is the Sacrifice of Jesus to the Father. We cannot follow him by living according to convenience.

God bless you!