Katoliko Ako

Panunuluyan: A Christmas Drama

2011-12-25T00:30:00.005+08:00

Today when we attended the Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Midnight Mass), we witnessed the Panunuluyan or dramatization of the birth of our Lord Jesus.

The Panunuluyan dramatizes the search for lodging of the Holy Couple, Jose and the very pregnant Maria. Originally, the images of the two, atop decorated carrozas, are processioned on Christmas eve and taken from house to house, in re-enactment of that event in Bethlehem. The images are preceded by altar boys bearing ciriales (cross and candles on poles) and devotees. Eventually, real people, instead of santos, were cast to assume the roles of Jose and Maria, almost always respectable citizens of the town. The dramatis personae expanded to include the 3 Magis, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar and even a Narrator and a Koro, a Chorus of singers who sang and delivered verses for the Holy Couple.

Four or five houses are selected as “inns”, to be visited by the Holy Couple, who either walked on foot, rode a gareta (bull cart) or in some cases, rode the back of a large animal like a carabao or donkey. The yards and balconies were often spruced with Christmas décor like lights and lanterns. At the first house, San Jose begs the “innkeeper” for a room, chanting the verses in octo-syllabic quatrains. The “innkeeper” sings his response, claiming his house is full, thus turning the couple away. The couple moves on to the next house, and then to the next, meeting the same cold response. Finally, the procession winds back to the church plaza, where a stable has been constructed. It is here that Maria delivers Jesus, amidst the ringing of bells and the celebration of a Misa de Aguinaldo, the last of the Simbang Gabi (nightly Masses).

Here is the recorded video of the Panunuluyan of San Roque Cathedra (It is very dark inside the church so you can only hear the audio and sound effects).

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-25T00:23:00.003+08:00

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

-[Isa. 25:1; 40:9-11; Matt. 28:18; Luke 2:11.]

Merry Christmas to All!

Note: Kindly also visit my other blog http://bellenoona.multiply.com

An Advent Song

2011-11-27T14:14:00.003+08:00

O Come Divine Messiah

Refrain:
O come, Divine Messiah, O Word of God and Mary's Son:
we long to see your triumph when sin and death are done!

Lord Jesus, come! Come to your own!
With eager eyes, we watch the skies
'till on the clouds You take Your Throne!
(Refrain)

Lord Jesus, come! Come to our earth
and there begin to banish sin
and bring us all to heavenly birth!
(Refrain)

Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth!
Dispel the night and show Your Face
and bid us hail the dawn of grace.
(Refrain)

Mabuhay ang Kristong Hari!

2011-11-20T06:00:00.001+08:00

Hymn to St. Augustine

2011-08-28T06:00:00.001+08:00

Today is the Feast Day of St. Augustine, he's the patron saint of my alma mater - La Consolacion College Caloocan City.

I remember singing this song every August 28th in honor of St. Augustine.

THE GREAT ST. AUGUSTINE

Refrain

With joy and thanksgiving
Now let our voices ring
In song of happiness
In praise of God's goodness
For to us God has given
A saint, a father, a friend
A gift of love from heaven
The great St. Augustine

I.
You are our guide
Thanks for your life of love
Smile on us St. Augustine
Listen as we pray and sing

Repeat Refrain

II.
Our inspiration too
Your wish we'd like to do
Smile on us St. Augustine
Help us to be true like you.

Repeat Refrain

Thanksgiving Prayer

2011-08-06T22:13:00.002+08:00

Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us. Amen.

Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

2011-06-29T19:48:00.005+08:00

Last June 27th is the Feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, so we went to her shrine in Baclaran, Paranaque to hear mass. Unfortunately were late and too bad the 6pm mass was the last mass for that day. So we just prayed in the church and watched the procession, This is my first to see the procession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help from her shrine, here are some of the pics that was taken inside the church and during the procession:

Viva Santo Nino!

2011-01-16T08:00:00.001+08:00

We took this photo of the Santo Nino de Tondo at the 'pahalik' (it means we have to go up a long and winding staircase at the back of the church so we can touch and pray to the Infant Jesus at the back of the main altar.)

* This photo was taken on the eve of the Feast day of the Santo Nino

This is the main altar of Santo Nino de Tondo Parish

Eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)

2011-01-09T11:13:00.005+08:00

Yesterday we went to the Basilica of the Black Nazarene because thousands of people will be flocking there today to pay homage to the 'Senor Nazareno'

Here are some of the pics that we took yesterday:

Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God

2011-01-01T14:31:00.002+08:00

On New Year's Day, the octave day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God. The divine and virginal motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular salvific event: for Our Lady it was the foretaste and cause of her extraordinary glory; for us it is a source of grace and salvation because "through her we have received the Author of life."

A happy, peaceful and prosperous new year to all!

A New Year With The Lord

2011-01-01T14:09:00.002+08:00

A New Year With The Lord

A new year is about to unfold
With new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences
New adventures with the Lord

Remember not the former things
The things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us
Much more than we are aware

For He will make a way for us
As we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step
By His presence we have within

What God has placed within our hearts
We find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities
We’ll see the door to go through

We mustn’t let anything hold us back
But rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be
With a fresh touch of His grace

© By M.S.Lowndes

1st Day of Misa de Gallo (Dawn Masses)

2010-12-18T23:21:00.010+08:00

Here are some of the pics that I took on the 1st day of Misa de Gallo or Dawn Masses. Misa de Gallo is also known as Simbang Gabi, it is a Philippine traditional 9 day dawn novena masses in preparation for Christmas.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

2010-11-28T20:22:00.000+08:00

Requiem Æternam (For the Souls in Purgatory)

2010-11-02T09:34:00.003+08:00

In nómine Patris et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine,

et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace. Amen.

Feast of the Archangels

2010-09-29T23:31:00.003+08:00

Today is the feast day of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael (Daniel 10:13), which means "Who is Like God?";Gabriel (Daniel 8:16), which means "Power of God"; and Raphael (Tobit 7:8), which means "God has healed."

My eldest son was named in honor of St. Raphael, while my youngest was named in honor of St Uriel (one of the 7 archangels)

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2010-08-15T21:17:00.000+08:00

'See the beauty of the daughter of Jerusalem, who ascended to heaven like the rising sun at dawn.'

-- Benedictus antiphon from Daily Office

August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

2010-08-14T12:36:00.004+08:00

Our Lady's Fool

Today is the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, one of my favorite modern saints! He is the founder of the Militia of the Immaculata (Army of Mary), and regarded as the patron of journalists, families, prisoners, and pro-life advocates.

He received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life.

I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both. - Saint Maximilian
I never get tired reading the book 'Our Lady's Fool' whenever I read St. Maximilian Kolbe' life story it still makes me cry and it always touches the inner depths of my heart. No wonder he is my favorite modern saint!

Jesus teaches his disciples to pray

2010-07-25T09:41:00.002+08:00

"Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."(Luke 11:1-13)

Prayer for Healing

2010-07-04T11:16:00.003+08:00

This is the prayer that comes with the rosary from the healing session of Father Fernando Suarez.

Lord Look upon me with the eyes of mercy. May your healing Spirit rest upon me. It is through your power that I was created. Since you created me from nothing, you can certainly recreate me. Fill me with the healing power of your spirit. May your lifegiving powers flow into every cell of my body and unto the depths of my soul. Mend what is broken. Cast out anything that should not be within me. Rebuild my brokenness. Restore my strength for service in your Kingdom. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others. Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all. Touch my mind with your wisdom that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in my need and help me to lead others to You by my example. Most loving heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Amen.

Feast of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help

2010-06-27T09:27:00.007+08:00

Devotees (spot me on the picture lol!)

National Shrine of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help

Altar of the National Shrine of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help

For more info kindly visit the official website: www.baclaranovena.org

Corpus Christi Sunday

2010-06-06T21:07:00.003+08:00

Year C: Body and Blood of Christ (Luke 9:11b-17)

View more presentations from Stephen Cuyos.

credit: Fr. Stephen Cuyos MSC

Trinity Sunday

2010-05-30T09:21:00.003+08:00

Watch Fr. Jun Lingad SDB explain the Sunday Readings

DO IT ANYWAY

2010-05-30T09:11:00.002+08:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway

~ Mother Teresa

Pentecost Sunday

2010-05-23T06:00:00.000+08:00

"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Watch Fr. Jun Lingad SDB explain the Sunday Readings.

The Ascension of the Lord

2010-05-16T21:13:00.003+08:00

Then He led them out as far as Bethany,raised His hands, and blessed them. As He blessed them He parted from them and was taken up to heaven.

Watch Fr. Jun Lingad SDB explain the Sunday Readings.

Feast of St. Joseph The Worker

2010-05-01T07:00:00.002+08:00

Catholics celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker today, honoring millions of Filipino workers this Saturday, Labor Day, marking the solemnity of St. Joseph the Worker (San Jose Obrero), the patron saint of laborers, as a tribute to millions of Filipino workers here and abroad.

Prayer: God My Father, the Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted to draw attention to the dignity of labor, and to remind us of the spirituality of our jobs. I give the workers of my family and circle of friends-and their jobs-to Saint Joseph's intercession, and I especially ask for his prayers in the protection and guidance of husbands and fathers. Help us to view these men-and all workers-with the same appreciation as You have, O Lord. Teach us to prioritize our jobs rightly, for the sake of loving our families, and lead the unemployed to work that is right for them. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Amen.

Today the Church celebrates : St Mark, Evangelist

2010-04-25T20:48:00.004+08:00

St. Mark was converted to the faith by the Prince of the Apostles, whom he afterwards accompanied to Rome, acting there as his secretary or interpreter. When St. Peter was writing his first epistle to the churches of Asia, he affectionately joins with his own salutation that of his faithful companion, whom he calls "my son Mark."

I am the good shepherd

2010-04-25T20:39:00.002+08:00

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Watch Fr. Jun explain the Sunday Readings.

Milagro Eucaristico Buenos Aires Argentina

2010-04-25T09:07:00.001+08:00

Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Eucharist!

Do You Love Me?

2010-04-18T09:37:00.005+08:00

I love this Japanese-style version of Biblical imagery by ShouYume (DevianArt)

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
(John 21:15)

During the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter had denied his Lord three times and then wept bitterly.Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loves him, so after Peter’s protest about the third asking of the question and after his third affirmation of his love for Jesus, Jesus restores him a third time. Now, Peter’s threefold denial has been cancelled out. He is once again the leader of the disciples.

In the dawn of the resurrection light, there is forgiveness available to all. No matter how grievous our sins, no matter how damaging our betrayals of God’s calling in our lives, Christ comes with the morning light to forgive, heal, and restore.

Credit: Fr.James

Watch Fr. Jun Lingad SDB explain the Sunday Readings.

Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI!

2010-04-16T10:19:00.003+08:00

Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI! Viva Il Papa!

May God grant you good health and long life!

Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

2010-04-11T09:45:00.002+08:00

Jesus King Of Mercy I Trust In You!

During the course of Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000.

Read on...

Doubting Thomas

2010-04-11T09:36:00.001+08:00

"My Lord and My God!"

"Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Watch Fr. Jun explain the Sunday Readings.Click here

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth?

2010-04-04T23:59:00.002+08:00

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!’

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because….. ….

The folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’

credit:Turn back To God (Georgy)

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T09:32:00.005+08:00

Prospera Pascha sit!

Watch Fr. Jun Lingad SDB explain the Sunday Readings

Biyernes Santo(Good Friday)

2010-04-02T23:00:00.000+08:00

Santo Entiero

St. John The Beloved

St.Peter

National Shrine Of The Divine Mercy Marilao Bulacan

Sister Faustina Mini Poland - Shrine Of The Divine Mercy Marilao Bulacan)

St.Maximilian Kolbe (Mini Poland - Shrine Of The Divine Mercy Marilao Bulacan)

Replica Of The House of Pope John Paul II (Mini Poland - Shrine Of The Divine Mercy Marilao Bulacan)

Huwebes Santo ( Maundy Thursday)

2010-04-01T23:00:00.000+08:00

Altar Of Repose - St.Joseph The Workman Parish

Agony In The Garden - St.Joseph The Workman Parish

Images are wrapped in white or purple cloth

Altar Of Repose - San Bartolome Church,Malabon City

Sunday Of The Lord's Passion

2010-03-27T19:42:00.003+08:00

Hosanna To The Son Of David!

Watch and Listen to Fr. Jun Lingad SDB as he explains the Passion Sunday's Gospel:
click here: Word Made Flesh

San Bartolome Church, Malabon City

2010-03-24T18:30:00.003+08:00

Here are some photos that I took last Sunday (March 21,2010) at the San Bartolome Church in Malabon City:

Tambobong, the old name of Malabon City, was founded as an "Iglesia (church) of Manila on May 21, 1599. It was then composed of two small islands namely Navotas and Maysilo.

On May 17, 1614, Tambobong was established as an independent parish under the advocation of San Bartolome the Apostle with the Augustinian Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Luiz Gutierrez, O.S.A., as the first Vicar Prior.

Source: Wikimapia

Some people find pleasure in 'Attacking the Catholic Faith'

2010-03-20T21:20:00.004+08:00

Some people can be annoying! They find pleasure in attacking the Catholic faith, they are so self righteous! They are just like the pharisee in the parable 'The Pharisee and the Publican (The Pharisees were self-righteous and viewed others with contempt). This is not a debate forum but one person here doesn't know how to show respect at all,he likes attacking the Catholic faith but the good thing is that Teewee (a Catholic Apologist)showed him that what he is babbling here in cyberspace are all lies! Sa Tagalog 'inalagay sya sa dapat nyang paglagyan' pero he's still trying to save his face.The devil will do anything to destroy the 'TRUE CHURCH' founded by our Lord Jesus Christ 2000 years ago but he will not prevail.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves."

I will never get tired of posting this:

Acts 9:31 "Ho men EKKLESIA KATAHOLOS ho Ioudaia kai Galilaia kai Samaeria"

Hapy Feast Day St. Joseph!

2010-03-19T20:03:00.002+08:00

A Special Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Healing Prayer By Sister Raquel Reodica RVM

2010-03-18T20:03:00.002+08:00

Mother Mary holding John Paul II in Her arms when he was shot

2010-03-13T08:45:00.002+08:00

This happened on May 13, 1981. Pope John Paul II was shot as he arrived in St. Peter’s Square to speak to the people who had gathered there. When he was shot, he was holding the rosary, which he always carried. When he fell to the ground, out of nowhere, a woman rushed to his side and embraced him. That pic is shown above. The picture is said to have been taken by one of the gathered people who was busy taking Pope’s pics with his camera. The woman vanished as quickly as she appeared.

The gunman was apprehended in the square and sentenced to life in prison. The pope was critically wounded but survived after surgery and a long recovery. The surprising fact is that all the bullets passed just past his vital internal organs. When he recovered finally, the first thing Pope asked for was his rosary. When he got it in his hands, he said that he felt Mother Mary directing the bullets’ path through him. Sure, John Paul II was always in the habit of praying the rosary regularly. He had once said “The best prayer I like is the Rosary”.

Joaquin Navarro Valls, who is the one spokesman from The Vatican, said that they made a lot of studies for years of this incredible picture and of course about the quality of the developing of the picture because when it was developed nobody could see very well because the image was not clear. Finally, and after so many controls and being looking and checking by all the experts in photography (around the world), they decided that there were no tricks in it and today they give us this beautiful gift from our Mother of God. You can see the Mother of God holding John Paul II in her arms. Beautiful right?

Let this remind us of the awesome power of the intercession of Mother Mary and lead us to take a strong decision to pray the rosary regularly.

source: Turn Back To God

Saved from Hell by the Hail Mary

2010-03-13T08:19:00.001+08:00

Consider the following instance of the great mercy of Mary.

In the year 1604, in a city in Belgium, there were two young students who gave themselves up to a life of debauchery instead of following their studies.

One night they were at the house of an evil woman; but one of the two, who was named Richard, stayed only a short time and then returned home. While he was preparing to retire, he remembered that he had not yet said the few Hail Marys that were his daily practice.

He was very tired and half inclined to omit them; nevertheless, he forced himself through the routine, saying the words half asleep and with no particular devotion. Then he lay down and fell asleep.

Suddenly he was wakened by a violent knocking at the door. The door was closed, but the figure of a young man, hideously deformed, passed through it and stood before him.

"Who are you?" Richard cried. "You do not know me?" asked the other. "Ah yes, now I do," said Richard; "but how changed, with all the appearance of a devil!"

"Alas, unhappy creature that I am," said his companion, "I am damned! When I was leaving that house of sin, a devil came and strangled me. My body lies in the street; my soul is in Hell.

"And know this — the same fate awaited you, except that the Blessed Virgin spared you for that little act of homage of the Hail Marys. If you are not a fool, profit by this warning which the Mother of God has sent." He then opened his mantle, showing the flames and serpents by which he was tormented, and disappeared.

Breaking into a flood of sobs and tears, Richard went down on his knees to give thanks to Mary his protectress. Then as he pondered how to change his life he heard the bell of the Franciscan monastery ringing for matins. "It is there," he said, "that God calls me to do penance."

He went immediately to the monastery and begged the Fathers to admit him. Since they knew his wicked life, they were hardly willing to do so. But sobbing bitterly, he told them all that had happened. And when two Fathers had been sent to the street and had found the strangled body, which was charred and blackened, they admitted him.

From that time on he led an exemplary life and at length went to preach the Gospel in India, and thence to Japan. There he had the happiness of giving his life for Jesus Christ, being burnt alive for the faith at Nagasaki on September 10, 1622.

*Taken from The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori.

St.Joseph Will Help You

2010-03-10T22:19:00.004+08:00

"Saint Joseph gave me everything I asked for," said St. Teresa of Avila.

Pray this novena and discover St. Joseph's power to help you in the most desperate causes.

The novena is from March 11-19. Please go to Saint Joseph with invincible childlike confidence like St. Teresa of Avila, who said:

"For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his feast day and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good."

Source:America Needs Fatima

I'm MAD This Evening!!!

2010-03-06T22:36:00.003+08:00

Ok,Ok!! I know this is a Catholic blog but I can't helped being annoyed,I'm only human right??

I'm asking something (it's too embarrassing to mention my request here,it is something from the bathroom) from my husband,I know he's watching TV and he's so focused so probably he didn't catch what I'm saying alright that's fine! After sometime I repeated my request again, still no response;I still kept my cool. Finally after 30 minutes I went downstairs to ask again for my 'request',there I was talking in front of him but still no response! He's still not paying attention,so glued to the tv program that he watches,I feel like I was talking to no one (I feel like I'm not existing at all!!!!).

Finally,I repeated my 'request' this time with a firm voice and finally he came back to his senses. I told my husband that finally after the 'enth time' he finally heard what I'm saying. He gave me my 'request' without any apologies at all but alright I'm used to it!

As for me,no matter how busy I am or even if I'm watching my favorite Korean drama I try to take time to response or to say hello if somebody is talking too me. Every minute is precious,life is too short...

HEALING PRAYER AND REBIRTH

2010-03-03T08:44:00.003+08:00

HEALING PRAYER AND REBIRTH

By Sister Raquel Reodica, RVM

Our Father in heaven, Creator of my body,
wherein I (state your name) dwell and through which I live,
make me realize in the name of JESUS
that my present bodily ailment is a result of my own sins,
my wrong doings, my wrong thinking,
my transgressions against Your laws.
I ask forgiveness, Jesus, for these wrong doings,
and promise to change my ways.
Make me realize, in the name of JESUS,
that Your creative power, which fashioned my body,
is still in me, in my consciousness, in my mind,
ready to serve me at any time of need.
Make me realize that I, in my free will,
now have control over this creative power within me
which I can direct to act for my own well being,
but only if my thoughts and feelings are attuned to You.
In full realization of this,
I NOW CALL UPON YOUR CREATIVE POWER within me,
O Lord God, in Jesus’ name,
to correct and eliminate any and all my bodily imperfections
and diseases and discomforts.
I KNOW AND EXPECT THAT MY REBIRTH
IS NOW ACTIVELY TAKING PLACE WITHIN ME
because of Your creative love and mercy,
and Your healing grace in my every cell
and nerve and gland and tissue and fiber and organ,
especially my: (state any or all sicknesses).
In accordance with my vision
and my active FAITH IN YOU, MY ALMIGHTY GOD,
CREATOR AND LORD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST,
THE SON OF MOTHER MARY,
through the intercessions of MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESPIRITU SANTO
and all Your saints, I am healed. Amen. Amen. Amen

After praying, remain in silence for 15 to 20 minutes in the presence of the Lord, and in meditation of receiving His healing.

Note: Sister Racquel RVM is known as the 'Cancer Healer'in the Philippines,of course she is just an instrument of God, true healing only comes from the Lord.

credit: Sister Racquel Blog

HEALING PRAYER Fr.Suarez CYBER HEALING CENTER

2010-02-26T10:22:00.002+08:00

Fr.Fernando Suarez is a 'healing priest' from the Philippines. For more info kindly visit his website: Father Fernando

Maligayang Kapistahan Mahal na Poong San Roque!

2010-02-20T23:14:00.004+08:00

The above pictures were taken on August 16th 2009

San Roque Estampita (San Roque Holy Card)

The title of my post in English is 'Happy Feast Day San Roque!' In my hometown in Caloocan City,San Roque Cathedral celebrates the feast day of it's Patron Saint twice, one is the original feast day of San Roque every August 16th and the other one is every 3rd week of February (probably because Caloocan City also celebrates it's foundation day on February 16th).

San Roque Pray For Us!

Ash Wednesday -Repent and Believe The Good News

2010-02-17T07:00:00.003+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:1-6.16-18.

But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

Traditions:
Fasting, Almsgiving, Scripture Reading, Prayer
Imposition of Ashes

Symbols:
Crucifix and Cross
Ashes
The Color Violet

Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo!/Kung Hei Fat Choi!

2010-02-14T09:51:00.002+08:00

Happy Lunar New Year!

To my Chinese friends: Kung Hei fat Choi!

To my beloved Korean friends and students:

새해 복 많이받으세요
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo!

credit: kmloop
The Faces Of Korea

St. Valentine

2010-02-14T09:42:00.002+08:00

There isn't a single Saint Valentine. Three martyrs have their feast celebreated on this day. Saints Preserve Us reports that eight complete bodies and one head are given the veneration of Saint Valentine in the Roman Church.

The association of Saint Valentine with lovers is as a Christian replacement for the pagan Lupercalia and a medieval belief that birds chose their mates on this day.

In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius named February 14 in honor of St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers. In 1969, Pope Paul VI dropped it from the calendar of the Church. However, florists, card shops, lingerie stores, etc. love to celebrate this day.

February sleeting.
February ices.
St. Valentine teaches
That His love suffices.

credit: Extreme Catholic
Long-Skirt

Feast of Our Lady Of Lourdes

2010-02-11T09:13:00.002+08:00

" I am the Immaculate Conception"

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

The Baclaran Story

2010-02-10T09:41:00.003+08:00

One of my late mother's favorite books is 'The Baclaran Story' when she got sick of cancer in 2008 she's reading the book again maybe she never gets tired of it because she is a devotee of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help or maybe she knows that it's gonna be the last time she'll be reading her favorite book. Being a bookworm and also a devotee of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help, I borrowed the book and I fell in love more with Mother Mary when I got to know the history of the icon of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help.

Here are the details of the book:

The Baclaran Story
by Luis G. Hechanova, cssr
156 pp., PhP 119

The perpetual novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help was introduced in the Philippines in the Redemptorist Church of Baclaran on June 23, 1948. From an initial attendance of 70 people, it has grown in fifty years to more than 100,000 devotees every Wednesday of the year, making it the biggest of its kind in the world. This is its story.

Source: Claretian Publications

May Bukas Pa Finale - "May Bukas Pa"

2010-02-06T21:46:00.000+08:00

"Dasal" by Santino- Globe Telecom TVC

2010-02-06T21:38:00.002+08:00

Zaijian 'Santino' Jaranilla's Globe TV Commercial

May Bukas Pa

2010-02-05T23:09:00.005+08:00

This multi awarded drama on ABS CBN has always been my favorite soap since it was shown on February 2009. Even my sons like the show's protagonist a boy named Santino (played by child actor Zaijian Jaranilla)and of course the show has made my son's closer to 'Bro' (Jesus Christ).

This show has made 'God more real' and more accessible to ordinary persons. The story was derived from the story 'Marcelino Pan Y Vino' but with a different twist. Tonight 'May Bukas Pa' folded up (with high TV ratings!, it's the only soap opera in the Philippines that run for 1 year on Philippine TV!), I felt sad because it is the only show that teaches good morale values to televiewers. But all good things must come to an end. The show has ended but I will forever remember the good values that I've learned from my favorite soap and I will forever remember Zaijian Jaranilla as 'Santino' the boy who befriended 'Bro.'

There is just one thing that I'm sure of 'Bro' is always with us. As Santino would always say 'No.1 Ka Talaga Bro!' (You're number 1 Bro! or 'You're number 1 Jesus!)

Baclaran Day

2010-02-03T22:26:00.003+08:00

Today is 'Baclaran Day' in the Philippines or in short every Wednesday many Filipinos go to Baclaran Church (built by the Redemptorists Missionaries) to show their devotion to our Mother Of Perpetual Help. Those who can't go to Baclaran Church attend Novena masses in their respective parishes, this is the only devotion in the Philippines that is being celebrated in almost every parish during Wednesdays. I myself is a devotee of our Mother of Perpetual Help, I have a 'closer relationship' with her after my mom died in 2008 of cancer. When I ask for her intercession I talk to her as if I'm talking to my mom or to a close friend. I've also entrusted my sons and my family (even my blog!) under the mantle of her maternal protection.

Mother Of Perpetual Help Lead Us to Jesus!

Candlemas

2010-02-03T00:45:00.003+08:00

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commonly called Candlemas, commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple and the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary. The feast falls on February 2nd.

Canticle of Simeon In Latin

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine
Secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium,
Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

In the Philippines, the Catholic faithful attends Holy Mass during this day and brings candles to be blessed by the priest after the Mass.

Source: Churchyear.net

Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

2010-01-29T09:05:00.004+08:00

Jan 28 is the feast day of my alma mater's patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas 'The Angelic Doctor'

St. Thomas Aquinas Pray For Us!

Notice

2010-01-24T01:18:00.004+08:00

When I started this blog 3 years ago in 2007, I didn't know the do's and don'ts of blogging. I don't know how to use backlinks,tags, credit article sources etc. I only learn the basics of blogging a year ago when I studied SEO.

If I wasn't able to appropriately credit persons, resources, websites and other blogs; I sincerely apologize I've unknowingly didn't give the proper credits out of 'ignorance' now that I know rest assured that the proper credits will be given in my current and future posts.

I've put up this blog to express the richness of the Catholic faith, if there are other denominations or 'cults' who are offended then you're not welcome here! I used to have online debates with other sects before I don't have time for that as I'm handling 2 jobs and I have a family to take care off, engaging in online debates will eat much of my time. As for the question of 'salvation' 'are you saved?' 'will you be able to enter heaven?' blah blah blah! This questions are already redundant! These are already been answered by great Catholic Apologists at group discussions at friendster and facebook, you will also these good Catholic Apologists at Katoliko Defensor VS Bro Eli Soriano. Post your questions and arguments there!!

If your just gonna slam the Catholic faith and the Catholic faithful on my blog then GET OUT!!! Go here and get ready to face great Catholic Apologists just make sure that you won't be running away at the end!! lol!!

Santo Nino de Tondo Parish -Bisperas ng Fiesta 2010

2010-01-17T09:16:00.006+08:00

We heard mass last night (the eve of the feast of the Child Jesus) at the Santo Nino de Tondo Parish, we brought along our two images of the Child Jesus.

Here are some of the photos that we took last night:

'Pahalik' (This is the image of the Santo Nino at the back of the altar, we need climb a long and winding staircase in order to see the image of the Santo Nino)

Inside the Church after the Mass

Outside the Church

Outside the Church

Devotion to the Santo Nino (Infant Jesus)

2010-01-15T19:12:00.004+08:00

The month of January is dedicated and devoted to Santo Niño, the Holy Child Jesus. There are lots of popular festivals in the country that honors the infant Jesus. My family and I will be going to Santo Nino de Tondo Parish tomorrow the eve of the fiesta to hear mass because it is so crowded on the day of the fiesta itself. When I was a baby until my high school years my family and I hear mass every fiesta in Tondo, now that I have children of my own I have dedicated them to the Infant Jesus and I'm introducing them to this devotion as well.

Here are some of the popular Santo Nino festivals in the Philippines:

1. Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo Aklan

2. Sinulog Festival in Cebu City

3. Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City

4. Sto. Niño de Tondo Festival

5. Sto Nino de Pandacan Festival

Happy To Be Back

2010-01-14T19:24:00.002+08:00

After my long hibernation, I'm sooooo happy to be back.

This time I'll be focusing more about the typical Filipino Catholic and popular devotions there are a good number of Catholic Apologetic blogs out there. I'll leave the task of defending the Holy Roman Catholic Church to them lol! But don't provoke me coz I won't back out!

Year of the Priests

2009-06-23T17:23:00.002+08:00

Veritas Editorial: Ang Pari at ang Bayan

Ang araw na ito ay ang simula ng pagdiriwang ng Year of the Priests hanggang June 19, 2010 base na rin sa kautusan ng Kaniyang Kabanalan Benito ikalabing anim. Ito ang simula ng panibagong repleksiyon para sa mga pari sa loob at labas ng bansa upang pagnilayan ang kahalagahan ng kanilang mga papel bilang alagad ng Diyos at alagad ng simbahan.

Tungkulin ng ating mga pari na gampanan ang kanilang bokasyon na ipamahagi ang salita ng Diyos. Ngunit ano nga ba ang mas mahalagang tungkulinn ngayon ng mga pari sa Pilipinas lalo na sa kasalukuyang kalagayan kinapapalooban ng ating bansa?

Ayon sa panlipunang doktrina ng ating simbahan, hindi kumpleto ang ebanghelisasyon kung hindi nito nasasagot ang mga suliraning personal at panlipunang buhay ng tao.

Ano nga ba ang hamon sa lahat ng kaparian sa ating bansa?

Isang hamon sa ating mga pari na gawing makabuluhan ang ebanghelisasyon sa bansa. Kailangang maging instrumento ang ebanghelisasyon para sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo at tulong sa mga mamamayan. Batay na rin sa nilalaman ng panlipunang doktrina ng simbahan, nasa pinaka-puso nito ng “ministry of service” ng simbahan. Sa pamamagitan kasi nito, naipoproklama ng simbahan ang Diyos at ang misteryo ng pagtubos nito sa pamamagitan ni Kristo, at sa pamamagitan niya’y naihahayag ng Diyos ang sarili nito sa mga tao.

Napapanahon na ang pangangailangang matukoy ng ating mga pari kung ano ang tungkulin nito sa bayan at sa mamamayan dahil sa patuloy na krisis na nararanasan ng ating bansa. Lalong nagiging mahalaga ngayon ang papel na maari nilang gampanan bilang mga alagad ng Diyos at ng kanyang simbahan. Lalong nagiging mahalaga din ngayon ang kanilang partisipasyon, pakiki-alam, at pakikisangkot sa sari-saring isyu at problema na bumabalot sa ating lipunan.

Ayon sa ating mahal na Santo Papa, Benito ikalabing anim, sino nga ba ang isang pari. Ito ang kanyang masasabi: “The eternal paradox of the priest: He has the contraries within himself. He reconciles, at the price of his life, fidelity to God and fidelity to man. He has the air of poverty and powerlessness. He does not have the political means, financial resources, or weapons, which others use to conquer the earth. His power is to be disarmed and ‘to be able to do all things in him who gives him strength.’”

Sa lahat ng mga pari sa bansa, maging makabuluhan sana ang pagdiriwang ng taon ng mga kaparian sa Pilipinas. At magiging makabuluhan lamang ito kung matutukoy ng bawat pari ang kanya-kanyang ambag para sa tunay na pagbabago sa ating lipunan.

Hindi dapat sa pagsesermon lamang magaling ang isang pari dapat siyang maging huwaran ng lahat na sumasampalataya sa panginoon.

Let's continue praying for our priests! They are humans too and can make mistakes like us.

Solemnity of Christ the King

2008-11-22T19:33:00.003+08:00

Can the name 'Catholic Church' be found in the Bible?

2008-06-24T15:48:00.002+08:00

Yes! Let's take a look at the original Greek text of the New Testament:

"Acts 9:31 "Ho men EKKLESIA KATAHOLOS ho Ioudaia kai Galilaia kai Samaeria"

Fifth Sunday of Easter - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

2008-04-20T15:06:00.002+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 14,1-12.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
Where (I) am going you know the way."
Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.

3rd Sunday of Easter -"Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"

2008-04-06T12:15:00.002+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 24,13-35.

Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them
who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Catholic Response to "Are You Saved?"

2008-04-06T12:13:00.000+08:00

The Catholic Christian answers this question in three stages or levels corresponding to the three meanings the words "saved" and "salvation" have in the Bible. (These meanings are found in the previous section, "Salvation: A Biblical Portrait." )

Catholic Christians can respond that they have been saved. This acknowledges the first meaning of "saved" and "salvation" in scripture--Jesus Christ, Savior, by whose act of salvation we are objectively saved--He died, rose from the dead, saved them from sin.

2 Cor 5:17
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation
Catholic Christians can also respond that they are being saved. This acknowledges the second meaning "saved" and "salvation" have in scripture--the present experience, God's power delivering constantly from the bondage of sin.

1 Cor 15:2
Through it (the gospel) you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
Catholic Christians also respond that they will be saved, that they have hope and confidence that God will give them the grace of perseverance; that they will respond to it; and accept his gift of salvation until their death. This acknowledges the third meaning the words "saved" and "salvation" have in scripture--the future deliverance of believers at the Second Coming of Christ.

Rom 5:9
How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.

Divine Mercy Sunday

2008-03-29T19:52:00.000+08:00

Jesus King of Mercy I Trust In You!

2nd Sunday of Easter

2008-03-28T20:35:00.002+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20,19-31.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
(Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!

2008-03-23T15:35:00.002+08:00

The Empty Tomb

2008-03-23T15:32:00.001+08:00

Let's consider the evidence of the Resurrection. And in doing so, we must start with the fact of the empty tomb.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus was buried in the tomb of a wealthy man, Joseph of Arimathea. Three days later that tomb was empty. It was empty despite the fact that it had been sealed by a huge stone weighing close to two tons and despite the fact that it had been guarded continuously by a special contingent of Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66).

When the soldiers reported their startling discovery of an empty tomb to the chief priests of the Jews, they were given a bribe to tell the people that "His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep" (Matthew 28:11-15).

The significant thing about the reaction of the Jewish leaders is that they did not challenge the fact that the tomb was empty. That's because the tomb was empty. They simply could not argue with that reality, and so they made up a story to explain why the tomb was empty.

And men have been concocting explanations ever since that time. Let's consider some of those explanations, and as we do so, I think you will begin to sense that the shallowness of their arguments speaks louder in many respects than the counter arguments of Christians.

Explanations of the Empty Tomb
1) Confusion - Perhaps the silliest argument of all is that the disciples went to the wrong tomb! Yes, some supposedly learned men have proposed this theory over the years.

Yet, the Gospel accounts tell us that Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, both accompanied Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemas to the tomb and watched them prepare the body for burial (Matthew 27:57-61 and John 19:38-42). Are we to suppose that when the women returned they could not find their way?

And even if they did get lost and looked in the wrong tomb, did Peter and John do the same thing? Did the Roman soldiers forget which tomb they were guarding? Did Joseph of Arimathea suddenly have a memory lapse as to where his tomb was located? And why didn't the Jewish leaders simply go to the right tomb and produce the body?

The answer is simple: the tomb was empty!

2) Theft - The oldest explanation of the empty tomb is the one the Jews made up and bribed the soldiers to tell namely, that the body of Jesus was stolen by His disciples. Yes, this explanation would have us believe that Peter, Andrew, James and John were body snatchers!

Now wait a minute. Are we really to believe that a small rag-tag band of followers who were scared witless at the arrest of Jesus and who fled into the night to save their own skins, suddenly found the courage three days later to take on a guard of Roman soldiers?

Even more significant, what would have been the motivation of the disciples to steal the body? We're told over and over again in the Scriptures that they did not understand that Jesus was to be resurrected (Mark 9:30-32). Their behavior after the crucifixion testified to this as they sat around in despair mourning the loss of their leader.

And yet, this very group suddenly came alive with hope and went forth boldly proclaiming the Resurrection at the risk of their lives. Are we really to believe that a group of frightened disciples could be transformed into a courageous band of fearless proclaimers by snatching a body, hiding it, and then committing their lives to a lie? That's more difficult to believe than the Resurrection!

3) Hallucination - One of the popular modern day theories has been the idea that the disciples experienced a series of hallucinations. As one advocate of this novel concept has put it, "They experienced a disruption of the physio-chemical structures of the brain in such a way as to be able to see what they desperately wanted to see."

I will grant that Mary Magdalene might have had an hallucination. After all, she was a frightened and frustrated young woman wandering around in a cemetery at day break. As a matter of fact, the reaction of the disciples to her news of the empty tomb and her encounter with angels who informed her of the resurrection indicates that they thought she had been "seeing things" (Luke 24:11).

But what about the appearance of Jesus to all the apostles on three different occasions, or His appearance to 500 believers on a Galilean mountain, or His ascension before a host of disciples? (1 Corinthians 15:5-7 and Acts 1:1-11)

An hallucination is a highly subjective experience and a very personal one. Like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder. To believe that 500 people could have the same hallucination simultaneously takes more faith than a belief in the Resurrection! And furthermore, the hallucination theory does not explain the empty tomb.

4) Hypnosis A- nother modern theory is that the disciples experienced mass hypnosis. The advocates of this idea argue that the disciples so desperately wanted Jesus to rise from the dead that they created an aura of auto-suggestion (or mental hypnosis) and thus, whenever the name of Jesus was mentioned, His disciples believed they could see Him.

Now, mass hypnosis is a probability, with even as many as 500 people, given precisely the right type of controlled environment and the proper mass medium like radio, television, or film. But mass hypnosis without some form of mass media, and without a professional hypnotist, and without ideal conditions, is utterly outside the realm of sound reasoning. So, I ask you, how could 500 people in the open air of a country side, before the invention of mass media, and before the discovery of hypnosis, be subject to mass hypnosis? And how does this explain the fact of the empty tomb? I think it's obvious that the skeptics are grasping at straws.

5) Fainting - This leaves us with a centuries old theory that has recently been popularized by an apostate Christian named Hugh Sconfield. It's called the "swoon theory."

This is the idea that Jesus really didn't die on the cross. Instead, He just passed out and then woke up three days later. Sconfield has revived this idea in his book called The Passover Plot.

Mr. Sconfield would ask us to believe that after Jesus was scourged and crucified, and after He had laid in a cold, damp tomb for three days without food or water, He suddenly revived, removed His burial wrappings, rolled back the stone, and ran around the country side for 40 days without the benefit of even a dose of penicillin or a tetanus shot. Only a fool could believe such utter nonsense!

6) Nostalgia - There is one other theory that has become very popular among modern day liberal theologians. It is what I call the "nostalgia theory." It's the idea that the Resurrection occurred only in the hearts of the disciples.

A few years ago The Dallas Morning News reported this theory had been proposed to the students of SMU by a professor of New Testament theology from the Perkins School of Theology (SMU's seminary). He stated in his incredible Easter "sermon" that Jesus had not really risen from the dead in any literal way. What happened instead, he explained, is that Jesus came alive in the hearts of his disciples as they sat around and discussed his life and teachings just as had been the case with the followers of Martin Luther King after his assassination!

Such a ridiculous concept is a natural outgrowth of liberal apostasy because it leaves them with the kind of Jesus they like one who was only human. Their "messiah" turns out to be a man who meant well, but who in reality was a deluded fool who thought he was God in the flesh.

This theory denies the well documented post Resurrection appearances of Jesus, and like all the other theories, it fails completely to explain the fact of the empty tomb.

A Summary
The tomb of Jesus was empty. It was empty not because it was the wrong tomb. Nor was it empty because the body had been stolen.

The fact of the empty tomb was not based on hallucinations or hypnosis. It certainly was not based on daydreaming or wishful thinking. The tomb was empty! That is an historical fact.

But let me hasten to say that the greatest evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus is not the empty tomb.

Powerful Evidence
The greatest evidence of the Resurrection in Scripture is to be seen in the transformed lives of Jesus' disciples. For within 50 days of His crucifixion, His disciples had been miraculously transformed from a defeated, frustrated, hopeless group of individuals into a confident band of Christian soldiers determined to win the world for their Lord.

Jesus' own brother, James, who did not believe in Him while He was alive, became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem. Peter, who denied Him three times in a fit of cowardice, began to proclaim Him boldly, even before the very Sanhedrin Council that had condemned Jesus to death (Acts 4:1-12). A young Christian by the name of Stephen gave his life for Jesus (Acts 7:51-60). And the most ruthless persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus, became the greatest missionary in the history of the church all because he encountered the risen Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).

I ask you, what more evidence could one demand?

The Most Convincing Evidence
Well, there is more evidence, and I consider it to be the most convincing evidence of all. I have in mind the way in which people's lives continue to be transformed today through their encounter with a living Jesus.

Have you met Him? Have you been born again by placing your faith in Him? Romans 10:9 says "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."

Salvation is to be found in a personal relationship with a living Jesus. Here's how Jesus expressed it: "This is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

When one of Jesus' disciples named Thomas finally encountered Him after His resurrection, he cried out, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied, "Because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:28-29). I challenge you to believe in the risen Lord, "that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) -Hosanna to the Son of David

2008-03-17T09:14:00.004+08:00

Basic Facts About Palm Sunday
Liturgical Color(s): Red
Type of Holiday: Sunday Feast
Time of Year: Sixth Sunday of Lent
Duration: One Day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Alternate Names: Passion Sunday, Fig Sunday, Dominica in Palmis, Kyriake, Heorte Ton Baion, Heorte Baiophoros
Scriptural References: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion (the full name), the first Sunday of Holy Week within the Lenten Season, commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem preceding his passion. As he entered, the people of Jerusalem recognized Jesus as their king, saying "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Traditionally in the Western Church the Palm Sunday service begins with the "blessing of the palms," where the palms used in the procession that follows are blessed. Then a procession into the church building follows. If there cannot be a procession from the outside of the church, a solemn entrance, taking place entirely within the church, may be done. The hymns and psalmody are related to Christ's office as King. Traditionally the Gloria Laus (All Glory Laud and Honor...), written by Theodulf of Orleans, is sung. Many times the worship service contains a "preaching of the passion," where different events in the last days of Christ are read publicly within the Eucharistic service. Palm Sunday is also called Fig Sunday, because figs were traditionally eaten that day, memorializing the fig tree cursed by Christ after his entry into Jerusalem. In England Palm Sunday was called Olive or Branch Sunday, Sallow or Willow, Yew or Blossom Sunday, or Sunday of the Willow Boughs, named for the local replacements for the traditional palm branches.

Various customs have developed to celebrate Palm Sunday. In the Slavic countries, the faithful walked through their buildings and fields with the blessed palms, praying and singing ancient hymns. They then laid palm pieces on each plot of ground, in every barn, building, and stable, as a petition was made for protection from weather and disease, and for a blessing upon the produce and property.

History

The pilgrim Egeria attests to a Palm Sunday procession taking place in the Jerusalem Church at the end of the 4th century. In the Gallican Bobbio Missal of the 8th century we find a reference to blessing of the palms, which symbolize the victory of Christ. The more elaborate celebrations of the Middle Ages have been replaced by simpler services in the Western Church. Many denominations, including Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians celebrate Palm Sunday, in addition to Catholics and Eastern Christians.

Traditions
Blessing of the Palms
Eating Figs
Placing Palm Pieces at Different Locations
Singing the Gloria Laus

Symbols
The Palm Branch

5th Sunday of Lent - "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live"

2008-03-09T15:52:00.003+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11,1-45.

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill.
So the sisters sent word to him, saying, "Master, the one you love is ill."
When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?"
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
He said this, and then told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him."
So the disciples said to him, "Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved."
But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep.
So then Jesus said to them clearly, "Lazarus has died.
And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him."
So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go to die with him."
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away.
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
(But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise."
Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day."
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, "The teacher is here and is asking for you."
As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him.
For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him.
So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled,
and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Sir, come and see."
And Jesus wept.
So the Jews said, "See how he loved him."
But some of them said, "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?"
So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.
Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days."
Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?"
So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me.
I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me."
And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."
Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

3rd Sunday of Lent - Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst

2008-02-22T20:03:00.001+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 4,5-42.

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
(The woman) said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?"
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."
Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back."
The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.'
For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true."
The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."
The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything."
Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking with you."
At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people,
Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat."
But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know."
So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?"
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.
Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.'
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work."
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done."
When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

Chair of Peter

2008-02-22T20:01:00.001+08:00

Portable chair preserved at the Vatican and believed to be a chair used by Saint Peter, the extant testimony referring to it dating from the 2nd century. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Rome has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch, commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated at Rome, on 22 February. At each place a chair (cathedra) was venerated which the Apostle had used while presiding at Mass. One of the chairs is referred to about 600 by an Abbot Johannes who had been commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great to collect in oil from the lamps which burned at the graves of the Roman martyrs. One of these phials, preserved in the cathedral treasury of Monza, Italy, had a label reading, "oleo de sede ubi prius sedit sanctus Petrus" (oils from the chair where Saint Peter first sat). The Mass for both feast days is the same; the Collect is as follows:
"Oh, God, who, together with the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, didst bestow on blessed Peter Thy Apostle the pontificate of binding and loosing, grant that by the aid of his intercession we may be released from the yoke of our sins."

2nd Sunday of Lent - "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

2008-02-16T22:32:00.002+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 17,1-9.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."
And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Feast of History Our Lady of Lourdes

2008-02-11T23:28:00.000+08:00

Our Lady of Lourdes
Optional Memorial
February 11th

History of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France is the most visited pilgrimage site in the world -- principally because of the apparent healing properties of the waters of the spring that appeared during the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a poor, fourteen-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubiroux.

The first apparition occurred February 11, 1858. There were eighteen in all; the last took place July 16, of the same year. Bernadette often fell into an ecstasy during these apparitions, as was witnessed by the hundreds who attended the later visions, though no one except Bernadette ever saw or heard the apparition.
The mysterious vision Bernadette saw in the hollow of the rock Massabielle, where she and friends had gone to gather firewood, was that of a young and beautiful lady. "Lovelier than I have ever seen" said the child. She described the Lady as clothed in white, with a blue ribbon sash and a Rosary handing from her right arm. Now and then the apparition spoke to Bernadette.

One day, the Lady told the girl to drink of a mysterious fountain within the grotto itself, the existence of which was unknown, and of which there was no sign. But Bernadette scratched at the ground, and a spring immediately bubbled up and soon gushed forth. On another occasion the apparition bade Bernadette go and tell the priests she wished a chapel to be built on the spot and processions to be made to the grotto. At first the clergy were incredulous. The priest said he would not believe it unless the apparition gave Bernadette her name. After another apparition, Bernadette reported that the Lady told her, "I am the Immaculate Conception". Though the girl was unfamiliar with the term, the Pope had declared the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary in 1854.

Four years after Bernadette's visions, in 1862, the bishop of the diocese declared the faithful "justified in believing the reality of the apparition" of Our Lady. A basilica was built upon the rock of Massabielle by M. Peyramale, the parish priest. In 1873 the great "national" French pilgrimages were inaugurated. Three years later the basilica was consecrated and the statue solemnly crowned. In 1883 the foundation stone of another church was laid, as the first was no longer large enough. It was built at the foot of the basilica and was consecrated in 1901 and called the Church of the Rosary. Pope Leo XIII authorized a special office and a Mass, in commemoration of the apparition, and in 1907 Pius X extended the observance of this feast to the entire Church; it is now observed on February 11.
(Various sources; principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)

1st Sunday of Lent

2008-02-08T18:51:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4:1-11.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."
He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me."
At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Sunday Gospel - February 3, 2008

2008-02-02T21:44:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5,1-12.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Presentation of Jesus/Purification of Mary

2008-02-02T21:29:00.000+08:00

Candlemas

Also called Purification of the Blessed Virgin and Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Church feast of 2 February in honor of the purification of the Virgin Mary, and commemorates the offering of the infant Jesus in the Temple. Popular in centuries past, candles were blessed and carried in procession, signifying the entry of Jesus as the light of the world.

Saint for the day - St. Thomas Aquinas

2008-01-28T15:10:00.000+08:00

Also known as
Angelic Doctor; Doctor Angelicus; Doctor Communis; Great Synthesizer; The Dumb Ox; The Universal Teacher

Memorial
28 January

Profile
Son of the Count of Aquino, born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples. Educated by Benedictine monks at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. He secretly joined the mendicant Dominican friars in 1244. His noble family kidnapped and imprisoned him for a year to keep him out of sight, and deprogram him, but he rejoined his order in 1245.

He studied in Paris from 1245-1248 under Saint Albert the Great, then accompanied Albertus to Cologne. Ordained in 1250, then returned to Paris to teach. Taught theology at University of Paris. He wrote defenses of the mendicant orders, commentaries on Aristotle and Lombard's Sentences, and some bible-related works, usually by dictating to secretaries. He won his doctorate, and taught in several Italian cities. Recalled by king and university to Paris in 1269, then recalled to Naples in 1272 where he was appointed regent of studies while working on the Summa Theologica.

On 6 December 1273 he experienced a divine revelation which so enraptured him that he abandoned the Summa, saying that it and his other writing were so much straw in the wind compared to the reality of the divine glory. He died four months later while en route to the Council of Lyons, overweight and with his health broken by overwork.

His works have been seminal to the thinking of the Church ever since. They systematized her great thoughts and teaching, and combined Greek wisdom and scholarship methods with the truth of Christianity. Pope Leo VIII commanded that his teachings be studied by all theology students. He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1567.

Born
c.1225 at Roccasecca, Aquino, Naples, Italy

Died
7 March 1274 at Fossanuova near Terracina of apparent natural causes; relics interred at Saint-Servin, Toulouse, France; relics translated to the Church of the Jacobins, Toulouse on 22 October 1974

Canonized
1323

Patronage
academics; against storms; against lightning; apologists; book sellers; Catholic academies; Catholic schools; Catholic universities; chastity; colleges; learning; lightning; pencil makers; philosophers; publishers; scholars; schools; storms; students; theologians; universities; University of Vigo

Prayers
Devoutly I Adore Thee (Adoro te devote)
Prayer of Thanksgiving After Mass
Prayer re...
Sion Lift Thy Voice and Sing
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum

Representation
chalice; monstrance; ox; star; sun; teacher with pagan philosophers at his feet; teaching

Sunday Gospel - January 27, 2007

2008-01-26T23:16:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4,12-23.

When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,
and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Sunday Gospel - January 20, 2007

2008-01-18T23:59:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1,29-34.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'
I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.
I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.'
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

The Baptism of the Lord

2008-01-12T23:11:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 3,13-17.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"
Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Epiphany of the Lord

2008-01-05T23:39:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2,1-12.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T21:08:00.000+08:00

glitter-graphics.com

Holy Innocents

2007-12-28T06:45:00.000+08:00

Holy Innocents

Memorial
28 December; sometimes known as Childermas

Profile
The children slaughtered by Herod when he tried to kill the infant Christ.

Patronage
babies; children's choir; choir boys; foundlings

These innocent children were slain for Christ.

They follow the spotless Lamb,

and proclaim for ever :

Glory to you, Lord.

The Weekday Missal Collins (1979)

Sunday Gospel - Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

2007-12-28T06:11:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2,13-15.19-23.

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."
He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."

Saint for the day - SAINT JOHN Apostle and Evangelist

2007-12-27T07:07:00.000+08:00

Also known as
Apostle of Charity; Beloved Apostle; Beloved Disciple; Giovanni Evangelista; John the Divine; John the Evangelist

Memorial
27 December (Roman Catholic); 8 May (Greek Orthodox); 6 May (before the Latin gate)

Profile
Son of Zebedee and Salome. Fisherman. Brother of Saint James the Great, and called one of the Sons of Thunder. Disciple of Saint John the Baptist. Friend of Saint Peter the Apostle. Called by Jesus during the first year of His ministry, and traveled everywhere with Him, becoming so close as to be known as the beloved disciple. Took part in the Last Supper. The only one of the Twelve not to forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion, standing at the foot of the cross. Made guardian of Our Lady by Jesus, he took her into his home. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb; when he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, he was the first to recognize Him.

During the era of the new Church, he worked in Jerusalem and at Ephesus. During Jesus' ministry, he tried to block a Samaritan from their group, but Jesus explained the open nature of the new Way, and he worked on that principle to found churches in Asia Minor and baptizing converts in Samaria. Imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. Wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation. Survived all his fellow apostles.

Traditional stories:
Emperor Dometian had him brought to Rome, beaten, poisoned, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, but he stepped out unharmed and was banished to Patmos instead.

When John was en route to preach in Asia, his ship was wrecked in a storm; all but John were cast ashore. John was assumed dead, but 2 weeks later the waves cast him ashore alive at the feet of his disciple Prochoros.

When John denounced idol worship as demonic, followers of Artemis stoned him; the rocks turned and hit the throwers.

He prayed in a temple of Artemis; fire from heaven killed 200 men who worshipped the idol. When the remaining group begged for mercy, he raised the 200 from the dead; they all converted and were baptized.

Drove out a demon who had lived in a pagan temple for 249 years.

Aboard ship, he purified vessels of sea water for drinking.

Ceonops, a magician, pretended to bring three dead people come to life; the "people" were actually demons who mimicked people so the magician could turn people away from Christ. Through prayer, John caused the magician to drown and the demons to vanish.

Once a year his grave gave off a fragrant dust that cured the sick.

Born
unknown

Died
c.101 at Ephesus (modern Turkey); a church was built over his tomb, which was later converted to a mosque

Name Meaning
God is gracious; gift of God

Patronage
against poison; art dealers; Asia Minor; authors; bookbinders; booksellers; burns; diocese of Cleveland, Ohio; compositors; editors; archdiocese of Eger, Hungary; engravers; friendships; lithographers; diocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Morra, Nederlands; painters; papermakers; poisoning; printers; publishers; Sundern, Germany; tanners; Taos, New Mexico; theologians; typesetters; Umbria, Italy; writers; Wroclaw, Poland

Representation
book; cauldron in allusion to his being a martyr in will but not in deed; chalice with a serpent in allusion to the cup of sorrow foretold by Jesus; chalice; eagle in his role as evangelist; serpent

Writings
canonical Gospel According to Saint John

St. Stephen the Martyr

2007-12-26T07:28:00.000+08:00

Also known as
Stephen the Deacon

Memorial
26 December

Profile
First Christian Martyr. Deacon. Preacher. All we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the Gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. In the crowd, on the side of the mob, was a man who would later be known as Saint Paul.

Born
unknown

Died
stoned to death c.33

Canonized
Pre-Congregation

Name Meaning
crown

Patronage
Acoma Indian Pueblo; casket makers; Cetona, Italy; coffin makers; deacons; headaches; horses; Kessel, Germany; masons; diocese of Owensboro Kentucky; Passau, Germany; Prato, Italy; stone masons

Representation
deacon carrying a pile of rocks; deacon with rocks gathered in his vestments; deacon with rocks on his head; deacon with rocks or a book at hand; stones; palm of martyrdom

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T22:03:00.000+08:00

WwW.SparkleTags.Com

4th Sunday of Advent - December 23, 2007

2007-12-21T06:04:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1,18-24.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2007-12-18T08:38:00.000+08:00

Formerly a feast observed 18 December. It originated in Spain, when the feast of the Annunciation (25 March) was transferFed to 18 December because of the regulation forbidding feasts in Lent, and remained on this date after the Annunciation was again celebrated on its original date. It impressed on the faithful the sentiments of the Blessed Virgin as the time of her delivery approached.

Can We Celebrate Christmas? -1

2007-12-18T07:59:00.000+08:00

“Don’t celebrate Christmas. It has a pagan background!” Iglesia Ni Cristo, Dating Daan, Jehovas Witnesses and Seventh day Adventists are not ready to celebrate Christmas with the whole world as they believe the birthday of Jesus is not written in the Bible and some practices related to this celebration, has its pagan background! In order to realize the foolishness of their stand we have to analyze some facts (historical and biblical, commonsense and reason) related to the celebration of Christmas on 25th December.

As we all know, the birth of Jesus is written in the Bible; not its day and date. We celebrate Christmas on 25th of December not because that particular ‘date’ is important, but the event that we remember on that date, which divided the history in to two, is very essential for our salvation. The Bible doesn’t say exact date of Christ’s birth as December 25, and even the calendar that we use today was not in existence at that time! Just like any other feasts in the Catholic Church, (Good Friday, Easter Sunday etc…) we commemorate biblical events in deferent days of the liturgical calendar, not because that ‘dates and days’ have something to do with our salvation, but those events that we commemorate, are essential mysteries for our salvation.

Saint for the day - St. John of the Cross

2007-12-14T08:53:00.000+08:00

Also known as
Doctor of Mystical Theology

Memorial
14 December; formerly 24 November

Profile
Born in poverty. Cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina. Lay Carmelite brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived stricter than their Rule. Studied at Salamanca. Carmelite priest, ordained in 1567 at age 25. Persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order, he took the name John of the Cross. Master of novices. Spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa's convent. His reforms did not set well with some of his brothers, and he was ordered to return to Medina. He refused, and was imprisoned at Toledo, Spain, escaping after nine months. Vicar-general of Andalusia. His reforms revitalized the Order. Great contemplative and spiritual writer. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on 24 August 1926.

Born
24 June 1542 at Fontiveros, Spain

Died
14 December 1591 at Ubeda, Andalusia, Spain; relics at Segovia

Name Meaning
God is gracious; gift of God

Beatified
25 January 1675 by Pope Clement X

Canonized
27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

Patronage
contemplative life; contemplatives; mystical theology; mystics; Spanish poets; Ta' Xbiex, Malta

2007-12-14T08:36:00.000+08:00

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 11,2-11.

When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him
with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Saint for the day - St. Lucy of Syracuse

2007-12-13T10:33:00.000+08:00

Also known as
Lucia of Syracuse; Lucia de Syracuse

Memorial
13 December

Profile
Rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. Raised in a pious family, she vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years she managed to keep the marriage on hold. To change the mother's mind about the girl's new faith, Lucy prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha, and her mother's long haemorrhagic illness was cured. Her mother agreed with Lucy's desire to live for God, and Lucy became known as a patron of those with maladies like her mother's.

Her rejected pagan bridegroom, Paschasius, denounced Lucy as a Christian to the governor of Sicily. The governor sentenced her to forced prostitution, but when guards went to fetch her, they could not move her even when they hitched her to a team of oxen. The governor ordered her killed instead. After torture that included having her eyes torn out, she was surrounded by bundles of wood which were set afire; they went out. She prophesied against her persecutors, and was executed by being stabbed to death with a dagger. Her name is listed in the prayer "Nobis quoque peccatoribus" in the Canon of the Mass.

Legend says her eyesight was restored before her death. This and the meaning of her name led to her connection with eyes, the blind, eye trouble, etc.

Born
c.283 at Syracuse, Sicily

Died
stabbed in the throat c.304 at Syracuse, Sicily; her relics are honoured in churches throughout Europe

Canonized
Pre-Congregation

Name Meaning
light; bringer of light (= Lucy)

Patronage
against hemorraghes; authors; Begijnendijk, Flemish Brabant, Belgium; blind people; blindness; cutlers; dysentery; epidemics; eye disease; eye problems; glaziers; hemorraghes; laborers; martyrs; Mtarfa, Malta; peasants; Perugia, Italy; saddlers; salesmen; sore eyes; sore throats; stained glass workers; Syracuse, Sicily; throat infections; Villa Santa Lucia, Latium, Italy; writers

Representation
cord; eyes; eyes on a dish; lamp; swords; woman hitched to a yoke of oxen; woman in the company of Saint Agatha, Saint Agnes of Rome, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Thecla; woman kneeling before the tomb of Saint Agatha