DEVOTION TO THE SOULS IN PURGATORY AND THE DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART

DEVOTION TO THE SOULS IN PURGATORY AND THE DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART

Among the devotions which should form a crown of honor around the Sacred Heart, St. Margaret Mary gives a privileged place to devotion to the Souls in Purgatory. She herself had an extraordinary devotion to these Souls and called them her good suffering friends. The revelations which she received about the sufferings of these Souls, about our Divine Lord's tender love for them and His eager desire for their deliverance, of the great efficacy of the devotion to the Sacred Heart for their early release, and the fact that St. Margaret Mary, the apostle of the public devotion to the Sacred Heart, combined these two devotions so intimately in her own person, indicate that there is such a close connection between the two devotions that the devotion to the Souls in Purgatory may be said to form a part of the devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her extraordinary compassion for these suffering Souls may be said to be a share of the compassion of the Divine Heart for them; she called the devotion to the Sacred Heart the sovereign remedy for their relief.

It is a remarkable fact that our Divine Lord demanded of the two pioneers of the public devotion to His Sacred Heart an act of consecration of themselves to It, and a total donation in favor of the Souls in Purgatory of all the satisfactory merits of their lives and of all the prayers, Masses and good works offered for them after their death, and that they were the first to make this heroic offering.

St. Margaret Mary was in constant communication with the Souls in Purgatory; our Divine Lord allowed many privileged Souls among them to visit her, to tell her of their great sufferings and what it was that caused them, and to appear to her in glory after their deliverance. Towards the end of her life this became known outside the convent and people came to inquire from her about their deceased friends. While she usually declined to give any reply at the time of the inquiry, later on she sometimes declared that such a person was now in Heaven and exhorted the relatives of others to continue their prayers.

MARVELOUS EFFICACY OF THE DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART TO SUCCOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

"Would that people knew;' writes St. Margaret Mary, "with what eagerness the poor Souls in Purgatory ask for this new remedy which is so powerful to relieve their sufferings. They call the Devotion to the Sacred Heart the 'Sovereign remedy,' and ask particularly for Masses in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

ST. MARGARET MARY RECOMMENDS NOVENAS IN HONOR OF THE SACRED HEART FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

Writing to Mother de Saumaise she says: "There is a Soul in Purgatory that I cannot comfort as much as I desire. She told me to apply to you and ask you to have three Masses said for her, and, in addition, to offer your Rosary and all the practices of our holy rule for nine days, and a general
Communion. She said that these things would greatly alleviate her pains and that she would not be ungrateful."

ST. MARGARET MARY WAS ACCUSTOMED TO OFFER HER PRAYERS TO OUR BLESSED LADY THROUGH THE SOULS IN PURGATORY, AND IN A LETTER TO MOTHER GREFIÉ SHE EXPLAINS THE REASON:

"It is not through any want of confidence in Our Blessed Lady that we ask the help of the Holy Souls in Purgatory; it is in order that they may join their supplications to ours and offer them up to this Good Mother to obtain for us the continuation of her maternal assistance. By doing so we confess that, after God, it is from the Blessed Virgin that all good comes to us."
Of all the practices for the relief of the Holy Souls, the most efficacious is that which is called "the Heroic Act of Charity," which, as already stated, both St. Margaret Mary and Blessed Claude de la Colombiere made at our Divine Lord's request. It consists in offering up in favor of the Souls in Purgatory all our satisfactory merits and all the indulgences we can gain during our lives, and all the prayers, Masses and good works offered for us after our death, thus reserving nothing for ourselves and trusting completely in the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Margaret Mary makes reference to it in several of her letters.

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS

O Divine Heart of Jesus, grant I pray Thee, eternal rest to the Souls in Purgatory, the final grace to those who are about to die this day, true repentance to sinners, the light of faith to pagans, and Thy blessing to me and to all who are dear to me. To Thee, therefore, O Most Merciful Heart of Jesus, I commend all these souls, and in their behalf I offer unto Thee all Thy merits in union with the merits of Thy Most Blessed Mother and of all the Angels and Saints, together with all the Masses, Communions, prayers and good works which are this day being offered throughout Christendom.
O Most Holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon the Thy Holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the Holy Souls in Purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

Mary Model of All Christians

Feast of the Visitation of Mary

May 31, 2010

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Hence we are culminating the Month which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Let us Meditate on The Blessed Mother as “Model of Christians”

The Church is one,the one People of God. But she is also a community of Persons, a plurality if individuals. Mary is the Model also of ever one of the disciples of Christ her Son. In this sense, there are many ways to imitate her, depending on the ways in which people differ. And a every person is in the final analysis the judge of validity of the specific ways of imitation he or she follows.

We can, however identify general areas of imitation of Mary by Individuals.

1. Allowing oneself to be loved by God: Although Christians are all aware of the first commandment cited by God “To love God” (Mt.22:37) they are usually not aware of the reverse side of the commandment, to allow oneself to be loved by God. It flows from the revelation that God is love (1 Jn. 4:16)

Indeed, to allow oneself to loved by God is the origin and the foundation of holiness. To let oneself to be loved by God in imitation of Mary means to accept his gifts, to entrust oneself to his guidance, to know how to thanks him, and to create one’s own “Magnificat”, one’s own “Alleluia” offering of praise for the great things God has done for us.

2. Obeying with Intelligence: Christians are to obey God, but with intelligence, as Mary did. She desired clarification before giving her consent (Lk. 1:30) This way of acting indicates God’s respect for the human creature and signals a quality of behavior of human beings toward God.

True obedience entails, watchful presence and lucid attention that is, intelligence. Like Mary, Christians are to aim for very personal and intelligent obedience.

3. Listening to one’s whole heart: Christians are to be people who listens just as Mary is the virgins who listens. In addition, they must listen with their whole hearts, meditating on the words they hear. Such listening entails, defense of thje word heard, discernment in sifting through messages, patiencein incomprehension and protective silence

4. Persevering Faithfulness: Like the servant of the Lord and the disciples of Christ, Mary persevered in the pilgrim journey of faith. Christians are to imitate this perseverance in faith. This involves global fidelity: toward Gos, toward oneself and toward one’s proper role, toward other person toward all creations.

5. Serving those who should be served: Mary calls herself the servant of the Lord. The Gospel Idea of service is putting one’s talent to use in the service of God and others. It means recognizing each moment those who should be served, familiarity with the spirit, and carrying out the service necessary.

6. Remaining close to the Cross Mary had her joys in life, but she also had her sorrows, culminating in the sorrow at the foot of the cross (Jn. 19:25-27). Christians are to stand beneath the infinite crosses on which the son of Man is suspended in his brothers and sisters.

The Application to Us….

Mary is not only an exemplar for the whole church in the exercise of this worship but also a teacher of the spiritual life for all of us. She is an example of the worship that consist in the making one’s life an offering to God.This is an ancient and ever knew doctrine that each of us can hear again by heeding the church’s teaching and by meditating on Mary’s “Yes” to God “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38) fr that “Yes”

In our resolve to live as adherents of God and disciples of Christ, we need to have the slightest hesitation to seek an example in Mary, For she was a woman of her time and social environment, fully engaged in the temporal affairs that fell to her and perfect ordering them according to God’s Plan.

From Mary, we can learn or learn better by carrying out our daily task as a “service” committed to us by the Lord, we already in the process of fulfilling the apostolic mission that is our virtue of our Baptism.

We can and should count on Mary for help in making all our activities more christian and fruitful. Having been assumed into heaven, with her maternal charity, Mary cares for her brothers and sisters of her Son who are still on their earthly pilgrimage before being led into their happy homeland. We should devoutly venerate her and commend our lives and apostolates to her maternal care.

In the Final analysis, the Christian life of Christ in us. If we are adapt to it and let it transform us, we have to begin with actual circumstances of our existence of our existence. To a certain extent, the Particular aspect in which we view our Lord or our lady at any given moment is conditioned by the situation of the Moment.

Let us thank our blessed Mother for being a Mother and a guide towards her Son Jesus

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, We entrust to you the Coming elections.

In just a few days, we will elect new leaders who will rule and take care of our country. Let us entrust our dear Mother Philippines to the loving care Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We pray also that this election, will be peaceful, honest, clean and Credibility shall prevail.

The Challenge for today's Shephereds

April 25,2010

4th Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 10:27-30

Good Shepherd Sunday

Celebration of the 47th world day of Prayer for Vocation

“Good Shepherd Sunday” derives its name from the tenth chapter of the gospel of John where Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd who lay downs life for the flock. Jesus’ self revelation is divided in three pericopes for use in the three cycle of the liturgy.Today’s gospel reading focuses on the initiative relationship between the good shepherd and the sheep and the Lord’s protective care for his people.

Jesus as the good shepherd “Knows his sheep”. This goes beyond recognizing someone by name or characteristics. In fact biblical “knowing ” is so intimate and personal that is used to describe acts of intimacy between husband and wife. Jesus knows his own with a divine knowledge, as the Lord knows the deep secrets of the human heart.

The Good shepherd feeds the flock and protects them. He leads them to green pastures and to the running waters; he walks with them through dark valley that they may not fear in harm.(Psalm 23). He fights with fierce animal which prey on the sheep at the risk of his own life. Jesus literally offers his life on the cross so that the flock entrusted to him by the heavenly Father may posses eternal life.

The “actions” of the good shepherd knowing and caring can serve as powerful criteria when we choose our leaders let us ask our ourselves these questions before elections:Is there mutual knowledge between voters and candidates? Do people make an effort to know the person they are electing into office?do they believe in the integrity and capacity to lead their chosen candidates? or they are just voting for the “most popular candidate”? On the other hand, do the candidates know the needs of the people they have to,lead or to represent? By the standards of service, are the candidates qualified and willing to serve? Have they prepared a political program that they planned to implement once elected or did they join a political fray in the hope of lying their hands on the wealth and power that comes from the office?

Alas, “Servant of the people”. has become an empty and ironic slogan. Are the candidates running for office because they want to serve? Or because they desire to perpetuate a political dynasty or protect some vested interest?

The late Holy Father Pope John Paul II offers sound advice to those who called to public office:Live your involvement in politics as a service others, it is an approach as an magnificent as it is demanding. it cannot be reduced to some generic restatement of principles or a declaration of good intentions. Political service is lived in a precise and daily commitment which calls for great competence in the fulfillment of one’s duties and unswerving morality in the selfless and accountable exercise of power”

The Holy father addressed these words to government leaders as he introduced to them. The new Patron Saint of statesmen and politicians:St. Thomas More this “Man of all Seasons” proved himself a leader with the heart of a good shepherd. Their patron saint, the pope, reminded the world leaders, always put”himself at the service of the person especially the weak and the poor. Honor and wealth held no sway over him … above all he never compromised his conscience, even to the point of making the supreme sacrifice so as not disregard its voice”

As we also celebrate the 47th World day of Prayer for Vocation, let us entrust to Jesus the good shepherd all the religious in the world that they may preserve the gift of vocation that God has given them, and let us also pray the the Lord of the Mystical harvest to send out laborers into his harvest

Crossing the Threshold

Crossing the Threshold
April 18, 2010

3rd Sunday of Easter

Gospel: Jn. 21:1-19

As we meditate on today’s Gospel, the setting for this appearance of the Risen Lord is different from the preceding narratives. The disciples are no longer “locked in” for fear of the Jews (Jn. 20:19,26). they are instead in the open “at the sea of Tiberias,” the place of the daily chore. In fact, by Peter’s initiative, the disciples are back to their job, fishing

The end of futile night of fishing happens as the breakfast ready. Jesus the master himself becomes their servant. He takes the bread and give it to them; and he does same with the fish.

“Take and Give” are allusions of the Eucharistic feast. missions begins and returns to the Eucharist, fount and summit of the Entire Christian life. We eat and give thanks for which we have been given. And this in turn anticipates what still to come.

After the meal we hear the intimate dialogue between Jesus and Simon Peter, the one chosen to lead the community of disciples. The triple of question recalls the triple denial of Peter during Jesus ’ trial before the Sanhedrin. A humbled and transformed Peter is graced to undo the the triple denial with a triple profession of love, this time based only on his master’s knowledge of him: “Yes, Lord YOU KNOW that i love you.”

We know how Peter and the apostles later grew into the height of their love for the Master and carried out his charge, “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep.” The second reading in today’s liturgy gives strong testimony to this.

Completely transformed by the holy spirit given to them by the Risen Christ, Peter and the apostles boldly carry the out the preaching in Jerusalem, resisting all efforts of the punishments and flogging, they “left the presence of the Sanhedrin” rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer, dishonor for the sake of the name.”

A Healthy Skepticism

Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 20:19-31

Divine Mercy Sunday

A BLESSED EASTER! When it comes to belief not just religious belief but any kind of belief most people fall into three groups: the gullible, the critical and the skeptical. The gullible are those people who accepts practically any statement as true even statements which extravagant or fantastic. They require very little evidence to believe. If you say your mother has green hair, they will accept your statement at face value and just marvel that they themselves have never met a person with green hair. Skeptics are opposite. They mistrust people, ideas,statements etc., in general and almost on principles. They doubt everything and everyone . If you show a photo of your mother with having green hair and even explain that she dyed her hair green, they will doubt your statement, question the authenticity of the photo, wonder why you are mentioning your mother’s hair in the first place, speculate about your sanity, and so on. Fortunately, most people fall into the groups situated midway between two extreme. They will be inclined to trust you up to a certain point, but they will require a minimum of evidence or explanation before accepting your statement about your mother’s green hair. They are critical but moderately so. In the first group the people are not critical enough. In the second group they are excessively critical.

Jesus expected people to be critical of his teachings. As a rule he did not expect people to accept all his statements naively. On the contrary, he constant appealed to their personal experience, their judgment, their opinion. Obviously, he expected his listeners to use their brains. He want intelligent, critical disciples, who would not accept just any statement of his without minimum of evidence. Naturally, this evidence could be indirect, for example his miraculous powers, his shining holiness, his great wisdom. But it was sufficient to warrant faith.

Today’s Gospel reading presents an extreme skeptic, Thomas As such he is not a monster or a freak. In fact he represents all those who, like him are by nature and temperament suspicious of everyone and everything. and in that connection it is interesting to observe how Jesus deals with this sort of people. As we can see from this gospel scene, Jesus accepts them as they are. Thomas demands to examine the marks of his wounds. Well and good. With utter meekness, Jesus submits to the test imposed by Thomas. Only after Thomas drops his unreasonable demands does Jesus gently chide him. Oh but the rebuke is so mild and indirect that it is hardly felt! “Blessed are those who have not seen but believed.” Let this welcoming attitude of Jesus towards the naturally skeptic reassure those of us who belong to that category of people. Jesus does not reject them in the least. He just regrets that they are hard to convince. Their distrustful nature makes them miss a lot of beautiful insight or discoveries. A healthy skepticism is good but it must not exclude a sense of wonder and an openness to mystery.

Easter Message 2010

" Christians, to the Paschal Victim, offer Sacrifice and praise.The Sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, has sinners to his Father Reconciled."

We have come to the end of our Journey of Lent, and we are now entering the Glorious Easter Season, where we await the Resurrection of Christ the savior of the World, who suffered and nailed to the Cross to save the Humanity from the Slave of Sin.

May this Easter Season, Give us New Hope and Joy to life everlasting and may we see our own resurrection, in the image of the Risen Christ.!

A Blessed and Holy Easter!!!

Gem Muncal_Rcj joins the whole Christendom in observance of Holy Week

When Heaven and Earth echo the same Refrain

When Heaven and Earth echo the same Refrain

Reflection for the Celebration of the Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday

Luke 22:14--26:53

On Sunday, we will celebrate the Great entry of Jesus' to the city of Jerusalem or popularly called as Palm Sunday. Filipinos bring to church and wave their "Palaspas" or coconut fronds, the native version of palm branches that the crowd is said to have waved to acclaim Jesus.

On the Closer reading of the Luke's accout, however we see that the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; there is no mention of palms. Mark mentions leafy branches that people had cut from the fields (Mk. 11:18). That is probably what actually happened. What liturgy and popular imagination have adopted is John's version: a great crowd took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus (Jn. 12:13). Jesus is welcomed the way as pagan kings and emperors were welcomed by the populace waiting for favor. The theme of his kingship is clearly underlined. Later, in Christian liturgy and art, the palm will become a symbol of martyrdom. A great multitude of martyrs stands before the lamb Jesus in Glory holding palm branches in their hands crying out: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb" (Rev. 8:9-10) John's account appears like a festive liturgy. But the heavenly liturgy is somehow echoed on the earth messengers. The Crowd is delirious with Joy because they see him as the Messiah who comes to save them from their oppressors, especially the Romans. The shout "Hosannah!" "Save us Now!" they cry out with political deliverance. Luke, a very perspective writer does not however, present Jesus' multitude of disciples crying this way. Instead they proclaim "Blessed is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." Whatever might have been the disciples' intention, the evangelists has their shouting a refrain to the song of the heavenly host on Christmas midnight "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace on whom is favored rest" (Lk. 2:14). Before the Passion, earthly voices echo the angelic ones. For Luke, the whole life of Jesus is contained by the angelic and human refrain: "Glory to God, peace to men... " Peace was proclaimed even when the Roman order for the census forced by the Messiah to be born in the stable. Peace is again proclaimed even while the enemies of Jesus (the Jewish and roman authorities) plan to get rid of him. Peace is the gift of God, achieved through the birth, ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Peace is the overcoming of all division, of evil of death; won by Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who suffered and died for the glory of God and the Salvation of men and Women.

Have a Blessed and Meaningful Observance of Holy Week

Imperata ad Petendam Pluviam; INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR RAIN

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS/SHRINE RECTORS/CHAPLAINS AND SCHOOL DIRECTORS IN
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: ORATIO IMPERATA/INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR RAIN

Dear Brother-Priests,

People tasked with managing our water and power resources have warned us that we are experiencing drought and water shortage because of the El Niño phenomenon. Our relief will come from nature. And so we implore the Master of all creation, God, our Father, at whose command the winds and the seas obey, to send us rain and ease the drought.

Below are the intentions to be included into the Prayers of the Faithful of our daily and Sunday Masses:

a] Lord, hasten to send the rain we badly need so the damage to crops and other livelihood and impending power shortage may be averted, we pray…

b] Lord, inspire us in this time of crisis to share in the name of Jesus what we have and to take responsibility for one another and for the environment and resources that you have generously provided us, we pray...

Beginning February 28, 2010, the Second Sunday of Lent, let us start praying the Oratio Imperata ad Petendam Pluviam at all our Masses, after Communion before the Post Communion Prayer:

"God our loving Father, creator of our earth and of the universe, and all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to send us the rain that our country needs so badly at this time, to irrigate our fields, to stave off a power shortage, to provide water for our bodily health, and to refresh our parched lands. At your command the wind and the seas obey, raise your hand, Almighty God, to send us rain so that this crisis may be averted.

Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it. Teach us to be wise stewards of your creation so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation. At this time of crisis, dear Lord, move us to share more and to love more.

Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us, for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us."

Let us together storm heavens with our supplication, that God's mercy be upon us and send us the rain we need.

Thank you and God Bless!

Sincerely yours,
+ GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila

Beautiful on the Cross

2nd Sunday of Lent

February 28, 2010

Gospel: Lk. 9:28b-36

As we come closer to the holy week which celebrates the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, the figure looming larger and larger is that of Ebed Yahweh, the servant of the Lord. He is spoken of in the so-called Servant Songs in Deutero-Isaiah. He is often referred to as the “Suffering Servant” because of the fourth song (Is58:13—53:12) where we find one of the memorable passage like, “It was our infirmities that he bore , our suffering that he endured while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by god and afflicted . But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed” (Is.53:4-5). The Servant is probably too complex a figure to be fitted into a single category of an individual or group in israel. However, Christians see the servant as prefiguring Jesus Christ. When Christ came, he served himself heir to the prophecies about the servant . None except Christ was the fulfillment of the mysterious suffering servant of the Lord.

to see their “Rabbi” (means teacher) Jesus crucified would break the spirit of his disciples. It would demolish whatever “Honor” Jesus had enjoyed before them by the authority of his words and action, and by his miracles. Something more was needed to make them stick with him: a vision of who Jesus really was beyond his human appearance and solemn witnesses to God.

This is what we celebrate in the second Sunday of Lent. the long and difficult journey to Jerusalem is broken by a wonderful experience on the mountaintop. Jesus undergoes a metamorphosis, a change of form, a transfiguration. He is surrounded by heavenly splendor; he converses with Moses and Elijah, two prominent figures representing God’s Revelation: the law (Torah) and the Prophets. Then comes a voice “This is my Chosen Son” it is said in the servant of the Lord “here is my servant whom i uphold, my chosen one with whom i am well pleased ” (Is 42:1). Jesus is far superior to the servant: he is faithful to God’s house, not as a servant like Moses, but as a son. (Heb 3:6)

This experience on the mountain would not be enough to keep the apostle faithful to the very end. Although Luke would be more sympathetic than Mark or Matthew , Jesus’ intimate group would abandon him at his arrest at Gethsemane.Peter would deny Jesus three times. But the transfiguration would serve all the believers from then on. It was prelude to Jesus’ resurrection, his ultimate victory, and all his full entry to into the heavenly glory. The Transfiguration is a reminder of that Jesus’ suffering and and glorification are intertwined, that “it was necessary that the Messiah should suffer (these things)and enter to his glory” (Lk.24:26). This is what Luke means when he writes that Moses and Elijah were speaking of the exodus that Jesus was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Through his suffering, Jesus will lead his people “out of their slavery” to sin and death “into the freedom” of God’s Children.

In the transfiguration, the disciples behold the glorious face of Jesus. He is the most beautiful of children of Man. He is “the splendor before which every other light pales, and the infinite beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human Heart” as the late John Paul II writes in Vita Consecrata (n 16) But in Christ, Beauty is forever joined to his face of sorrow. The Pope explains: “It is the precisely on the Cross that the one who in death appears in human eyes are disfigured and without beauty, so much so that the bystanders covers their face (Is 53:2-3) fully reveals the beauty of God’s Love” (Vita Consecrata n24)

Lenten Season; a time for penance and renewal

"Repent and believe in the Gospel!"

This invitation, which we find at the beginning of Jesus' preaching introduces us to the season of lent , a time dedicated in a special way to conversion and renewal, to prayer, fasting and to works of charity. In recalling the experience of the chosen people, we too set out as it were to retrace the journey that Israel made across to the promise land. We too will reach our goal ; after these weeks of penance, we will experience the joy of Easter. Our eyes, purified by prayer and penance, we will be able to behold with greater clarity the face of the living God to whom we make our own pilgrimage on the paths of earthly life.

A Blessed Lenten Season!

Immaculate Conception: the name she gave herself at Lourdes.

"Immaculate Conception"

The name which Mary gave herself at Lourdes.

"Que Soy era Immaculada Conception"

"I am the Immaculate Conception"

As we celebrate the feast of Our lady of Lourdes on February 11. Let us focus on the words she gave to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the cave of Massabille, and its explanation.

The Phrase "IMMACULATE CONCEPTION" constitutes one of the most popular Marian Titles. Indeed, it is the name that the blessed mother called her when she appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858 to establish the shrine at Lourdes.

Briefly, this phrase means that Mary was never bound by any guilt of original sin. She was not even for a moment deprived of God's grace and friendship and subjected to the power of the devil.

Despite the fact that the doctrine of the immaculate conception was only formalized by the dogmatic definition of Blessed Pius IX in 1854, this teaching has been part of the Christian message in some form from the very beginning.

A Doctrine of the " Sense of the Faithful"

It was the "sense of the faithful," the religious sensitivity of the people, that recognized the immaculate conception right from the beginning. The strongest manifestation of this important tradition are found in the liturgical cult of the Immaculata, in the teaching of the father of the church, and in the acts of the Popes. The latter favored the cult of the immaculata, explained its meaning and doctrinal content, and prohibited any public teaching against it.

The Christian people from the first knew of the Protoevangelium found in Genesis 3:15, the first announcement of the salvation, sometimes called "Gospel before the gospel" our forebears Adam and Eve, had sinned. God punishes them and cast them out of the garden of Eden.

However, they do not leave without hope because God makes a promise to them that is in fact, the first announcement of the Redemption" there will appear a woman, who will be enemy of Satan, to whom they have yielded. She will be the Mother of a Son who will vanquish the devil.

Aware of this promise, the early Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit, instituted that Mary, the enemy of Satan, had never been subject to him by any stain of sin. They therefore gave Mary the name the ancient name " The all-Holy One".

Lourdes and the Immaculate Conception

In 1858, four years after the definition of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Mary as it was placed her stamp of approval on it by appearing to 13-year old girl unlettered child of France, St. Bernadette Soubirous, telling her: "Que soy Immaculada Conception" or "I am the Immaculate Conception"

The Child had never heard that expression and was completely unaware of what it meant, Nonetheless, by her life and work, she made it possible for the whole world to know the immaculate conception in the future. Out of the seven appearance to the saint grew the world famous shrine of Lourdes a paean of praise to the Virgin Mary. It would be safe to say that Lourdes is the best-known shrine of Mary drawing million of pilgrim annualy.

Priesthood

As we celebrate the 2nd National Congress for Priests, and during this period of time, we pray for our dearly beloved priests. We ask the Most Sacred heart of Jesus to consecrate and sanctify them in his sacred heart.

but most of all, what is a Priest for us? the one who nourish us with the Body and Blood of Christ? the one who always prays for our needs?

PRIESTHOOD. Sacrament of the New Law, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, which confers on a man the power of consecrating and offering the body and blood of Christ, and of remitting and retaining sins. There are two grades or levels of the priesthood, the presbyterate and the episcopate. Normally priesthood refers to the presbyterate and is the second rank of orders, above the diaconate. Only a bishop can ordain priests, who must first have been ordained deacons. In the ordination of priests, the "matter" of the sacrament is the imposition of the bishop's hands upon the individual candidates, which is done in silence before the consecration prayer, of which the following words pertain to the nature of the order and therefore are required for the validity of the act: "We ask you, all powerful Father, give these servants of yours the dignity of the presbyterate. Renew the Spirit of holiness within them. By your divine gift may they attain the second order of the hierarchy and exemplify right conduct in their lives."

PRIEST. An authorized mediator who offers a true sacrifice in acknowledgment of God's supreme dominion over human beings and in expiation for their sins. A priest's mediation is the reverse of that of a prophet, who communicates from God to the people. A priest mediates from the people to God.

Christ, who is God and man, is the first, last and greatest priest of the New Law. He is the eternal high priest who offered himself once and for all on the Cross, a victim of infinite value, and he continually renews that sacrifice on the altar through the ministry of the Church.

Within the Church are men who are specially ordained as priests to consecrate and offer the body and blood of Christ in the Mass. The Apostles were the first ordained priests, when on Holy Thursday night Christ told them to do in his memory what he had just done at the Last Supper. All priests and bishops trace their ordination to the Apostles. Their second essential priestly power, to forgive sins, was conferred by Christ on Easter Sunday, when he told the Apostles, "For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained" (John 20-22, 23).

All the Christian faithful, however, also share in the priesthood by their baptismal character. They are enabled to offer themselves in sacrifice with Christ through the Eucharistic liturgy. They offer the Mass in the sense that they internally unite themselves with the outward offering made by the ordained priest alone.

All About Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time Definition and Summary

Ordinary Time is the liturgical period outside of the distinctive liturgical seasons, and runs 33 or 34 weeks. In Latin, Ordinary Time is called Tempus Per Annum ("time throughout the year"). Ordinary Time falls between Christmas and Lent, and between Easter and Advent, exclusive. Prayers: Ordinary Time Prayers
Basic Facts

Introduction

The Latin Tempus Per Annum ("time throughout the year") is rendered into English as "Ordinary Time." Many sources, online and in print, suggest that Ordinary Time gets its name from the word ordinal, meaning "numbered," since the Sundays of Ordinary Time, as in other seasons, are expressed numerically. However, others suggest the etymology of "Ordinary Time" is related to our word "ordinary" (which itself has a connotation of time and order, derived from the Latin word ordo). Ordinary Time occurs outside of other liturgical time periods, periods in which specific aspects of the mystery of Christ are celebrated. According to The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the days of Ordinary Time, especially the Sundays, "are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects." Ordinary Time, depending on the year, runs either 33 or 34 weeks.

Basically, Ordinary Time encompasses that part of the Christian year that does not fall within the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The Catholic Church celebrates two periods of the year as Ordinary Time. The first period begins after the Feast Baptism of the Lord (the Sunday after The Epiphany) has ended. Some interpret this to mean that Ordinary Time begins on Sunday night, while others, including The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, specifically mention the first period of Ordinary Time beginning on the Monday after the Baptism of the Lord. Either way, the point is the same. The next Sunday is still reckoned "The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time," because it is the Sunday of the second week in Ordinary Time. The reckoning can be confusing, and has many asking "what happened to the first Sunday in Ordinary Time?" This first period of Ordinary Time runs until the Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday. The Second period of Ordinary Time runs from the Monday after Pentecost until Evening Prayer is said the night before Advent begins. This includes Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of Ordinary Time. In some denominations, the Sundays of the second period of Ordinary Time are numbered "Sundays After Pentecost."

Ordinary time does not need to be "ordinary," and is not meant to mean that somehow we get a break from the Liturgical Year. The opposite is true: Ordinary Time celebrates "the mystery of Christ in all its aspects." Many important liturgical celebrations fall during Ordinary Time, including, Trinity, Corpus Christi, All Saints, the Assumption of Mary, and Christ the King. In addition, the Church continues to celebrate Saints days and other events such as The Octave of Christian Unity. The major feasts, when occurring on a Sunday, trump the regular Ordinary Time Sunday lessons and liturgy. In the American Catholic Church, Corpus Christi is usually transferred to a Sunday, so often there are fewer than the 33 or 34 Sundays labeled "Sundays of Ordinary Time," although these Sundays still fall within Ordinary Time. We also may remember and celebrate the parts of Jesus' life that were ordinary, much like our own lives. The color of green is appropriate because it is the most ordinary color in our natural environment.
History

The use of the term "Ordinary Time" was used before the Second Vatican Council, but it was not until after the council that the term was officially used to designate the period between Epiphany and Lent, and the period between Pentecost and Advent. Rather than being called the "Season of Ordinary Time," the times were called "Season After Epiphany" and "Season After Pentecost" After the new Catholic Calendar took effect in 1969, these older designations were no longer used. However, some groups (including some Anglicans) still use the older designations. Interestingly, the Church in the Patristic period never seemed to effectively and concisely classify or label Ordinary Time, even though the time certainly existed.

History of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

History of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(January 1)

Introduction:
In the 4th and 5th centuries debates about the nature of Christ raged in the Church. The debate was about the relationship of Christ's divine and human natures. At the center of this debate was a title of Mary. Since at least the 3rd century, Christians had referred to Mary as theotokos, meaning "God-bearer." The first documented usage of the term is in the writings of Origen of Alexandria in AD 230. Related to theotokos, Mary was called the mother of God. Referring to Mary this way was popular in Christian piety, but the patriarch of Constantinople from 428-431, Nestorius, objected. He suggested that Mary was only the mother of Jesus' human nature, but not his divine nature. Nestorius' ideas (or at least how others perceived his arguments) were condemned at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and again at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. The Church decided that Christ was fully God and fully human, and these natures were united in one person, Jesus Christ. Thus Mary could be called "mother of God" since she gave birth to Jesus who was fully divine as well as human. Since this time, Mary has been frequently honored as the "mother of God" by Catholics, Orthodox, and many Protestants.

The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God falls exactly one week after Christmas, the end of the octave of Christmas. It is fitting to honor Mary as Mother of Jesus, following the birth of Christ. When Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God we are not only honoring Mary, who was chosen among all women throughout history to bear God incarnate, but we are also honoring our Lord, who is fully God and fully human. Calling Mary "mother of God" is the highest honor we can give Mary. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the "Prince of Peace," the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the "Queen of Peace" This solemnity, falling on New Year's Day, is also designated the World Day of Peace.


History:
The origins of a feast celebrating Mary's divine maternity are obscure, but there is some evidence of ancient feasts commemorating Mary's role as theotokos. Around 500 AD the Eastern Church celebrated a "Day of the Theotokos" either before or after Christmas. This celebration eventually evolved into a Marian feast on December 26th in the Byzantine calendar and January 16th in the Coptic calendar. In the West, Christmas has generally been celebrated with an octave, an eight day extension of the feast. The Gregorian and Roman calendars of the 7th century mark the Christmas octave day with a strong Marian emphasis. However, eventually in the West, the eighth day of the octave of Christmas was celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. The push for an official feast day celebrating Mary's divine maternity started in Portugal, and in 1751 Pope Benedict XIV allowed Portugal's churches to celebrate Mary's divine maternity on the first Sunday in May. The feast was eventually extended to other countries, and by 1914 was being celebrated on October 11. The feast of Mary's divine maternity became a universal feast in 1931.

However, following Vatican II, Pope Paul VI decided to change the feast of Jesus' Circumcision to the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God to reclaim the ancient Western Marian emphasis at the end of the Octave of Christmas. Celebrating Mary's divine maternity during the Christmas octave makes complete sense in that the celebration is connected closely to Christ's birth. Pope Paul VI gave his reasoning for the change:

In the revised arrangement of the Christmas season, we should all turn with one mind to the restored solemnity of the Mother of God. This feast was entered into the calendar in the liturgy of the city of Rome for the first day of January. The purpose of the celebration is to honor the role of Mary in the mystery of salvation and at the same time to sing the praises of the unique dignity thus coming to "the Holy Mother...through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life." This same solemnity also offers an excellent opportunity to renew the adoration rightfully to be shown to the newborn Prince of Peace, as we once again hear the good tidings of great joy and pray to God, through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, for the priceless gift of peace. Because of these considerations and the fact that the octave of Christmas coincides with a day of hope, New Year's Day, we have assigned to it the observance of the World Day of Peace (Paul VI, Marialis Cultus, Feb. 2, 1974, no.5).

Thus Pope Paul VI highlighted the feast's celebration of both Mary and Jesus. He also noted the connection to New Year's Day and Mary's role as Queen of Peace. January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God is also the observed "World Day of Peace."

There are many Marian feasts in the Church Calendar. These include The Assumption of Mary, The Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Consolation, among many others. However, Mary Mother of God focuses on Mary's divine maternity.

Mary's Role in the Church

Hence, we are celebrating the new year and, the Church is celebrating the month of the 1st dogma of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her being the mother of God. This January, we will focus on the role of Mary most holy in the life of the chruch.

Mary's Role in the Church

Mary's function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin's salutary influence on men originates not in any inner necessity but in the disposition of God. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power from it. It does not hinder in any way the immediate union of the faithful with Christ but on the contrary fosters it.

The predestination of the Blessed Virgin as Mother of God was associated with the incarnation of the divine word: in the designs of divine Providence she was the gracious mother of the divine Redeemer here on earth, and above all others and in a singular way the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth, and nourished Christ, she presented him to the Father in the temple, shared her Son's sufferings as he died on the cross. Thus, in a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.

This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.[15] By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.[16] This, however, is so understood that it neither takes away anything from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator.[17]

No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.

The Church does not hesitate to profess this subordinate role of Mary, which it constantly experiences and recommends to the heartfelt attention of the faithful, so that encouraged by this maternal help they may the more closely adhere to the Mediator and Redeemer.

Mary, type or figure of the Church

By reason of the gift and role of her divine motherhood, by which she is united with her Son, the Redeemer, and with her unique graces and functions, the Blessed Virgin is also intimately united to the Church. As St. Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a type of the Church in the order of faith, charity, and perfect union with Christ.[18] For in the mystery of the Church, which is itself rightly called mother and virgin, the Blessed Virgin stands out in eminent and singular fashion as exemplar both of virgin and mother.[19] Through her faith and obedience she gave birth on earth to the very Son of the Father, not through the knowledge of man but by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, in the manner of a new Eve who placed her faith, not in the serpent of old but in God's messenger without waivering in doubt. The Son whom she brought forth is he whom God placed as the first born among many brethren (Rom. 8:29), that is, the faithful, in whose generation and formation she cooperates with a mother's love.

The Church indeed contemplating her hidden sanctity, imitating her charity and faithfully fulfilling the Father's will, by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and baptism she brings forth sons, who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse. Imitating the mother of her Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, she keeps intact faith, firm hope and sincere charity.[20]

But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle (cf. Eph. 5:27), the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness. And so they turn their eyes to Mary who shines forth to the whole community of the elect as the model of virtues. Devoutly meditating on her and contemplating her in the light of the Word made man, the Church reverently penetrates more deeply into the great mystery of the Incarnation and becomes more and more like her spouse. Having entered deeply into the history of salvation, Mary, in a way, unites in her person and re-echoes the most important doctrines of the faith: and when she is the subject of preaching and veneration she prompts the faithful to come to her Son, to his sacrifice and to the love of the Father. Seeking after the glory of Christ, the Church becomes more like her lofty type, and continually progresses in faith, hope and charity, seeking and doing the will of God in all things. The Church, therefore, in her apostolic work too, rightly looks to her who gave birth to Christ, who was thus conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, in order that through the Church he could be born and increase in the hearts of the faithful. In her life the Virgin has been a model of that motherly love with which all who join in the Church's apostolic mission for the regeneration of mankind should be animated.

Orbi et Urbi

As we celebrate the Year 2010. I would like to impart to you the Orbi et urbi (To the City of Rome and to the world) of Hid Holiness the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI.

THE ORBI ET URBI:

Sancti Apostoli Petrus et Paulus: de quorum potestate et auctoritate confidimus ipsi intercedant pro nobis ad Dominum.

Amen.

Precibus et meritis beatæ Mariae semper Virginis, beati Michaelis Archangeli, beati Ioannis Baptistæ, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et omnium Sanctorum misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus; et dimissis omnibus peccatis vestris, perducat vos Iesus Christus ad vitam æternam.

R/ Amen.

Indulgentiam, absolutionem et remissionem omnium peccatorum vestrorum, spatium verae et fructuosae poenitentiæ, cor semper penitens, et emendationem vitae, gratiam et consolationem Sancti Spiritus; et finalem perseverantiam in bonis operibus tribuat vobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

Amen.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper.

Amen.

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Ito ang Araw

Sorry for my late blog for year 2010,

This Song is Based on the Psalm 118, this beautiful psalm is sung during special occasions. Hence were Celebrating the New Year and were also celebrating the First dogma of the Blessed Virgin, her being the Mother of God, Let us ponder how great is God for Choosing Mary to be the worthy dwelling place and to be the Mother of God.

Ito ang araw ng ginawa ng Panginoon;
Tayo'y magsaya at magalak!

Magpasalamat kayo sa Panginoon butihin,
butihin S'ya kanyang gaway'y walang hanggan
sabihin ng sambayan ng Israel,
"Walang hanggan kanyang awa"

Kanang kamay ng Diyos sa Ki'y humango. Ang bisig N'ya sa 'kin tagapagtanggol.
Ako'y hindi mapapahamak kailanman
Ipahahayag ko, l'walhati nya

Ang aking Panginoon moog ng buhay
S'ya ang batong tinanggihan ng tagapagtayo.
kahanga-hanga sa aming mga mata

gawain N'ya; Purihin S'ya!

Ito ang araw na ginawa ng Panginoon,
Tayo'y Magsaya at Magalak!

Musikang Latin sa Simbahan sa Pilipinas Kailan Sisimulan?

Musikang latin sa Pilipinas Kailan sisimulan? kung ating matatandaan nagpahiwatig ang Santo Papa Benedicto Ika-labing anim na simulan na imulat ang mananampalataya sa mga himig at awitin na latin. Marami sa atin ang hindi kayang intindihin ang ang latin na salita pero, kung atin itong pag-aaralan, mas lalo natin itong maiibigan at maiintindihan, noong ako ay nagpunta sa isang kapistahan sa isang bayan sa Bicol ay ako ay nagulat na mulat at bukas na ang diwa sa ng mananampalataya sa awting latin lalo na nang kanilang awitin ng buong puso ang awiting "Kyrie" at "Credo" sabi ko, buti pa ang bayang ito mulat na mulat na ang diwa at puso ng tao sa awiting latin. malaki ang aking paghanga sa mga paring bikolano na buong puso na nagpalaganap sa mga awiting latin sa kanilang bayan! alam ko rin na hindi madali na imulat ang mata ng tao sa mga awiting latin siyempre maraming batikos, at kontra sa mga bagay na ito. pero masasabi ko na isa itong limot na tradisiyon. na ngayon ay unti-unti na binubuhay ng mga pari na may malaking pag-ibig sa awiting latin. Sa mga karatig bayan kaya sa Pilipinas kailan kaya? Sa Maynila, may mga simbahan na nag-uumpisa na simulan ang mga awiting latin at mga extra tradisyonal na latin na misa o" Extra traditional Latin Mass" o "Tridentine Mass" sa isang parokya sa Alabang sila ay nag mimisa ng latin o "Tridentine Mass" at napansin ko na maraming nagsisimba, maski hindi nila naiintindihan kung ano ang dinadasal ng pari na nagmimisa gayundin sa sikatuna village, araw -araw tuwing ika-3 ng hapon sa sa paggunita ng pagkamatay ni Kristo sa Krus, ito rin ang Divine mercy Hour.

Sana, ang aking panalangin ay simulan na imulat ng mga taga-pagpalaganap ang musika, himig at awiting latin sa mananampalataya, hindi lamang ang mga tagapagpalaganap ang may obligaysyon tayo rin ay may obligasyon na ipalaganap ito.

Kung hindi natin sisimulan ngayon kelan pa?