20 YEARS OF PERSONAL DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF LA NAVAL (1991-2011)

It was a hot afternoon in the summer, early May, of 1991 when I found myself sitting alone in a pew by the side chapel of Santo Domingo Church where our Lady of La Naval is enshrined. I was then young at 20, fresh from the university but uncertain of the future. Wanting to please my father, I was forced to take a course that disinterests me. He wanted me to continue on to graduate school to be a doctor while my potentials are geared for something else. Moreover, I was bitter over my family’s brokenness and ashamed of its repercussions.

As I sat there, I thought back. I could not remember when was the last time I’ve been to this church considering it was about less than two kilometers away from where I live in Frisco, Quezon City. I then realized how long I was away from the Church; not only this particular church but from the Catholic Church. My years in a secular university had turned me away from my Catholic up-bringing and sectarian education until high school. Religion and spirituality took a back-seat in my first two years of college. I was later caught in the fad of the “born-again” movement and joined a fundamentalist Christian church. It was strange and so unfamiliar yet I bore it because I was eager to be different. I belong to a new religion with popular and modern rituals so unlike the outdated traditions of Catholicism. Yet, there was still emptiness within me. It confounded to the confusion of how faith would work to bring some sense to my life characterized by dysfunctional relationships and economic insecurity.

All these thoughts were racing at random in my mind as I sat transfixed on the beautiful icon of our Lady that I began to talk to her. I felt no guilt while it was considered idolatry by any “born-again” Christian to do so. I was fully aware that it was the unseen spirit represented by the icon, not the icon itself, I was speaking to. Even if I was unsure of any divine presence at that moment, I asked for our Lady’s intercession to assure me that God is listening. In my doubts, I asked for a sign.

Instantly, the bright sunny day began to darkened and covered with clouds. Rain then suddenly poured down with thunder and lighting. It was almost a mystical experience for me. As the rain poured, so were my tears. I never cried in public before and felt unashamed that I had done so. Even still there were only a handful of us in the church that hour.

For the first time in years, I managed to pray the words of the “Hail Mary” in gratitude to her. It was the ultimate act of ‘backsliding’ from being a “born again”. The prayer nonetheless came so natural to me. I then remembered that it was among the first set of Catholic prayers I learned as a child taught by my late grandmother. Back then, I used to mumble meaninglessly the words while supposing to pray the rosary. But at that moment, I uttered it with full understanding and prayed it with the heart. Punctuating the words I prayed, “Pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death, Amen.”

The rains stopped abruptly shortly after. I was ready to leave feeling inspired. Despite the uncertainty, I was hopeful. As I was walking pass the sea of empty pews leading to the front door, I saw a familiar person somberly sitting alone. I knew him to be my batchmate in college. We were in the same course. I knew him better in face but his name escaped my memory. I didn’t bother to stop to even acknowledge him. It would be awkward since we were mere acquaintance in class. I knew he felt the same way. We just gave each other that knowing glance and I went on my way.

I was admitted to the College of Medicine the following month. Coincidentally, it was in a school named after the title of Mary, Our Lady of Fatima. There I was surprised to see the familiar person I saw that faithful afternoon in Santo Domingo Church. He later confirmed that we were indeed there at the same time. He confessed to me about how badly he wanted to get into Medicine despite facing a personal difficulty. By Divine Providence he was admitted. We were supportive as classmates could be for a year. But that was as far as we got. We didn’t continue on exactly as friends when we later had to move on separately.

My classmate is now a surgeon. In fact, I recently saw him on TV. He is a volunteer of an organization devoted to repairing cleft-lips and open palates of those who cannot afford. He was literally bringing smiles most especially on children’s faces. It was commendable of him to lend his expertise to the less fortunate. I believe afterall, God had called him to this endeavor on that miraculous afternoon at Santo Domingo Church 20 years ago. Truly, “nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37).

As for me, I did not become a doctor. I eventually dropped-out of Med School after two more years. Financial constraints took its hardest blow when my father had renal failure that I had to give-up my study. My father died on October 8, 1998 during the La Naval novenas. I am now in a low-key, unprestigious career. And I still work hard to earn a living.

So, what then was La Naval’s miracle in my behalf?

Theologians shall surely agree if I say that to have regained my Catholic faith and to be brought back to its fold through Mary’s intercession was the greater miracle. Because of my devotion to La Naval, I was inspired to practice the religion I was brought into. But more than just expressing a religion and being ritualistic, I have realized that faith has to be lived.

I had both good and bad weather in life for the past 20 years as a La Naval devotee. By my devotion to her throughout the years since 1991, my faith in God never wavered. I was saved from self-destruction in every personal tragedy I encountered. I could have been easily blown away by the storms such as the terminal illness of my father to his eventual death; frustrations, work dilemmas and shattering interpersonal relationships, if not for our Lady who was perpetually at prayer with me.

Like Mary’s response to God’s divine will, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38), I have learned how to come to terms with those beyond my control and let God take over. My devotion encourages me to battle the raging tide of doubt and disbelief. It inspires me to hope amidst the strife of life and be not afraid of the future even with meager resources because I have more than I need-- I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the constant intercession of our Lady of La Naval.

I know it was not mere coincidence that my classmate and I were in that particular church, at a specified time, in a precise area. I believe there are no accidents in matters of faith. Coincidence is God’s way of making us recognize His message to us. He uses time, place, things and people around us to coincide with each other to catch our attention; to make us realize that He speaks to us in daily events. We just have to adhere to His words and follow as Mary instructs, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5). Our Lady undoubtedly is conspiring with the Lord all of the time.

GOD SENDS LITTLE ANGELS

“Hi Danny, actually I am not suppose to open my facebook, Therese and I made a pledge that I will abstain from facebook for the holyweek and she will not watch tv" : )

This was the actual intro of a friend’s e-mail to me recently about him and his daughter keeping the Lenten observance. I find it wonderful that father and daughter are brought together in a common act of faith.

Another friend, a mom, announces her daughter’s upcoming 1st Holy Communion in FB and the experiences (and excitement, too!) in preparing for the event. As prerequisite, the candidate for Holy Communion has to go through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or commonly known as confession. I find it amusing that her daughter had to ask about what she confessed about. We as adults may be wise enough not to disclose; be too embarrassed to admit or perhaps totally forgotten the experience of our own 1st confession. But in the candid innocence of children, vulnerable as they are, we are somewhat faced with the reality of our own vulnerability as adults.

As my friends and their families had migrated to the U.S. to seek the proverbial greener pasture, I observed that they have not lost the Filipino part of them. Keeping their link to the Catholic Church is a way of upholding their Filipino identity readily perpetuated to their children. It is ironic that Filipinos become more fervent in their faith when they go to lands where Catholics are a minority.

I learned that the Catholic Church in the U.S. encourages parents to be involved in their children’s spiritual formation. I find it strange that here in the Philippines (where Catholicism is the denominational majority) children are sent to church unaccompanied by parents or are left in the care of parish volunteers engaged in the children’s ministry. Here candidates for 1st Holy Communion attends Cathecism classes alone unlike in California where my friends had to attend with their children. And because of this, they were able to recapture the familiar experience of faith.

I commend my friends for bringing-up their children to the church as their parents before them. I am proud of them for looking-out for their children’s spiritual welfare. It is afterall very parent’s duty to raise their children believing in an Almighty God. In the Gospel, “little children were brought to Jesus so that he should put his hands on them, and pray. But the disciples scold them. But Jesus said to them, ‘Let not the little children suffer and forbid them not to come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and blessed them.” Matthew 19:14-15

Moreover, religious exercises give the opportunity to every parent to get in touch with their own spirituality courtesy of the innocent interest of their children. To satisfy each child’s curiosity, parents become more attentive to what they otherwise had not given much thought about because life is too busy to ponder on.

I admit, despite my being a “practicing” Catholic, I am far from being the perfect model of Christianity. While I veered more towards religion, I claim not to be an authority on spirituality. But just like any adult, my time are most likely to be spend on things of consequence such as making a living, keeping relations and engaged in intellectual pursuits. Our adult sophistication and cunning as a result of acquired education and tested experiences had somehow altered the way we see religion and matters of faith.

It is truly timeless novelty to witness the milestones in the life of every child particularly those that initiates them to the folds of the faith. More than just a rite of passage for them, it becomes a source of renewal for their parents. Through the innocence of children we can indeed learn so much as adults. I can say at this point that our children are God’s little angels send to us adults to once again be like them. Hence, “When the disciples came to Jesus and asked him,’Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child in the midst of them and said, ‘I assure you that unless you change and become little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives a child in my name receives me.” Matthew 18:1-5

May you all have an inspiring and blessed Holy Week.

WIFE, MOTHER AND A FAITHFUL DAUGHTER OF THE CHURCH

It was most appropriate that my aunt, Aurora Quetulio Donadillo, passed-away March 25, 2011 It was the feast of the Annunciation. It was a most suitable day to meet her Creator as a faithful daughter of the Church and as a Marian devotee.

According to her sister (my mother), as a young lady she had considered entering the novitiate and later to take the vows as a religious. Yet God had a different plan for her. She may not have been called to be a religious but her calling was to be a faithful wife and a beloved mother.

I will always remember aunt Rory (as she was fondly called) as a timid and shy person. She was modest in every way. She was very sensitive yet she has the capacity to bear in silence whatever that depressed her. Although she has a confrontational side too, it was outlast by her nature to withdraw from upsetting situations. But she bears difficult situations by prayer, particularly of the Holy Rosary.

As any typical Filipino-Catholic family, we have a special devotion to the Virgin Mary (see blogpost ). Aunt Rory reared her daughters within the folds of the Church. Ever since I can remember, their family has closed affinity with the Church clergy particularly the Dominicans. The Catholic missionaries in their community had become personal friends. Prominent among them was the late Fr. Leo Hofstee O.P. a German prelate who immensely served the poor of the community until his death. Other members of the cleric became extended family that in any necessities can be counted on for spiritual support.

My aunt graduated with the B.S. degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Santo Tomas (a.k.a. The Pontifical and The Catholic University here in Asia). While my cousins attended secondary school at the Holy Rosary College. These are Dominican educational institutions.

As a Physical Therapist, aunt Rory served at the hospital within their community. But as a good and suffering mother that she was, she went abroad to help her husband augment the family income to be able to put their daughters to college. Bearing the pain of being away from her family, her efforts were rewarded by the diligence of their daughters. Soon the eldest became a lawyer and the other finished her degree in education and went on to graduate school to finish her masteral degree.

Aunt Rory suffered from the stroke that caused hemorrhage in her brain that took her in a state of coma. She was admitted to the University of Sto. Tomas University Hospital. As if reunited to her alma mater, The U.S.T., this year coincides with the quadric-centennial (400th) year of the university which was established in 1611. It would have been significant for her to be here if she were conscious. I later realized that nothing can be too trivial a matter at the throes of death. We may find ourselves looking for relevance from the simplest things to make sense of the incomprehensible.

Our family and friends had prayed for aunt Rory in her infirmary. Since only two at a time are allowed to stay at the ICU-CCU during visiting hours, the sympathetic staff let three of us stay and pray the Rosary. Yet we are hopeful of her miraculous recovery, we are resigned to God’s will. We prayed, “Lord, let it be done according to Your will.”

Aunt Rory was finally given the Last Sacrament. We by her deathbed had prayed and commended her soul to God until she breathed her last at about 5:00 pm, the same hour of her husband’s death. It is a bitter-sweet thought that she went ahead not so long after uncle Ledo, her husband, had died. It was only a year since the passing of her husband. It is as if she can’t stand being a widow that so soon she joined him. They were an odd couple. Certainly not perfect. Yet love and faithfulness endured stronger than the imperfections. Hence, it seems that even death can only separate them for so long.

Our family extends the gratitude to those who prayed, offered comfort and extended whatever assistance to us from my aunt’s infirmary to her internment. Special thanks to the priests who had prayed for and with us, gave the sacrament to my aunt and said the Holy Mass throughout the duration of the wake. They are:

Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, O.P.

Fr. Jay Miranda, O.P.

Fr. Raymund Jose, O.P.

Fr. Ferdie Bautista, O.P.

Fr. Clarke Marquez, O.P.

Fr. Jojo Dagohoy, O.P.

I conclude this post with the most essential message from God. This we have to remember so that we may neither fear death nor suffer too much from grief. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life that whoever believes in Me shall live though he died. And have eternal life.” ( John 11:25-26)

FROM ASHES TO ETERNAL LIFE: A Reflection for Ash Wednesday 2011

The observance of Ash Wednesday today, as we begin the season of Lent, we are once again called to reflect on how we live our lives and contemplate what is essential in our life.

The Ritual of the Ashes, as it is called, is when the faithful are marked with a cross on the forehead using ashes from burned palm branches blessed from Palm Sunday of last year. This rite reminds us of our mortality and of how life can be so temporal. God said, “From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)

Despite of this, we are however reminded that there is a promise of immortality to those who hope in God’s mercy through Jesus Christ who gave up His life for our salvation. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he died, shall live.” (John 10:25)

Most of us are probably intrigued if there really is an afterlife. In fact it is an issue that is in the core of every religion in the world. The human mind has forever been contemplating the existence of a world beyond this realm. Science has yet to discover whether it is real or not. Philosophy can only explain as far as human reason may permit. While the arts can only proximate the idea of the hereafter only through creativity and imagination.

It is only by faith can we truly believe the eternal life. It does make sense to most of us to believe that a life awaits us from this temporal existence. It is what gives meaning to the issues we confront in our lives. What is the point of doing good, being loving or caring, or bearing sacrifices if these does not warrant any reward after this lifetime? On the otherhand, there has to be a corresponding punishment for bad deeds, too.

Living in this imperfect world characterized by pain, suffering, difficulties and oppression, the idea of an afterlife gives us so much hope that we have the chance to be in a place of perfect happiness, joy, tranquility and freedom someday. Provided we have fulfilled what has been required of us by our faith. Or suffer the contrary consequences. Indeed, the eternal life is the ultimate act of Divine Justice.

Yes, it is but a matter of time. We each will leave this world when our respective lifetimes are over. The afterlife can be a heavenly thought or dreadful as hell. How we live and spend our lifetime here shall determine our place of immortality.

Let us pray,

Dear God,

As we begin the observance of Lent,

let us make the necessary reparations

so that we may be worthy to share in

the joy of Easter.

As today, Ash Wednesday,

we are reminded of our own mortality,

may we fully realize our total dependence

on Your mercy and salvation.

Strengthen us in our faith in Jesus Christ,

the resurrection and the life. So that we

may be worthy of His promises.

Forgive our sinfulness, O Lord

and give us a forgiving heart as well.

May humility and perseverance

guide us through our daily life.

We pray for a heavenly hope

and a fear of hell to inspire us

to be our best so that when this

lifetime has come to an end,

Eternal life with You be ours

someday.

Amen.

A VALENTINES’ DAY PRAYER

We pray to God our Father,
As we celebrate Valentines’ Day

May we celebrate in earnest thought
about love beyond romance.
Dispel in us the artificial images of love
spawned by commercialism.

Let us not be blinded by passion
and protect us from lust.
Teach us temperance and
warn us against our excesses.

We pray that our expression of love
for each other grow to a
Greater extent to others specially
to those who needed it most.

As we experience the moments of love
let us express it with sincerity.
May we be ever forgiving and
ready to let go as fate wills it.

Remind us to always keep our relations
within Your tenets, Lord
And deliver us from illicit affairs and
guard us from selfish interests.

As we go through the rituals of valentines’
let us be reminded that You
O, Lord is love itself.

Grant us the wisdom to live in true love
not only today but everyday.

AMEN.

Jesus, Meek and humble of heart
Make our hearts like unto Thine!

FAITH NEEDS CONSTANT RENEWAL

Commitment requires effort, giving of one’s time, sacrifice. What are important are not grandiose words but concrete deeds. It’s a warning against professing our faith and then failing to practice it; against making a good beginning and then not persevering.

Moreover, we must remember that faith is not a once-for-all decision, and then “live happily ever after”. But faith must be constantly renewed and reaffirmed.

- Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD
From his column “Word Alive”
in the Manila Bulletin, 10 July 1997

PRAYER FOR ETERNAL REPOSE

40th Day of the passing of our beloved
Luis D. Quetulio
(September 12, 1952 – December 15, 2010)

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosened from sins.” – 2 Machabees 12:46

I. Opening Prayer:

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lord God, loving Father, do not let hope die in us. But give us a great faith, and trust in You that You have prepared for Luis and for us a place of happiness where every tear will be wiped-away, where there is no more death or mourning or sadness, but only peace and joy with Jesus Christ, Your Son, and with the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

L: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R: And let Your perpetual light shine upon them.
L: May they rest in peace.
R: Amen.

II. Gospel Reading:

At the last supper, Jesus said to His apostles, “Do not let trouble up set your hearts. Continue having faith in God and have faith in Me. There are many rooms in the house of My Father; if it were not so, I should have told you I am going there to prepare a place for you. I shall come back to take you with Me, so that you may be where I am going. Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. no one can come to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:1-6

L: The Gospel of the Lord.
R: Praise to You, our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Final Prayer:

Lord, help us to see death for what it really is,
the end of poverty and the beginning of riches;
the end of frustrations and the beginning of fulfillment;
the end of fear and the beginning of tranquility;
the end of weakness and the beginning of strength.

Let not grief overwhelm us, or a sense of loss
embitten us. But out of our sadness, let there arise
a new joy for so much given to us.

Cast out our fears and let not our hearts be troubled.
Let Your Spirit of peace come alive within our
experience and hurt, our sorrow and isolation,
our sadness today and loneliness tomorrow.

We humbly commend to You, Luis,
whom You called out of this mortal life.
You loved him always with a great love.

Now You have freed him from all evils of this earth,
bring him into Your Paradise where there is no more
grief or mourning or sadness. But peace and joy with
Your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit forever.

We thank You for all the blessings You have given
to Luis in his mortal life. We pray that
he may be able to glorify You with the life that they
lived and the way he made use of his blessings.

Lord God, grant that we will never forget that life is
short and uncertain. Let Your Spirit guide us in holiness,
justice and service to our brothers and sisters.

We pray for the healing of all unhappy feelings Luis’
deaths now leaves in our hearts.

Be with us Lord, during our moments of sorrow and
loneliness. Be our rock, our fortress and our strength.

We trust in You and hope for Your glorious Resurrection.

We lift up to You our grief and sorrow, confident that
You will change our mourning to rejoicing that our beloved
Luis now rest in Your peace.

Amen.

One Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

L: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
R: And let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
L: May he rest in peace.
R: Amen.

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

MEMORIAL PRAYER

1st Year Memorial of the passing of our beloved
Atty. Ledovino L. Donadillo
(April 15, 1935 – January 23, 2010)

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May the Almighty have mercy on your soul.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prologue:

We are born into this world and we all have to leave it sooner or later, but the memories will linger on. Yes, the memories of uncle Ledo may become a silhouette in the afterglow of forgetfulness. Let us once more turn to back track the trail from which we started and conjure picture that will constitute a segment of our beautiful past.

May the pain of losing him opens another door for joy. Good-bye, God has you in His keeping but you will always be in our hearts.

Let us pray,

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

L: May the soul of our departed Ledovino, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R: Amen

L: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
R: And let Your perpetual light shine upon him.

L: From the gates of the damn,
R: deliver his soul O, Lord.

L: May he rest in peace.
R: Amen.

THE BEST NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your path."

- Proverbs 3:5,6