A Fulfilled Promise

Source: Google Images

Last September 24, 2011 at Saturday morning, I have fulfilled my promise to God that I will visit and attend mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan. That day, I woke up early in the morning when I feel like there is a silent voice succumbing me to go to the said church. Several months ago, I promised to God that I will visit His sacred place in the province of Bulacan. And I'm so glad that I did it.

It's the first time I was in the place and truly I felt the presence of God. I prayed fervently in the Shrine of Divine Mercy. I spent a lot of time roaming around the entire place. I bought a Divine Mercy Chaplet in the their souvenir shop. I visited the Guadalupe Chapel at the Church basement where a big picture of Our Lady is enthroned with its flowing water. Also, I entered the Cave of the Holy Sepulcher where I feel the awesomeness of the place. And of course, the newly renovated Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where I prayed in silence my fervent wishes.

It was a wonderful experience being in that place that truly lighten my burden and be secured with the belief that God is present as a Loving Merciful Lord now and forever.

St. Padre Pio on Rated K

I heard about St. Padre Pio from a work colleague only last year. Then I was informed that it was featured on TV show "Rated K". Out of curiosity and because I missed the said featured story I look for it and I found it on YouTube.

It was September 23, 2010, death anniversary of St. Pio, when I first visited the St. Padre Pio Chapel in Libis, Quezon City after office hour. We were invited by Tita Mila to be with them. The chapel was packed with many devotees when we arrived. There were no more seats available inside and outside of the chapel so we were standing throughout the Mass. I didn't go inside the chapel because of the long queue and I'm a bit late on my appointment with my former work colleagues in Cainta, Rizal. But I promised to go back there on ordinary day so that I could get inside and feel the solitary peace of the place. This promise has already been fulfilled.

Quiet Moment with God

There is always a point in our daily life, a day's portion when we want to be alone so we could have a special quiet moment with God. And looking for a place free of agitation and intrusion is the key to necessary reflection, listening and talking to Him. It is the best way to feel His presence, meditate and surrender everything to Him. You may consider to be wholly alone with Him in the comfort of your cozy room or sitting by the window gazing at the blue sky. It would certainly give you serenity, calmness and relaxing feeling that you could not find elsewhere but only within God's presence.

my workplace's chapel

One of the usual places where I choose to be in a solitary mood with God is the Eucharistic Chapel of different churches I've got the chance to visit. I loved the serenity and holiness of this place wherein I could fervently feel that the Lord is at home peculiarly the solace and relaxation it give to my stressed mind, body and soul. And still I do indeed enjoy being comfortable with myself having a heart-to-heart conversation with God. I used to adore, pray, talk and listen to His words as the Holy Spirit envelops my whole being and touches my heart. It is such a great feeling knowing you're in the comfort and consolation of Mighty Hands in a very special moment of stillness and tranquility. What an indescribable and inexpressible feeling!

Good Friday 2010

It was a fine Good Friday when my brother and I talked over the cellular phone. We talked about his plan of going back to school this coming June. I also asked him about some updates on the lives of our relatives and was told they're all good. After our short talk, I felt bad deep inside realizing that my own life isn't good enough despite of such hard work and sacrifices I've made. I felt worthless, pitied myself and burst into tears when suddenly shadow of my childhood years flashed back into my mind. It was a past situation filled with helplessness, insecurities and greatest fear to reveal the darkest side of my life which I have had carried for so long and until now still haunting me once in a while. I sobbed for a moment until things calm down and I felt better.

After a while, I turned on the television and joined the solemn observance of Holy Friday by watching the live telecast of "7 Last Words" on ABS-CBN and meditating the words of God. These are the final phrases of Jesus on the Cross:

1. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
2. Today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
3. Woman, behold thy son; behold thy mother. (John 19:26-27)
4. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
5. I thirst! (John 19:28)
6. It is finished. (John 19:30)
7. Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)

I was teary-eyed while watching the program.The invited preachers, sharers and music performers shared life stories and talents to make the observance of Lent a meaningful one. Their words of wisdom and inspiring stories touched my heart and enlivened my body and soul.

Father, into Your Hands is my destiny. Your words will be my light of hope in the darkness of my life and refreshing water in the thirstiness of my spirit. In every stair of my life there will be a cross of trials, but I do not fear to take hope for You, God, is with me forever.

St. Jude Thaddeus

This is the St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine in J.P. Laurel, Manila. St. Jude is called the Patron of Hopeless and Desperate Cases. My girl friends and I have decided to attend the nine (9) consecutive days of mass and novena every Thursday in the said shrine.

We had started the mass/novena last 1st Thursday of January 2010. My friend's mother had told her that if we really wanted to complete the 9 days of novena we should attend the recital of The Epistle of St. Jude from the very beginning which is the verse 3 until the last Epistle which is the verse 25. Knowing it, we were encouraged to start attending the mass/novena and pursued to finish it. We have noted that the very first day of our mass/novena was January 14 and the 9th day would be March 11, 2010.

I was the only one who successfully completed the nine (9) consecutive days of mass/novena. My two friends did not make it because of some unavoidable circumstances beyond their control. When we attended the last day of novena dated March 11, I was so happy because we're all present. After the mass we treated ourselves to a sumptuous dinner at Chowking Morayta Branch. Then we went home with a big heart of thanksgiving and a great faith and confidence that St. Jude will grant our prayers and petitions at the right time.