Salamat sa lamat.

Kapag nasusugatan tayo at sa puntong maghilom na ito, may naiiwang marka o peklat. Isang palatandaan ng sugat, ng sakit at ng nakaraan. At siguradong matatandaan natin kung kailan ito naging sugat, kung kailan tayo nasaktan kaya may nagmarkang sugat. Madalas, naaalala natin ito, yung sakit at hinagpis ng pagkakasugat. Pero hindi lang sugat ang nag-iiwan ng marka. Pati rin ang pagsasama, ang relasyon sa kapwa-tao. Kung paano ka naging kabahagi sa buhay. Kung paano ka hinugutan ng lakas ng loob at hiningahan naman ng sama ng loob. Kung paano ka nakagaanan ng loob. Kung paano ka nakaramay sa dinanas na dalamhati o pangamba. Tila ka rin nag-iiwan ng marka. Nag-iiwan ka rin ng lamat sa puso niya, sa buhay niya. Gaya ng sugat, hindi ba't tanda mo rin kung kailan siya naging malaking bahagi ng buhay mo?

Ganyan ang pasasalamat. Laging nagbabalik-tanaw. Bumabalik sa unang pagkakataong may mabuting nagawa sa iyo ang tao. Kaya't babalik-tanaw ako sa nakalipas na mga araw upang makapagpasalamat. Sapagkat sa bawat araw na puno ng hamon ang buhay, nararapat pasalamatan ang mga taong nakapagbigay ng lamat sa akin. At sa nakalipas na tatlong buwan, may iilang taong nakasama ko't nakapagbigay ng lamat sa akin. 

Salamat sa mga simpleng gimmicks at trips natin, Mhafans. Sa mga kuwentuhan at sharings (both words and food! hehe). Sa pagtitiwala ng mga bagay-bagay sa akin. Salamat sa pagpapakatotoo at pagiging simpleng kaibigan. Ang pagiging simple ang pundasyon sa pagkakaibigan nating ito. Manatili sana tayong ganito.

Salamat dahil tinuruan niyo akong hindi mag-isa at tingnan ang mga bagay-bagay sa iba't ibang pananaw ng kabataan. Sapagkat tayo'y iba-iba pero nagkakaisa. 

Salamat sa growth experiences na kasama kayo. Tinuruan niyo akong mamulat at tumingin sa mga bagay na di ko pinapansin at marahil ay di ko gustong makita. 

Gaya ng narinig nating aral sa pagsisimba sa Caleruega, ipinagpapasalamat ko ang mga lamat sa aking buhay. Gaya ng mga bangang may pilat na't may butas, nakaisip ang bata ng paraan upang patunayan sa kanyang ama na may silbi pa ang bangang may lamat. Nung ipakita ng anak sa ama ang kanyang ginawa, lahat tayo ay namangha sa ginawa ng bata. Na kahit ang bangang may lamat ay maaari pang ipagbili. Kung lalagyan ng ilaw o kandila sa loob ng banga, doon sa lamat o butas lalagos ang liwanag. May silbi pala ang lamat.

May sugat din si Hesus. Sa mga sugat na ito dumaloy ang dugo ng paghango sa atin mula sa kasalanan. Napagtibay nito ang tunay na hangarin ng Diyos sa tao. Na mas mapalapit tayo sa Kanya sa kabila ng ating mga kahinaan at kasalanan. Salamat sa Diyos dahil nabigyan ng mas positibong pananaw ang sugat o lamat. Hindi na lang ito isang pasakit kundi siyang tagapagpagaling. Kaya nga kay Hesus tayo humihiling na hilumin ang ating sugatang puso dahil Siya mismo ang sagot sa ating pagkasugat. 

Kaya kayo na nag-uukit ng lamat sa aking puso, hinding-hindi ko kayo malilimutan. Sa akin mang kahinaan, tinuturuan niyo akong manatili at makinig. Inaasahan ko pa ang mahaba-haba nating paglalakbay na magkakasama. Ito ang hiling ko ngayong Easter. Na gawin nating puno ng mas masasaya at puno ng paglago ang mga susunod na araw. Sana nariyan pa rin kayo para sa akin, at ako para sa inyo. Sana'y may bahagi ng sarili ko ang naibahagi ko sa inyo. Samahan niyo akong maging panatag sa mga susunod na buwan. Ipagdasal niyo ako sa aking pipiliing bokasyon. Upang maging karapat-dapat ako para sa kagustuhan ng Diyos sa buhay ko. Salamat sa pagiging bahagi ng buhay ko. ü

Salamat sa lamat.

We Live in Holy Saturday.

We Live in Holy Saturday

Most of our lives are spent in Holy Saturday. In other words, most of our days are not filled with the unbearable pain of a Good Friday. Nor are they suffused with the unbelievable joy of an Easter. Some days are indeed times of great pain and some are of great joy, but most are…in between. Most are, in fact, times of waiting, as the disciples waited during Holy Saturday. We’re waiting. Waiting to get into a good school. Waiting to meet the right person. Waiting to get pregnant. Waiting to get a job. Waiting for things at work to improve Waiting for diagnosis from the doctor. Waiting for life just to get better.

But there are different kinds of waiting. There is the wait of despair. Here we know--at least we think we know--that things could never get better, that God could never do anything with our situations. This may be the kind of waiting that forced the fearful disciples to hide behind closed doors on Holy Saturday, cowering in terror. Of course they could be forgiven; after Jesus was executed they were in danger of being rounded up and executed by the Roman authorities. (Something tells me, though, that the women disciples, who overall proved themselves better friends than the men during the Passion, were more hopeful.) Then there is the wait of passivity, as if everything were up to “fate.” In this waiting there is no despair, but not much anticipation of anything good either.

Finally, there is wait of the Christian, which is called hope. It is an active waiting; it knows that, even in the worst of situations, even in the darkest times, God is at work. Even if we can’t see it clearly right now. The disciples’ fear was understandable, but we, who know how the story turned out, who know that Jesus will rise from the dead, who know that God is with us, who know that nothing will be impossible for God, are called to wait in faithful hope. And to look carefully for signs of the new life that are always right around the corner--just like they were on Holy Saturday. 

James Martin, SJ (America Magazine)

Grabe, Grabe, Grabe, Maria!

Habang pumapasok at lumalapit sa simbahan, sa Katedral ng Antipolo, kung saan naroon ang Basilika ni Maria bilang Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje, todo-todo ang pagdarasal ko ng Aba Ginoong Maria. Napakahirap ang unang karanasan ko sa Alay Lakad. Pero sigurado akong pinadali ni Maria sa pamamagitan ng aking mga kaibigang kapanalig. Matapos ang saglit na pagkakalapit sa harapan ng simbahan, wala na akong masabi. Basta na lang tumulo ang luha ko. Pumasok sa isip ko: Grabe, Grabe, Grabe, Maria!

Tatlong grabe ang naisip ko tungkol kay Maria na nais kong pagnilayan sa pagkakataong ito.

Una, grabe ang paglalakad ng mahigit dalawampung kilometro mula sa bayan ng Marikina patungong bundok sa Antipolo. Mabuti't gabi. Mabuti't may mga kasama akong karamay sa paglalakad. Mabuti't may pagkakataon kaming tumigil sumandali, kumain o uminom. Hindi katulad noong naglakad si Maria sa gitna ng umpok ng mga tao patungong Golgotha. Maikli lang dapat ang lakarin, wala pang isang kilometro. Pero grabe ang tagal, grabe ang hirap. Dinanas ng Mahal kong Ina ang sakit na siya lamang ang makakayanang indahin. HIndi ko nga alam kung nakayanan nga niya. Pero ayon sa tala, tinanggap niyang lahat ng mga ito bilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos. Gayon na lamang kagrabe ang dinanas ni Maria. Gayon kagrabe ang pagmamahal niya sa Diyos.

Ikalawa, grabe ang debosyon ng mga tao kay Maria bilang Ina ng Diyos. Kung saan-saan pa nagmula ang mga tao na nag-Alay Lakad ngayong taon. Sa unang pagkakataon, namalas ko 'yung kakaibang presensya ng Diyos sa oras na iyon. Lahat ay Kaniyang ginabayan upang makarating sa Katedral ng Antipolo. Dakila ang pag-ibig ng Diyos kung kaya't lahat ay naaakit sa Kaniyang presensya. Grabe ang dagsa ng tao, maging sa mga nag-aabang na sa pagbubukas ng simbahan pagputok ng bukang-liwayway. May kani-kaniya silang dahilan ng pagpunta sa Katedral. Hindi gaya ko na walang dahilan kundi dahil nayaya lamang ng mga kaibigan. Kayhirap tanggihan dahil paulit-ulit kong sinasabi rito na ang pag-iimbita nila Jo at Matthew ay nakikita ko bilang pag-iimbita na rin ng Diyos at ni Mama OLA. At sa paghahagis ko ng barya bilang pakikiisa sa pasasalamat sa kabutihan ng Diyos, dalawa ang hiniling ko. Na anumang kahilingan ng mga taong naghagis ng barya katulad ko ay matupad sana. At, na sa bawat araw hindi magsasawang magdasal at magpasalamat ang mga taong nakipagsisiksikan para lamang makalapit sa dambana ni Mariang Birhen ng Antipolo. Sana matupad. Sana kalugdan ng Diyos.

Ikatlo, grabe ang enerhiya na aking naramdaman nung makalapit na ako sa harapan ng simbahan. Napaiyak ako at napasabi sa sarili: Grabe, Maria! Punong-puno ka ng grasya. Minamahal ka ng Diyos at nais kong mahalin din kita. Ipinagkaloob mo ang iyong buong buhay sa nais ng Diyos. Nailigtas kami sa kasalanan sa pamamagitan ni Kristo dahil may isang ikaw na sumagot ng "oo" at tumalima sa kalooban ng Diyos. Grabe ang enerhiya mo saanmang sulok ng simbahan. Ikaw yung isa sa nagpapabanal ng lugar. Ikaw yung isa sa nagpapabanal sa bawat tao. Tanging pagluha na naman ang nagawa ko.

Naisip ko, saan kami tutungo matapos ang Alay Lakad? Gusto na nilang umuwi. Gusto ko na rin namang umuwi. Pero gusto kong maiuwi ang grabedad na aking namalas sa simbahan. Gusto kong umuwi kasama ni Hesus. Dahil Siya lang ang tanging hantungan. Hinihiling ko at ipinapanalangin ang lahat ng ito ngayong Biyernes Santo at sinasariwa ng mga Katoliko ang karangalan ng Krus ni Hesus.


P.S.

Salamat mga kaibigan sa patuloy na pagpapatatag sa ating samahan. Sana sa pagtatag ng ating samahan, tumatag din at lumalim ang ating pananampalataya at debosyon kay Maria. Salamat talaga nang maraming-marami Jo, Matthew, Abi, Jerome, Giezel, Mhafe, Maxy, at Arvin.

Seal of Confesion

In 1853, a parish priest in the Ukraine was stripped of his priesthood, convicted of murder and condemned to Siberia for life. The priest's gun used in the slaying was found hidden behind the high altar of his church.

"I assure you that I am innocent," he told the court, and that was his only defense. He was led away in chains while his bishop and parishioners stood weeping.

Twenty years later, the parish organist lay dying. He called for the village magistrate, and told him before many witnesses that he was the one guilty of the murder for which the priest was sentenced. The organist had killed so that he might marry his victim's widow. He hid the gun and directed the police to it. Overwhelmed by remorse, he had visited the priest in prison and had confessed, but he lacked the courage to admit his guilt to the authorities.

The priest had known through confession who was guilty. But he preferred to pass as the criminal himself rather than break the seal of confession. An order for the release of the priest was rushed to the Siberian prison. But it was too late. Worn out by his sufferings and hard labor, the priest had died a few weeks before, carrying his grim secret to the grave.

Ang pipiliin ng puso ang siyang mahalaga.

Ang pipiliin ng puso ang siyang mahalaga. Pumipili ang puso nang walang alinlangan, walang panlilinlang, at walang kasinungalingan. At kahit sa totoo lang ako'y hindi pa sigurado sa kalooban ng Diyos, nais kong sundin ang puso ko at nakikita ko roon ang magiging buhay ko. Na nananahan ang puso ko sa isang lugar na di ko kilala pero gusto kong mapuntahan. Na nais ng puso kong manahan sa mas higit pa, sa pinakahigit sa lahat.

Lalo kong napatunayan na tumatawag pa rin ang Diyos at niyayakap ako sa kabila ng lahat ng nangyari sa aking nakaraan: ang aking kawalang-katapatan, ang aking kalungkutan, ang aking karamutan. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagtatanong, "Diyos ko, talaga bang tinatawag Mo ako sa ganitong buhay?" o sa panahong ako'y ubod nang lungkot, "Panginoon, tinatawag Mo pa ba ako?" Kayraming sagot, lahat ay nakasentro sa rebelasyong minamahal pa rin Niya ako. Nakikita ko ang sagot sa bawat pananalangin. Nakikita ko rin sa bawat realisasyon at discernment. Nakikita ko ang isang mapagkumbabang Diyos sa bawat araw. Naririnig ko ang sagot Niya, "Oo, tinatawag kita, sa kabila ng lahat." Naiiyak ako at naaalala 'yung mga panahong basag ako at ginamot ng Diyos. May mga pagkakataong ang Diyos lamang ang nakapagpapagaling at nakapagtatahi sa aking sugatang puso. Pero hindi ko pa rin mapaniwalaang totoong-totoo ang tawag Niya.

Naisip ko, kahit ganito ako, mahal na mahal pa rin ako ng Diyos. Sapagkat tinuturuan Niya akong magtiwala at maghintay. Upang sa pagdating ng takdang oras, kaya ko nang harapin ang hamon ng bokasyon. Naisip ko, hindi lang iyon sapat, sobra-sobra nang pagmamahal iyon ng Diyos sa akin. At ang matutuhan ko ang magtiwala at maghintay ay sapat na upang makapagpatuloy sa hirap ng buhay.

Sana sa pagsusuri ko pa ng aking sarili sa mga susunod na araw, maipagkaloob nawa ng Diyos ang kapanatagan ng loob sa aking pagsagot sa Kanyang tawag nang buong hinahon, ang kapakumbabaan upang tanggapin at matuto mula sa nakaraan, at taos na pananampalataya upang maipagpatuloy ko itong paglalakbay-espiritwal. Ipanalangin mo ako.

Day 5 Novena to San Pedro Calungsod

Opening Prayer        Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before you in worship, praise  and  thanksgiving  for the infinite love  that you have shown to us  sinners  through your humble Incarnation,  bitter Passion  and cruel  death on the Cross.  By your wounds, we are healed.  By your death,  we are restored to life.  Forgive us for not having returned love for  your love.  In your suffering, you have left us an example so that we  may follow in your footsteps.  The life of your young martyr and our  brother, San Pedro Calungsod,  proves to us  that it is possible to follow you  even up to death.

        Be pleased with this novena that we  are making in his memory.  With his help,   we shall strive  to be  living witnesses to your love  through patient endurance in daily  trials  and selfless service to our neighbor,  so that after having  joined you  in your redeeming Passion  here on earth,  we may also  come to share  in your glorious Resurrection at the end of time  and  love you eternally in Heaven,  where you live and reign  with the  Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God  forever and ever.
Amen.

Fifth Day:  Promoting Faith        O San Pedro Calungsod, you helped pacify the warring natives in  the Marianas.  And when your life was in grave danger  during the bitter persecution,  you did not carry any weapon for protection. When you were attacked with spears, you did not retaliate  even if  it was easy for you  to defeat your aggressors.  These show your love for peace.

        O instrument of God's peace,  look with compassion on our hearts,  on our families,  on our society,  on our country   and on all peoples of the world  where hatred and war  would  like to dominate.  Help us to be humble  and to learn to forgive. Teach us the way of peace,  so that we may be worthily called children of God.  Join us now  as we pray for that peace  which  only God can give to the world.

Our Father.      Hail Mary.      Glory Be.

Closing Prayer        Almighty and ever-living God, you are glorified in your  saints.  Graciously hear the prayers we offer through the  intercession of your holy martyr  Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

        Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on earth.  Grant your  peace to our nation and to the whole world.  Fill all our families  with your grace.  Preserve us in love and unity.  Bless and guide our  young people so that they will not be led astray.  Help them to grow  in faith, hope and charity.  Convert those whose hearts are far from  you. Comfort the sick and the lonely.  Protect the poor and the  oppressed.  Welcome into your Kingdom our departed brothers and  sisters.

        We thank you for the graces you have granted us through the  intercession of San Pedro Calungsod.  We hope that after our  mortal bodies will have slept in death you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints and join San Pedro  in  praising your Name forever in heaven.
Amen.

---

To prove the Lord's compassion and his strength,

you shed your blood to save a kin.

And with your loyalty and sacrifice,

you showed us how to laud and honor him.

With your love and faith you conquered doubt and hate.

Lead us to God's Word and bring light to the world.

Guide us all as we prepare our hearts and be your company

in mission to create God's kingdom here on Earth.

Day 4 Novena to San Pedro Calungsod

Opening Prayer        Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before you in worship, praise  and  thanksgiving  for the infinite love  that you have shown to us  sinners  through your humble Incarnation,  bitter Passion  and cruel  death on the Cross.  By your wounds, we are healed.  By your death,  we are restored to life.  Forgive us for not having returned love for  your love.  In your suffering, you have left us an example so that we  may follow in your footsteps.  The life of your young martyr and our  brother, San Pedro Calungsod,  proves to us  that it is possible to follow you  even up to death.

        Be pleased with this novena that we  are making in his memory.  With his help,   we shall strive  to be  living witnesses to your love  through patient endurance in daily  trials  and selfless service to our neighbor,  so that after having  joined you  in your redeeming Passion  here on earth,  we may also  come to share  in your glorious Resurrection at the end of time  and  love you eternally in Heaven,  where you live and reign  with the  Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God  forever and ever.
Amen.

Fourth Day:  Being Poor in Spirit        O San Pedro Calungsod,  while you were still here on earth,  you availed of the good things your homeland could offer  and you  loved your family and your friends.  But you did not let your heart  be enslaved  by any of these good things in life.  And so, you  were able to leave them behind  when you were called to be generous  and to love even more  by serving God and others  in the  difficult Mariana Mission.  You entrusted yourself to the loving providence of God,  and you inherited the Kingdom of Heaven.

        O poor in spirit,  you are an icon of a person  who is truly free. Help us to liberate ourselves  from the bonds of avarice that enslave us  and that prevent us from serving God  and our neighbor,   Save us  when we are envious ofthe power,  wealth,  well-being or abilities of others.  Teach us to be generous like you, to trust in God's loving providence  and to desire for the true wealth and well-being  that lasts for all eternity,  which is the blessedness in Heaven.  Join us now  as we pray for the sick,  the poor,  the oppressed  and for all those who are in dire need of assistance.  May we give them a helping hand.


Our Father.      Hail Mary.      Glory Be.

Closing Prayer        Almighty and ever-living God, you are glorified in your  saints.  Graciously hear the prayers we offer through the  intercession of your holy martyr  Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

        Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on earth.  Grant your  peace to our nation and to the whole world.  Fill all our families  with your grace.  Preserve us in love and unity.  Bless and guide our  young people so that they will not be led astray.  Help them to grow  in faith, hope and charity.  Convert those whose hearts are far from  you. Comfort the sick and the lonely.  Protect the poor and the  oppressed.  Welcome into your Kingdom our departed brothers and  sisters.

        We thank you for the graces you have granted us through the  intercession of San Pedro Calungsod.  We hope that after our  mortal bodies will have slept in death you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints and join San Pedro  in  praising your Name forever in heaven.
Amen.

To spread the Lord's salvation and his truth,

you traveled far to preach your dream

And with your mighty selfless heart and soul, you showed us how to live and die for him.

With your love and faith you conquered doubt and hate.

Lead us to God's Word and bring light to the world.

Guide us all as we prepare our hearts and be your company

in mission to create God's kingdom here on Earth.

.

Via Crucis

Bahagi ng pagsariwa sa pasyon, kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay ng Diyos na si Hesus ang pagdarasal ng Daan ng Krus tuwing Kuwaresma at Mahal na Araw. Kaya naman nagkayaan kaming bagong tuklas na magkakaibigang magkakapanalig kay Kristo na magtungo sa Via Dolorosa sa Pinagmisahan Street, Brgy. Dela Paz, Antipolo, Rizal. Kilala ang lugar na ito bilang White Cross sapagkat may isang napakalaking puting krus sa tuktok ng bundok dito. Bukod kina Jo Idris, Matthew, Jerome at Arvin, isinama namin ang aming mga Pedrito. 

Nagsimula kami sa pagdarasal ng rosaryo. Isa-isang namuno sa bawat misteryo ng Tuwa. Habang nagdarasal, patawad pero hindi namin mapigilang kunan ng litrato si Pedrito. Talaga nga naman kasing kahit saang anggulo, maganda ang kinalalabasan ng kuhang litrato sa kanya.

Ang Via Crucis sa White Cross ay matarik. Sabi nga ni Arvin, bukod sa napakatarik ng hagdan at pabago-bago ang panahon nung nagtungo kami dun, pawis na pawis pa kami. Pero kahit na, konting tiis man lang bilang pakikiisa sa paghihirap ni Hesus noong Siya ang nagpasan ng Krus para sa ikaliligtas ng sanlibutan.

Narito ang mga kuhang litrato ng mga istasyon ng Via Crucis. Sa totoo lang, bawal kumuha ng litrato doon. Kasalanan namin na hindi kami sumunod sa regulasyon. Naisip ko, ibahagi rito upang sa mga makakakita nito, mas maengganyo silang hanapin at puntahan din ang Via Dolorosa sa Antipolo. Sulit po ang pagtungo doon. Walang bayad, basta bumili ka lang ng kandila bilang donasyon. 

Unang Istasyon: Ang Huling Hapunan

Ikalawang Istasyon: Ang Pagdurusa ni Hesus sa Halamanan ng Getsemani

Ikatlong Istasyon: Si Hesus sa Harapan ng Sanedrin

Ikaapat na Istasyon: Ang Paghahampas at Pagpuputong ng Koronang Tinik

Ikalimang Istasyon: Ang Pagtanggap ni Hesus sa Krus

Ikaanim na Istasyon: Si Hesus ay Nadapa sa Bigat ng Krus

Ikapitong Istasyon: Tinulungan ni Simon na taga-Sirene si Hesus na Pasanin ang Krus

Ikawalong Istasyon: Nasalubong ni Hesus ang mga Kababaihan ng Jerusalem

Ikasiyam na Istasyon: Si Hesus ay Inalisan ng Damit at Ipinako sa Krus

Ikasampung Istasyon: Si Hesus at ang Nagtitikang Magnanakaw

Ikalabing-isang Istasyon: Sina Maria at Juan sa Paanan ng Krus

Ikalabindalawang Istasyon: Si Hesus ay Namatay sa Krus

Ikalabintatlong Istasyon: Si Hesus ay Inilibing

Ikalabing-apat na Istasyon: Si Hesus ay Muling Nabuhay

Matapos ang pagdarasal ng Via Crucis, tinungo namin ang White Cross at doon nagtagal sa pagkuha ng litrato sa aming mga sarili, kasama pa rin si Pedrito. At naroon ang dalawampung pulgadang imahen ng Birhen ng Antipolo, ang Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje. Kung kaya't naisipan na rin naming pagkalabas ng Via Dolorosa ay magtungo na rin sa Katedral ng Antipolo.

Sana marami pang ganitong paglalakbay kaming gawin. Basta sama-samang nagdarasal at nananatiling tapat sa debosyon kay Maria. Sa pagsisimula ng Mahal na Araw sa isang linggo, hangad ko ang matupad ang hangarin ng mga kaibigan ko. Sa bawat pagdarasal ko ng rosaryo kada papasok at uuwi mula sa trabaho, at sa tuwing may Monday devotion, iniaalay ko ang panalangin para sa mga kaibigan ko. Na sana sama-sama kaming tuklasin pa at paigtingin ang pananampalatayang Kristiyano. Na sana'y maging sentro ng buhay namin palagi si Hesus. At mas tumindi ang debosyon kay Maria. 

Sa oras na isinusulat ko ito, naghahanda rin ako sa aming pagpunta sa Caleruega. Madadagdagan na naman ang inililista kong simbahang napuntahan sa taong ito ng pananampalataya (2013 Year of Faith). Hindi lang sa dahilang gusto kong makapunta sa 100 simbahan sa Pilipinas kundi upang mas mapalalim ko ang relasyon ko sa Diyos. 

Sa bawat paglalakbay, dadalhin ko ang krus bilang aking gabay. Sabi nga sa isa sa paborito kong awitin:

We carry the saving cross 

through the roads of the world.

Through alleys of poverty and misery.

Marching to a dawning day

to freedom and victory,

to God's life and endless glory.

Panalangin:

Sinasamba ka namin at pinasasalamatan, Panginoong Hesukristo.
Sapagkat sa pamamagitan ng iyong Mahal na Krus at Muling Pagkabuhay,
iniligtas mo ang mundo.

Makapangyarihan at walang hanggang Diyos,
namatay at matagumpay na muling nabuhay ang Iyong Bugtong na Anak
para iligtas kami sa aming mga kasalanan.
Sa Iyong kabutihan, muli mong buhayin ang Iyong mga tapat na nananampalataya
upang makiisa sa kanya sa buhay na walang hanggang sa langit,
kung saan nabubuhay siya at naghahari
kasama Mo at ng Espiritu Santo magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

Day 3 Novena to San Pedro Calungsod

Opening Prayer        Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before you in worship, praise  and  thanksgiving  for the infinite love  that you have shown to us  sinners  through your humble Incarnation,  bitter Passion  and cruel  death on the Cross.  By your wounds, we are healed.  By your death,  we are restored to life.  Forgive us for not having returned love for  your love.  In your suffering, you have left us an example so that we  may follow in your footsteps.  The life of your young martyr and our  brother, San Pedro Calungsod,  proves to us  that it is possible to follow you  even up to death.

        Be pleased with this novena that we  are making in his memory.  With his help,   we shall strive  to be  living witnesses to your love  through patient endurance in daily  trials  and selfless service to our neighbor,  so that after having  joined you  in your redeeming Passion  here on earth,  we may also  come to share  in your glorious Resurrection at the end of time  and  love you eternally in Heaven,  where you live and reign  with the  Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God  forever and ever.
Amen.

Third Day:  Proclaiming the Faith        O San Pedro Calungsod,  the grace of faith that God gave you  was never in vain.  Even as a teenager,  you already shared your faith with others.  You left your beloved family and homeland  to  serve the Mariana Mission.  Despite the hard life  and the cruel persecutions,  you did not  abandon the Mission.

        O young missionary,  give us a share of your  zeal  for the spread of the Gospel,  so that even just through our  daily ordinary words and actions,  people may come to know  and  believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Attract the young people by your example,  so that they may use their talents and energies  to share their Christian faith with others.  Help those whom our Lord has called to the priesthood  or to the religious life  to be  generous to God and to men  by following the divine call  and to remain faithful to their vocation  for the propagation of the Faith.  Join us now  as we pray for the perseverance and success  of all  the missionaries of the Church.

Our Father.      Hail Mary.      Glory Be.

Closing Prayer        Almighty and ever-living God, you are glorified in your  saints.  Graciously hear the prayers we offer through the  intercession of your holy martyr  Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

        Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on earth.  Grant your  peace to our nation and to the whole world.  Fill all our families  with your grace.  Preserve us in love and unity.  Bless and guide our  young people so that they will not be led astray.  Help them to grow  in faith, hope and charity.  Convert those whose hearts are far from  you. Comfort the sick and the lonely.  Protect the poor and the  oppressed.  Welcome into your Kingdom our departed brothers and  sisters.

        We thank you for the graces you have granted us through the  intercession of San Pedro Calungsod.  We hope that after our  mortal bodies will have slept in death you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints and join San Pedro  in  praising your Name forever in heaven.
Amen.

To be the Lord's companion and his friend,

you vowed to turn away from sin.

And with your passion and your piety,

you showed us how to hope and trust in him.

With your love and faith you conquered doubt and hate.

Lead us to God's Word and bring light to the world.

Guide us all as we prepare our hearts and be your company

in mission to create God's kingdom here on Earth.

Day 2 Novena to San Pedro Calungsod

Opening Prayer        Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before you in worship, praise  and  thanksgiving  for the infinite love  that you have shown to us  sinners  through your humble Incarnation,  bitter Passion  and cruel  death on the Cross.  By your wounds, we are healed.  By your death,  we are restored to life.  Forgive us for not having returned love for  your love.  In your suffering, you have left us an example so that we  may follow in your footsteps.  The life of your young martyr and our  brother, San Pedro Calungsod,  proves to us  that it is possible to follow you  even up to death.  

        Be pleased with this novena that we  are making in his memory.  With his help,   we shall strive  to be  living witnesses to your love  through patient endurance in daily  trials  and selfless service to our neighbor,  so that after having  joined you  in your redeeming Passion  here on earth,  we may also  come to share  in your glorious Resurrection at the end of time  and  love you eternally in Heaven,  where you live and reign  with the  Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God  forever and ever.  
Amen.

Second Day:  Living the Faith        O San Pedro Calungsod,  nothing has been found written about  your baptism  nor about your preaching;  yet we know that you are a Christian, not only by your Christian name,  but more so by  your faithful  and selfless service to the Mariana Mission. Your  companion missionaries  testified to your virtuous life  and they  called you a good Catholic.  These are but sure proofs of your  baptism.

        O true son of the Church,  many of us are Christians by  name,  but not in deeds.  Help us to live our faith in our  thoughts,  words  and actions,  so that like you, we may be true followers of Jesus Christ  and be worthy to be called Christians. Join us now  as we pray for world leaders,  so that they may enact laws  and promote programs  that are in accord with Christian principles  for the common good of humanity  and for the freedom to  practice the Christian religion.


Our Father.      Hail Mary.      Glory Be.

Closing Prayer        Almighty and ever-living God, you are glorified in your  saints.  Graciously hear the prayers we offer through the  intercession of your holy martyr  Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

        Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on earth.  Grant your  peace to our nation and to the whole world.  Fill all our families  with your grace.  Preserve us in love and unity.  Bless and guide our  young people so that they will not be led astray.  Help them to grow  in faith, hope and charity.  Convert those whose hearts are far from  you. Comfort the sick and the lonely.  Protect the poor and the  oppressed.  Welcome into your Kingdom our departed brothers and  sisters.

        We thank you for the graces you have granted us through the  intercession of San Pedro Calungsod.  We hope that after our  mortal bodies will have slept in death you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints and join San Pedro  in  praising your Name forever in heaven.
Amen.

Steadfastly you walk where Jesus trod

Never mind for love what's left behind

We entrust the young to your watchful care

Walk with them and never leave their side

You chose to die with Padre Diego

But your faith in God remains undying

Be to us a true companion

When at the end death closes in

O Saint Pedro Calungsod

Our young inspire in the darkest hour

Look down on us from where you are

Day 1 Novena to San Pedro Calungsod

Opening Prayer        Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before you in worship, praise  and  thanksgiving  for the infinite love  that you have shown to us  sinners  through your humble Incarnation,  bitter Passion  and cruel  death on the Cross.  By your wounds, we are healed.  By your death,  we are restored to life.  Forgive us for not having returned love for  your love.  In your suffering, you have left us an example so that we  may follow in your footsteps.  The life of your young martyr and our  brother, San Pedro Calungsod,  proves to us  that it is possible to follow you  even up to death.

        Be pleased with this novena that we  are making in his memory.  With his help,   we shall strive  to be  living witnesses to your love  through patient endurance in daily  trials  and selfless service to our neighbor,  so that after having  joined you  in your redeeming Passion  here on earth,  we may also  come to share  in your glorious Resurrection at the end of time  and  love you eternally in Heaven,  where you live and reign  with the  Father and the Holy Spirit,  one God  forever and ever.
Amen.

First Day:  Knowing the Faith        O San Pedro Calungsod,  your faith in God grew stronger  as you  diligently tried  to know the truths of our Catholic Faith.  Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores chose  and brought you  as one of  his trusted companions  to the far-flung Mariana Islands  to help him teach the Faith to the Chamorros.

        O virtuous catechist,  many of us have gone astray  and have left the true Faith  that we have received at Baptism  because of our lack of knowledge of it.  Encourage us to read  and study our Catholic Catechism regularly.  Make us understand  that such an endeavor  is not only for children  but a responsibility of every  Christian,  so that like you,  we may also be strong in faith.   

        Join us now  as we pray for the Pope,  the bishops,  the priests  and the cetechists,  to whom God has entrusted the task  of instructing us in the Faith,  so that they may always be faithful and true to Christ  who remains to be the same today  as he was  yesterday  and as he will always be eternally.

Our Father.      Hail Mary.      Glory Be.

Closing Prayer        Almighty and ever-living God, you are glorified in your  saints.  Graciously hear the prayers we offer through the  intercession of your holy martyr  Blessed Pedro Calungsod.  

        Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on earth.  Grant your  peace to our nation and to the whole world.  Fill all our families  with your grace.  Preserve us in love and unity.  Bless and guide our  young people so that they will not be led astray.  Help them to grow  in faith, hope and charity.  Convert those whose hearts are far from  you. Comfort the sick and the lonely.  Protect the poor and the  oppressed.  Welcome into your Kingdom our departed brothers and  sisters.  

        We thank you for the graces you have granted us through the  intercession of San Pedro Calungsod.  We hope that after our  mortal bodies will have slept in death you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints and join San Pedro  in  praising your Name forever in heaven.  
Amen.

There was once a lad from the VisayasWho left his land in search for graceless soulsHe spreads God's word with lips untiringHe is the servant of the Lord.

O Saint Pedro CalungsodFaithful child of GodBe to us a guideLead us to the light of Jesus Christ.