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.

I love this secret, sacred time with You.

I take a breath and close my eyes,
And slow my world down for just a while,
And in the stillness, I see You before me.
I let myself go, and open my heart to You

Pre-chorus:
In this special time.
With you, in this secret time.
With you, in this sacred time.
I can't help but fall in love
In this time with You

Refrain:
I love this time with You.
Only You,
Cause no one else could know me better,
No one else's heart is closer,
No one's whispers wake such wonder as Yours do.
And nothing else can make me stronger,
Nothing fills my heart with fire.
Nothing but our time together, me and You.
How I love this secret, sacred time with You.

Your arms so strong, are my strength too,
Your tight embrace, says “I'm with you.”
Your touch so gentle says through all that's changing.
Through whens, wheres and whys,
The one thing that's sure is You

(Pre-chorus and refrain)

Your heart to mine, we converse in the silence
Where so much is said wordlessly.
Lost in Your rapture, I gladly surrender,
Letting Your love move in me
With this time with You

(Refrain)

How I love this secret, sacred time
How I love this secret, sacred time
How I love this secret, sacred time with You


Every now and then, I think I am using my time well. I just have one problem - getting enough sleep. But, I don't feel any tiredness. Especially when I'm at work. Most especially, when I'm with my new set of friends. I truly enjoy the Saturday nights we are playing badminton, eating at Mcdo or any other place we choose. I feel so energized come Sunday, morning 'til night. Even until Monday evening when we gather at Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish for the usual Monday devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. 

The truth is, I allocate most of my time in silence. I do not talk a lot, but I think a lot. In my thinking, I just allow the inner conscience to converse with me. After praying the rosary every morning (or sometimes evening, if I forget in the morning!), I choose to be silent and still. I talk to God. I ask Him for blessing and guidance. I pray for my family, friends and the country. I ask for His love to be our guide in all our doings. I just feel the power of the Holy Spirit in me. I let Him enter my mind and my heart. I follow Him. 

I love this secret, sacred time with Him.

I see God's presence in my friends.

Hindi ko akalaing makakayanan ko pa ang pagod ngayong patapos na ang weekend. Salamat sa Diyos sa lakas na ibinigay Niya sa akin ngayong napakasayang weekend. Tunay nga, marami akong dapat ipagpasalamat sa Kaniya. At hindi ko na mahintay ang Lunes para kausapin si Mama OLA sa Monday devotion.

Simple lang ang kasiyahan ng tao, pinakukumplikado lang ng mga kagustuhan at materyal na bagay. Kaya ko nasabi iyan dahil sa naranasan ko ngayong weekend. Nakakapagod, pero napakasayang karanasan. Salamat sa pamilya nina Jo at Matthew sa pag-imbita sa akin na sumama sa Visita Iglesia. (Unang beses kong nakabisita sa pitong simbahang napuntahan: San Isidro Labrador Parish, Biñan, Laguna; Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish, Sta. Rosa, Laguna; St. John the Baptist Parish, Calamba, Laguna; Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Pagsanjan, Laguna; Saint Paul the Hermit Cathedral, San Pablo, Laguna; Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish, Alaminos, Laguna; at, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Shrine, Sto. Tomas, Batangas.) Marami akong natutuhan sa pakikipag-usap sa magkapatid. Sana makasama ko pa kayo sa mga pagharap sa hamon ng Diyos, at malay natin, sa hamon ng bokasyon. May saya pala sa simpleng pagpunta sa simbahan, pagdarasal at kahit sa pagsasalo-salo sa pagkain. May saya sa simpleng pag-uusap at pagkukuwentuhan. Kayang matalo ng saya ang lungkot, stress at mga pangamba. Gaya nga ng natanggap kong isang text, "Maiintindihan ka Niya pero hindi lahat ng tao." Maiintindihan Niya yung nararamdaman mo kahit ano pa 'yan. At sa relasyon mo sa ibang tao, humuhugis ng wangis ang Diyos upang ipadama sa atin na nariyan lamang Siya. Nasa tabi, nasa harap, nasa gilid at maging sa likuran ng bawat nating paglalakbay.

Nakakataba ng puso 'yung ma-appreciate ng mga kaibigan mo yung mga simpleng bagay. Sa paglalaro ng badminton tuwing Sabado ng gabi, kayrami kong natututuhan sa mga kaklase ko. Hindi lang sa paglalaro ng badminton, pati rin sa paglalaro sa buhay. Sa literal at hindi literal na paraan.

May wangis ng Diyos akong nakikita sa tuwing nakakasama ko sila. Nakakatouch yung sabihan ka nila ng pasasalamat sa mga nagawa mo sa kanila. Hindi lang nila alam na ako rin mismo ay nagpapasalamat sa kanila. Pinasaya nila ang aking tahimik noong buhay. Pinalalim nila ang dati'y di kalalimang pagtingin ko sa buhay. Gaya ni Hesus, gusto kong sabihin nang taos sa puso ko, mula ngayon kayo'y aking kaibigan. Sana mas marami pa tayong pagsamahan. Yung mas iigting ang (covalent) bond natin sa isa't isa. Yung mas makikilala natin ang bawat isa. (Para may chemistry!) Yung magdala tayo ng saya sa tuwing magkakasama. Salamat sa inyo mga kaibigan ko. (Special mention sa inyo Abi, Giezel, Arvin, Jerome, Mhafe, Jek, Jo at Matthew.) I see God in every joy I feel. I really see His presence when I am with you.

At kahit pagod na sa tuwing matatapos ang badminton session, masaya ako sa pag-uwi. Baon ang bagong pagkatuto, maghahanda sa susunod na pagkikita at maghahanda ng panibagong kuwento na maiaambag sa inyo. Salamat sa pinagsamahan at sa mga pagsasamahan pa natin. From the bottom of my heart, GBU.

***
Reflectio:

Joy is a very Christian value. It is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The joy of the early Christians was magnetic; it attracted many people into the Church. We have hundreds of joyful saints. The most famous of them is St. Francis of Asisi. 

These joyful saints tell us that: joy makes the road to heaven easier. Joy is like the air in a balloon - it always makes the balloon go upwards. Joy is like the sail on a canoe: it gets you places without any work on your part. Joy keeps temptation away from you. Joy makes it easier to be good. Joy keeps the mind clear and the heart restful. No joyful person ever had ulcers, or committed suicide.

As one saint put it, "Religion without joy is no religion." Another saint said, "Joy is God's housekeeper; sadness is the devil's nurse." We are children of God so we have a divine right to joy. Joy is made for us, and we for joy.