There are two Marys who are highlighted in the celebration of Easter: Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene to whom Jesus appeared at the tomb. The former is based on tradition; the latter, is based on Scripture. The First Appearance of the Resurrection based on Tradition. St. Ignatius of Loyola writes in theContinue reading “Easter in the Eyes of Two Marys”
Category Archives: Religious Practices
I Kissed My Holding Cross Instead
We cling to someone when afraid. In my younger days, I would cling to the arms of my parents when threatened. Or, I would ask permission to sleep with them when I had a bad dream. Somehow, having someone to hold allays my fears. I began to hold on to anything sacred when I startedContinue reading “I Kissed My Holding Cross Instead”
How to Celebrate the Holy Week Triduum When Quarantined
There are many restrictions when we have to be quarantined during the Holy Week. We won’t be at the mass with the washing of the feet, or the Visita Iglesia when parishes decorate their altar of repose lavishly (which they shouldn’t liturgically, but they do anyway). We will not be able to participate in GoodContinue reading “How to Celebrate the Holy Week Triduum When Quarantined”
Way of the Cross when in Quarantine
We are in an unusual time. With the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), we cannot trek mountains with trails marked by the Stations of the Cross, like that in Kawa-Kawa in Ligao, Albay, Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Island, or Mt. Bandilaan in Siquijor which culminates in a 360-degree view of the island; orContinue reading “Way of the Cross when in Quarantine”
Absence and Significance
“When you do not receive communion, and you do not attend mass, you can do a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice, by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.” –St. Teresa of Avila Absence makes us realize the significance of that which is not present. In UP DilimanContinue reading “Absence and Significance”
Para sa kinabukasan ang pagdalaw sa yumao.
Pagkatapos dumalaw sa ating mga yumao, napag-isipan na ba natin kung bakit paulit-ulit nating ginagawa ito. Sa susunod na taon, pagkatapos ng semestral break, babalikan natin uli ang puntod ng ating mga minamahal. Ang alaala ng namatay ay nasa nakaraan. May sinasabi ba itong kaugalian tungkol sa kinabukasan? Ang alaala daw ay pang-nagdaan. Inaalala saContinue reading “Para sa kinabukasan ang pagdalaw sa yumao.”
Araw ng mga Yumao
Yumao na ang aking mga magulang. 1990 nung sumakabilang-buhay ang aking tatay; 2014 naman ang aking nanay. At naramdaman namin ang kanilang pagkamatay: kasama na rito ang iba’t ibang ginagawa nila para sa amin. Kahit inihahain pa rin sa amin ang Bicol Express, iba pa rin ang luto ng nanay. Naramdaman namin ang pagka-wala: ibaContinue reading “Araw ng mga Yumao”
Bakit may Santacruzan?
Sa pagtatapos ng buwan ng Mayo, sari-saring mga Santacruzan ang magigisnan natin lalu na sa lalawigan at bayan sa probinsya. Ang Santacruzan ay isang prusisyon na isinasagawa sa huling bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Flores de Mayo, ang pagaalay ng bulaklak kay Maria. Isinasalarawan nito ang paghahanap sa Banal na Krus ni Reyna Elena, ang inaContinue reading “Bakit may Santacruzan?”
Oratio Imperata for Peace.
As of now, we are all familiar with the Oratio Imperata, (Latin, “obligatory prayer”) which is usually prayed by the community at mass in parishes and in other Catholic gatherings. It is usually authorized by a bishop to be prayed by all. What makes the Oratio Imperata different from all other general prayers is itsContinue reading “Oratio Imperata for Peace.”
On Mercy: Sino ang Karapatdapat na Pumasok sa Simbahan?
Mas malaki ang utang na loob ng isang taong matindi ang nagawang kasalanan kaysa ang taong hindi mabigat ang pagkukulang. Kailangan ito ng paglilinaw: hindi ibig sabihin kailangan nating gumawa ng kahangalan para maramdaman natin ang tindi ng pagmamahal ng Diyos. Pinapahiwatig nito na mali ang akala na ang mga banal at malinisContinue reading “On Mercy: Sino ang Karapatdapat na Pumasok sa Simbahan?”
Santacruzan: Pagpapahalaga sa mga Babae ng Pananampalataya
Habang hinihintay natin ang resulta ng nakaraang halalan, ibaling muna natin ang ating mga puso’t isipan sa isang tradisyong kinagigiliwan ng nakararami sa atin: ang Santacruzan. Ituon natin ang ating isipan, hindi sa mga nagagandahang sagala, kundi sa tunay na kahulugan nito. Isang pagpaparangal sa mga babaeng sumulong ng pananampalataya ang santacruzan. Makikita natin sinaContinue reading “Santacruzan: Pagpapahalaga sa mga Babae ng Pananampalataya”
Stations of the Cross: That Our Hearts Beat as Jesus’ Heart Beats
Note: I gave this homily at the Mass that began the University Stations of the Cross of the Ateneo de Manila University on 26 February 2016. Photos: Mr. Marcus Alcantara, Ateneo HS Christian Life Education faculty. *** One of the unique characteristics of Ignatian Spirituality is the use of the imagination in prayer. In theContinue reading “Stations of the Cross: That Our Hearts Beat as Jesus’ Heart Beats”
Ash Wednesday: Inner and Communitarian Conversion
“Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15) Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our journey of Lent, the liturgical season that prepares us for Easter. It is a time when we, together with other Christians, Protestants and evangelicals, unite ourselves with the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. It is a season of prayerContinue reading “Ash Wednesday: Inner and Communitarian Conversion”
Hamon ng Debosyon sa Sto. Niño
The devotion to the Sto. Niño is about the Incarnation, about God’s presence to others.
Tatlong Tanong Bago Magbagong-Taon
Habang papalapit na ang katapusan ng taong 2015, nararapat lamang na magbalik-tanaw sa nakaraan upang lalung palalimin ang natutuhan sa mga nagdaang karanasan. Maari nating gamitin itong tatlong tanong na hango sa Spiritual Exercises ni San Ignacio de Loyola. Unang-una: ano ang nagawa ko para sa Diyos? Mas maganda kung mayroon tayong notebook o listahanContinue reading “Tatlong Tanong Bago Magbagong-Taon”
