Feast of Our Lady of Hope

 On a cold winter night 17th January 1871, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Pontmain, France. Even though there were adults present, it was only the children who saw her. Mary did not speak, but words appeared below her feet like a scroll unfolding:

“ But pray, my children, God will answer your prayers very soon. My Son allows himself to be moved by compassion.”

One would wonder why Mary would begin her message with a conjunction (but). The people of Pontmain knew. Prior to the apparition, they were in the middle of the Franco-Prussian war and the Prussians are about to invade them. People were losing hope and felt their prayers were falling on deaf ears.  

Time and again, when the world faces a great tribulation, God sends Mary. And our Lady, in turn, would always lead us to our God, the source of hope. 

The people prayed and they were spared from the invading army. Mary's message in Pontmain centuries ago was the response of the Heavenly Father to the cries of His people. And it is still very apt today as we face a persistent pandemic. Keep on praying my dear friends, God will always allow Himself to be moved by compassion. 

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Hope to all of you. 

I grew up very near the Our Lady of Hope Parish in Quezon City, Philippines. 

#TotusTuusMaria #OurLadyOfHope #OurLadyOfPontmain #YearOfStJoseph 

The first Christmas was an adoration of the body, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ starting from Mary and Joseph, later followed by the angels who represent heaven, shepherds,  and the 3 wise men who represent local people and pagans. 

And to date, we still have the opportunity to worship and experience God's Real Presence at the Holy Mass and during Eucharistic Adoration. 

Come, let us adore Him. Merry Christmas to all!

#TotusTuusMaria #HolyFamily #Christmas2020 #Eucharist #LambOfGod #catholicgentleman #loveinthetimeofcorona

(Photo from Google search)

Christmas Eve 2020

 "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." 

  Luke 1:42 (Douay-Rheims)

May we all experience the sweetness of the fruit of the woman's womb, Jesus. 

Have a lovely Christmas, everybody. 

#TotusTuusMaria, #Christmas2020 #Theotokos #MotherOfGod #WalkingCiborium #catholicgentleman #loveinthetimeofcorona

Reflection: 4th Sunday of Advent (2020)

"Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38)

Love could never be genuine when forced. God, in His perfect loving nature, gifted us with free will. He has allowed all of us to decide on our own since the time of Adam and Eve. The choice to reciprocate His love would always be ours to make. 

God could have made Mary pregnant by His own will and power without the need for a messenger. But He didn't. 

God's angel left only after Mary said yes. And whilst it is amazing how Mary should humility by accepting God's plan, what's more astonishing is how God humbled Himself and waited for Mary's consent. This is how much God loves and respects Mary. 

Mary's fiat opened the doors to God's greatest gesture of humility -- submitting Himself to the hands of His own creation from conception to crucifixion. 

Friends, on this 4th Sunday of Advent, as we reflect on today's Gospel, may we respond with love and affection to God's words on the cross to "behold your mother (John 19:27)."

#TotusTuusMaria #Annunciation #MarysFiat #Theotokos #MotherOfGod #Advent2020 #catholicgentleman #loveinthetimeofcorona

Gaudete Sunday Reflection (Advent 2020)

“I can’t wait for this pandemic to be over. I can’t wait for the lockdown to end. I can’t wait for the vaccine to come.” These are some of the most common phrases we all heard and probably said this year. 

There is an inexhaustible list of things we wait for - vacation trips, upcoming wedding, outcome of a medical work-up, result of an exam, etc. And oftentimes, we don’t have a choice. We have to wait. 

God’s people waited for many centuries for the promised Messiah. They don’t know who, how, and when. And still, they waited. 

When Mary learned that she would bear God’s Son, she knew exactly what it meant. Her Magnificat was a testament to this. She knew the waiting would soon be over. And she waited. 

Last Sunday’s Gospel (Gaudete Sunday), John (the Baptist) said, “I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord” (John 1:23). 

Friends, big things are about to come, larger than our human understanding could ever grasp. Full of hope and prayers, I wait with you. 

#TotusTuusMaria #Advent2020 #ArkOfTheCovenant #MotherOfGod #Theotokos #WalkingCiborium #Magnificat #GaudeteSunday #StJohnTheBaptist #catholicgentleman #loveinthetimeofcorona

My Faith Is a Cherished Family Tradition

Interesting conversation with my father yesterday - - his mother's name (my dear Lola) is Exaltacion. Her sisters (I've only met two) are called Rosario, Encarnacion, and Adelaida. It dawned on me that my great grandparents were pious Catholics to name their children after known Catholic beliefs (exaltation, rosary, incarnation, adelaide/nobility). They have a brother named Basiliso.

I find joy in knowing my family has a long generation of love for the Catholic faith. This I cherish as we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul - men who handed down faith and tradition to us which they received from no other than Jesus himself.

I pray for your family traditions, that they stand the test of time. May the Holy Family inspire all of us in our journey to God.

#LoveInTheTimeOfCorona #CatholicGentleman #FamilyIsAGift #lestweforget

Gospel Reflection on the Feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary 2020

The 12-year old me was a pain to my parents, with all the raging hormones and teenage issues. Thankfully, my parents never ceased to bring be back home.

The 12-year old Jesus was a very good adolescent - - lost for 3 days only to be found in the temple. Mary and Joseph never stopped looking for Him.

My prayer for all of us, on this Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is for our Blessed Mother to always look for us with hope and perseverance whenever we are lost and astray.

Mother of Mercy
Mother of Hope
Solace of Migrants
Pray for us.

#TotusTuusMaria #catholicgentleman #loveinthetimeofcorona #ImmaculateHeartOfMary #mariandevotionisbiblical