I Think He Is Really Watching

Many years ago, when my maternal Grandmother – whom we lovingly called “Nanay” – was still alive and strong enough to visit her hometown Atimonan (http://www.atimonan.gov.ph/tourism.cfm) every month, my Mom and I (and sometimes my Kuya and his own family, as well as my cousins on my Mother's side) would go home to Atimonan at least once a year so that we can enjoy a few days of rest in the midst of lush greenery and pure clean air.   My grandmother owned a 5 hectare farm, specifically in Barrio Buhangin, where she built a modest but comfortable two-storey and four-bedroom home, where the family could stay.  It was (and still is) a coconut farm, thus we drank as much fresh coconut juice as we wanted.  We also often went swimming, because just three minutes walking distance away was a beach where the water was crystal clear, soothingly warm, and safely shallow during daytime.  The house and the farm are still there to this day, but we haven’t visited the place since Nanay passed away in November 2009.  We have however allowed a handful of relatives to live in the house and to benefit from the farm.

Anyway, whenever we did vacation in Atimonan those many years ago, it was an absolute must for my Mom to attend mass every morning at the Our Lady of Angels Parish church in the poblacion (please see http://www.atimonan.gov.ph/photo.cfm?PageNum_getBlog=20).   I often accompanied her of course, in my capacity as son and personal driver.  :-)

My Mom was born in Atimonan, and she grew up and lived there until she finished high school.  She left Atimonan when she was sent to attend the Manila College of Pharmacy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Central_University), and from then on she permanently settled in Manila.   

But one’s formative years will always have the strongest imprint on one’s soul, and since Mom grew up attending Masses at the Our Lady of Angels Parish church, she consequently never fails to visit the said church whenever she is in town.  In fact it is normally our very first stop whenever we first arrive at Atimonan, even before we proceed to our Nanay's home.  The church was built in 1603, and anyone who visits Atimonan can easily tell that this church is the town’s heart and very foundation.

So anyway, I think it was in 1999, during one of our annual vacations, and during one of our visits to that ancient church, that I had this rather "unusual" prayer experience.  I decided to pray to St. Francis of Assisi, there and then in that particular church, because at that time I have started to become more and more devoted to him, beginning to consider him as my personal patron saint.  He is after all my namesake.

So I prayed, and prayed, and then for some reasons I looked up.  Lo and behold, there he was, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, with his head tilted and his eyes directed precisely towards me.  Direct eye-to-eye contact, no kidding.  It’s a huge cavernous massive stone of a church, and in all the places where I could sit, I ended up sitting exactly where St. Francis’ gaze was transfixed. 

Goosebumps?  Not really, not at all.  Instead there was an instant connection, a mutual understanding, an unexplainable peace, joy, and warmth.  I just smiled a knowing smile, as I looked up at him.  :-)

Earlier I said that it was an "unusual" prayer experience.  Well, actually ... not really.  That is, that sort of experience is not really so unusual for me.  But I prefer to keep most of my (similar) stories to myself, because there is always the danger of being misunderstood and mislabelled.  Some day I will write about all of them, in proper context, in a book that I have already started to work on (that is, apart from the book on Financial Management which I have also started to work on).

So, why did I all of a sudden bring this up?

Yesterday, as I was surfing the net, for some reasons I ended up in a website that introduced me to a novena that I never knew existed.  The internet is a vast universe, but somehow I ended up here http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=novena+to+st.+francis+of+assisi+pdf&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsacredheartfla.mhsoftware.com%2Fattachments%2F59%2F3181%2F2011%2520Novena%2520to%2520St%2520Francis.pdf&ei=4RJjUJ3jGPHtmAXS4oEQ&usg=AFQjCNEj4IPt6Rp_wMhhM7rm8-Mvlay9iw

The Novena is supposed to start on September 26, and yesterday was indeed September 26.  It is a nine-day novena that culminates on October 4, the feast day of … who else … but my personal patron saint, my namesake from Assisi.   

 I can take a hint, so I decided to start praying the novena yesterday. 

When I first clicked on the website and discovered that it was about the Saint from Assisi, once again there was an instant connection, a mutual understanding, an unexplainable peace, joy, and warmth.   

And once again, I just smiled a knowing smile, as I gazed at the Saint's picture.  But this time, with more love.  ;-)

Let There Be Peace

Having lived in Hong Kong for a few years, I may understand the Chinese people quite a bit.

From a logical standpoint, we need to consider the possibility that the encroachment on Philippine or international territorial waters is not the doing of the Chinese people as a whole, but by a small handful of them who are in the position (formally or informally) of political power and influence.  It may even be reasonable to assume that there could be a significant portion of the Chinese population who silently disapprove, and even wish that they could undo, the infractions caused by the powerful few.  Therefore let us refrain from immediately resenting the Chinese people as a whole.  Pertinently, I am particularly encouraged by – and I highly recommend – Gareth Evans’ article “Calming the South Seas,” published yesterday on The Straits Times.  Here is an excerpt:

"A sensible way forward would begin with everyone staying calm about China's external provocations and internal nationalist drumbeating. There does not appear to be any alarmingly maximalist, monolithic position, embraced by the entire government and Communist Party, on which China is determined to steam ahead. Rather, according to an excellent report released in April by the International Crisis Group, its activities in the South China Sea over the last three years seem to have emerged from uncoordinated initiatives by various domestic actors, including local governments, law-enforcement agencies, state-owned energy companies, and the People's Liberation Army."

(Source:  http://www.straitstimes.com/microsites/global-perspectives/story/gareth-evans-calming-the-south-china-sea)

From a spiritual standpoint, we need to recall that the Chinese people are a deeply spiritual people.  Just look around and observe all the hallmarks of Chinese culture in Philippine society, and you will see a pronounced belief in the afterlife and a life-encompassing faith in a higher power.  

Indeed, some of today's most profoundly devout Christians -- modern day living saints -- can be found among the citizens of Mainland China.  I recall with great fondness a most inspriring book I once read, "How Inscrutable His Ways!"  It covered the more than twenty years incarceration of the Jesuit priest, Fr. Dominic Tang, S.J.  Suffice it to say that he did for Catholicism in China what Mandela did for civil liberties in South Africa, albeit Fr. Tang is far less known and celebrated.  Please see http://www.amazon.com/How-Inscrutable-Ways-Memoirs-1951-1981/product-reviews/B0007BQ0VU 

I for one believe that the Chinese people are good people.  There may be a few who prefer to incite strife, but for the most part they want only peace -- for the sake of their children -- just as we and everyone else on the planet do.  On that note, I highly recommend the following Prayer for Peace.

Prayer for Peace Among Nations

O Almighty God,
the Father of all humanity,
turn, we pray, the hearts of all peoples and their rulers,
that by the power of your Holy Spirit
peace may be established among the nations
on the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth;
through him who was lifted up on the cross
to draw all people to himself,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- William Temple, 1881-1944

(Source:  http://m.ccel.org/node/4524?device=mobile)

Designated Patron Saints: From Accountants to Computers

My last blog entry “The Fishbone Out of Nowhere” pertained to St. Blaise, the patron saint for throat ailments.  I decided to read some more on the subject of patron saints, and consequently I discovered that there is even a patron saint for computers and the internet! Who knew?

I am thus sharing my “findings” herein.

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PATRON SAINTS

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/patrons.aspx

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Mothers – St. Monica

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1120

Fathers – St. Joseph

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1327

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Accountants and Bankers – St. Matthew

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1145

Authors, Journalists, and Writers – St. Francis de Sales

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1270

Editors – St. John Bosco

www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1277

Engineers – St. Patrick and St. Ferdinand III

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1325

Lawyers – St. Raymond of Peñafort and St. Thomas More

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1253

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1422

Pharmacists, Physicians, and Surgeons – Sts. Cosmas and Damian

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1150

Physicians and Surgeons– St. Luke 

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1172

Philosophers – St. Albert the Great (also patron saint of Scientists) and St. Catherine of Alexandria (also patron saint of Students)

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1200

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1616

Pilots – St. Joseph of Cupertino and St. Thérèse of Lisieux

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1142

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1155

Scholars – St. Venerable Bede (after whom San Beda College is named) and St. Brigid of Kildare

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1394

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1514

Schoolchildren – St. Benedict

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1441

Teachers – St. John Baptist de la Salle (after whom DLSU is named) and St. Gregory the Great

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1346

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1127

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The Philippines – St. Rose of Lima

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1116

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Learning – St. Ambrose

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1222

Students, Schools, and Colleges – St. Thomas Aquinas (after whom UST is named)

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1274

Universities – Blessed Contardo Ferrini

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1180

Computers and the Internet – St. Isidore of Seville

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1343

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Retreats – St. Ignatius of Loyola

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1093

Mystics – St. John of the Cross

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1229

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Motorists and Widows – St. Frances of Rome

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1317

Lost Items, Travelers, and the Poor – St. Anthony of Padua

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1413

Desperate Causes – St. Jude Thaddeus

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1872

The Fishbone Out of Nowhere

February 3, 2012 

Holy Mass is celebrated at the AIM Chapel every 12:30pm from Monday to Friday, and I attended the one held today because it is First Friday and it also happened to be the Feast of Saint Blaise. After the mass ended, people lined up to have their throats blessed. I was one of them. (This practice is the ‘main event’ of the feast because the health and healing of the throat is ascribed to St. Blaise.)

 

St. Blaise

However, unlike most of the other Saints I pray to, and whose books I have read as in the case of St. Teresa of Avila vis-à-vis her “The Way of Perfection,” I only learned about St. Blaise when I was already in my late twenties (28 to be precise). In fact, the very first time I learned of his existence was also at a First Friday 12:30pm Mass at AIM, sometime in 2005, when I was still a student at the Institute. Right after that particular mass ended, I was surprised and baffled to see people line up to have their throats blessed. Quite frankly, I found it both weird and hilarious. “Really?” I thought to myself. “There is actually a Saint whose charism is specifically for throats? Are they kidding?” I derisively chuckled, but silently of course. I naturally did not join the queue to have my throat blessed, and for all intents and purposes I actually dismissed it as ridiculous. I mean, what’s next, a Patron Saint for the elbow?

But the strangest thing happened right after I left the chapel. I suddenly felt discomfort in my throat. I did not eat anything, in fact I just came from Mass and already had my lunch before I attended it. (Fasting is prescribed before Mass, but I had lunch beforehand because of my tight schedule of classes.) The discomfort became more and more intense, until it actually felt as if a fishbone materialized out of nowhere and was suddenly stuck in my throat. I was literally terrified, and I prayed and repented with fervor and humility, because I knew right away that it had something to do with my derisive thoughts about the blessing of the throats. I suffered and endured the discomfort all throughout the afternoon, even during class so much so that I could hardly think and recite. The discomfort disappeared only when it was finally evening. I was so relieved and repentant when it finally disappeared, and by then I already learned my lesson.

I was later on stunned and amazed to find out that St. Blaise is traditionally believed to intercede in cases of throat illnesses, especially “for fish-bones stuck in the throat.” (Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Blaise.) By then the connection was clearly confirmed, well at least to my mind, and from the perspective of faith.

Since I am after all only human, and despite being an educated grown man, I can still be bad and naughty at times; either thinking something unfair about events or other people, or saying or doing something unfair towards them. And when I do commit any such wrongdoing, most of the time something bad will also subsequently and immediately happen to me, nothing severe but just enough to teach me a lesson, just like that fishbone that suddenly materialized in my throat.

Therefore it is actually one of the other reasons that I know God loves me. Because apart from the blessings, the guidance, and the protection, He also provides me with the chastisement to keep me in check. And the retribution is almost always immediate.

Consequently, I am so afraid to be bad and naughty. And I always think twice whenever I am tempted. :-)

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I intend to incorporate the above story in the book I am working on. So please do not forward it to anyone in order to preserve the copyright. Many thanks and happy weekend!

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She Casts Her Moonlight, and Shadows With Her Eclipse

It was 1990, and I was working as an Accountant and Tax Associate at the Hong Kong branch of the Romulo Law Firm.

During lunch break it was my routine to buy pack lunch from the nearest Maxim’s restaurant, eat it in my office, and then pray the Rosary. Afterwards, if I still had time, or if I were experiencing some difficulty in the office that was more severe than usual, I would proceed to the Catholic Centre Building, which was a mere ten-minute walking distance away, in order to visit this chapel, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, to seek solace and strength.

During one such lunchtime, I did visit the chapel. And as I stood at the back in prayer, I felt inspired to look at and directly talk to the wooden image of the Blessed Virgin that was perched on the central pillar of the chapel. Then, very casually and forthrightly, I asked her, “Mama Mary, How powerful are you really?”

I did not expect it, although I was strangely not surprised by it either, but a very clear and calm voice spoke inside my head.

"I am the Moon, 

as God is the Sun;

In the deepest darkest night, 

I will cast you my moonlight;

In the face of the blazing sun, 

I will shadow you with my eclipse.”

I immediately tried to analyze and interpret the message, which was my natural tendency. So I said casually and immediately in reply, “I realize that the deepest darkest night may seem to indicate the absence of God in our lives, but I know that He is never truly absent. The deep dark nights are simply the times that He allows us to go through tests and challenges for our own purification. Besides, He sends you to cast us moonlight, which is actually a reflection of His own sunlight. I also realize that the blazing sun may seem to indicate that God is angry, but I know that He is never truly angry, the blazing sun also merely pertains to the times that He allows us to go through purifying tests and challenges. What I do not understand however is the eclipse. When you shadow us with your eclipse, aren’t you basically standing between God and us? Aren’t you getting in the way? Aren’t you therefore basically defying him?”

The response came quickly, “When I shadow you with my eclipse, I do not stand before God in defiance. I kneel before Him in worship.”

“Hmmm, okay, makes sense,” I said to myself, and the conversation ended there.

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I know I am bright, but I am not THAT bright. So I couldn’t have possibly come up with that by myself.

Incidentally, that was not the first and only time that I have had such an experience or “correspondence,” there are others, and with other “correspondents.” But this is the first time that I am sharing that sort of experience publicly. I prefer to be cautious and prudent, because there is always the real risk of being misunderstood and mislabelled. I will, however, eventually write everything there is to write about such experiences, in an organized and complete manner, and in proper context, in the form of another book (i.e., in addition to the book on Entrepreneurial Financial Management which I am also writing, please see http://fccresearchdigests.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-portfolio_01.html).

As for the chapel experience which I have just narrated above, I particularly decided to share it today because today it is the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God. I also have a feeling that that is how she wanted it.

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