Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Many Apparitions of Our Lady



I was just talking to my friend, Lulu, on the phone, and she was telling me about Our Lady of Lebanon and Our Lady of Elige. And now I've just learned of Our Lady of Aranzazu from the Jesuits' Igniting Our Values which I've been following this Lent. I didn't know that the Blessed Virgin have had so many apparitions in the past! I've heard of others and her many other titles but some places, I've never even heard of!  I only know of Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe as the most popular. And of course, Our Lady of Perpetual Help after whom I was named as my mother promised if she was going to have a baby girl. She had 4 boys already so she wanted a girl. My mom made a 9-Wednesday novena in her honor and on her 9th Wednesday, I was born. How special, huh!


Going back, the Blessed Virgin Mary has no greater desire than to bring us, all her children, closer to her son, Jesus. Many of us have been so deaf to her calls so that time and time again, in different parts of the world, she would make herself known to bring us back to her fold and Jesus.


Praise the Lord. Alleluia!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

ASH WEDNESDAY

I'm so glad I remembered today was Ash Wednesday, not a day or two later. Always good to remember a special day on the day itself. I was able to go to church not just for mass but especially the ash service. It was what I went to church for - "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust, you shall return."

Nice way to start the Lenten season. Got myself Father Robert Barron's book, LENT REFLECTIONS, also available on-line, to keep me company. There's also a link I'm following this Lent called IGNITING OUR VALUES, a Jesuit/Ignatian Pilgrimage for Lent 2015. It's beautiful. Both programs on prayers and reflections are inspiring. Join me on this journey and let's have some quiet time together. It helps amidst all the everyday chaos in life.

In addition, here's a story of our beloved Pope Francis' Ash Wednesday walk in procession between Rome churches. Everybody loves our new Pope!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Looking Back & Moving Forward

I see a lot of you coming back to visit my blogs again. Thank you all so much. Yes, the last time I posted something was my birthday after which some health concerns arose. The next time I went back to blogging was about 6 months later, on December 8, a very special day. Anything in between that were drafts I finally completed when I got back last 8th.


Again, welcome back everybody. Thanks for all your love and support. Love you more for it.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...


Our first get-together for the year! Always special to spend time with high school classmates, some even from grade school. Nothing beats that! The bond, the friendship, the love and support, it's unspeakable joy! It's beyond expression, beyond explanation. That's why we try to have these get- togethers as often as we can.

And today at Dulce's beautiful home was simply special. She hosted the party with great Filipino food and desserts. No pot-lucks today. It's all Dulce&Rene's generosity - WoW!

One of the things we did today was watched a free movie from a computer hooked up to TV that Charrie introduced us to. We watched UNBROKEN, a World War II true story about survival, resilience, and redemption directed by Angelina Jolie.  Since most of them have seen it, there were only about 4 of us who watched it. But we couldn't hear so well as... well, the guys sitting by the dining table we called the loge, (like in a movie theatre), behind the living room, were loud enough. But the gals, in the kitchen, at the back, we called the balcony, behind the dining room, were even louder and noisier... What do you expect from, well... Girls?! They're having fun.

Anyway, we got as much as we could from the movie and it was really good. One of the best films of 2014!



There was one word that hit me at the end of the footage about the soldier, Louis Zampereni, who was treated inhumanely at the Japanese war camp. Instead of revenge, he chose FORGIVENESS...

Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave. - Indira Gandhi
So befitting Zamperini! 
Rest in peace, Sir...

And for those who were boisterous on the balcony, ladies, girls... I forgive you.

Friday, February 6, 2015

A Side Story

Beside the book was a bright-colored mosaic-designed ceramic plate with the words -
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a butterfly.

BEAUTIFUL!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

BLESSED VIRGIN

The other night, I dreamt of me and 2 musician friends, Sandy and Annie, watching a concert. And the artist on stage, instead of playing music, was talking about the Blessed Virgin. And I thought, "She's like me."
Then yesterday, I passed by work to drop something and pick up some stuff, too. The gift shop was open so I came in and what did I see on one table? Amidst all the gift items, I saw one lone small book, THE ROSARY OF OUR LADY. I bought it. Simple as that. My connection with the Blessed Virgin continues...

Miraculous.