A Message to the Youth

Yeah. It's that time of the semester again. Final exams on several subjects held on consecutive days that feels like coming at you all at once. Anxiety strikes when you have no idea how to set aside a piece of your brain for a particular lesson caused by cramming. *Tsk-tsk* Anyways, here are beautiful words I found in the novel El Filibusterismo, while reviewing for our final exams in a Rizalian subject course. Haha. I can't believe I'm still conscious enough to find, let alone notice treasures hidden in between the lines:

Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their enthusiasm to the welfare of their native land? Where are the youth who will generously pour out their blood to wash away so much shame, so much crime, so much abomination? Pure and spotless must the victim be that the sacrifice may be acceptable! Where are you, youth, who will embody in yourselves the vigor of life that has left our veins, the purity of ideas that has been contaminated in our brains, the fire of enthusiasm that has been quenched in our hearts! We await you, O youth! Come, for we await you!

x Dr. Jose Rizal, El Filibusterismo

The Fallacy of Modernity

From the Facebook updates of Fr. Ferdinand T. Hernando, MB

"In the mad rush to material security, economic development and social progress, most men and women have set aside the sense of God thereby reducing faith to the level of myth and superstition and therefore considering it unfit to be a rudiment for economic and political advancement. All that our modern society has produced so far is massive poverty and inequality, spawned by greed and injustice. Restoring society's sense of God will restore the rightful place of charity and justice, the bedrock of an alternative social order. Without faith, we can only veer from one form of greed or injustice to another without any end in sight."

"In a culture that sets aside the things of God, men and women look for satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment in things that are by themselves finite and temporal, which, by reason of their finiteness and temporality, cannot and can never give satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment."

"To forget God and the things of God leaves the soul empty and the soul, in its emptiness, deceives itself by substituting the transcendental aspirations of the spirit with the superficiality and shallowness of passing satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment. There goes the tragedy of modernity and with it the fallacy of ultimate satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment in a finite and temporal world."

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Ash Wednesday and Lent Readings

'Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself,' a two-part series here and here. 

Mike Aquilina's three-part series on prayer, fasting and almsgiving at his blog here.

Pope Benedict XVI's catechesis on the subject of Lent which he gave last February 22, here. 

Lastly, check out this extensive list of resources and Q&A's here for Ash Wednesday and Lent.

Case Study: Plaza del Norte, Ilocos Norte

As promised in my last post, I will be uploading for the next few days pictures of my recent trip to Ilocos Norte. It was not as special as the one I had two years ago which focused on the perspective of Spanish Colonial influences in the Philippine building design and heritage; nevertheless it became almost too nostalgic for me since a lot in our itinerary for that weekend trip was a familiar destination. Too bad that I only got to visit two churches :|

Moreover, am afraid that the trip we made (which was given as a gift) was more of political (fellowship-camaraderie-blah) in nature rather than the more reflective manner which one should have to appreciate the provincial beauty of Ilocos.

Anyways, the grueling 12-hour trip to the province was wiped away once I laid my eyes on the place we are to occupy for the next two nights. The architecture student in me churned as I feasted my eyes with the beautiful natural hills surrounding the master development. The style guiding principles and elements employed in the development was typical of the character of the buildings in the region; this is to preserve the continuity in the aesthetics of the old buildings in the region while giving it a modern twist worthy of luxury :)

Plaza del Norte (former Ilocos Norte Hotel and Convention Center) brings together the Spanish-style charm and grandeur of Ilocos with the modern design of today in its world-class amenities. The hotel features a chapel for private weddings, sprawling gardens for outdoor events, a swimming pool, hotel function room and in-room massage services. The property promises to appeal to business travelers because of its extensive facilities that are ideal for such functions and meetings. 

The location of the hotel promisesn ideal getaway for the leisure tourist because of its proximity to many historical and unique attractions such as Spanish colonial buildings, Malacanang of the North, Paoay Lake, Sand Dunes, white sand beaches of Pagudpud, Marcos-era mansions and the historical Paoay Church, considered a UNESCO heritage site.

Photos taken by Yours Truly :) For more information, check out their website here. Click another of my case study regarding Malacanang of the North here.

What to Do During Lent

Here's a repost from one my fave catholic blogs - Sense of the Sacred:

Lent is a time for renewal through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. At present, this season seem to have lost its "teeth". Many Catholics go through Lent without any desire to rekindle the fervor of the spiritual life. Is this the result of the relaxation of the Lenten discipline? Islam has not relaxed its discipline on the Ramadan but the tradition is more fervently observe to this day. In our effort to "adjust" Catholic life to the modern times, much of our Lenten traditions have suffered. Perhaps it is time to rekindle the fire. Let us once again observe Lent as Lent.  

An interesting article at the New Liturgical Movement blog is worth considering: Lenten Observances in the Vein of a New Liturgical Movement. Be sure to also check out St. Louis de Montfort's 'Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary' at the New Theological Movement blog here: How to make the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, Lent 2012.

Have a meaningful Lent everyone! The Lord be with you!

A Portrait

Just got back from our Ilocos Norte Tour - a gift to all the local community councilors in our city district. Here's a self-portrait from a beautiful mirror @ the Malacanang of the North. I'll upload later more pictures from the trip :)

Courage: Liberated Love

Here's a late post on a different kind of love just in time for yesterday's celebration of love :)

Liberated Love | Jim Graves | Catholic World Report

Courage offers compassion fellowship, and hope for those with same-sex attraction 

In January, the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut announced it was becoming the latest diocese to launch a chapter of Courage, the Catholic apostolate that helps men and women struggling with same-sex attraction live in accordance with the teachings of the Church. Deacon Robert Pallotti, director of the office of the diaconate for the archdiocese, helped develop the program for Hartford. He explained that Courage helps people “who need our care and love. In some cases, they have been rejected by society. They need to be accepted, affirmed, and supported as Roman Catholics trying to remain faithful to Church teaching.”

Courage was founded by Cardinal Terence Cooke, former archbishop of New York, and led for many years by Father John F. Harvey, OSFS. In 2010, Father Harvey died at age 92; the apostolate is currently led by Father Paul Check. There are more than 100 Courage chapters and contacts nationwide; there is also an outreach for spouses, relatives, and friends of persons with same-sex attraction called EnCourage.

Courage makes a distinction between homosexual attractions or feelings and the behavior of acting on those feelings. The feelings themselves are not sinful, the organization notes, but homosexual acts are. Deacon Pallotti continued, “Courage will not reduce a person’s identity to their sexual desire; [those with same-sex attraction] are people with full human dignity not defined solely by their sexual desire.” 

Some of the deacons of the archdiocese initially objected to the program because they mistakenly believed Courage condoned homosexual behavior, but were reassured it did not. Pallotti noted, “Through support and spiritual intervention, we can help people with same-sex attraction lead moral and fulfilling lives. These people are hurting and so are their families. Doing nothing would be a lack of compassion.” 

Read the entire article here: The Catholic World Report . Find out more about the apostolate here: Courage Philippines.

Never Abandoned

Your hands, my God, in the secrecy of your providence never abandoned my soul. 

Silently reading the remarkable life of St. Augustine in his infamous autobiographical work The Confessions, it was exactly those words that brought me a great amount of consolation. Tears of wonder, of gratitude, of an undying hope and joy in his salvation, streamed spontaneously down my cheeks. For truly, it is not the Lord who left me gasping for hope in my previous times of desolation; rather, it was me who forgot him and His constant love and protection. 

But He is truly faithful. In his love He rescued me from the captivity of my own self-destructing tendency. Seeing the wondrous deed that my Lord has done for me, I can truly say that my life has changed completely.

Sunday Readings 02.12.12

Image borrowed here

Scripture Reflection on the Readings for Sunday - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 1:40-45

• "If you wish, you can make me clean." - Insight Scoop: The Ignatius Press Blog
• homily notes: sixth sunday of ordinary time- the night is passing blog
• Three men who loved lepers: Jesus, Francis, and Damien - The New Theological Movement

On Spiritual Battle

To aspire for sanctity and to condemn injustices is not a wholly restful affair. In the battle for the Kingdom of God against the reign of sin, the disciples shall have to give and receive blows. There is your 'holy war.' It is to this that he leads them and where they will valiantly endure outrages, calumnies, even death.

+ George Chevrot, The Eight Beatitudes; p.28

On Air: The Healing Eucharist Sunday TV Mass

Behind-the-scene pictures from yesterday's morning service of The Healing Eucharist Sunday TV Mass @ ABS-CBN, presided by Fr. Joey Faller, and con-celebrated by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD and Fr. Glen Gomez, SVD. You can check out the official website here chock with collections of previous Sunday TV Mass videos and profiles of the celebrants. There's also an online form there where you can send your prayer requests :) We invite you to watch and be healed every Sunday at 6 in the morning, only at ABS-CBN. 

Young members of the choir :)

The boys in their barongs.

Awit Papuri Choir (Tanned by the bright studio lights!)

Sunday Readings 02.05.12

Scripture Reflection on the Readings for Sunday - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 1:29-39 

• “Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping?” - Insight Scoop: The Ignatius Press Blog
• homily notes: fifth sunday of ordinary time - the night is passing blog
• The heroic minute, immediately upon waking - the first battle of the day - The New Theological Movement

Creative Juice #038: Sacred Architecture

Sketching. Sketching. Sketching.

Four months 'til the submission of thesis proposal for the next semester... I've been sketching church facades lately to familiarize my hands (and practice my imagery!) with sacred art and architecture. With that in mind comes also a compulsory review of my lessons on History of Architecture - covering classical and early church developments to that of Renaissance, Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic. Agh. There will surely be a lot of work if I'm finally going to decide to adopt these designs for the translation of my thesis proposal. Good thing I paid close attention to our lessons with Architect L.

Book Review: The Eight Beatitudes by George Chevrot

 

The Eight Beatitudes - Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount is a title by George Chevrot originally in French (Les Beatitudes) republished here in the Philippines by Sinagtala. Ranking at Top 1 on my best reads, the book is an exposition on the blessings (beatitudines, benedictiones) that mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, the very first of Our Lord's sermons in the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:3-10) and of St. Luke (6:22). The book is a great material and resource for meditating and reflecting on the Beatitudes which was also described to be the very self-portrait of Jesus. With a few chapters of introduction to set the context of the exposition, the reader will find himself going over each of the beatitudes in full detail of textual meaning and criticisms.

The name beatitudes ought not to mislead. They are less a promise of happiness than the assurance of God's blessings; and the eulogy they contain cloaks a commandment, the imperative character of which is softened by God's favourable regard to those who obey it.

This is indeed the case with the Beatitudes which open the Sermon on the Mount. The listeners were impatient to know Jesus' messianic programme; the Master was therefore going to promulgate the laws of the kingdom. But instead of enumerating them in the manner of the precepts of the Decalogue, he praised those who observe them, he called on the 'blessed', the fortunate in whom God would reign and on whom he was counting to establish his kingdom on earth.

Later Jesus would enumerate his disciples' duties in detail, but before prescribing what they ought to do,  he declared what they ought to be. The beatitudes describe what would be the characteristics of Christ's disciples. If they had the qualities described by Jesus, they would be whole men and the agents of a better world.

Man's dignity is not to be measured by earthly standards. In making him bring his earthly task to perfection, Christ is helping him reach that greatness which goes beyond the human condition.

Bearing the name of the religious congregation on which became the center of my vocational discernment this past few months, the book has been a big help for me :) And true enough, as missionaries or followers of Christ, instead of asking the Lord on what we must do and what we must have to be his faithful disciple, we must seek first and ask on what we must be - and he will gladly reveal to us the teaching of being, especially of the teaching of that being led.