Cardinal Chito: We are an Easter People

Being employed in the Archdiocese of Manila, we are privileged to have our yearly "date" with Cardinal Chito on Easter Mondays. We would attend mass and have breakfast together with parish employees followed by a raffle. A time to to have fun after a busy Holy Week.

Cardinal Chito shared in his homily that we are an "Easter People". We should be images of the Risen Christ. We must share the good news of the Resurrection. As church workers, we should be examples of the resurrection. In whatever service we do, whether in a ministry or in the parish office, we should always be lively and positive. Even if we encounter different kinds of people in our service, we should and we must be reflections of Jesus, who died but rose again. That is the faith we profess. Let's live it. Let's share it.

Palm Sunday with the Archbishop of Manila

It was a blessed opportunity to begin Holy Week with our beloved Archbishop, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

Last Palm Sunday was my first time to join the Manila Cathedral community. The rites began at 7:00 a.m. with the blessing of palms and procession into the cathedral. I will share a quote from his eminence's homily.

"Mga kabataan, huwag kayong magpapadala kahit kayo ay pinagtatawanan ng kaibigan ninyo kapag ang ginagawa niyo ay tama. Panindigan ninyo. Sandali lang iyang pagtatawa na iyan; sandali lang iyang pagdurusa na iyan. Mas malalim ang kaligayahang mararanasan mo dahil naging tapat ka sa Diyos. Nagdusa si Hesus subalit ang mabuting balita ng kanyang pagdurusa ay pagdurusa ito ng isang taong marangal; pagdurusa ng isang taong tapat. May mga taong nagdurusa dahil may mga ginawa naman silang kalokohan, eh! Nagdurusa dahil nagnakaw! Nagdurusa dahil corrupt! Hindi iyang ang pagdurusa ni Hesus. Ang pagdurusa na nakaliligtas! Ang pagdurusa ng isang tao na hindi tanggap ng mundo dahil kapanig siya ng Diyos."

Pistang Viatico 2015

This year's Pistang Viatico fell on April 15. The "Pistang Viatico" is third of seven "Lupi", which means to fold the novena then celebrate and resume the novena for the next lupi. It falls on the second Wednesday after Easter Sunday.

My first turumba was also during the Viatico, that was in 2013. After two years, it felt great to be back in Pakil. The atmosphere was really festive. Families come from all over Laguna and the neighboring area to fulfill their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pistang Viatico is actually a three-day event, which culminates on the third day with the procession.

Rising early was really a challenge for me. I had a sleepless night due to my excitement and I was really sleepy during the trip. We took the 5:00 a.m. bus trip from DLTB Buendia bound for Sta. Cruz, and we arrived at around 7:30 a.m. then we had breakfast in Pagsanjan while waiting for another companion. We rode the jeep bound for Siniloan then alighted in Pakil. The short distance from the main road to the church became an agonizingly slow pace for the area was really crowded and the risks of being robbed were high.

We waited for the others in the convent and attended the Mass. When the succeeding mass presided by the bishop began, we went out to find a place from where we would shoot. 

The crowd was overwhelming. The pressure was so strong that you have to be firm in your position, otherwise you would lose your balance. We remained firm in stance, and steadfast in faith and spirit. And at last, there she came, carried by her beloved children. She passed by us twice. In the latter, I was able to snap a shot as she enters the church. Another lupi has ended, another begins.

Viva Nuestra Señora delos Dolores de Turumba!

SA BIRHEN!