 Lord of the Holy Sacrifice,
Your saving oblation on the cross has given me new life. May I always recall Your holy sacrifice on the cross and do it in remembrance of You. When tempted by selfishness, inspire me to be taken as an unworthy sacrifice. When burdened with envy, let me be an instrument of blessing for others. When afflicted by anger and pride, grant me the humility to be broken and given for others. When unsettled by anguish and troubled by worries, give me encouragement.  May Your Spirit move my heart to see
in Your outstretched arms Your loving embrace of everyone, that, I too, may welcome others with the same love in an open hand. Teach my mind and direct my will to humbly endure the pain of undeserved suffering even when my intent was good and done what is right. May I understand that it is in the holy sacrifice of your wounds that my brokenness is healed. May I see in Your sacrifice on the cross not only death and defeat but victory and life.  Loving Father, may the holy sacrifice of Your Son
cleanse my soul, strengthen my heart , pardon my past and restore me in Your peace. May I always adore You by uniting myself in His holy sacrifice, the sacrament of Your Divine Love. May I learn to sacrifice my own comfort, plans and dreams if it is not for Your glory and the good of others. With Mary, the mother of Jesus, who joined her heart with the sacrifice of her Son, May I become a holy sacrifice of love and service for others. Gathered around the altar of love, may all be united In listening to your word and sharing the one bread and become one people, offering one holy sacrifice. Amen. (This prayer is recited daily after mass at the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City) (The photos are of the Crucified Christ at the Queen of Peace, EDSA Shrine, QC)
 My mother had this special devotion to St. Joseph which I believe rubbed in on me as I was growing up and somehow inspired me to likewise have a special devotion to him. Looking back, I realize that St. Joseph had been playing a major role (or more aptly, a quiet and subtle presence and has been an unassuming and low-key background) in my life.
Take these as examples: I was baptized at St. Joseph Church, Pacdal, Baguio City; I grew up and spent most of my childhood and adolescent life at San Jose Parish, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet; as a single lady, my mother used to tell me to pray for St. Joseph's intercession for me to have a worthy husband and so I am very grateful that I am now married to my husband, Ruy; when we were building our home, I prayed to St. Joseph, the carpenter that he be the patron of this important construction project... and guess what?... our foreman's name was Engr. Joseph. And so when our home was nearly done, we consecrated and entrusted our home on May 24, 2006 to Mary Help of Christians as Queen of our home and to St. Joseph, no less, to be the Protector of our home. In gratitude, I share with you this prayer which we recite everyday to St. Joseph during our evening family rosary: Prayer to St. Joseph, Protector of Homes 
"St. Joseph, protect our home. Pour forth from heaven blessings on our family. Remain in our midst. Help us to live in love and harmony, peace and joy. May the wholesome fear of God strengthen us. May your virtues adorn what we do and may our way lead to heaven." "To you this day, we give the key to our dwelling place. Lock out all things that could do us harm. Lock our home and loved ones with us in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. This we beg of you, that our days may be like your days in the holy home in Nazareth. Amen." In tribute and thanksgiving to St. Joseph on his Feastday, March 15, 2008 (but which is normally celebrated on March 19), I offer my prayers and intentions and ask for his intercession for the protection and guidance of the men in my life: my husband, Ruy; my 3 children (all boys!); the souls of my deceased father, Ernesto, grandfather Francisco, father-in-law Elias; my new stepdad, Renato who makes my mother happy in her growing old years, my brothers and brothers-in-law; my seminarian and priest-friends; my colleageus and friends... I also pray that St. Joseph look kindly on us and be present to intercede for us at the hour of our death, that we may be given the grace of a happy, peaceful and holy death. As my special gift/treat to you my dear readers, I am sharing with you this photo I took at the SVD Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines, on March 19, 2006 (take note of the date!) when the priests, seminarians and lay mission partners had a Lenten procession in their grounds... You may have to zoom in the photo so you can see the unmistakable hovering presence of St. Joseph.. 
St. Joseph, pray for us!
 A few days ago, I noticed that the image of Sto. Nino which welcomed guests into my home was grimy and dirty. I gave Him a bath and while soaping and sudsing Him, I was talking to Him as a mother would to a child who just came home playing, all sweaty and dirty... "Where have you been this time?... Why are you so dirty?... Who were you playing with?... Now don't be "malikot" so I could give you a nice, warm bath and soon You will be clean and fragrant"... and then I realized that very soon, it would be His feast day. No wonder He wanted a bath so badly!
In the Philippines, the Catholic Church and devotees to the Santo Niño celebrate the feast day of the Child Jesus on the third Sunday of January with masses, novenas, processions, parades, exhibits, and other merry-making rites in His honor. The event is usually celebrated with fiestas, colorful parades, and street dancing in many parts of the country where the whole month of January has been devoted to the Santo Niño. Romblon has its Biniray Festival; Cebu City has its famous Sinulog Festival, which coincides with Kalibo, Aklan’s Ati-Atihan Festival; Pagadian City celebrates its Zambulawan Festival; Cagayan de Oro its Pachada Señor, Butuan City has its Kahimunan Festival, while Iloilo City celebrates its Dinagyang Festival. Celebrations in honor of the child Jesus are also being held in Pandacan and Tondo, Manila, Malolos, Bulacan, and in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Catholic Church officials said the image of the Santo Niño with a king’s crown reminds the faithful of the "Kingship and the Childhood of Christ." The small replica of the world in His hands means that Christ is the King of the universe who became a little child. As Jesus said: "Unless you become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18: 3-4). The image of the Santo Niño was brought to the islands on April 14, 1521, as a gift of Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana of Cebu who allowed herself to be baptized with her husband Rajah Humabon and over 800 natives. According to stories, Queen Juana cried for unexplained reasons after looking at the image of the Child Jesus. 
Now known as the Santo Niño de Cebu, the image is considered as the oldest Christian relic in the country. It is enshrined at the oldest church in the country, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City. Interestingly enough, it is not just in the Philippines that Catholics have a special and ardent devotion to the child Jesus. In Poland, thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Infant of Prague each year. The tradition of the Infant Jesus procession and the coronation continues to this day. On May 27, 1995, a solemn procession of the Infant Jesus took place in the streets of Prague with Cardinal Sin of Manila (Philippines) and Cardinal Vlk of Prague leading the procession. This ceremony was the closing highlight of the annual Feast of the Infant Jesus in Prague. As the devotion to the Infant Jesus spreads throughout the world, many parishes now offer Holy Mass and novenas to honor the Holy Child Jesus, Son of God, and many prayer groups have been formed. 
Sources: Wikepedia, Manila Bulletin
 On December 12, we honor Our Mother, the "brown Madonna" also lovingly known as Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and the Philippines.
Here's her story: The brutal Aztec empire worshipped the sun, the moon and the stone serpent. For these gods they performed human sacrifice, slaughtering 20,000 – 50,000 people every year. The Spanish forces conquered the Aztecs in 1521, but the Catholic faith did not take root. Many hated the Spaniards because of their abuses, so human sacrifices continued. Then Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a widower, 57 years old, a humble, simple native Mexican Aztec; a new convert who was willing to walk barefooted several miles to attend mass and catechetical classes. Mary’s apparition happened between December 9 and 12, 1531 at the hill of Tepeyac, Mexico. She left a miraculous sign, her own image, imprinted on his tilma or garment. On the tilma, the pregnant Mary was blocking the sun, stepping on the moon, and wearing a cape covered with stars. These all symbolized her dominion over the Aztec gods. She appeared to be a very beautiful lady carrying Jesus in her womb. She referred to herself as, “I am the one who crushes the head of the stone serpent.” Between 1531 and 1538, eight to nine million Aztecs were converted, and human sacrificed vanished. This apparition was confirmed by Pope John Paul II last August 31, 2002 when Juan Diego was canonized as a saint. Mary has been called Our Lady of Guadalupe because the native Aztec word she used “tecoataxopeuh” sounded like Guadalupe, a title of Mary in Extramadura, Spain. The meaning of the word reminds us of her Immaculate Conception, “the one who crushes the head of the serpent stone.” Her influence was felt in the Philippines 33 years later. A second wave of Spaniards, led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi , landed in Mactan, Cebu in 1565. Forty-four years earlier, Magellan’s men burned down Lapu-Lapu’s village, sowing much hatred. Legaspi thus feared Rajah Tupas, King of Cebu, and thousands of his warriors. Legaspi infuriated the people further by firing on the warriors. But when the Fray Andress de Urdaneta and his missionaries disembarked, he held aloft a painted banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Recognizing the men in black as friendly, Rajah Tupas allowed them to approach. As Father Urdaneta drew closer, Rajah Tupas was completely captured by the beautiful Lady on the banner. That broke the ice. Hearing the story of Guadalupe in Mexico, the soldiers were allowed to come down. That was the beginning of the Church in the Philippines. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the official Patroness of the Philippines. In 1999 Pope John Paul II entrusted to her care all children, especially the unborn. - From the Archdiocese of Manila On a personal note, I have had many answered prayers through Our Lady of Guadalupe, mostly about requests for conceiving a baby. There are also stories of how Our Lady of Guadalupe became instrumental in the fruition of religious vocations (Fr. Ian, are you reading this?). There's another new priest-friend, Fr. Randy Vergara, SSS, who lovingly shares his image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to churches, families and friends for veneration and for asking special favors. One friend also attests to having been granted a U.S. visa, though seemingly impossible, through Our Lady's intercession. I also have a friend, Bro. Stanley Villavicencio, who alongside the propagation of devotion to Our Lord's Divine Mercy, brings along an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on his "missions" because Our Lady once told him, "Are you not bringing me along with you so that I will be with my Son?" And in one of these missions of his, I bore witness to how people were instantaneously cured of their ailments. Some swear that they saw Our Lady "open" her half-opened eyes to show her beautiful blue eyes. The eyes of Our Lady of Guadalupe seems to be the most enigmatic. Scientists have studied the corneal eye in the tilma, enlarging it and in its reflection shows the image of Juan Gonzales, the interpreter of Juan Diego, at the moment when Juan Diego unfolded his tilma in front of Bishop Zumarraga. In veneration of the image, I too have experienced the sensation that I was being lovingly watched by those enigmatic eyes. But the more profound experience I had was that I felt her deep sorrow through her eyes. I would like to believe that I saw tears streaming down those eyes. In my heart, I heard her say, "Where are all my children? Why are they killing my babies?" And in my heart, I hear the muffled cries of all the aborted babies. This is the new scourge of the days we are now living in. If in the times of the Aztecs she appeared to Juan Diego because of all the human sacrifices and atrocities committed by the pagan priests and natives, Our Lady of Guadalupe is once more making her presence felt among us begging us to sanctify and respect life, most specially that of the unborn. And so on her feastday, we remember her, the Mother of Jesus, as she speaks to us: "Know for certain that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God... Here I will show and offer all my love, my compassion, my help and protection to the people. I am your merciful Mother, the Mother of all who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me. Here I will hear their weeping and their sorrows... their necessities and their misfortunes... Listen and let it penetrate your heart... Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?" - Words of the Blessed Virgin spoken to Juan Diego on the 9th and 12th of December at Guadalupe, Mexico. (Francis Johnston, "Our Lady of Guadalupe", Compiled by F. Adolf Faroni, SDB)
 We are kindred spirits, I would like to believe.
The first time we ever got to talk (over the telephone), there was an immediate connection. It was a connection that defied the boundaries of distance, space and time. It was a bonding that could only exist between people who have known each other for a very long time. Yet there we were talking casually for the first time, imagining how each other looked like. I was not even surprised that he called me up... it was like I knew we would become friends even if we still haven't met. On this first encounter, he told me things about me that not even my husband knows about. He said he called because he needed help for his visa. He wanted me to ask my husband for a letter to the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Justice (DOJ). I told him that my office was an attached agency to the DOJ and told him I knew the people he wanted to see at the DOJ and that on my own I can help him get in touch with these people. This was to be the start of my friendship and tutelage with Fr. Swamy. At around Christmas time in 2005, I personally met him in Davao City, He was my mother-in-law's visitor at home where my in-laws, my nephews and my children had the chance to go to confession to him. As he shared a simple merienda with us, he talked about the spirits that were haunting my in-laws' house. He spoke about our deceased ancestors and how he could help heal our family. He mentioned details of events and peoples who may have caused our family some harm. He spoke about his apostolate in helping families, exorcisms, evangelization and the like. When it was time for him to leave, my sisters-in-law, Ana and Mariel, and I offered to bring him back to his parish in Mintal, Davao City. On the way there, we were discussing his 'job' as an exorcist. We had so many questions and at one point I told him I did not believe spirits could hurt people who had strong faith in God. Then he said to me that as we spoke, he saw two evil spirits in the townhouse unit where we lived in Makati City and he also told me about spirits that dwelt in the house we were building in Quezon City. I was speechless because he described my house in detail, the trees there, etc... and he has not even been there! Since then, we have become really good friends. It is strange how he would call or text when I knew I needed him for healing, counseling or wanted to refer people to him. I am blessed to have him as my long-distance spiritual director and also, to an extent, my guru. I am also honored and humbled at the same time, that he seems to prefer calling me when he needs an 'assistant' for his healing and even exorcism missions in Manila. I have accompanied him to many of these missions already and it is always a learning experience when I accompany him. There are times that when the onslaught of the evil spirits is too strong, he lets me lead the rosary and be his prayer warrior. He is also happy that I can anticipate when he needs to drink hot water, hot tea or coffee and when I should tell those consulting him to just be still and quiet. I also explain to these people what he means when he gives details of his 'visions' or on how to go about his instructions to them. Sometimes I wonder why he entrusts me with these tasks of which I feel I am unworthy... I was with Fr. Swamy yesterday. It was a most pleasant surprise that he decided to squeeze into his busy schedule the blessing of our office and hearing the confessions and concerns or requests of my officemates. He also graciously agreed to visit the family of my Friendship, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD who is in town for a brief visit to his ailing aunt. And so today, I offer this blog as a thanksgiving for the gift of person and presence that is Fr. Swamy. I give praise and thanks to God for the gift of Fr. Swamy's priesthood, who icidentally, is celebrating his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee this year (April 17, 1982 to 2007) Here is his story: He was born Chatarajupalli Balashowry in 1953 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India and brought up in his native place of Mutlur. He was born to his saintly parents, Chatharajupally Mariadas, a missionary chatechist and Catherine from whom Fr. Swamy received the gifts of intuition and interior prayer. He has six younger sisters. His call to the priestly vocation started while he was in fourth grade on a Sunday evening when he felt an overwhelming presence of God. It was a very absorbing experience for him that he became inspired to become a priest. He became sacristan in his sixth and seventh grade. Then he went to St. Xavier's High School, Mutlur for his high schol studies, where the seeds of missionary life was sown. Then he went to St. Ambrose Seminary, Nuzvid, for his minor seminary and stayed there for two years. It was here where he discovered his writing talent in Telugu, his mother tongue. From 1972 to 1974, he went to St. John's Regional Seminary, Hyderabad for his studies in Philosophy followed by his one year regency in Amruthavani, Regional Communications Center where he was introduced to mass media. From 1975 to 1982, Fr. Swamy went to the St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. The first three years were devoted to his studies for Bachelor of Arts at the Bangalore University. The next four years were devoted to his Bachelor in Theology. His thesis was entitled "The Hermitage Within". He was ordained a priest in April 17, 1982. In his priestly journey, he admits that during his diaconate retreat in 1981, he was drawn towards Indian Christian Spirituality based on St. Benedict. He began to think seriously if he had a call to Ashram life or contemplative life. But his spiritual guide asked that he serve the Lord first in the diocese. First, he was an assistant priest in St. Mary's Parish, Secunderabad, where he was ordained; and in Sacred Heart Parish, Lallaguda. Then he became a parish priest at the St. Thomas Parish Lillipur and St. Jude Shrine, Vikarabad. It was here that he was blessed with the charism of healing and exorcism. He admits that he is not very good in his studies, games or cultural activities. As an introvert, he grew more fond of interior prayer, silence and solitude. He loves the Scriptures and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. His role models are Jesus and Mother Mary whom he loves dearly. His favorite saints are St. John Marie Vianney, St. Francis of Assisssi, St. Padre Pio, St. Catherin and St. Claire. (This information gives a tingling sensation in my spine because these too are my own personal favorites... maybe only St. Therese of Lisieux is not included.) As he is not an extrovert, Fr. Swamy took to the life of "Sanyasa", a pilgrim of prayer in January 1, 1989. For most part of the three years, he was in Shanthivanam, a Benedictine Abbey in Trichy. From there, he used to visit may Ashrams all over India to satisfy his thirst for a life of prayer. Thus he was drawn to hermitical life. Before becoming a hermit though, he lived in a cave of a hill for three months. It was for him a most transforming experience. Then he went about as a pilgrim of prayer, at times guiding retreats and recollectrions to the religious and mostly to the laity all over his province. While a hermit, he was invited to Euntes Asian Mission Formation Center, run by PIME priests in Zamboanga, He came over yearly to be a resource person on Indian Christian Spirituality from 1995 to 1999. It was during these yearly visits that he was attracted to adoration chapels which made him want to stay in the Philippines. From May 2000, Fr Swamy served at the San Pablo Parish, Davao City for three years and then at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Mintal, Davao City where he is now based. During his stay here in the Philippines, he has so far written "Everyday Prayer", a beautiful, practical book of prayers for families and individuals; "Spirit World", a collection of his many articles that are regularly printed in the Davao City local newspaper, the Mindanao Times (and also the source of most of what I am writing about him), and just recently, "Prayer Book for Children", a wonderful book of simple prayers for children and the child at heart. The other night, Fr. Flavie proposed to me that I make a stampita for Fr. Swamy using the photo I took of Fr. Swamy at the Blessed Sacrament of our parish church, Our Lady of Consolation... Fr. Swamy beat me to this preposition! Just yesterday, he said he had a surprise for me. And so in front of my officemates, he 'unveiled' the first copy of the "Prayerbook for Children". When he opened the book, on the first page was this photo I took of him! Talk about psychic connections! Dear Fr. Swamy, I dedicate this blog to you. I thank God for blessing me with the gift that you are. May you be abundantly blessed. May you continue being such a blessing to people. And may others be blessed by you. I pray too that my friends and those who will read this, especially my priest and seminarian friends be inspired and be blessed by you. Namaste! 
November marks the month of honoring our dear departed. We remember our parents, relatives, friends and ancestors who have gone ahead of us through our masses and prayers. We pray for souls that they may be cleansed and purified of their earthly sinfulness and thus be welcomed into Our Father's kingdom. Remembering our dead gives us time to reflect on our mortality too. In essense, we pray that our lives on earth be as God has planned it for us. We pray that we will fight a good fight, finish the race and keep the faith... On my birthday last month, I received from my Uncle Leo a most precious gift... It was my departed Lolo Francisco's scrapbook of his favorite poems, faded pictures and notes about my Papa Ernesto, my mama and of us brothers and sisters, and chronicles of major events in our lives... I have never seen this scrapbok before but I do remember the poems lolo recited to me when I was a child on those balmy afternoons while watching the changing hues of the sky as the sun set in the horizon. As I leafed through the brown, crisp pages, the memories of my lolo, lola, papa and other departed family, friends and relatives were relived in my reverie... To give you a glimpse of this precious moment, and to honor our dead while at the same time celebrating our own earthly journey, called LIFE, may I share with you my lolo's favorite poem: "A Psalm of Life" by Henry W. Longfellow: A Psalm of Life: What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist from Voices of the Night by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,--act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;-- Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.
  The Feast of the Triumph of the Cross which falls on September 14 holds a special significance in my life. A year ago on this feastday, I was celebrating my own victory of the cross. I clearly remember how I sat in thanksgiving and adoration at the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice in U.P. gazing at the crucifix that hang from the chapel's dome. To me, this crucifix with the dying Christ on one side and the resurrected Christ on the other side was the most precise symbol of resurrection over death, triumph amidst trials and tribulations, light engulfing darkness and life conquering death... until yesterday. Yesterday, my soul sisters (S. Marty, Ting Yabes, Norie Pangilinan, Celia Villanueva) and I left Manila at 6AM for a pilgrimage to a monastery in Tarlac. We were told that a relic of the true Cross of Christ is enshrined there. As we drove through Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac, we had so many questions... Where is the monastery, how and why was it built... is the relic really a part of Christ's Cross?... can we touch it?... We were met by our guides, Fraters Joseph and Thomas, at the San Sebastian Cathedral of Tarlac. From there, we drove inward towards the heart of Tarlac through meandering roads passing through Irish looking countrysides of green patches of rice fields, orchards, lakes, hills and trees. Driving up a mountain, we were finally welcomed by a 33-ft image of the risen Christ (a la-Rio de Janeiro) and another image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal beside a huge round boulder. Nestled in the mountain were the medieval castles of the monastery: Fr. Archie's castle, the guests' hermitages and the sisters' dormitories. Finally at a clearing on top of the mountain, a most amazing pilgrim site came to view. There was a chapel, a plaza, a pavilion and Gregorian chants wafted in the air. You can almost breathe in the holiness of the place! After a simple merienda with Fr. Archie and Sr. Ann Margaret, we were given a tour of the monastery... All my favorite words came into play to describe the place: sanctuary, solemnity, serenity, silence, simplicity, solitude... The Servants of the Risen Christ (SRC) Monastic Community was founded on September 14, 1998 by Fr. Ronald Thomas "Archie" Cortez in Ramos, Tarlac. It is an apostolic monastic community of monks living in prayer, works and service. Starting 2000, the structures of Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose were built. Providentially for the monks, the government of Tarlac developed the Tarlac Eco-Park and campsite making it possible for the monastery to have a paved road from Tarlac City leading to the site. Again through Divine Providence, something much greater than the establishment of the community nor the building of the monastery structures was to be the destiny of the SRC community. In the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany where Fr. Archie was invited as a guest, he was named custodian of the Holy Relic of the True Cross of Christ by Msgr. Volker Bauer. It is by God's grace and not just a coincidence that such an important event as being gifted this most precious relic took place. Msgr Bauer found in Fr. Archie the perfect custodian for the fragment of Christ's Cross. It was in January 30, 2007 that the relic which was brought all the way from the Diocese of Essen in Germany to Tarlac was consecrated and enshrined by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency Fernando Feloni along with bishops and priests from the Philippines. The relic is now encased in a silver arqueta or reliquary engraved with symbols associated with the Crucifixion - a pair of dice, Christ's garment, hammer and nails, ladder, crown of thorns. On it is the papal seal to prove its authenticity. The arqueta is located under the altar of the chapel of the Monasterio de Tarlac. Everyone is welcomed to venerate the relic and are allowed to touch the arqueta daily. However, the relic is exposed for veneration only on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross or every September 14. Now going back to our pilgrimage... We had the rare opportunity of joining Fr. Archie and the fraters in chanting the midday prayers in the chapel. We brought with us our crucifixes, pieces of cloth, scapulars and rosaries which we hoped to rub on the reliquary... to make them into second-class relics... At the end of the liturgy of the hours, the iron grill gate separating the altar from the pews was opened. The gospel from Isaiah was read and then we were allowed to fall in line to venerate the relic. It was a very sacred and personal moment for each of us as we reflected, prayed and venerated. Tears began streaming down our cheeks as we silently knelt and touched the reliquary. I don't know what brought tears to my friends' eyes. But for me, all I can think of is about how sorry I am for being such a wretched sinner and that I have caused all the wounds in His Body and Countenance. I prayed and begged for mercy. I prayed for the people I loved. I prayed for souls, I asked for graces. There was so much more I wanted to say and pray for... I offered a red rose and as I bowed for my last prayer of thanksgiving, He spoke to me in my heart through the song wafting in the air... "I LOVE YOU (LEI) AND YOU ARE MINE!" It was such a grace-filled moment at the foot of the Cross, with Our Sorrowful Mother, all the angels and saints. At this instant and in my heart, soul and mind, I found myself kissing and wiping His wounds. I was consoling Our Lady. Yet I was the one whose wounds and sinfulness was mercifully forgiven and healed. I was the one being consoled and loved. It was unbearably overwhelming. And so here I am, in the holy presence of this fragment of the wood that was His Cross. What a precious precious gift. The symbol which I held dearly in my heart, the crucifix at the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice in U.P., found much more meaning and significance in this fragment of a wood... And so I pray: "We adore You O Christ, and we bless You because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world."
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