For the Heaven Listens

I was touched by these colorful flag-lets hanging at St. Clement's Church. They were like rays coming from the big image of the Immaculate Concepcion located just above the church's entrance roof. Written on these triangular flags were petitions of different people asking grace from God such as good health for the family, a successful career and business, and fruitful board exam results. Indeed, faith and prayer give us strength in times we have doubts in our lives.

What to do in Jaro Fiesta

Once again, Jaro, Iloilo City, is celebrating their feast in honor of Our Lady of Candles. And yes, jeepney routes drastically change whenever this day comes because people from the different parts of Iloilo travel to Jaro to visit their relatives who have prepared something scrumptious to eat.

However, it wouldn't be easy arriving here. You might want to leave your homes early so as not to get stuck in the absurd traffic. But taking a long walk wouldn't be bothersome, thinking that when you get there, you’ll be hospitably served with lots of food. However, never assume that every house that you would get your feet into has prepared a meal for their guests. I believe what's important is that one will have the chance to once again chat and catch up with relatives after a long time of no communication. And yes, why not go to the beautiful Cathedral and spend some silent time to pray and reflect?

The long queue of vehicles on the day of  Jaro fiesta celebration

Sometimes, it's better to walk than spend a  long time in a seemingly immobile jeepney.

Ukay-ukay is also popular whenever this feast is held. You can buy cheap but fashionable used clothes in the plaza. There are also other great buys that you can find there- accessories, creative jars, woven bags, shoes, and many more.

If you want to eat more just to satisfy your hungry tummy, Perri Todd’s is just steps away from Jaro Cathedral, right across Jaro Elementary School. Satisfy your tongue with its big, delicious, mouth-watering grilled burger and yummy al dente pastas while cooling yourselves with their iced-tea tower.

Pomodoro and Bologna in Perri Todd's for 150 php

Classic Burger for 110 php. You can also choose other kinds of burgers like the one which is loaded with tomatoes and vegetables.

Of course, this feast is celebrated to remind residents and the people as a whole of  Mother Mary’s love to them. It’s not just about eating and partying but also, one should look at the life he/she lives and pray that God will continue to lead him/her to the right path.

Novena and Lighting a Candle at the National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus

A week ago, three friends and I visited the National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus in J.P. Laurel, Manila. I was actually unsure where we were heading to as we walked past the roads of Mendiola. No worries, I was just following them. All I knew was we were going to attend a mass. Arriving at the place, indeed, it seemed as though a Holy Eucharist was going on.

We went up the choir loft and sat on a bench while the priest was going through his sermon. Afterwhich, I thought he would go on with the usual proceedings but I was surprised when everyone took his/her own booklets. It dawned to me that we were actually participating in a solemn novena to St. Jude Thaddeus.  The priest walked as through the prayers with the booklets as our reference.

Who is St. Jude Thaddeus, you may ask? He is actually one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. In the bible, he is interchangeably called Thaddeus, Jude of James, Judas Thaddeus, or Lebbaeus. The parish's history started  from the evangelization of Chinese in Manila in 1588 under the Dominican Fathers. According to the shrine's website, the church had set up its first rectory through renting a part of the premises of a former hospital (now St. Jude Catholic School) in San, Miguel Manila. By next month, St. Jude Thaddeus became the patron saint as proposed by Father Provincial Herman Kondring, SVD. The site where it is presently located was donated by Archbishop Rufino Santos.

The website said that the weekly novena started in June 1959 and since then, it has been held every Thursday. It has been flocked by devotees such as students, board exam takers, office workers, and other people who pray for petitions especially those who need help for their various problems in life. 

After the novena was finished, we went outside and there at the lobby, people gathered, raising their hands and booklets as the priest sprinkled us with Holy water. Truly, life is useless without our deep faith to the Almighty.

Before we recap our visit, we lighted floating candles located just by the lobby and there we silently offered our prayers to the Father. I realized that many people come here to manifest their faith, which was a part of their sincere interaction with the Lord. 

I thank God for sanctuaries like National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus. In this modern and fast-paced life that we are in right now, it is easy for us to be tempted and get caught in sin. But with a community where we can find refuge to express our faith to God, we can re-assess our lives and put it into the right perspective.

Remembering Christ's Agony

"Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again."
         The mass ended at 5 pm of Good Friday but the residents of the barangays that belong to our parish didn't go directly to their respective homes. Instead, they crammed at the back of their assigned karos (floats carrying holy life-size sculptures of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and the saints who significantly took part in our Savior's sufferings).
          The band began to play, signifying the start of the procession. The participants of the solemn walk started to light their candles and got hold of their rosaries. As their feet began to trudge on the rough road, their lips also started to utter the holy mysteries.
          The surrounding was already dimming and the full moon brightly glowed in the black sky. The karos lit up for the images to be visible. Those who didn't come in the procession placed their sparkling candles at the foot of their gates as they mourned with Christ's death. Two hours had already passed and the people continued to amble, not minding their already weary feet.
          As the night went deeper, the radiating karos  became more apparent, sending a meditative ambiance. There was St. Peter and St. John in their silky metallic robes, Mary Magdalene clutching an oil and a hanky, St. Veronica spreading the cloth showing Christ's face, St. Elizabeth holding a broom, and there was St. Martha as well. Maria Dolorosa, being the last to be moved forward in the procession, was in her black dress.
          The different scupltures that symbolized Christ's agony also paraded: Christ kneeling down, praying by the Garden of Gethsemane; Christ being scourged in the pillar; The crucified Christ; The Pieta; and Jesus lying in His sweet-smelling casket.
          As the procession came to an end, the karos, embellished with various colorful flowers and shrubs, were blessed with holy water. People then fell in an almost infinite line to kiss the human-size carving of Christ who has died.
          This whole sanctified practice of Catholics is necessary for us to remember how the Redeemer sacrificed His life to save us from our sins, thus telling people to repent their iniquities and strengthen their faith to our God Almighty.
          The Holy Week is the moment where we reflect on the lives we are leading, trashing away the wicked actions we are accustomed to and replacing them with ways that are pleasing to God's eyes.