Fr. Benjie Ledesma, parish priest of Our Lady of the Assumption in Leveriza, Malate, reminded us that the dogmatic declaration of the Assumption of Mary was observed last
Nov. 1.
In connection with the declaration, he said the parish would be celebrating it on Nov. 16, 3 p.m., with the Veneration of the Relic of San Padre Pio, followed by a Healing Session.
The Mass will be presided by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa.
27th Eucharistic Congress
This year the Catholic Church of the Philippines celebrates the Year of the Laity as part of the nine-year program in preparation for the 500th year of the evangelization of our country.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has issued a pastoral exhortation: “Filipino Catholic Laity: Called to be Saints… Sent forth as Heroes!”
The pastoral letter stresses the role of the laity in the task of transforming the world and bringing Christ’s kingdom into different parts of human society. “The Eucharist, participated actively in faith, is the source of Christian life and strength,” the bishops say. “It is the bread of martyrs.”
To help deepen understanding of the sacred mandate to our lay faithful, the 27th Eucharistic Congress, sponsored by the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (Pink Sisters) and the Eucharistic Adorers League, has chosen the theme “Eucharist and the Year of the Laity.”
Speakers for this year’s congress are: Fr. Apolinario Ty, SSS (“Eucharist in the Year of the Laity”); Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD (“The Mission of the Laity”); and Fr. Gerard Timoner, OP (“A Eucharistic Spirituality for the Laity”).
The procession of the Blessed Sacrament and culminating Eucharistic celebration will be presided by Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao on Nov. 29, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the St. Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters), 71 Doña Hemady Ave. and 11th St. New Manila, Quezon City. Registration is free and will start at 6 a.m., but there will be limited seats.
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
The Eucharistic Adorers League will give away estampitas of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, the favorite Marian devotion of Pope Francis who found the icon of the Virgin Mary in a church in Ansburg, Germany, when he was a young priest.
The icon shows angels undoing knots before the Virgin Mary. If you have a knotty problem like sickness or financial need, ask her for help.
Virgin of the Poor
Mila Dolores, who has visited Banneux, Belgium, several times, pointed out the significance of the date of the papal visit next year: “Do you realize that Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines on Jan. 16-19, 2015, fittingly coincides with the Virgin of the Poor’s first three apparitions 82 years ago?”
In 1933 in Banneux, Belgium, Our Lady appeared to 11-year-old Mariette Beco eight times from Jan. 15 to March 2 where she identified herself as the “Virgin of the Poor.” Mary led the visionary to a spring, symbol of her Son, Jesus, “for the sick” and “for all nations.” She came “to relieve suffering” and asked “to pray much.”
Mary also requested for a “small chapel” to be built on the site.
A replica of the Banneux has been built at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown, Biga II, Silang, Cavite, where poor students receive free technical vocational secondary education, shelter, clothing, medical and dental services.
There are 11,000 beneficiaries in four Girlstowns and Boystowns in Cavite and Cebu where 60,000 have graduated since opening in 1985 in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Cardinal Jaime Sin invited Servant of God Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz (fondly called Fr. Al), founder, to bring his project to Manila after receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1983 for his works in Korea.
Since 1999, the Virgin of the Poor participates in the Grand Marian Procession organized by Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Intramuros every first Sunday of December.
Dolores has written the book “Virgin of the Poor: A Tribute from Her Filipino Children,” which is available at National Book Store on Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.
Remedios, Malate fiesta
Novena Masses for the feast of Our Lady of Remedies in Malate will be held Nov. 7-16 at 6 p.m.
The schedule:
Nov. 7, Fr. Godwin Tatlonghari; Nov. 8, Fr. Elpidio Biliran; Nov. 9, Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin; Nov. 10, Fr. Sanny de Claro; Nov. 11, Fr. Benjie Ledesma; Nov. 12, Fr. Antonio Cecilio Pascual; Nov. 13, Fr. Marthy Marcelo; Nov. 14, Fr. Faustino Mora; Nov. 15, Fr. Daniel O’Malley, 9 a.m.; Nov. 16, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez.
Other activities: Nov. 8, 7 p.m., Volunteers’ Night, Cardinal Sin Gymnasium; Nov. 14, “Harana kay Maria” Marian concert inside the church, featuring Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School Children’s Choir, Malate Catholic School Children’s Choir, Malate Catholic School High School Glee Club, St. Paul University Manila Chorale, UP Manila Chorale and Malate Church Choir; Nov. 16, 4 p.m., fiesta procession; Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m., benefit concert for the restoration of Malate church, Palacio de Maynila.
Mass of Remembrance, Manuel Roxas HS reunion
The Mass of Remembrance of the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls will be said by Fr. Jojo Cerrudo on Nov. 10, 10 a.m., at the basement of the Manila Cathedral.
Novena to Our Lady of Biglang Awa is on Nov. 14: Rosary at 5 p.m., Mass at 6 p.m.; Nov. 15, Rosary at 4:40 p.m., Mass at 5 p.m.; Nov. 16, Rosary at 2:30 p.m., Mass at 3 p.m.
Batch 1989 of Manuel Roxas High School in Roxas District, QC, will hold its grand silver anniversary reunion on Nov. 22, 5 p.m., at the Amoranto Bldg., QC.