Due to readers’ requests, the prayer to Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang patroness of Isabela is printed here. It was composed by Ilagan Bishop Joseph Nacua, OFM-Capuchin and given imprimatur on Dec. 8, 2011.
The feast of Our Lady of Guibang coincides with that of Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat on July 2.
Both Guibang in Gamu, Isabela and Piat in Cagayan Valley were crowded with pilgrims, affirming once more how Filipinos love the Blessed Mother.
“Dear Blessed Mother, behold your children before you, unworthy though we are, because of our sins for which we feel deep sorrow. We promise to love and serve God and to care for our neighbor better in the future. We promise to walk the ways of your Son, Jesus.
“Dear Blessed Mother, Lady of the Visitation, we are grateful for your kind condescension in choosing the humble spot of Guibang in our province of Isabela to be your sacred sanctuary from which flows abundance of your love and generosity. We praise you and thank you for the manifold proofs of your bounty experienced in this Shrine. We make this Novena to ask you favors, both material and spiritual. (Here pause and present your petitions)
“Dear Blessed Mother, intercede for us before God, Parent of us all. We know well that He has appointed you to be a most special dispenser of His divine favors. Come then, Mother of God, to our assistance, and grant us our requests, if these be in accordance with God’s will for His glory and for our good and that of the whole world. Amen.
(Pray: one Our Father; one Hail Mary; one Glory be)
Marian pilgrimage
Last year’s Couples for Christ trip to the Holy Land, Egypt and Jordan was a success. More than 250 members followed the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Can you imagine those six buses of Filipino pilgrims!
This year, for their 31st anniversary, Couples for Christ will embark on a Marian pilgrimage, with CFC overseer Dr. Joe Yamamoto and Adam’s Express Travel.
The special itinerary will include “5 European Capitals of Culture!” The tour will highlight Marian sites such as the Shrine of the Virgin of the Poor in Banneux, Belgium, site of the Marian apparitions in the early 20th century; Shrine of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Paris; Our Lady of Lourdes in Massabiele, France; Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal; and Our Lady of Montserrat in the Catalonian Mountain above Barcelona, Spain.
The group will also witness the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, on Oct. 21 in the Vatican.
Accompanied by chaplains Msgr. Allen Aganon and Fr. Maximo Gatela, the group will depart on Oct. 1.
(Call Adams Travel at 5211651, 5223876.)
Dame Grand Cross Award
Mercedes Tuason, the Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican, received the Dame Grand Cross Award from Pope Benedict XVI last June 19 in Rome.
The award was established by Pope Pius IX in 1847 as a papal order of knighthood. This is the third year that Tuason has been serving as Philippine ambassador, strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Holy See Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu, chief protocol officer of the Vatican, read the certificate in Latin. Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary of State, signed the certificate. Ambassador Tuason was also given a medallion of blue enamel inscribed with eight golden rays.
With the Ambassador were Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Danilo Ibayan; Executive Assistant Josephine Bantug; and Fr. Jose Dajac from the Congregazione Clericale Missionariedella Fede.
Memorial Mass for Msgr. Nico
Msgr. Nico Bautista didn’t die in vain, if only for the students he had helped go to college who are useful working citizens now.
His friends which compose the board of the Msgr. Nico P. Bautista Educational Foundation, Inc. are continuing his work.
On July 12, they will gather at the St. Alphonusus de Ligouri Church in Magallanes Village at 6 p.m. to commemorate his third death anniversary. The Mass is also being held in memory of all members and officers of the foundation who have passed away.
Jay Gervasio, president, will report to guests and friends of “Monsi” on the workings and achievements of the Foundation this past year.
(Contact Judy Sarino at 0917-824 0021.)
Mass of Remembrance
The Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls invite everyone to take part in the Mass of Remembrance on July 9, 11 a.m., at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (lower level of Cubao Cathedral).
The Mass is for those who died in the “Pagoda tragedy” on July 2, 1993 during the Pagoda Festival in Bocaue, Bulacan, in which 279 persons drowned when the pagoda sank in the Bocaue River; for the 500 garbage scavengers from Payatas, who were buried alive under tons of garbage onJuly 2, 2000 when a 50-foot garbage mountain collapsed on makeshift houses at the height of torrential rains.
We also remember and pray for the 1,100 people who died during an earthquake that registered 7.7 on the Richter scale on July 16, 1990. Among the cities in the Philippines that suffered the worst fatalities and damages were Baguio, Dagupan and Cabanatuan.
We especially remember the 1.1 million people who perished during the earthquake that hit Egypt and Syria in July 1201 (during the 13th century). This was considered as the deadliest earthquake to hit Eastern Mediterranean, and one of the worst disasters in recorded history. The featured saint of the month is St. Bridget of Sweden. Main celebrant is Fr. Jojo Zerrudo.
Feast of Rosa Mistica
Devotees of Our Lady Rosa Mistica will celebrate her feast on July 13, with a Holy Mass at 12 noon at the St. Martha’s Chapel in Harrison Plaza.
Mama Rosa Mistica! Pray for us!
