Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle officiated the concelebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit last Jan. 12 for volunteers of the Sovereign Order of Malta. He cited the need for regular visits to the sick in one’s parish. Recalling his experience as a priest volunteer at the Missionaries of Charity center when he was studying in the US, he saw how the homeless, the dying and the HIV-AIDS patients badly needed to have someone with them, to feel the compassion of another human being.
Giving importance to the need of taking care of the sick, Cardinal Tagle said: “Let Jesus be alive in the sick! He is the Healer. Jesus heals by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
He thanked the volunteers of the Order of Malta for focusing their ministry on the sick and the poor.
The Holy Mass held at the Chancery of the Order of Malta Philippines on R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo was also attended by the representatives from the Department of Health, medical directors of hospitals, healthcare workers, hospital chaplains of the Archdiocese of Manila and partners of the Order of Malta.
The event was organized with the Ministry of Health Care of the Archdiocese of Manila headed by Fr. Manuel “Jun” Abogado III, chaplain of the Cardinal Rufino Santos Medical Center. Cardinal Tagle agreed with Fr. Jun Abogado to make the “Mass of the Holy Spirit” an annual tradition involving the parishes.
Pope fetes Order of Malta
Representatives of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the Philippines will attend the 900th anniversary of the Order in Rome Feb. 6-9. Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the Conventual Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
Candelaria fiesta
Feb. 2 is the feast of Our Lady of Candelaria, and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Our Lady was so called because she carried Jesus, the Light of the World, in her womb.
Silang, Cavite, is one of the more popular places where one can find a church dedicated to Our Lady of Candelaria. Cardinal Tagle will officiate the fiesta Mass at 3 p.m., Feb. 2, in Silang. Fr. Marty Dimaranan is parish priest.
In Jaro, Iloilo, the image of the Candelaria reportedly continues to grow taller and bigger. People from all over the Visayas come to venerate her on her Novena Masses and fiesta on Feb. 2.
Camino de Santiago
Fr. Manuel Domingo, SDB, has formed the First Confraternity of St. James, composed of pilgrims of the “Camino de Santiago.” He is inviting them to the first convocation on Jan. 30, 6 p.m., Roozen Hall, St. John Bosco Parish on Arnaiz Road, Makati.
Fr. Manny calls it an evening of spreading the devotion to St. James the Apostle, and fostering the “Camino de Santiago” experience.
The convocation is open to those who want to know more about the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
I will always be grateful to travel agent Sally Maddatu for bringing me to Santiago de Compostela in July 1997 in time for the celebration of the saint’s feast on July 25.
Young people who obviously had walked a long way arrived in the Cathedral in time for the Mass. It was an awesome experience looking up the altar and seeing the big censer (botafumeiro in Spanish) hanging from the ceiling swing from one side of the room to the other.
2,000 Hail Marys
The efficacy of praying the 2,000 Hail Marys with Our Lady of Medjugorje Prayer Group of Queen’s Row, Bacoor, Cavite, has been proven many times.
Letty Zapanta, who leads the group, told me about many answered prayers of people who attended the prayer and Mass every first Saturday of every month.
On Feb. 2, the group will gather at the Mount Carmel Parish in Camella Homes, Springville Village in Bacoor. Text Letty at tel. 0918-5047810.
Sto. Niño healing
Since 1978, the Sto. Niño has reportedly been “talking” through Nila Almoradie of Cavite City, and she has been healing people since then.
One healing miracle was experienced by an artist-sculptor suffering from cancer. Nila asked him to make the “Sto. Niño de Buenaobra,” which has been joining the Sto. Niño exhibit at the PNB Financial Center every January. It will join today at 3 p.m. the procession from the Philtrade to the Quirino Grandstand. The carroza is No. 91.
The artist-sculptor has been healed completely of cancer.
Those who wish to visit Nila for healing can text tel. 0947-4488327 or call tel. 046-5040472 (landline) for appointment. Address is 551 R. Palma St., San Antonio, Cavite City.
Those who want to have the “Sto. Niño healing cloth” from Lily Dequito can write me, the Inquirer, Chito Roces Ave., Makati. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. The healing cloth is a square piece that is put on the ailing part of the body.
Seminarian needs help
Charles Jason Cahilig, a seminarian of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, wants to become a priest, but his mother Nanette Cahilig doesn’t earn much as a teacher at the Esteban Abad Elementary School in Project 7. My friend, Nena de los Reyes, who is trying to help, told me about him. Let us help them.
Text Nanette Cahilig, tel. 0922-8679712 or 0916-5908815.
Sto. Niño Capitan General
After decades of having been hidden from the public, the famous Sto. Niño Capitan General, venerated in the Basilica of San Sebastian during the Spanish era, has been brought out for veneration. He will be there until Jan. 31.
This good news was relayed by Fr. Rommel Rubia, parish priest. There is a plan to bring the image to the grand Sto. Niño procession today, so the devotees will know that the Sto. Niño Capitan General is still around.
Blessings to Fr. Joey Bustillo, parish priest of Sta. Maria Goretti Church in Pius XII Catholic Center, who is celebrating his 22nd year as priest.
Rosa Mistica shrine, Tanay
Teresa Bitanga Valeros has opened her 10-ha property in Dayapa in Tanay, Rizal, and made it the Shrine of Our Lady Rosa Mistica, Mother of the Church.
Officially called the Spring of Grace Pilgrimage Site, the shrine is managed by La Sordiente Foundation (The Spring Foundation) headed by Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, OP.
In the shrine are found springs of water where 200 poor families in the area gather drinking water.
The shrine is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain. From Manila, take Marcos highway and drive east, passing Sta. Lucia and Masinag market and find Sitio Mayagay in Barangay Sampaloc on Dayapa, near Pranjetto Hills.
A multipurpose hall that serves as a chapel is built in the center of the property.
The devotion to the Rosa Mistica began in June 1947 when Our Lady reportedly appeared to a nurse Pierina Gilli in Montechiari, Italy. Our Lady asked for prayers for priests and the religious that they may be holy and faithful to God.
Those who wish to visit the shrine can text Inday Jimenez at tel. 0917-8034993.