Last year, after saving up for over a year and recovering from illness, I gave myself a long-anticipated 50th birthday gift: a pilgrimage to visit my favorite saints in Europe, and to see Pope Francis in person in Rome.
At least 1, 600 Filipinos, mostly members and cooperators of Opus Dei, are expected to leave Sept. 22 for Madrid, Spain, to attend the beatification of Venerable Bishop Alvaro del Portillo on Sept. 27.
Former Senator Dr. Helena Z. Benitez, affectionately called “Tita Helen,” will celebrate her 100th birthday on June 27. Chairperson of the Philippine Women’s University’s board of trustees, Tita Helen will welcome friends and family at Mira-Nila on June 23, where Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will celebrate Holy Mass at 3 p.m.
On St. Peter’s Square last April 27 after the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, Father Vicente Robles, parish priest of Sto. Cristo and St. Andrew Kaegon Church in Bocaue, Bulacan, gave Pope Francis a letter asking for his apostolic blessing on the late Bro. Richie Fernando, a Jesuit scholastic, who died in Cambodia on Oct. 17, 1996 trying to save the lives of disabled children from the grenade thrown by a troubled student.
This Sunday, April 27, when the two past popular popes, John XXIII and John Paul Il, will be proclaimed as saints, Roman Catholics will observe the Feast of the Divine Mercy by doing works of mercy, going to confession and receiving Holy Communion to avail of the extraordinary promise by the lord of complete forgiveness for sins and punishment.
We attended the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 1981 where my mom was to receive an award. It was a small private ceremony at Radio Veritas in Quezon City.
Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Life of Salvation because Jesus rose from the dead after three days.
Kneeling in a pew flanked by relics and memorabilia of the late Pope John Paul II, a young mother scribbled a prayer on a small envelope, pleading that her child grow up to be smart and be accepted by its estranged father.
Thanks to Fr. Joseph Orsal, parish priest of Sta. Cruz Church in Brgy. Sapaya in Guiuan, Easter Samar, for reminding me that the devotion to Mother Thrice Admirable is 100 years old on Oct. 18.
Although it’s still six months away, the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII on April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, in Rome, pilgrims this early are already getting in touch with their travel agents to make reservations for their flights and hotel rooms. Adam’s Travel will leave for Rome on April 25, 2014. Call 0917-5514468 or 5211651.
