tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56448656184454870322024-03-12T20:18:35.754-07:00with you, alwaysthe setting sun leaves me breathless.
life will go on, but in the cold, unsure shadows of the mountains; but the lack of certitude is enough to tell me:
the absence of luminosity is temporary.
what is permanent--presence.
a sign, a grace, a conviction.
presence.Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-65423167922405495822009-01-25T21:39:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:47:15.138-08:00Foundation Day Celebrations Letter to Parents<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-t1z7VdMAnDqHKbU-wpMt7b2Q4CJpujKf5qAzsXMlFCqP9qPrHAOm4Iy8-WWRmhhyl3l4IF3CoZIX3SRl39ip_Xs7ygAyGJ_8-g7N5zHLwO-wR7_791DzO6XvxsKIdhV3EMNCYN1xj-h/s1600-h/ftg-skedWEB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 496px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-t1z7VdMAnDqHKbU-wpMt7b2Q4CJpujKf5qAzsXMlFCqP9qPrHAOm4Iy8-WWRmhhyl3l4IF3CoZIX3SRl39ip_Xs7ygAyGJ_8-g7N5zHLwO-wR7_791DzO6XvxsKIdhV3EMNCYN1xj-h/s320/ftg-skedWEB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295474433426709586" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">January 26, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dear Parents,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">A Happy Don Bosco Day!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">These coming days lead to the 31<sup>st</sup> of January, the Solemnity of St. John Bosco.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Beginning tomorrow, there will be a special schedule.<span style=""> </span>For the details, please see the timetable given to you through your sons. Here are some guidelines that we would like you to be clear with:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">1.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">January 27-30 are <b style="">regular class days</b> and thus, <b style="">the students are obliged to come to school</b> for the Foundation Day Activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">2.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">During the Foundation Day Celebrations, the high school students are asked to bring their <b style="">Student’s Handbook and ID Cards</b> (both School and Foundation Day IDs).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">3.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">These days, the <b style="">School Uniform</b> is to be worn by the high school students.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">4.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">The students bring <b style="">extra clothes</b> to be worn for certain activities (outreach, manual work and games).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">5.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">These days, our Bosconians <b style="">may bring with them mobile phones and electronic gadgets</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="">6.<span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;">The <b style="">time for reporting to school and for going home will vary</b> depending on the timetable for each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">On Saturday, January 31, the students are not obliged to go to school for the NUV activity.<span style=""> </span>On Sunday, February 1, those who are in-charge of exhibits are asked to come since these will be open to our Mass-goers.<span style=""> </span>On February 2, Monday, there will be no classes.<span style=""> </span>Regular classes resume on February 3, Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">We thank you and likewise invite you to come to our school and see our different activities.<span style=""> </span>God bless!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In Don Bosco,<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fr. Joel N. Camaya, SDB<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">High School Principal</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">P.S. For more details on the Foundation Day Celebrations, please see the following website: http://dbcanlubang.info</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-5776276512795456502008-06-19T14:19:00.000-07:002008-06-19T18:19:27.197-07:00Perchance to Dream<pre style="MARGIN-LEFT: 13.5pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span style="COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFsFggoKCEoAAE2snnc1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFsFggoKCEoAAE2snnc1/Shakespeare2.jpg?et=wt7Ns3anHgIse5jPPMnjuA&nmid=0" border="0"></a></span>To be, or not to be<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFsFIwoKCEoAAExokZM1"></a></span>: that is the question….<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre style="MARGIN-LEFT: 13.5pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span style="COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">...To die, to sleep;<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre style="MARGIN-LEFT: 13.5pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span style="COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Old English Text MT';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">To sleep: perchance to dream….<o:p></o:p></span></pre> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-INDENT: 9pt;<br />TEXT-ALIGN: right;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-arabic-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />">- Shakespeare, </span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt;<br />FONT-STYLE: italic;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-arabic-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />">Hamlet</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-arabic-font-family: Arial;<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />">, III,i.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-INDENT: 9pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 6pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9.15pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />language: EN;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><font size="3"><font face="arial, helvetica"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">My love for literature was born when I was in third year high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>It was ironic for that was the stage in my life when my self-esteem was at the cellar, when my productivity as a person seemed to be stifled by adolescence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Yet this is not the topic I wish to develop at this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;<br />mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';<br />mso-fareast-language: EN-US;<br />mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;<br />">I wish to dwell on that love I have for literature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>That year, we were reading selections in English literature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Our teacher introduced to us the epic </span></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;<br />mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';<br />mso-fareast-language: EN-US;<br />mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;<br />"><em>Beowulf</em></span></p></font></span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;<br />mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';<br />mso-fareast-language: EN-US;<br />mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;<br />"><span>, the Arthurian legends, and later, the works of Shakespeare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>A reading of the <em>Sonnets</em> awakened the poet in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>We also sat through an interpretation (more of a rendition for television) of <em>Hamlet</em></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />">.</span></span></font></font></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;<br />mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';<br />mso-fareast-language: EN-US;<br />mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;<br />"><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span></span></span></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">Days before we watched the production, I read through some of the more famous lines of this Shakespearean tragedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>I had reported on Act 1, Scene 4, one of the ghost scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>But the famous soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 caught my eye and my heart: “To be or not to be: that is the question.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Watching </span><font size="2"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"><em>Hamlet</em></span></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"> made me yearn for one of my life’s dreams—to play the part of the tragic protagonist, Hamlet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></font></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">Today I turn 36 and I am resigned to the fact that I will never essay that role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>(I would have to be content with reciting the lines in my private moments!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>But my reflection on this day of my birth touches this Shakespearean play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Shakespeare was about my age when he wrote </span><font size="2"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"><em>Hamlet</em></span></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Nay more, the plays (almost all) that were written after he turned 36 were tragedies: the most elevated of all theatrical forms; theatre at its most serious tone, drama at its best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Perhaps they reflected the stage (no pun intended) that Shakespeare had reached that time, a stage that demanded more attention, when we work on the even more noble things in life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></font></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">The words from the famous soliloquy may well be the sentiments of the playwright: it is a question </span><font size="2"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span></font></font></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"><em>to be or not to be</em></span></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />COLOR: black;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;<br />mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';<br />mso-fareast-language: EN-US;<br />mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;<br />">, a question that goes beyond what the character meant, as I take the license to wrench it away from what Shakespeare intended and make it my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>It is a question of really existing, of truly living. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span></span><font size="3"><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />"><em>To sleep: perchance to dream</em></span></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">—this particular birthday of mine, I would like to go even further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>It beckons and asks me to continue dreaming, not only for myself but for the people around me—family, school, congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt;<br />mso-pagination: none;<br />"></p><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"><span lang="EN" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt;<br />FONT-FAMILY: Arial;<br />mso-ansi-language: EN;<br />">Today, I thank God for the gift of life, for the gift of so many people dear to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>I thank him for the many gifts that he continually bestows on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>Year after year, crisis after crisis, I have persevered in his grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>36 is actually the sum of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>What I am right now is the sum of the many graces God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>has given me since the beginning, my birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;<br />"> </span>In joy I look back at all these and then look forward: aye, perchance to dream!</span></span><span style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow';<br />"></span><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-5082596220658232742008-03-27T16:24:00.000-07:002008-03-27T20:24:09.646-07:00NOLI ME TANGERE <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><SPAN class=insertedphoto><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R@xkQQoKCEoAABwwEwY1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@xkQQoKCEoAABwwEwY1/Noli_me_Tangere_Corregio.jpg?et=mmS1I7a8%2C6Vt49gSiqb59Q&nmid=" border=0></A></SPAN>Everyday this week, from last Sunday to this coming Sunday, the masses we<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>celebrate take on an ambience more festive than any other week of the year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We celebrate the Easter Octave, a whole week when at mass we sing the Gloria, reminding us that each day takes the rank of a feast.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We likewise append alleluias to the dismissal and its response: <I>“Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.”</I><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Despite the stress-filled yearend decisions, information and activities, the celebration of Easter this year remains pleasantly memorable to me.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I hold it as a beautiful privilege to hold aloft the Paschal Candle in the night of the vigil and sing “Christ our Light!” and also to sing the Easter Proclamation, the <I>Exsultet</I>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have done it before—in Tuloy sa Don Bosco (2000), St. John Bosco Parish in Tondo (2001), Don Bosco Batulao (2005) and Don Bosco Canlubang (last year)—but I was still trembling this time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Easter Sunday came and the beautiful feeling of new life continues these days.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One memorable gospel passage this week was the one read on Tuesday (Jn 20:11-18).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is one of the famous resurrection scenes, that of the encounter between Mary Magdalene and our Resurrected Lord.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One famous phrase that is often quoted from this passage (that even Rizal used as the title of his novel) is the Latin expression <I>“Noli me tangere”</I> (the original of which, of course, is in koine Greek) which we readily translate to “Touch me not.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, that translation is misleading, for it seems to be a command that is forbidding.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Other translations yield the beauty of the situation that was there in the encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, as in the following: “Stop holding on to me” or “Stop clinging to me…”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It tells us of Mary’s joy in seeing the Lord.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So excited was she that she couldn’t help but hold onto Jesus.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">It is this same kind of joy that we feel when we encounter Jesus after realizing the love he has for us, after a long time of suffering, or after a long dry spell of being away from him on account of our sinfulness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We cling to him and gently and smilingly would tell us, <I>“Noli me tangere.”</I><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For how we see and touch him today is not the end, but merely a foretaste of what is to come, when we, like him, would ascend to the Father.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May this season be full of God’s experience for all of us.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Happy Easter, alleluia!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-60283672968020462372008-03-19T21:56:00.000-07:002008-03-20T01:56:56.526-07:00Watch and Pray <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R@ImsQoKCEoAADeLJ9s1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@ImsQoKCEoAADeLJ9s1/Passion_of_the_Christ%2C_The_%28C1%29.JPG?et=1oeEIT%2BgAgF5hpKG0MrWRw&nmid=" border="0"></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">The Thursday of all Thursdays has once again come with the beginning of this year’s Paschal Triduum.<span style=""> </span>These following days are the most solemn time of the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Easter Vigil as the summit of the calendar of the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">As a child I have always looked forward to this time of the year, not with joyful anticipation as I do at Christmas time, but with solemn excitement over the novelties of practices: the penitents (</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">salibatbat</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;"> in our Kapampangan language)—men flagellating themselves, or carrying their crosses, or crawling on the dirt; the </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">pasyon</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">, the Seven Last Words at the Cathedral, the </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">tanggal</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;"> followed by the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion<span style=""> </span>and Veneration of the Cross and the procession of the </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">Santo Entierro </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">around the town.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">When I entered the minor seminary of Don Bosco Juniorate, I had a closer look into the liturgy as we took some time learning the songs and practicing the services for the Triduum.<span style=""> </span>When I was in third year high school I was chosen as one of the apostles whose feet were washed in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.<span style=""> </span>After the Mass we took turns to spend at least an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, in commemoration of Jesus’ words “Stay awake, watch, pray.” (cf. Mt 26:41)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">This is something that I have seriously taken every year during the Paschal Triduum.<span style=""> </span>The liturgical celebration is so rich and through all of these God speaks to us over and over again, reminding us of the words spoken by his Son at the Last Supper: “No greater love one has than to lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;">Our dialogue with God continues.<span style=""> </span>In the solemnity of these days, do not forget: watch and pray.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9pt;"><font size="5"><font size="6"><span style="font-size: 9.8pt;"></span></font><span style="font-size: 9.8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-8844890989248088272008-03-19T21:50:00.000-07:002008-03-20T01:50:09.048-07:00THE Thursday<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R@IlHAoKCEoAAAw-fk81"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@IlHAoKCEoAAAw-fk81/Supper.gif?et=ZF8fOYY44saeILMtuiFAZQ&nmid=" border="0"></a></span><font size="5">This is the day of <span style="font-style: italic;">La lumière</span>, the name of my site. The weekly newsletter of the department I am handling comes out every Thursday. As this is the most important Thursday of the year, it is worthwhile to look at the reason behind the special character of this day of the week.<br><br> Every Thursday, in praying the rosary, we meditate upon the mysteries of light, and thus, the name <span style="font-style: italic;">La lumière</span>. These mysteries culminate in the institution of the Eucharist by our Lord: Holy Thursday. This Lord’s Supper the institution of which we celebrate today, begins the Easter Triduum which leads to our celebration of Easter, the commemoration of the Lord’s resurrection. Thursday thus becomes the light that leads us into the threshold of the summit of our Christian life: celebrating Life—Jesus rising again to life.<br><br> Let the ponderings that we make these days of the Triduum and throughout the Easter Season make us even more thankful of the gift of Thursday: the gift of Christ’s love and service, the gift of his presence—so vivid in the Last Supper!<br><br>A blessed Paschal Triduum to each one of you!</font> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-85456617165595594862008-02-07T19:00:00.000-08:002008-02-08T00:00:28.123-08:00the day after ash wednesday<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R6wL3woKCEoAAEpcdoc1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R6wL3woKCEoAAEpcdoc1/2002popeandme.jpg?et=x%2BwsFmkbEp3OZVJmfGFmtA&nmid=" border="0"></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Ash Wednesday ushered in the Lenten Season which comes quite early this year.<span style=""> </span>All of the priests in our community were occupied with a minimum of two masses.<span style=""> </span>The six o’clock evening Mass in our chapel was jampacked, comparable with the masses held on Sunday.<span style=""> </span>It was a day of fasting and abstinence, and so yesterday’s </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;" lang="EN">breakfast</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;" lang="EN"><span style=""> was really a case of </span><i><span style="">breaking the fast</span></i><span style="">.</span></span><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">So what do we do the day after Ash Wednesday?<span style=""> </span>Continue the spirit of the season of Lent which has just begun—prayer, sacrifice, works of charity: done in an even greater intensity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">However, the day after Ash Wednesday means something else to me.<span style=""> </span>I do not know about our present pope, Benedict XVI, but in the time of the late Pope John Paul II, he reserved the day after Ash Wednesday as the time to meet the clergy of the diocese of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City> of which he is Bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">I was able to join such meeting in 2002, when I was a deacon. I looked forward to that day and prepared to wear my best.<span style=""> </span>Together with others I was admitted into the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vatican</st1:place></st1:country-region> through the Bronze Door.<span style=""> </span>We were led by Swiss guards through the marble halls until we reached the hall where the Pope would hold the audience.<span style=""> </span>We seated ourselves and waited.<span style=""> </span>Then the Pope was wheeled in.<span style=""> </span>Several parish priests delivered their addresses as did Cardinal Ruini, the Pope’s Vicar in the diocese of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>.<span style=""> </span>The Pope then delivered a written speech and then spoke spontaneously, a discourse which we all enjoyed.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Then came the awaited moment.<span style=""> </span>We all fell in line and waited to greet the Pope personally.<span style=""> </span>I had wanted to greet the Pontiff with words like greetings from the Filipino people and the Salesians, but the moment I knelt before him, I was speechless in ecstasy.<span style=""> </span>I looked at his eyes and he looked kindly at me.<span style=""> </span>It was a moment I will always savor.<span style=""> </span>This made the day after Ash Wednesday a day for me to treasure.<span style=""> </span>It was a day when I blurted out: I can die now, for I have met the Pope!<span style=""> </span>Much like the </span><br><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Nunc dimittis</span></i><span style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN"> of Simeon (cf. Luke 2:29-32).<span style=""> </span>May this Lenten Season on the other hand draw from us the same phrase for in it we meet Christ even more closely.<span style=""> </span>God bless your 40 days!</span></span><span style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-39138095057088682282008-01-28T12:18:00.000-08:002008-01-28T17:18:29.952-08:00A Spoonful of Honey<P><EM><SPAN class=insertedphoto><SPAN class=insertedphoto><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R55@qgoKCEoAAAdIT@41"></A><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R55@PQoKCEoAAHwLDgs1"></SPAN><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R55@PQoKCEoAAHwLDgs1/S%20Francis%20de%20Sales%20headshot.jpg?et=GUAGkv29hd3lxXTMltQm%2Cw&nmid=" border=0></A></SPAN>Last January 24, feast of St. Francis de Sales, I wrote the following piece.</EM> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">I am a Salesian. Whenever I say this to people who are not so familiar with our charism I am immediately asked other questions as follow up: "Why <EM>Salesian</EM>? Why not <EM>Bosconian</EM> priest? Your Congregation was founded by St. John Bosco, was it not?" And I would have to do some further explanations, of course in the long run naming <EM><STRONG>St. Francis de Sales</STRONG></EM> as as our titular patron chosen by Don Bosco himself.</SPAN></P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">When I was a student in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>, I had the privilege to take part in a retreat traced the footprints of St. Francis de Sales.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We had as base the retreat house Centre Jean XXIII (see the website of this beautiful retreat center at <A href="http://www.centrejean23.org/main.htm">http://www.centrejean23.org/main.htm</A>), at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Annecy</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place> (Haute-Savoie province, Rhone-Alpes region).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The region of St. Francis de Sales was picturesque.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><st1:City w:st="on">Annecy</st1:City> had a beautiful lake and a panorama of the <st1:place w:st="on">Alps</st1:place> served as backdrop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">We went to places that were significant in the life and work of St. Francis.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I saw the site of the castle of Sales where he was born; the font where he was baptized; La Roche which was the district where he studied; Thonon, where he preached and converted a lot of people; the woods where he climbed a tree on which he stayed all night in order to escape from the wolves.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We went to <st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region>, which became his See, despite the fact that it was a Protestant stronghold; <st1:City w:st="on">Lyons</st1:City>, where he died; and of course, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Annecy</st1:place></st1:City>, where we prayed at his tomb.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Leading us in our pilgrimage was an amiable French confrere, Fr. Morand Wirth, who is an expert on the life and works of the saint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He said in jest that before becoming knowledgeable of St. Francis, he was a <EM>normal</EM> Salesian, that is, one who is not so familiar with this particular patron. He thus hit us with a sad truth: Salesians do not know much about the gentle Bishop of Geneva whose name they bear. At the end of the retreat, he laughed saying that we were less normal Salesians for now we knew more about St. Francis de Sales.</SPAN></P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Personally, when I was a novice, I was deeply impressed by this saint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was struck in particular with a book that he wrote: Introduction to the Devout Life. It spoke of the universal call to holiness. Sanctity is not only for priests or religious; it is for everyone. This brand of spirituality we bring even to the young people of our schools and oratories. Yes, the young can be saints.</SPAN></P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Another thing which struck me were words of St. Francis that I have heard even earlier, as a high school student: <EM>"</EM><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><EM>On attire plus les mouches avec une cuillerée de miel qu'avec cent barils de vinaigre."</EM> (</SPAN>“A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our saint is known for his gentleness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>By nature, he was choleric, but he mastered himself so that he became known for his meekness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In him we found the sweetness of God, the divine goodness that we find comforting.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Today, as we celebrate the feast of this saint, we thank God for the gift of a great example for humanity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May we be more Salesian by knowing this gentle soul of Sales.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>God bless!</SPAN></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-76169555982191829092008-01-16T12:56:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:56:57.692-08:00From Bosconian to Salesian<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><EM><FONT size=3><SPAN class=insertedphoto><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R461qwoKCEoAABT6Wfk1/bro%2520joel.jpg?et=m1ZF12nkSZ%2B00nqvEnkmEA&nmid=" border=0></SPAN>In the midst of the preparations for the coming feast of St. John Bosco, I go back to something that I have written in 2001. It is timely that I publish it this year as I am celebrating 25 years of entering Don Bosco as a student.</FONT></EM></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In the Salesian world, Tarlac will always be</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">remembered as the locality of the first Don Bosco school in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">This is Don Bosco Tarlac that I hold dear in my</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">heart.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the beginning it did not strike me as it does</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">today. To the people of Tarlac, Don Bosco has always been known as <I>the </I>private school where</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the boys usually go. As a little kid I looked forward</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">to studying there when I reached the fourth grade.</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">My elder brother spent the latter part of his</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">elementary years in this school. I first got to know Don Bosco from the school</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">uniform that my brother wore.</SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My first day in Don Bosco was one I eagerly</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">anticipated. <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">How would it be?</I> I had been there</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">for the entrance examination, interview and</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">enrolment, but I had no idea what to expect. The awaited moment arrived. It was neither</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">a hall of cashiers’ windows nor a corridor of offices</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">that greeted me. It was not even the sight of</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">students lining up for class. It was the scene of</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">basketball courts full of boys sweating it out in</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">spontaneous games; and of the football field, with</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">several balls flying to and fro. This was minutes</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">before the assembly time! What a way to start the day!</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I smiled and felt at ease.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">But it was not merely the start of a day; it was</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the start of another episode in life. In due time I</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">came to know Don Bosco the person more</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">profoundly, as also the people who bore his</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">name—in their initials ‘SDB.’ They were all</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">around, they, the brothers and priests who were</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">visible among the students during breaks. They</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">mingled with us. We talked; we played. One</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">impressive image that recurs in my memory is that</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">of a priest, in his cassock, in the middle of the</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">football field, usually running and kicking the ball</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">surrounded by the boys.</SPAN> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In Don Bosco Tarlac I found practices unique in Don Bosco: the weekly Mass (and</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the daily “free Masses”), singing practices,</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">sodalities and youth groups, visits to</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the Blessed Sacrament, rosary at lunch break.</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">There was a confessor who was available all the</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">time. And you know what? My first year with Don</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosco was made even more special because it was</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the year of the visit of the Rector Major, Don Egidio</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Viganò. On this occasion, I was chosen to be one of</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the emcees under Bro. Dennis Paez.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">One thing I liked about Don Bosco was the</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">familiar air that was all around. Everybody knew</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">one another, from Grade 4 to the Fourth Year. The</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">physical structure of the school was ideal: except</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">for the gym, one could see practically the whole</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">compound. The chapel was accessible, as were the classrooms and the playground. When the</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">principal stood in the middle of the football field,</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">everyone else saw him and <I>vice versa</I>.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Days, weeks, months; a year, and another.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">From the world of the home, I ventured into</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">another. The school became the <I>tambayan</I>. On</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">weekends, I found myself at Don Bosco—not for</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">curricular activities, but for <I>extras</I>: serving mass,</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Boy Scout activities, hanging around the rector’s</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">office, and so on. Before I knew it, Don Bosco had</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">become a second home.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">That was why when the call to be a Salesian</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">came, it did not come as a surprise. It had been</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">there all along. God had been paving the path so</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">that when the proper time came, I was ready. For my assent, I</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">needed only the amplification of His voice through</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the Salesians themselves, and in</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">my youthful vigor, I entered the high school seminary of Don</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosco Juniorate, Pampanga. However, though</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">each life story is a continuum, that is another</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">episode and this space does not allow me to dwell on it. Suffice it then</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">to say that one episode led to another, and yes,</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">eventually took me to where I am now as a</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Salesian.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Whenever doubts plague me,</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">I look back at my experiences as a student at Don</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosco Tarlac and I end up saying, “I was a boy of</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Don Bosco,” in the same way as Rua, Cagliero and</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">the other Salesians of times past and present have</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">been boys of Don Bosco. Yes, I have basked in such</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">a Salesian atmosphere and I realize this has been</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">God’s way of encouraging me and sustaining me</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">all these years.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Once, as a young Salesian, I had the</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">chance to visit Don Bosco Tarlac. I was given the opportunity</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">to give the good morning talk to the student body.</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">A surge of exuberance filled my heart; a knot made</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">its way to my throat. Some of my teachers were present.</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">I told the Bosconians that it was a joy for me to</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">come home and to see reflected in them what I had</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">been years ago. It was with nostalgic incredulity</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">that I looked at the part of the gymnasium where I</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">had first stood as a grade four student. “Have I</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">really been there?” I asked myself. And I told</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">everyone that I was now in front, something I never</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">imagined when as a boy I looked at the Salesians</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">who normally stood before the assembly.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In my 25<SUP>th</SUP> year as a Bosconian, I write as how a grateful son</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">eulogizes a parent in a celebration meant for</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">tribute, because this is how I look at Don Bosco</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Tarlac: a parent who has both sired and nursed in</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">me the incipient call to follow Christ. I cannot but make references to my own humble</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">beginnings. I am here, a Salesian, because Don</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosco was there in Tarlac.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And to keep the paean ringing: in this school</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">called Don Bosco lived the spirit of the man named</SPAN> <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Don Bosco</SPAN></B><SPAN style="COLOR: black">. In this school lived year after year,</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Salesians who have carried on the task of</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">preserving the spirit, keeping it alive, sharing it</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">with Tarlaqueños.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In my good morning talk to the Tarlac</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosconians, I asked them, “Are you proud to be</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Bosconians? I’m sure you are.” There was an</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">ardent wish within me: “I hope many more among</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">them will take that step from their place to where</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">I am.” <I>From Bosconian to Salesian. From Tarlac to</I> <I>wherever Don Bosco is. </I>After all, like them I am also</SPAN> <SPAN style="COLOR: black">a Tarlaqueño.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><EM><FONT size=3>(picture shows me as a young Salesian in theology, the time I wrote this article)<SPAN class=insertedphoto></SPAN></FONT></EM></SPAN></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-19035910172264444362008-01-10T09:42:00.000-08:002008-01-10T14:42:18.355-08:00God Walks on Brown Legs<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 3in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN class=insertedphoto><IMG class=alignright src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R4afLgoKCEoAAAyuYbo1/Nazareno2.jpg?et=VRpWQ2nnau35ZnsCYFjglQ&nmid=" border=0></SPAN>And found Him found Him found Him<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 3in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Found the Hand to hold me up!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 3in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">He held me like a burning poem<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 3in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">And waved me all over the world.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><I><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">José Garcia Villa</SPAN></I></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">It was late in the afternoon of January 9 in the Year of the Great Jubilee.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was a Sunday, but I was caught in a traffic jam.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was in the heart of the district of Quiapo.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It had not occurred to me that it was the feast of the Black Nazarene.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rather than lose my cool and curse myself for having been at the wrong place at the wrong time, I was in a good mood and was a bit more reflective than usual.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was just there wondering at the sight of the great crowd, a mass of bodies that packed the lane.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And they were men, not women.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They who gathered were not there expecting edible giveaways; nor were they paid to go there.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They were there on their own accord, moving with everybody else, savoring the delight of treading barefoot in procession accompanying the figure of the famous Black Nazarene of Quiapo.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">It was the figure of Christ, dressed in maroon robes, that was obviously the star of the show.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some men who had gathered for the event wore the same shade—however faded—for their apparel.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Others were half naked and their bodies glistened with sweat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some were more fortunate as they were able to cling to the statue…<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">The Black Nazarene of Quiapo is one of the figures of Christ that has earned a place in the hearts of Filipinos, many of whom are of the poorer class.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This one and the other figures also of Christ that have attracted numerous devotees throughout the decades, that have steadily asserted through the practices of popular piety that he is deeply embedded into the culture of the Filipino people.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><I><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">“Gods walk on brown legs”</SPAN></SPAN></I><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"> is how the renowned Filipino poet Rafael Zulueta da Costa ends his poem “Like the Molave.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I would like to make an adaptation of this: <EM><STRONG>God walks on brown legs</STRONG></EM>. In the quest for an inculturated Christ, the Filipino himself looks for someone who is like him--not only in color (although he can easily relate to a Christ who shares with him even the color of his skin), but more than that. The Filipino looks for a person who is like him: lowly, suffering, an underdog, burdened with a cross. To</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> earn exaltation, he had to look for the Hand that would lift him up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And in the figures of Christ that they hold dear, the Filipinos “found Him found Him found Him.”</SPAN><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And in the figures of Christ that they hold dear like the Black Nazarene, the Filipinos have found God to be this hand.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Through popular piety, men and women have sought for God and found Him.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">I remember one afternoon when in a seminar-workshop on popular religiosity I sat a-pondering in the multi-media hall of the Maryhill School of Theology, when I thought of the millions of Filipinos who wanted to touch Christ.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Touch him—they did, literally, or others must have thought they did, but did not in actuality.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I sat in a trance, for I was convinced that they did touch him after all.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their hands on the image, their knees on the floor—aye, they touched him.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Theirs was the experience that theological speculation might never give them.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I blurted out to myself: “Personally, I’d rather have a people steeped in religiosity, in a seemingly exaggerated expression, than a godless people.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">Now I am convinced: this piety that they have is a treasure for it is a given, a raw material.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With this in one’s hands, that person can do much.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a long, tedious process, but yes, it is a power possible.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And bring it before God’s hands—it is power invincible.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-78726238867667408472008-01-08T18:35:00.000-08:002008-01-08T18:36:50.838-08:00January 13, 2008 Distribution of CardsJanuary 9, 2008<br />Dear Parents,<br />Peace and joy, and a grace-filled new year!<br />Before your sons went for their Christmas break, the period of evaluation for the third quarter was held. Hence, another quarter of scholastic activity has been evaluated. For this we would like to invite you for the <strong>DISTRIBUTION OF REPORT CARDS</strong> on January 13, 2008 which is this coming Sunday.<br />The programme for the card-giving will be much simpler this time, since we have postponed the scheduled Parents’ Day. The detailed schedule is as follows:<br />AM<br />8:30 Holy Mass in the Gymnasium (Presider: Fr. Rolo Alcasid, SDB, Rector)<br />9:30 Dispersal into sections for the distribution of Report Cards. C/o Ms. Wilma Mendoza (Asst. Principal for Academic Affairs), Ms. Christine Solares (Asst. Principal for Student Affairs) and Class Advisers.<br />10:30 Home Sweet Home<br />We would like to remind the parents that the distribution of report cards <strong>would not go beyond 11:30 in the morning</strong>. Thank you and God bless.<br />Sincerely yours,<br /><br />Fr. Joel N. Camaya, SDB<br />High School PrincipalFr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-22824522827584792672008-01-08T11:22:00.000-08:002008-01-08T16:22:18.854-08:00A.D.<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><B><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><IMG class=alignmiddleb src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R4QTgwoKCEoAACdn87w1/AD%202008.JPG?et=lse4IIbvMEq%2B4HA7AX8fCw&nmid=" border=0>Happy New Year! <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">I am very sure you have welcomed the New Year in your very own way, carrying on with the annual family traditions that you have been practicing—most probably with the midnight mass (which others have put earlier so as not to endanger themselves with the firecrackers that climax at the coming of the New Year at 12:00 midnight) and then the <EM>Media Noche</EM>, the beautiful midnight meal celebrated after making noise or listening to noise, the herald of the coming of 2008.</SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">I was sorry to have welcomed this year from my bed as I was down with fever, cough and colds.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I did wake up at the strike of midnight and rose to greet my parents and my brother who were in the house with me. I went back to bed shortly after and rose up the next day to celebrate mass with my family.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">The days before and even after the First of January, the television shows were featuring what was special for this coming year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Psychics came to their annual appearance and gave predictions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Much was about 2008 being the “Year of the Rat”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Among many other things, they were saying who was lucky and who was not.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One show even featured rodents—big and small—taken from a zoo, with a zoologist giving a scholarly exposition of what rats are all about: from the different species to their habitat to their nutrition and smell.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">I was born on the year of the rat and so I was interested a bit.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Year in and year out they present all these animals that take turns in being the highlight, as is presented in the Chinese calendar.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN">My apprehension in all this is that Christians might be too taken up by all this talk about the Year of the Rat (or Pig, Dog, Rooster, etc.) that they forget that every year is actually a celebration of the Year of the Lord—for this is what A.D. means: <EM>Anno Domini</EM> ("in the year of the Lord"). We give little importance to that short phrase that is even present in our diplomas. The coming of Christ has split history into two: what came before him and what came together with his coming. As we are still enjoying the novelty of writing 2008, let us not forget to dedicate our year to Christ himself. After all, it is the Year of the Lord.</SPAN></P></SPAN><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-1149038176148436622007-12-07T01:02:00.000-08:002007-12-07T06:02:21.814-08:00POTUIT, DECUIT, ERGO FECIT!<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN class=insertedphoto><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R1lSRgoKCsYAAECrEgs1"><IMG class=alignright src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R1lSRgoKCsYAAECrEgs1/advent-murillo-conception.jpg?et=UZyjReUMecQvur12Fe6JEQ" border=0></A></SPAN>Since the time of Don Bosco, there has been a tradition in our Salesian houses to stage an <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">accademia</I> (usually a cultural presentation meant to instruct the boys on the upcoming feast).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was held on the eve of the feast.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And it was so in my experience of Salesian life, even when I was a young aspirant in high school.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When I was a brother in practical training, I staged <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">accademias</I> at the eve of almost every solemnity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Tonight, on the eve of the Solemnity Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception, I am quite emotional.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have just come from a play staged by our Seminarians, a play entitled <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Ineffabilis Deus</I>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As I watched, memories of my years as a brother came back.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">And why would it not be so when this was one which I wrote and directed for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December of 1995?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was a play done by the batch of many of those who were ordained in 2005; they did it when they were postulants.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">As I said, the play was entitled <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Ineffabilis Deus</I> (the title of the papal document on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The whole musical was actually a discussion of the doctrine.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It focused on the ideas that surrounded the debate between theologians throughout the ages on the Immaculate Conception.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It culminated in presenting the view of the ideas of the Franciscan philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The play echoed the words<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">: Potuit, decuit; ergo fecit</I>! (“He could; it was fitting; therefore, He did it!”)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">God</I> <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">could</I> make Mary immaculately conceived; <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">it was fitting</I> that the one who would be Mother of God be immaculately conceived; and therefore </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">He did it</SPAN></I><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">We can have a lot of reflections on this celebration but I would just like to focus on the point that the privilege granted by God to Mary was a gratuitous gift.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But Mary did not just sit on this privilege. Before God’s eyes she sought to be worthy of this gift.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We may not be blessed to have that privilege of being immaculately conceived, but we are <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">graced</I> with so many blessings from God.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We have a lot to thank him for.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May this thought lead us to be more conscientious in what God has called us to be.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has given us so much and so we must not be complacent; otherwise, we will be wasting a lot of the good that the Lord has bestowed on each of us.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The beauty in the privilege given to Mary was that it had fruits as lived in a life that experienced Jesus and then “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Lk 2:19)</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-16232257719199549872007-12-05T13:47:00.000-08:002007-12-05T18:47:56.662-08:00Saint Nicholas<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN">When I was with the Comunità Don Bosco in our <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Salesian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:City w:st="on">Rome</st1:City>, we had a confrere from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a very good friend of mine.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His birthday fell on this day, December 6.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On that particular day, as was customary for the community, those celebrating their birthday, anniversary or name day (<EM>onomastico</EM>) give a little treat to the confreres at lunch or dinner--like beer, ice cream, pastries, <EM>spumante</EM>, or liqueur. This particular confrere gave away chocolates in the form of Santa Claus as he explained that in his country, December 6, the feast of St. Nicholas, is a popular feast and people on this day anticipate Christmas by giving gifts to one another.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Santa Claus is no stranger to us for he looms as a very visible figure every Yuletide season.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When I was a little child, he was always part of the Christmas celebration for I was at that time convinced that the gifts that I found under the Christmas tree or beside my pillow on Christmas<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Day were really from him.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Presently, however, I feel uncomfortable with the stature that the consumeristic world has given him, for his presence seems to rival the real reason for celebrating Christmas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>More than the sincere giving of gifts, Santa Claus has become the icon of how commercial Christmas has become.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a case of missing the point: that the first Christmas was a paragon of simplicity, as was the saint who came to be known as Santa Claus.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN">It would be of help for us to know more about the reason how Santa Claus came into the picture at Christmas time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Santa Claus is known as giving gifts to boys and girls during Christmas making him the friend of little children in this season.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Two things then: <EM>giving</EM>, and <EM>children</EM>.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN">Saint Nicholas is known as generous to the poor and special protector of the innocent and wronged.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His holiness of his life thus revolved on <EM>giving</EM>, and <EM>children</EM>. And the Christmas season is indeed about <EM>giving</EM>, and <EM>children</EM>: God <EM>gave</EM> his only Son to be one among us; and this Son, the Word Made Flesh, came as a <EM>child</EM>. This is the whole point of Christmas.</SPAN><FONT size=2><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN">This early, as we have just come to the onset of Advent, I have already talked about Christmas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Well, with the memorial of this saint of today, we anticipate things even liturgically.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a preparation for the celebration of the mystery of Christ’s coming.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> These days, in my present assignment as high school principal, w</SPAN>e are immersed in days of preparation: for the coming examinations, for contests, for make-up lessons.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But we also need to prepare spiritually: for the coming feast of our Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception, and of course, Christmas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is what matters.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I salute </SPAN>teachers and those who work with young people: for their vocation is connected to the ideals of St. Nicholas’ life, the ideals of Christmas: <EM>giving</EM>, and <EM>children</EM>.<SPAN class=insertedphoto><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R1diPQoKCsYAAGa-ECc1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R1diPQoKCsYAAGa-ECc1/stnick.jpg?et=VVMw5GjpBmAdoo1ULiobPA" border=0></A></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><SPAN class=insertedphoto></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"> </P><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8.3pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; language: EN"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT size=2>Picture: St. Nicholas was said to have raised to life three young boys who had been murdered and pickled in a barrel of brine to hide the crime.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These stories led to his patronage of children in general.</FONT></SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-default-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Arial Narrow'"></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="mso-pagination: none"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><SPAN style="language: EN"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></SPAN></FONT><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-15133620623722353052007-11-18T20:58:00.000-08:002007-11-19T01:58:39.756-08:00Big News <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R0FeGwoKCsYAAAgmc5U1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R0FeGwoKCsYAAAgmc5U1/Ceferino3.jpg?et=3aEjmKZo45sD9wNGu16HaA" border="0"></a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">On January 30, 1996, we staged a play here in Don Bosco Canlubang.<span style=""> </span>I was a young brother at that time and I wrote and directed that short musical entitled </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;" lang="EN">Bury Me Deep</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;" lang="EN"><span style="">, based on the book by Peter Lappin, on the life of the young Argentinian native, Zeffirin (or Ceferino, Zephyrinus, Zephyrin, whatever language base the translation uses) Namuncurá.<span style=""> </span>I opened the play with the end—the funeral scene where the company, led by Bro. Gerry Martin (now Fr. Gerry) who played the role of Bishop Giovanni Cagliero.<span style=""> </span>It was a moving scene, accompanied as it was by Schubert’s </span><i><span style="">Ave Maria</span></i><span style="">.<span style=""> </span>The end of the play continues the funeral scene with a Salesian saying: “Many years after his death, he indeed was buried deep—almost into oblivion.<span style=""> </span>It is indeed sad to know all about it.<span style=""> </span>Yet the name of Zeffirin will not languish forever buried…” And the reason given was that he was well way into the process of being raised to the altars.</span></span><span style=""></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">At that time I had a strong premonition that soon this young Bosconian would be beatified.<span style=""> </span>How else would I explain that strong compulsion to put his life into a simple musical on the eve of the feast of Don Bosco?<span style=""> </span>“Soon” turned out to be a little bit less than twelve years.<span style=""> </span>It was not really a long time for me, for the 1996 production is, up to now, still vivid in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Last week, the Salesian world was in festive mood because last November 11, Zeffirin was beatified.<span style=""> </span>But not only that.<span style=""> </span>The whole Church is sharing in this joy for another young person has been raised to the altars.<span style=""> </span>It is missionary work at its best!<span style=""> </span>Even the <i style="">Philippine Daily Inquirer</i> ran the story (from Agence France Presse) about the beatification.<span style=""> </span>In other words, it is big news.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Aye, it is big news, a big deal whenever we succeed in bringing out the best in our young people.<span style=""> </span>I have told my faculty members that as teachers they are at the vanguard, at the forefront of this undertaking.<span style=""> </span>I urged them—and you likewise—to help make more Zeffirins among the young whom we encounter everyday.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style=""><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica;" size="2"></font><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-32817827856423797772007-11-08T17:34:00.000-08:002007-11-08T22:34:46.473-08:00Dedication<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RzP@wgoKCsYAACoiqfE1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RzP@wgoKCsYAACoiqfE1/100_1116.jpg?et=HbBZQrA0t7lh8QVsVFDoQw" border="0"></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">I was a college seminarian when I first began to be aware of the feast the we celebrate every ninth of November, that of Saint John Lateran.<span style=""> </span>Here in the Philippines, we know it by the more popular name, San Juan de Letran, for it is the name of a college run by the Dominicans.<span style=""> </span>In his homily for the day, one of our priests in the seminary that time told us that San Juan de Letran, or St. John Lateran is not a person, but a church (a basilica).<span style=""> </span>In fact, the title of the celebration is the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.<span style=""> </span>It is the cathedral church of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome who is the Pope.<span style=""> </span>It is a temple so rich in history.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">The celebration of November 9 takes the rank of a feast, meaning the Gloria is sung at mass and there are special readings.<span style=""> </span>The Liturgy of the Hours that we pray as a religious community are taken from the a special section of the prayer book called “Common of the Dedication of a Church.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">The word “dedication” in this celebration comes in very strong for me because it speaks a mouthful.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">Dedication</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"> comes from the Latin word </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">“dedo” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">(</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dedere</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dedidi</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">deditus</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">), a word that is much more potent that the word </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">“do” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">(</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dare</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dedi</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">datus</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">) which means “to give”.<span style=""> </span>The root of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dedication</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"> means not merely “to give”—it means “to give up” or “to surrender”.<span style=""> </span>It could also mean “to give up oneself to”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">The celebration thus means the surrender of that special place, that temple.<span style=""> </span>We give up something in order to offer the possibility of it being used for a nobler cause, for a greater purpose.<span style=""> </span>Taking this cue, we are reminded that dedication has always been part of our lives.<span style=""> </span>We dedicate works, writings, songs, even a game or any undertaking in order to manifest affection, gratitude or devotion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">Here in the place where I work, Don Bosco Canlubang, I am happy to see </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">dedicated</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"> people, especially teachers: persons who have not only given, but have given themselves up—surrendered—for a mission: all because they love, they care.<span style=""> </span>Such nobility! Such inspiration for me!<span style=""> </span>It is a feast indeed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">(photo--taken August 30, 2007-- shows Fr. Joel in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran)<br><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-34109133561081308202007-11-02T00:35:00.000-07:002007-11-02T04:35:45.243-07:00Death as a Dawning<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=insertedphoto><A href="http://joelsdb.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/RysLXgoKCsYAAE1zOA01"><IMG class=alignright src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RysLXgoKCsYAAE1zOA01/tomb_exterior.jpg?et=2aiiKQlrDfq3H2k31xjHyg" border=0></A></SPAN>This year, I went home for All Saints’ Day. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How fast one whole year has gone by!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I still remember that of last year: one reason I went home for All Saints’ Day was to drive for my parents in our visit to the tombs of our beloved departed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Through the years, we have been visiting mainly two cemeteries—San Miguel, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Tarlac</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Bamban, Tarlac.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My grandparents are buried in these cemeteries—paternal grandparents at the former (although now their remains have been transferred to <st1:City w:st="on">San Sebastian</st1:City>, also in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Tarlac</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>) and maternal grandparents at the latter.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Since I became a priest, it was an added feature for me to bring holy water and bless not only their tombs but also those of the other relatives.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It was not part of our usual itinerary, but at last year’s All Saints’ Day we thought of passing by Murcia, Concepcion (where my father was born and grew up) to bring some of the things that my sister had sent to our relatives there.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We arrived at past nine in the morning and saw my cousins and their father, Uncle Jesus, the husband of my aunt (my father’s elder sister) in tears.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Earlier they had rushed my aunt, Pastora (Auntie Paring), to the hospital and at 8:00am, she was pronounced dead on arrival due to cardiac arrest.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She was 85.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My father was in tears.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Though she was weak, we have not expected her to depart this soon.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Uncle Jesus sobbingly was saying in Kapampangan: <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“Penenayan ne mu rugu ing daun.”</I> (“She seemed to have just waited for All Saints’ Day.”)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And he was relating how Auntie Paring was so strong the evening before, that she was even talking so clearly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Incidentally, some months later, Uncle Jesus would also go back to the Father and join Auntie Paring.)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Later that day, we went to Bamban (before going back to Murcia to see my aunt’s body already in the coffin) and our maternal relatives were also recounting the same thing when years ago, the wife of my uncle died—in a moment of physical strength she asked that she be brought out to see the house.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-JUSTIFY: inter-ideograph; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A common denominator in both events was a moment of strength before the coming of death.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It makes me reflect on the fact that we really will decide to embrace death when it would come before us.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And I do believe that what gives the dying that strength before they breathe their last is not only the satisfaction of having lived their life the best they could, but also the imminent entrance into another life, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">the</I> other life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the many funeral masses I have presided I always tell the people something I read from a magazine: “Death is not extinguishing the flame but putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Aye, death is a dawning and this dawning gives us reason to pray, to celebrate both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-7342910984929842492007-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:002007-10-26T19:59:45.384-07:00PAP Midyear Conference Invocation (On Richard Rorty)<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RyKpWAoKCsYAABxmJoY1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RyKpWAoKCsYAABxmJoY1/rorty.jpg?et=mg%2CahxcPoJYwDxSYFRHWAw" border="0"></a></span><span class="insertedphoto"></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;" lang="EN-PH"><font style="font-style: italic;" size="2">Today, October 27, 2007, the Philosophical Association of the Philippines (of which I am member of the board of directors) is holding its midyear conference at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City, with the theme "The Philosophical Thought of Richard Rorty". I was tasked to lead the assembly into prayer at the beginning of the meeting. Here is the text of the invocation.</font><br><br>Heavenly Father,<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;" lang="EN-PH"><br><br>In the wonderful account of creation, you made the human being in your own image, after your likeness—and at that moment, poetry was born, the beauty of the utterance called language came into sight, together with the manifestation of man’s creativity: music, crafts, science and the creative flow of ideas both oral and written.<span style=""> </span>You have indeed shared with us this beautiful power.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt;" lang="EN-PH">This endowment we see in your gift to humanity—in the person of Richard Rorty, a philosopher who has greatly contributed to the endeavor of searching for truth, of asking the questions that really matter, and of being one who loved leading people—in his words in the classroom, to the nation, to the whole world.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt;" lang="EN-PH">May we who gather here learn from this man who moved others through the ideas that flowed from the mind you have endowed him.<span style=""> </span>May we as philosophers, professors and students be interested in the truth and continually learn and proclaim to others the beauty of this truth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt;" lang="EN-PH"></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">And as was sung in the song “<span style="font-style: italic;">Est-il de vérité plus douce que l'espérance?</span>”<span style=""> </span>Is there a truth sweeter than hope?<span style=""> </span>This search for truth we do in hope and that is why we call upon you today to touch our minds and hearts through this man.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-72328152033287406992007-10-25T00:02:00.000-07:002007-10-25T04:02:03.784-07:00Stage Fright<span class="insertedphoto"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RyB3jQoKCsYAAARSEm01/pgi0073.jpg?et=BnaQK2HNXalUrX98hhem2g" border="0"></span><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN">The whole afternoon of yesterday I was with our aspirants (seminarian from first year to third year).<span style=""> </span>Having been invited last week, I was conducting a workshop which was part of their semestral break seminar on public speaking.<span style=""> </span>The topic that was assigned to me was “Conquering Stage Fright.”<span style=""> </span>I told them right off: I was not very comfortable in accepting the topic assigned to me since I myself have not conquered stage fright.<span style=""> </span>And indeed, it was a statement made sincerely and not just to be modest.<o:p></o:p></span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p>Yes, stage fright is still very much around in my life and I feel that it will never leave me.<span style=""> </span>It is manifest even in the things that I regularly do—saying mass, preaching, giving the talks in our morning assemblies, conducting meetings, giving seminars (exactly like the one that I gave yesterday).<span style=""> </span>The bottom line of all this is what stage fright is all about: </span><i><span style="">fear</span></i><span style="">.<span style=""> </span>Fear will ever be present even in the most familiar acts that we do.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p>But yes, we can conquer stage fright.<span style=""> </span>One thing I told my young audience yesterday was that fear can actually help us in the things that we do.<span style=""> </span>Fear makes us shun complacency and pushes us to do better. I gave a familiar quote: “What will push one to drive the car better is to have realized that his license has expired.”<span style=""> </span>Besides, although fear makes our bodies tremble, they add sparkle to our eyes and put more color to our cheeks.<span style=""> </span>In other words, it makes us look better.<span style=""> </span>This will make us forget about our stage fright!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN">Then I gave the young men practical tips in order to handle stage fright: think that you are good, pretend that you are just chatting with close friends, remember happy moments, be prepared, anticipate hard questions, put a picture of your loved ones with your notes, and so on.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><font size="3">Finally I gave them that time tested advice: practice, practice, practice!<span style=""> </span>It is in being familiar to what we do that we feel so much at home with it.<span style=""> </span>In our first attempts at doing something, in this case public speaking, we may stumble and fall and this surely will make us fear in our next attempt.<span style=""> </span>But as what Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What won’t kill you will make you stronger.”<span style=""> </span>Speaking in public, reading in the liturgy, conducting meetings, teaching in front of a class—even though these actions may give us the jitters, we will still come out unscathed and the experience will make us even better persons.<span style=""> </span>As our young people of today would say: stage fright rocks!</font><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-44569345044209568322007-10-18T16:13:00.000-07:002007-10-18T20:13:30.097-07:00The Lucan Viewpoint <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RxggvQoKCsYAABe6UF41"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RxggvQoKCsYAABe6UF41/150_StLuke_SimoneMartini.jpg?et=HjC90KSAmzNZxRf6Iz628Q" border="0"></a></span><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of St. Luke, evangelist.<span style=""> </span>As I was meditating on what this person has contributed to Sacred Scripture, I got my copy of the Bible (New Jerusalem Bible version) that I have been using for the past nine years, the one that I used during my theology years.<span style=""> </span>Many of the pages have passages that are highlighted with fluorescent ink; the margins likewise have given way to very small notes written in either pencil or ball point pen ink.<span style=""> </span>And then I turned to the pages of Luke—both the text and the introductory part.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Luke was the author not only of the third gospel but also of the </span><i><span style="">Acts of the Apostles</span></i><span style="">, immediately following the four gospels.<span style=""> </span>It is interesting to note that the gospels, and many other books of the Bible for that matter, have different sources and receive their final form only after the authors have chosen what to include in their account.<span style=""> </span>This is the explanation for the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke)—they are very similar in outline since they have common sources.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p>Therefore, it is important to know what makes Luke distinct.<span style=""> </span>From what I have studied, I can enumerate off-hand some of the unique elements in his work: the infancy narrative, the portrait of Jesus as gentle, loving and forgiving, predilection for the poor and severity to the proud, the importance given to prayer, and the numerous passages on Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN"><font size="3">Knowing this makes us think of how great a treasure this gospel is.<span style=""> </span>These distinct elements are values that we uphold.<span style=""> </span>More than that, what gives life to what the apostles and evangelists (and every follower of Christ) wrote and preached is the experience they had with Christ. This is a truth that resounds to this day—in the tasks that God has entrusted to us.</font><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-17670232096218548002007-10-10T16:49:00.000-07:002007-10-10T20:49:43.369-07:00Canon<span class="insertedphoto"><img style="width: 224px; height: 256px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rw2dMAoKCsYAAC0jANg1/pachelbel.jpg?et=UFmUsHqnSICS4AaPQG0nFg" border="0"></span><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN">It may very well be that one of the most popular classical musical pieces is </span><i><span style="">Canon in D Major</span></i><span style=""> by the Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel.<span style=""> </span>I remember being a part of the Seminary band (I played the trumpet) when we played this sometime in 1995.<br><o:p></o:p></span></font><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3">Purists may not actually be happy about it but this musical gem has already been rendered in its electronic form—a step that goes even further, beyond its rendition in the pop, jazz or rock genres.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p>So popular it is that its ubiquity seems unmatched: we hear it almost everywhere.<span style=""> </span>More often than not, it accompanies the bridal entourage at wedding marches.<span style=""> </span>Once I was looking for CD’s in a shop and I saw one on Pachelbel’s work.<span style=""> </span>I picked it up and read further.<span style=""> </span>It was Pachelbel’s </span><i><span style="">Canon</span></i> with ocean sounds—an entire CD solely on this short musical work!<o:p></o:p></font></p><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p>One thing interesting about this subject on Pachelbel and his masterpiece is that this is that even with </span><i><span style="">Canon</span></i><span style=""> alone, this particular composer has become famous.<span style=""> </span>He is even jokingly called a one-hit wonder.<span style=""> </span>Yet, even so, Pachelbel has weathered the passing of the centuries and his music remains ever new, freely adapting itself to the ever changing tastes of generations of listeners.<span style=""> </span>It is ever relevant because its simplicity allows everyone—even those who are not musically oriented—to carry the tune.<span style=""> </span>The different parts, though very different from one another, all blend into a single moving effect, a pre-established harmony in Leibnizian parlance.<o:p></o:p></span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial Narrow";" lang="EN">Likewise, the simplicity of our life, together with how we blend with our family, neighbors, colleagues, or charges will make us relevant throughout the years in this world that is ever in flux.<span style=""> </span>Like Pachelbel’s </span><i><span style="">Canon</span></i></font><span style=""><font size="3">, we will remain long after we’ve gone.</font><o:p></o:p></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-26514300858859183992007-10-03T18:09:00.000-07:002007-10-03T22:09:14.445-07:00The Rosary <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RwR05goKCsYAAD35c7c1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RwR05goKCsYAAD35c7c1/Vatican04oct2003b.jpg?et=ak2aVfGqSpeRXAZ1st7vSg" border="0"></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">One of my most treasured possessions is the rosary given by Pope John Paul II, in an audience with him exactly four years ago, on October 4, 2003.<span style=""> </span>It was on the occasion of the<font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3"><i><span style="">ad limina </span></i></font><span style=""><font size="3">visit of Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB, Bishop of Maasin (<st1:place w:st="on">Southern Leyte</st1:place>).</font><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">I have intended to refer to that unforgettable event solely for the fact that I received a rosary, but I saw the date of that meeting—and I just realized as I was writing this—that today is the anniversary: God’s grace indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">I still remember those kind eyes that looked into mine as Bishop Cantillas introduced me to this great man.<span style=""> </span>It was the second time I was shaking the hand of this great man—the first one was on February of the previous year.<span style=""> </span>Yet it brought the same effect for I found myself tongue-tied in ecstasy.<span style=""> </span>He handed me the rosary that I now jealously treasure.<span style=""> </span>This Pope was deeply Marian: Totus tuus! And the letter M completed his coat of arms that was bathed in blue.<span style=""> </span>And it was he who dared to add another set of mysteries, the luminous mysteries, to the rosary!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Last Monday, in our department, we launched the Marian month, the month of the Holy Rosary.<span style=""> </span>We are set to pray this beautiful prayer the whole of October.<span style=""> </span>We have reminded our Bosconians the beautiful practice of bringing the rosary in the pocket.<span style=""> </span>Let us likewise do the same. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;" lang="EN">One criticism against praying the rosary is that it is repetitious.<span style=""> </span>The rosary becomes meaningful if we go beyond praying it mechanically; it becomes fruitful if we carefully meditate upon the mysteries in the life of Christ; it becomes a point of contact with the people for whom we pray.<span style=""> </span>The rosary gives us the fervor in looking at life!<br><br><font size="2"><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo taken on Oct. 4, 2003 at the Vatican; note my left hand holding the rosary given by the Pope)</span></font><br></span> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-45619318193870953652007-09-28T21:41:00.000-07:002007-09-29T01:41:29.741-07:00La festa degli arcangeli<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/Rv4PogoKCsYAADCyEIg1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rv4PogoKCsYAADCyEIg1/saints_archanges.jpg?et=2lT9NrNzX4VFB3kAd04qYg" border="0"></a></span><font size="3"><span lang="IT">Nei nostri tempi abonda la letteratura sugli angeli—nei libri che si trovano nelle librerie dove ci sono grosse sezioni su questa materia, e anche sull’internet.<span style=""> </span>Purtroppo tanta di questa materia che gira non viene dall’insegnamento della fede cristiana ma dal New Age.<span style=""> </span>Comunque, tutto il mondo tocca questa realtà degli angeli.</span></font> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="IT">Qual’è il significato della nostra festa oggi?<span style=""> </span>Oggi non guardiamo qualche santo che ha superato sua debolezza per essere un vero discepolo di Cristo.<span style=""> </span>Vediamo tre angeli—arcangeli—che non hanno avuto né debolezza né peccato: molto diversi da noi; molto lontano dalla nostra capacità, possiamo dire.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="IT">Allora, come ci troviamo con questa celebrazione?<span style=""> </span>Ci insegna alcune cose.<span style=""> </span>Prima, che esistono questi angeli come messageri di Dio, come i suoi strumenti portando la sua parola—sappiamo che la parola <i style="">angelos</i> vuol dire “messaggero”.<span style=""> </span>Seconda, che questi tre arcangeli, specificamente, fanno una grande parte della storia di salvezza—Michele, come prottetore del popolo eletto, Gabriele che ha portato l’annuncio di Dio, Raffaele che ha portato guarigione al padre di Tobia.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="IT">Anche i nomi sono pieni di senso: Michele—“colui come Dio”, Gabriele—“forza di Dio”, Raffaele “Dio ha curato”.<span style=""> </span>Sempre attaccati al nome di Dio.<span style=""> </span>Le loro missioni dependono in Dio; senza di lui non possono stare solo.<span style=""> </span>È impossibile per noi di essere angeli, ma siamo sempre con Dio e dunque, è sempre possibile dare tutti i nostri affari alla disposizione della sua missione.<span style=""> </span>Quindi, nel nostro lavoro, nella nostra presenza si vedrà Dio che salva, che cura, che parla.<span style=""> </span>Perché come gli arcangeli siamo chiamati di essere messaggeri di Dio.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="IT"><font size="2"><span style="font-style: italic;">--a homily of mine which I delivered at Comunità Don Bosco, the Salesian community in Rome where I belonged (2002-2004). I made it for the feast of the Archangels, September 29, 2003 when I presided over our Eucharistic celebration. I have not yet made a traslation of this; i'll supply one soon.</span></font><br></span></font></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-32770384055406145842007-09-27T12:28:00.000-07:002007-09-27T16:28:47.669-07:00The Courage to Die a Thousand Deaths <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/Rvw8mQoKCsYAABIxK6c1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rvw8mQoKCsYAABIxK6c1/19861018_lorenzo_ruiz.jpg?et=1G0BB3O9EALllIlOr1XiOQ" border="0"></a></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“To die for the faith is a call to some; to live the faith is a call for all.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have known these words by heart since I was in Grade 6.<span style=""> </span>They have passed on from short-term memory to long-term.<span style=""> </span>Maybe it was because I reviewed well for the exams of Religion Class that time.<span style=""> </span>(It was Fr. Rey Ranjo who taught us that subject.)<span style=""> </span>The words were by Pope John Paul II who, four years before in his visit to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>, had beatified Lorenzo Ruiz.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I was quite impressed by the story of our first Filipino to be raised to the altars.<span style=""> </span>At my young age, I told myself that if ever there would be a film on this man, I would want to play his character. After all, like Lorenzo I am a <i style="">chinito</i>, am I not?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yet more than this, it was how St. Lorenzo Ruiz suffered that continues to edify me until now.<span style=""> </span>His words “If I had a thousand lives, I would give all of them up for the Lord” constantly make a deep impression on me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Suffering for the faith may not be a common experience in our country, but living the faith and doing so with courage does make a lot of sense for all of us.<span style=""> </span>Life may not be easy in the daily tasks that we do but it is our way of answering the call to live the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-54988576906107973022007-09-26T03:53:00.000-07:002007-09-26T07:53:15.264-07:00LIMITS <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="insertedphoto"><img style="width: 266px; height: 175px;" class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rvpx0goKCsYAAHTJgGk1/superman_logo.jpg?et=iCO8Qi5CTPMMIMcj3KAhdQ" border="0"></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">And I thought I was Superman… <span style=""> </span></span></i><span style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Last week was a deluge.<span style=""> </span>(When was it not?)<span style=""> </span>I always tell people that the work in my office never stops, that it is okay to interrupt me because I would never find myself idle whenever I am inside.<span style=""> </span>And so, welcome, come in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">My whereabouts are predictable: inside the office—writing, preparing my lessons, reading a book or an article, signing documents, arranging files (in perpetual chaos!), working with the computer, checking test papers, essays or creative literary works, meeting students, teachers, parents and confreres; outside the office—in the playground chatting with our young people, or making some three point attempts, stuffing goals in table football; in the faculty room—taking coffee and chatting with our teachers; in the classroom—teaching our young Salesians, seminarians or high school students; in the Salesian residence—doing my laundry; or outside—saying mass, attending meetings or giving talks.<span style=""> </span>What I do isn’t much really… or is it?<span style=""> </span>I don’t really care, for I enjoy every moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">Then came the trip to Cebu for the meeting of the principals and deans of the Don Bosco schools in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Sunday came and had two masses, one in the morning (at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Canlubang) and the other in the afternoon at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Enchanted</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Sundays are always busy days for me, days of work as a priest, but as always, I enjoy every moment of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">But activism always has a price to pay, for after my late afternoon mass, I suddenly felt feverish and drained of energy.<span style=""> </span>Fatigue.<span style=""> </span>I did not cough, but I felt there was something to cough out.<span style=""> </span>The night’s sleep (if ever there was one) was broken by chills.<span style=""> </span>There was infection.<span style=""> </span>Had to see the doctor, had to stop and rest.<span style=""> </span>Now under prescription drugs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN">And now I have to take it easy for a while, to relax and to realize that this God-given strength, the ability to do wonders has a limit and thank God, the price that I am paying is not the extremely high one.<span style=""> </span>This is true for everyone.<span style=""> We have the duty to conserve our health for with it we can do even better. </span>May our work be tempered by this thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644865618445487032.post-33681965448497847732007-09-10T23:33:00.000-07:002007-09-11T03:33:31.103-07:00Chillon<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/79/23"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.joelsdb.multiply.com/image/4/photos/79/300x300/23/100_0654.jpg?et=SvOxvTS54lhbxI1WBedDyA" border="0"></a></span><font size="5"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; color: black;" lang="EN">Chillon! thy prison is a holy place, <br>And thy sad floor an altar - for ‘twas trod, <br>Until his very steps have left a trace <br>Worn, as if thy cold pavement were a sod, <br>By Bonivard! May none those marks efface! <br>For they appeal from tyranny to God. <br></span></font><div style="text-align: right;"><font size="2"><font size="5"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; color: black;" lang="EN">-<span style=""> </span>“Sonnet on Chillon”, Lord Byron</span></font><span style=""></span><br><span style=""></span></font></div><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica;" size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN"><br><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">These days as I struggle over jet lag, scenes from my two weeks’ journey flash before me. Naturally, what remains are the unforgettables, the high moments, so to say, the human experiences that really matter.</span><o:p style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"></o:p></span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN">Last August 24, as we took a break from our Societas Ethica conferences, we the participants were taken for a tour in some significant places around Leysin.<span style=""> </span>Our first stop struck me: a visit to Château de Chillon, near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Montreux</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Situated at the coast of <st1:place w:st="on">Lake Geneva</st1:place>, the castle was a home to the Counts of Savoy and was quite prominent in this particular Swiss region.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><font size="3"><span style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN">The tour around the castle impressed me—with our amiable and entertaining guide, a bearded French Swiss gentleman who speaks very good English.<span style=""> </span>He led us through the dungeons, the courtyards, the upper rooms, the walls and the tower.<span style=""> </span>The whole experience—as I touched the walls, and peered though windows—once again revived my love for things Medieval.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN">I<font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial,helvetica;" size="3">n our walk through the dungeons of the castle, I got fixated on the name of the English </font></span><font style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial,helvetica;" size="3"><span style="">poet Byron etched deeply on one of the pillars.<span style=""> </span>It was haunting and our guide told us that he was one</span> of the visitors of the castle who was profoundly struck by the story of the place especially, that episode of<span style=""> </span>Bonivard, the most celebrated among the prisoners of Chillon, that he wrote a sonnet, and then a later, a longer poem.</font><o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN">And likewise I am struck by his act: not so much the etching of his name but the writing of poetry to celebrate emotion—in this case, anguish for the suffering of a prisoner.<span style=""> </span>It was an act that has immortalized the place, nay more, that has proclaimed to the world the sanctity of the walls wonderfully lit by the sunlight reflected by the dancing waters of the lake.<span style=""> </span>It was this kind of light that shone on all the prisoners that have passed Chillon, on all the visitors including Byron, and including my own poor self.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica;" size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN">In every place, through every moment: let us leave a memory, an etched name—not on stone but in lucid eulogy—in rimes, in artifacts, or even in the kind act of sharing: in human hearts</span>.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">(photo: a quiet moment in one of Chillon's rooms)<br><span style="font-size: 14pt;" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Fr. Joel, SDBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18347926100746045423noreply@blogger.com1