"Let us be on our way"

Archbishop Ernesto Salgado invites us all to a pilgrimage to the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral during the duration of this Pauline Year.

Remember that on the eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed a special Pauline Jubilee Year commemorating the bimillenium of the birth of the Apostles to the Gentiles. He then called for a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events as well as pastoral and social initiatives. In addition, he also asked that special attention should be made to penitential pilgrimages to the tomb of the Apostle, as well as in places and churches dedicated to St. Paul.

In response, the Archdiocese has set up a year long celebration. Last June 28, 2008, the celebrations were officially launched, and the pilgrimages declared open with the opening of the Jubilee door at the Cathedral.

The Holy Father, through the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for pilgrims to the Cathedral during the Jubilee Year. This is if the pilgrims come with the right intention of seeking God's mercy through the intercession of St. Paul, performing acts of piety (the usual requisites of confession and prayer for the Pope, and prayers to St. Paul) and following the spirit of the Jubilee - conversion, renewal, evangelization and mission.

A plenary indulgence is the total remission of punishment due to sin already forgiven in confession.

Masterpiece

Masterpiece - this was how one described Manny Pacquiao's amazing display last Sunday. The country was ecstatic at this awesome victory.

For many, it was a welcome relief from the plagues of social and personal life. One even said, that it was like forgetting one's problems even just for that moment - momentary bliss. And after that, return to difficult life. Another said, that it was an encouragement to continue battling against life's vicissitudes, and an assurance that in the end, we will get a knockout victory.

I agree. But I was disturbed looking at the bloodied face of Diaz.

Does it have to take another person bloodied and slumped on the canvass to claim victory? Does it have to take for many to be exploited, manipulated, overcome for one to succeed and be rich? Does it always have to be homo homini lupus for one to be victorious - wolf to other men? Does it have to be always a battle for the survival of the fittest?

No, I do not dislike Manny Pacquiao. He stands for the Filipino spirit of determination and passion for greatness. But I am worried of the culture that feeds even in sports like this - one of violence against the other.

Violence is as old as humanity. Even the Bible attests to this - remember the story of Cain and Abel. But violence is not the basic instinct of man. Life is. Goodness is.

If we are to overcome and knockout, not other people, but personal and social maladies. If we are to seek victory, not at the expense of other people.

A month of fruitful love

For our family, this month is a month of fruitful love - 4 wedding anniversaries:

June 18, 1983: Uncle James, my mother's younger brother and Auntie Helen


June 20, 2004: my younger brother, Winchile and Terefil



June 27, 2000: my eldest sister, Che Vicky and Koko Gerry



June 27, 1971: Papa and Mama.


I especially offer my masses and prayers for them, that God may sustain them in the bond of marriage, that Jesus bless their family and friends, that Jesus who loved his Church to the end, will always fill their hearts with love, that Jesus may keep joy and hope alive in their hearts.

No supermen...

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and also World Day of Prayers for Vocations. Please pray for us priests. We are chosen and ordained by God, endowed with a special grace of the priesthood, but we too are human, and no supermen.

Many expect us to be all the ideal that we could be. Well, they have the right to, since we are to be transparent witnesses. But we too have difficulties.

I identify with these verses of the secular song, Superman. For me, these express our struggle - as we live our mission to bring God to humanity, and humanity to God, through our life and ministry, in spite and despite of our vulnerable humanity.

It may sound absurd
but don't be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed
but won't you conceed
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me

Up, up and away, away from me
It's all right; You can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy, or anything

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees (yes, meant for heaven, but struggling to live for heaven while inescapably human and this-worldly)

I'm only a man in a silly red sheet (white sheet?)
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me (and trying to bring out the better things in all, and to lead all to the really better things)

It's not easy to be me.


Any priest would identify with these lyrics. Even with the sacra potestas (sacred power) conferred by Ordination, after a long day of ministering - giving the sick and dying hope of healing and life, admonishing the sinner to repentance, comforting the sorrowing, counseling the doubtful and troubled, encouraging the struggling, feeding the spiritually starving, praying for the living and the dead, offering humanity's prayers to God, ministering to all, we too need healing and rejuvenation, understanding and forgiveness, comfort and counsel, encouragement and nourishment, prayers and intercession.