FAITH STILL ALIVE AFTER TYPHOON HAIYAN/YOLANDA

The Catholic faith is still alive after super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit the Philippines' Eastern Visayas Region.

Last Sunday, November 17, 2013, many survivors flocked to the ruined churches in the affected areas in Tacloban, Leyte; Sta. Rita, Samar; Roxas City, Capiz just to name a few to attend holy mass, to pray for strength and guidance, and to give thanks to God for their "second life".

Here are some of the words of faith from the survivors:

"My faith is stronger than Yolanda."

"Even the rains cannot stop me from thanking the Lord for saving me and my family."

- Anita Carillo

"We're now homeless. But I'm very thankful I was able to save the two most important people in my life, my grandsons."

- Rosario Capidos

"The Lord has strengthened our faith and made us stronger in order for us to survive and start off all over again."

- Belen Curila

"Despite what happened, we still believe in God."

"The church may have been destroyed, but our faith is intact, as believers, as a people of God, our faith has not been destroyed."

- Rev. Amadeo Alvero

"Yes, there are a lot who came in today than usual. After all, it's to God we all turn to."

- Fr. Michael Vasquez

CNN's Anderson Cooper tweeted that he was awed by the strength and spirit of the Filipino people.

What Anderson Cooper does not know that this strength of spirit is borne out of strong faith in God, without which this tragedy would be so unbearable. Genuine faith in God knows no situation, we must believe in God not only in GOOD times but also in BAD times. That is the true test of faith.

Reference:

- http://www.splendorofthechurch.com.ph

- http://uk.cars.yahoo.com

- http://www.mb.com.ph

ST. JOHN BOSCO'S VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

NEGROS AND CEBU PROVINCES St. John Bosco's relic is on world tour, and the Philippines is one of those countries his relic visited. His relic made visits to different provinces, cities and towns in the country. From December 5 to December 23, 2010, his relic visited the cities and towns of the provinces of Negros and Cebu. The relic's first destination in the Philippines was the Negros province where it stayed there from December 5 to December 11, 2010. The relic arrived in my hometown, Cebu City on December 12 at the church of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, and from there, it visited other Salesian schools, homes, centers and the church of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. On December 23, the relic was brought back to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes for a farewell mass before its voyage to the nation's capital, Manila. The relic's journey in the Philippines ended on January 15, 2011. St. John Bosco's relic...

BLESSED JOHN PAUL II'S TOTUS TUUS

"Totus Tuus". It is a Latin phrase which means "I am totally yours." This was Blessed John Paul II's motto addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Have you ever wondered why John Paul II had so much devotion to Mary? Source: Wikimedia Commons / cc In his book, Crossing The Threshold of Hope, John Paul II explained that his motto Totus Tuus was not just an expression of piety and devotion, it was his total abandonment and personal consecration to the Mother of God. His deep devotion to Mary was manifested in many different ways; among these is his Coat of Arms which bears the letter M that stands for Mary. Even his coffin has a letter M on it. He credited St. Louis Marie de Montfort for his Totus Tuus when he read the saint's book "True Devotion to Mary." John Paul II came to know the book "True Devotion to Mary" when he worked as a factory worker at a chemical plant during World War II. He studied the book and oftent...

SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The Holy Rosary is composed principally and in substance of the "Our Father" and the "Hail Mary". But what is the history of the Holy Rosary? In 1214, St. Dominic, a priest, was working hard for the conversion of the Albigensian heretics, but his efforts were hindered by the gravity of people's sins. Feeling so depressed, he withdrew into a forest near Toulouse, France where he unceasingly prayed for three days and three nights. He did nothing but weep and do harsh penances in order to appease God's anger. His body was lacerated that he finally fell into a coma. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and said: "Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?" St. Dominic answered: "Oh my Lady, you know far better than I do because next to your son Jesus Christ, you have always been the chief instrument of our salvation." Our Lady replied: "I want you to know th...

Mary's Catholics

Search This Blog