In Weakness I Found God

Photo: Pixabay

I'm writing fresh out of our third online Bible study. Today's assignment was Colossians 1:24 to 2:3.

Online Bible Study

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I have been writing for a Christian website for a few years now. My client recently invited me to an online Bible study. She told me I wasn't obliged to attend, she just wanted to extend the invitation.

2017 Lenten Season Challenge

Image source: Wikimedia

It's Ash Wednesday today. 

I heard Mass this morning and had a cross of ashes marked on my forehead. The priest said there are three things a Christian should do during the Lenten season: Praying, Alms Giving, and Abstinence.

Waiting for our Apple

I just want to share Didache's daily reflection for today. It is so timely for me and uplifting, too.

Increase our Faith!

Image credit: Pixabay

Whenever I have difficulty falling asleep at night, I think that it's God telling me, "Let's talk." Last night was one of those nights.

My eyes were already drooping, wanting that bliss called sleep, but, try hard as I may, I couldn't get to sleep! My mind was wide awake, wandering, thinking of various things and ideas. Finally, I started a conversation with God.

Feast of Our Lady of La Leche

The feast of Our Lady of La Leche is celebrated every October 11. This year, the Our Lady of La Leche Movement will hold the special day by having a mass on October 12 (Saturday), 8:30 am, at the Chapel of St. Martha in Harrison Plaza. According to the Inquirer report, Fr. Nick Blanquisco will give a special blessing of pregnant and childless women. Learn more about this event here. To get to Harrison Plaza, I saw directions from this website.

I'm planning to attend that Mass. I believe the OLLL Movement displays various images of Our Lady during this day and I want to see them.

Novenas I Inherited

My cousin's wife, T, recently visited our home after the baptismal of their son. Since it took them many years to conceive, our aunts hoped that I would be the next to get pregnant. They told me to carry the baby and spend time with him so I could get the "baby energy" and hopefully, get pregnant soon. I was touched when my aunts gave me positive affirmations and revealed that they were praying for me because they were excited to have babies around. For a TTC wife like me, I thirst hearing other people tell me that everything will be alright, that I'll get pregnant soon, and that they're praying for me.

T gave me the novenas she used for all those years, and a rosary. She told me to pray with my heart everyday. As I pray the rosary, I should think about offering a rose to Mama Mary for each Hail Mary. She also said I shouldn't be hesitant about asking people for prayers.

I was happy as she gave me those novenas. I heard that a prayer book is more powerful if someone gives it to you. I wanted someone to give a novena book to me, without me asking for it. Inay gave me a Padre Pio novena in 2011, but that was after I asked for it. :) So, T giving me her personal novenas touched me. The novenas have a rich history from a strong woman who battled all odds just to have a baby. As you will notice, they show signs of frequent use and age.

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The Our Lady of La Leche novena is new for me. I've never heard about her and I was instantly drawn to the breastfeeding Mary. 

Years ago when I was still single, I've vowed that when I get to be blessed with a baby, I would breastfeed him/her. A former officemate, who was also a lactation consultant, told me that mothers should breastfeed since God gave women breasts for a reason. Every woman has milk in her breasts to nourish a little one. Breast milk is pure, nutritious, and perfect for a baby.

At the end of the novena book, is a list of churches where an image of Our Lady is located. I plan to visit one of those sites soon. The feast day of Our Lady of La Leche is October 11.

I was introduced to the novena to St. Raymund Nonato by my cousin. She advised me to get one since St. Raymund is the patron saint of pregnant women, children, childbirth, and midwives. I've bought one but only prayed the novena for a few days. I'll start praying this novena again.

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God always answers prayers. Sometimes, He answers "YES" and sometimes, "NO." There are moments when I feel discouraged when my prayer for a baby isn't answered with a YES. Sometimes, I need someone to remind me that prayers are always answered at the right time, in His own beautiful and magical way.

Celebration of Life and Faith

Over the weekend, my cousin (K), and his wife (T) went to the Shrine of Padre Pio for the baptismal of their 4-month old son.

Their TTC journey is an inspiring one, and makes you believe that there are indeed miracles in life. I know I'm not the one to tell about their story since many details may be missed and I couldn't relay the same depth of emotions which they've been through, but I just want to inspire other women like me who's finding it hard to start a family, and for those who want a boost of positive energy.

K and T were trying to have a baby for more than 7 years. T was able to conceive three times, but after several months, she always miscarried. The hardest was when one pregnancy reached 5 months but when she went for an ultrasound, there was no heartbeat and she had to have a C-section and a D&C (dilation and curettage or "raspa"). So heartbreaking!

At first, we thought that they were having a fertility workup to conceive. Our aunts advised K to forgo the treatments that were emotionally and financially draining but he clarified that they had no problem conceiving. It was easy for T to get pregnant, she even got pregnant twice in a year, but the problem was carrying it to full term.

They consulted with an OB/Perinatologist, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Valerie Guinto, MD. After several tests, the OB found that T has Antiphospholipid syndrome (or usually called "APAS"). Aside from the OB, she had to consult with an immunologist, as well. T was supposed to start treatments for her APAS when she discovered that she was already pregnant. From what I understood in her story, the APAS treatment should be done before you get pregnant, but since she was already having a baby, they had to take another approach in treatment to keep the baby. And, as we in the TTC community know, treatments don't come cheap. She needed daily injections of medicine costing P1,200 for several weeks plus other expensive medicines. She also needed to take complete bed rest. My cousin said T's belly looked like a beaten eggplant due to the numerous injections she had to endure for several months. Everything -- from injections, eating, to taking a bath-- was done while she was lying on the bed. Such sacrifice!

Since T was in bed all day long, she prayed several novenas, specially to Padre Pio. She prayed the rosary and asked Mama Mary to give them their baby. Whenever there was some problem, she would have a text brigade asking for prayers from family and friends. Since many people knew about their situation, the couple would be surprised to see money in their bank account. Whenever there was medical payment to be made, amazingly, money would be available. Many deposited money to their account to aid them in their journey, while praying that this baby would be healthy.

At 36 weeks, T had some bleeding which alarmed and saddened the couple; they have reached that far in the pregnancy and they didn't want it to end with another possible miscarriage. They went to the hospital and T was admitted for an emergency C-section. The OB advised them that T had to give birth right then since the baby's heartbeat was getting slower.

K started praying Padre Pio's novena as he waited. He told me, right after finishing the novena, the nurse asked him to come to the delivery room. Just after 15 or 20 minutes in the waiting room. That quick. He was scared that something horrible happened to his family.

The funny thing was, because of his heightened emotions, he didn't see his baby immediately. He asked the nurse how was his baby and the latter pointed in front of my cousin. He wasn't able to grasp what the nurse was telling him until he realized that his baby was right in front of him.

They named him John Pio, and uses Pio as a monicker.

At Your Lowest is Where You are Blessed

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I heard mass with Inay last Sunday in our humble chapel. I wasn't able to do so in a couple of weeks because of tardiness (yeah, so baaad). I was so glad I came to church that Sunday.


Our priest gave his homily about the gospel of Luke 11:1-13. He said, when we are at our lowest points, that's when we receive the most blessings. He told a story when he was a high school student. Their class at the seminary took the NCEE and they were 24 students in all. 23 of them got grades of 90% and higher and 1 got 63%. Obviously it was embarrassing for that 1 classmate, I'll name him John, to get a failing grade among all of them. The priest admitted that John was not very good in school. John was not endorsed to go to college because he failed the NCEE. The class wondered what would happen to John since he would not be able to pursue his education.

Years passed, our priest was assigned in a rural community and as he was driving, his car broke down. He was directed to a local car repair shop where most priests have their vehicles fixed. He went to the car shop and alas, John was there. John owned the car shop. He may have failed in English, Math, Science, and all the other academic subjects but he was an expert in mechanical stuff. Not passing a crucial examination led him to explore other aspects where he can excel. 

When we are at our lowest is where we get the most blessings... 

I thought about it and I recalled that it is definitely true and I have experienced it. Years ago, I was at my lowest point in life. I had a job which I hate but spent very long hours, my supervisors doubt my competency of holding the position, I didn't go to church (ever), and I rarely went home to the province to visit my parents. I was so busy at work that I get surprised when pay day comes; not having spent the previous pay, yet. That was how busy I was at that time! And for a job that I hate. After crying tons of tears for so many reasons, but mainly for being so sad all the time, I had a change of heart. I decided that that destructive lifestyle must change. I didn't know where to start. I went to a church near where I lived and attended mass. I cannot remember the homily at that time but I do remember crying during mass. I was ashamed of myself for only remembering Him when I was at my lowest.

A few months after that enlightening experience, I resigned from work. I had some savings and no job to go to. I rested and went back to the province to "build" myself again. I was then accepted to a company where the working environment was great. And at that time, I met my future husband. (Awww!)

As I was intently listening to the priest, I can relate on what he said that there are times when we question Him why we don't get our prayers answered. I've been praying for years to have a baby of our own but it's not yet happening. Sometimes, I doubt if Hubby and I'll be able to get our own family. Not everything is rosy in our TTC journey. The homily renewed my faith that things will come in due time. In God's perfect time. Not in ours, not when it's convenient to us, but in God's.

Everyone of us have experienced low points in life, some may even be experiencing it right now. But, as they say, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

The altar

Since my mother and I were in Pangasinan for two days, we visited The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary Manaoag and heard mass that Sunday. Every Sunday, masses are held hourly from 5-11am and 3-6pm (I think). Since it was a Sunday, hundreds of people were in Manaoag to hear mass, buy religious items, take photos, etc. 

As a popular religious and tourist spot, Manaoag has a hodgepodge of vendors around it. Vendors sell a wide range of products from religious trinkets to local food items. If you're walking towards the Shrine, vendors will offer you the Lady's image in different sizes.

We arrived in the Shrine a few minutes after the 9am mass. We entered using the side entrance and were able to have seats even if there were many church goers; it was like a mass in Quiapo Church. After the mass, the priest blessed religious items and the people as well at the front of the altar. I was able to take a picture of Our Lady up close. If you want to touch the statue, you can queue outside the Church where there is a long line of devotees waiting to be near and touch Our Lady's gown.

Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

After the mass, I bought candles and lighted them at the designated place. There was a prayer when lighting candles.

Prayer when lighting the candle

I bought a small bronze-like statue of Our Lady and had it blessed. In Manaoag, there is an area where religious items are blessed 15 minutes after every mass. If you weren't able to have your religious items blessed after the mass, you can still do so in this area. People place their items on the platform and wait for the priest to bless them.

Religious items waiting for the blessings

Before leaving Manaoag, we bought food such as the native delicacies Tupig and Puto Calasiao.

Soft Puto Calasiao

Tupig

Palm Sunday

Prayer for Healing

From the flyer I got from Cardinal Santos Hospital.


Lord, touch the part of my body that needs healing especially my _________ (mention that part). Lord, thank you. I am already healed. Lord, I trust in you.

Healing of Body, Mind, (Emotions) and Spirit*

I got this prayer from a flyer in Cardinal Santos Hospital.

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(An effective prayer for healing. Pray this prayer with faith and trust in your heart. If you are praying over someone, add the name of the person.)

Dear Lord, I know that there is no sickness You cannot heal. You know all things. You can do all things and I know You love me very much. With faith in Your promise that whatever we ask in prayer, You will grant us if it will be good for our soul. I come before You to ask for the healing of my body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Touch me now where I am hurting most. Only You know what kind of healing I need most right now. Let the grace of Your divine love flow and spread to the different parts of my body reaching the inner recesses of my being. Comfort me in my pain and anguish. Correct any malfunctioning of my body organs. Melt with Your healing love any abnormal growths. Arrest all further spreading of all sick cells and replace them with healthy cells. Root out all unresolved hurts, resentments, fears and feelings of despair and frustration. Heal all painful memories and repercussions of traumatic experiences. Grant me the grace to accept this trial and suffering as a share in Your own sufferings and offer this for the salvation of my soul and those of my family and loved ones. Forgive me for all my sins and fill me with Your love, peace, joy and kindness and generosity. Let me realize the deeper meaning of my sickness and trial and lead me closer to You as I find comfort in Your loving heart. Let me find joy and peace amidst my suffering, and with eyes of faith, see the blessing and victory that await me. And then, dear Father, after I have been healed, may I be a witness of your healing power and bring glory, honor and praise to you. This I pray in Jeses' name through Mary and all the saints. Amen.


(*cf Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia, Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult, pp. 267-268; in italics are my addition).

Shrine of Padre Pio

Here are the pictures I captured when Hubby and I heard mass the the Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

A schedule of activities during the 23rd of each month

Votive candles are available for different petitions. Cost: P10 per candle.

Padre Pio

Women like me who are trying to get pregnant almost always look for divine intervention in their quest to conception. Being in a mostly Catholic country, we pray to God, attend healing masses and pray novenas to Mama Mary and different patron saints. One such patron saint is Padre Pio.

Last year, I bought a Padre Pio novena and attended a healing mass at his shrine near where I live. My mother-in-law said that a novena should ideally be given to the woman wanting to get pregnant. No one has given me a novena yet. I don't want to ask my family and friends to give me a novena. :)

Then, one morning my officemate, G, said her mother is pestering her. Her mom was always asking G if she has given me Tintin Bersola-Babao's article in a local newspaper about Padre Pio. She gave the newspaper to me. Included in the article is the Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. I told her it must be a very good sign. :)