Lenten Pilgrimage: Quezon
I would be joining the Lenten Pilgrimage organized by Greenbelt Chapel. Assembly time is 4:30AM, bus departure is 5:00AM.Good thing, Manong, the driver, was persistent in calling my mobile phone. When I finally woke up and answered it, it was 4:30AM!!! I was out of my bed in a flash. We were infront of the Ayala Museum (assembly place) with 5 minutes to spare. Yes!!!
There would be no stopover on the way to the first church, as originally planned. This is in order for us to be in time for the Mass. We would be having our breakfast on board.
The theme of the pilgrimage is GOD'S PRESENCE AND PRESENTS. Our chaplain for the pilgrimage is Fr. Ramon Jade L. Licuanan.
On our way, we prayed the Pilgrim's Prayer and the rosary.
PILGRIM'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the grace to desire
to be with You today through this Lenten pilgrimage.
We ask You to bless us with Your presence and
that our faith,hope and love in You may be renewed.
Quiet our hearts so we can abandon ourselves
completely to You.
Grant us the spirit of obedience to participate in all the activities.
Help us to practice the virtue of patience for whatever
discomfort and difficulties that may arise.
May our visits to various churches deepen our understanding and
appreciation of our faith, its place in history and
the people who share our heritage.
Remind us always that this pilgrimage is a spiritual journey
with a purpose and not merely a sightseeing trip.
Above all, we pray that this pilgrimage will be an instrument
in leading us to true conversion.
And as we go on our way, grant us your traveling mercies and
cover us with Your most precious blood.
Shower Your blessing on each of us especially our driver,
direct his steady hands that we may reach our destination safely.
All these we ask through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
God's Presence and Presents: Sacraments and Miracles
Our first stop is Kamay Ni Hesus Healing Church at Lucban, Quezon. Beside the church is a hill with life-size images depicting the Stations of the Cross. Since we arrived early for the Mass, we prayed the Stations of the Cross. But, being aware that we should be at the church by 8:15AM for the 8:30AM Mass.
"The Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center (Hand of Jesus) and Church, in Baranggay Tinamnan, is shadowed by mystical Mt. Banahaw.
"Many consider this place 'sacred'. Here accounts of numerous miraculous healings thrive. At its heart is its charismatic physcial healer, spiritual adviser and founder Fr. Joey Faller. Four years ago, he visualized the church to give the sick and the spiritually weak a haven where thy could feel and experience the presence of God. Fr. Joey's gift of healing from the Lord has been acknowledged by Catholic devotees, many of whom have been 'touched by the Hand of the Lord' through his own deformed hand. Many did not know that the very hand that Fr. Joey uses for his prayer healings is his right hand that was hurt by the terrible vehicular accident where he was the only survivor-albeit with a damaged hand. At the church's backdrop is a steep hill transformed into a picturesque Via Dolorosa Grotto of Healing and Purification, all of 292 steps, including the life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross is leading to a 50-foot statue of the Ascending Christ--the third biggest in the world that can be seen miles away."
Luckily, we were granted individual healings...
Before proceeding to the next six churches, we had our lunch at Graceland Country Club.
God's Presence and Presents: Struggles for Good
The Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel at Tayabas, Quezon is "the first church made of light materials (bamboo, nipa and anahaw) was built by the Franciscan friars in 1585 under the patronage of Saint Michael de Archangel. It was repaired in 1590 under San Pedro Bautista. In 1600 a church made of brick was built but it was destroyed by the 1743 earthquake. In the following years the church was again rebuilt and broadened. This was further improved in 1856 with the addition of transept and the copula. The brick tile roof of the Transept was replaced with galvanized iron sheets in 1894. On October 18, 1987 the title 'Basilica Menor' was conferred by Pope John Paul II and officially proclaimed on January 21, 1988. This Basilica is considered to be one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the Philippines. It is also famous for having the longest aisle with the length of 103 meters."
God's Presence and Presents: Faith and Conversion
The next stop is the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus at Tayabas, Quezon.
"The Most Rev. Alfredo Ma. Obviar (Clergy of Lipa, first Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa, First Bishop of Lucena) had this passion of teaching catechism which led him to the founding of this religious institute which will work on catechetical apostolate.
"It was on August 12, 1958 in the town of San Narciso, Quezon that the prayerful aspiration of Bishop Obviar began to be realized. The five generous ladies who responded to the call of God, thus pioneering the first community of the MCST were Mercy Medenilla, Taciana Gandia, Crisanta Realo, Maria dela Pena and Aquilina Manzano. On January 15, 1959, this young group of pious women was tranferred to Tayabas, Quezon to gain better exposure to a wider group of people and to be accessible to their guiding Father, Bishop Obviar. On March 16, 1663, Pope John XXIII through the Sacred Congregation for Religious granted 'Nihil Obstat' to this young institute. May 4, 1974, Pope Paul VI granted the coveted Decretum Laudis or Decree of Praise which raised it to an institute of Pontifical Right. Bishop Obviar entrusted the Institute he founded to Our Lady of Mount Carmel with St. Therese as their patroness. The congregation will celebrate its jubilee year this August 12, 2008. Many testimonies from people who were miraculously cured after seeking the intercession of Bishop Obviar were submitted to the Vatican for his beatification."
PRAYER
Almight and ever loving Father, we thank You for granting Your Church an exemplary shepherd, Alfredo Maria Obviar. May we learn from his prayerful life, faithful and silent endurance in suffering and humble obedience to the Church. In Your merciful love, grant us the grace to raise him up to the altars so that in him You may be glorified. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.
(You may add this for special intention)
Father, in your loving compassion, lead us always to do your will, even as we ask you the grace (say your petition/favor)_________, wherein you may always be praised and your faithful servant Alfredo Maria Obviar can be presented as another example of holiness in the Church. This we ask also through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel... Pray for us.
St. Joseph... Pray for us.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus... Pray for us.
God's Presence and Presents: Saints and Martyrs
St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church at Pagbilao, Quezon "was established by Franciscans in 1685. A church made of bamboo with cogon grass roof was built in 1688 with Fr. Cristobal Mortanchez as their minister. In 1730, the church was moved to its present location with St. Catherine of Alexandria as Patron Saint and Fr. Francisco Xavier de Toledo as Parish Priest. It was under Fr. Victorino Perlija's administration in 1845 that the church made of stone was built but it was completed including the convent and the bell tower in 1877 under Fr. Eugenio Gomez. Ruined during the liberation in 1945, restoration was made under Fr. Vicente Urlanda on 1954."
God's Presence and Presents: Church
St. Ferdinand Cathedral at Lucena, Quezon was "established on March 1, 1881. Fr. Mariano Granja, to whom a Lucena Street was named after him, was the first parish priest.
"Construction of this church started in May 1882 and completed July 1884. The newly built church was gutted down by the fire on May 24, 1887 but was immediately rebuilt in November 1887. This parish which at first was formerly under the Diocese of Nueva Ceceres was transferred to the Diocese of Lipa on April 10, 1910. With the increase in its population and the progress of the city it was moved to Diocese of Lucena on September 8, 1950. Monsignor Diego Conti served the longest in this parish (30 years) and contributed significantly in the improvement of the church with his relentless pleas in asking for donation. Furthermore, his inspiring homilies drew the people of Lucena to go to church thus growing in their faith. The present Rector and Vicar General is Msgr. Leadro N. Castro."
God's Presence and Presents: The Created World and Man
St. Francis of Assisi Church at Sariaya, Quezon was "built in 1748 and it houses the Sto. Cristo de Burgos image which was believed to be miraculous and being visited by pilgrims from far away places. There is no doubt that ever since it was petitioned by the Spanish Franciscan friars, and eventually granted as a gift from King Felipe V of Spain, to the early 18th century Christian community at Lumangbayan (Barangay Tumbaga 1 at present), the local replica of the revered medieval crucifix of Burgos Cathedral in Spain, fondly addressed to as 'Ang Mahal na Senor', played a major role in the spiritual, historical and socio-cultural heritage of Sariaya.
"The said miracle of its survival at the ruined church of Lumangbayan from the burning pillage of Muslin pirates, and the equally miraculous circumstances that led to the founding of the present day church in 1743, that saw the eventual growth of the community of believers around it was just then beginning.
"Oral tradition has it that in the old days, the 'Mahal na Senor' was led out of the church, and carried into the barefoot processions of our forebears, taht spared our faithful community during times of great distress and calamities. And when it has been permanently placed in its home behind the church Retablo, the 'Santo Cristo de Burgos' continued to be the great protector of Sariaya, even through the difficult Japanese wartime years, while serving as the hope of the ordinary faithful whose day to day lives were touched by the personally experienced miracles attributed to it.
"That the unfaltering weekly Friday pilgrimages of its devout adherents, Sariayahin and otherwise, continue to this day, is a living proof of its miracles, and the prominence that it has in the lives of many. Declared a Diocesan Shrine by Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez on September 14, 2007."
God's Presence and Presents: Mission
The seventh church is San Pedro Bautista at Candelaria, Quezon.
"The town fiesta is celebrated on the 5th of February to honor the patron saint San Pedro Bautista. The parish priest Monsignor Charles Herrera started his devotion to Nuestra Senora de Candelaria and honored her with a Candle Festival every February 2nd. The celebration is concluded with a procession through the streets of the town to bless the homes along the route. The residents decorate their houses with votive candles and miniature lights, creatively, using bamboo, palm leaves, coconut husk, flowers, and other native materials to accentuate the image of the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria as a centerpiece. One of the highlights of the celebration is the energetic street dancing performed by the youth of the community. A procession of floats representing each of the 25 barangays is also featured during the festivities."
On our way back to Greenbelt Chapel, we watched a movie about St. Therese.
PILGRIM'S THEME
Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tied to doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things?
Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day--what's new?
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things?
REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things
Each must go his way, but how can I decide?
Which path I should take, who will be my guide?
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things
The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind?
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise?
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things
(REPEAT REFRAIN 1)
BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things
(REPEAT REFRAIN 1)
REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things.
JOURNEY
Half the world is sleeping,
half the world's awake
half can hear their hearts beat
half just hear them break
I am but a traveler, in most every way
Ask me what you want... to know
What a journey it has been
and the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
and they're bound to guide my way
When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been.
I have been to sorrow
I have been to bliss
Where I'll be tomorrow,
I can only guess
Through the darkest desert
Through the deepest snow,
Forward always forward, I go...
What a journey it has been
and the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
and they're bound to guide my way
When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been...
Forward, always forward...
Onward, always up...
Catching every drop of hope
in my empty cup
What a journey it has been
and the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonighr
and they're bound to guide my way
When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been...
What a journey it has been...
CELEBRATE AND SHARE
GOD'S PRESENCE AND PRESENTS!!!
posted by ~GFA~ @ 2/23/2008 11:39:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home