October 13 is the last apparition of the Our Lady at Fatima which started May 13, 1917. To celebrate this, one of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) of the Our Lady of Sorrow Parish arranged for the rosary procession. Decided to join this. The meet-up is at 2:30AM. The procession will start at 3AM. Mass will follow at 4:30AM.
Woke up at 1AM so that we will be leaving the condo around 1:30AM. Theo, the dog, was supposed to be with us; but since his "nanay" (my niece) is here, she can accompany Theo.
We are very early. The church is still closed. Good thing, McDonald's is near that we can drink hot chocolate or coffee while we wait for the procession to start.
Usually, the people who follow a float with the image of the Our Lady of Fatima are families who own said images. We chose to follow a pedicab float with only three (3) people, and the image simply lit.. Me and Lyn made up for the fourth and the fifth person.
I was expecting that there will be a sound system that would be used by the one who will lead the rosary as the procession progresses. There is none. One float has a sound system that repeatedly plays the Our Lady of Fatima song. I guess, praying of the rosary depends on the people following each float. With this, I started to pray the rosary. The woman, who I assume is one of the companions of the owner of the float we are following, prayed with me. 😉
That was a long route for the procession. Supposedly, the procession would end in time for the 4:30AM Mass. Instead, the Mass was moved to 5AM.
When we are near the church, we left the float we are following and went to church to seat ourselves for the Holy Mass. The priest who led the rosary procession is the presider of the Mass.
After, we went again to McDonald's to buy food-to-go for our breakfast.
BTW while we were still in the procession, my niece sent a message that she will be bringing Theo to the veterinary as an emergency. When we left them, Theo continuously cried. She was able to book a Grab with Pet to bring her and Theo to (and fro) Vets in Practice. She is satisfied with their service and the way the veterinarian explained Theo's case. Moving forward, we would be bringing Theo here.
We arrived home before 7AM (as my niece will have to leave around that time) to eat our to-go breakfast and for Theo to have people around.
Around 10AM, I left again to do some grocery shopping. Normally, I do my groceries every other Saturday. But since my other niece has an event to attend, she used Edgar, the driver, this Saturday.
After, I went to buy a flashlight at The Landmark's hardware for emergency. Since been thinking of having wanton soup, went to Mamak Kopitiam for lunch. Went to True Value and bought another (hybrid solar) flashlight that is rechargeable by USB or solar, or use an ordinary battery.
My cousin, Ate Ina, often sends over food as gift on my birthday. She orders the food from her nephew, Anthony. This year, I did not receive one. I thought I would not taste the food prepared by Anthony. 😔
Lo and behold, got the gift today. 👏 Thank you!
According to Anthony, there is a problem with the gas line that is why he is unable to send over the food last Wednesday.
As soon as I woke up, attended the 6AM online Mass at the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (should have awaken much earlier). It is a thanksgiving birthday Mass.
I would be attending the 12:15AM Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. When I arrived, the rosary (before the Mass) is already at the "Hail Holy Queen". Too bad.
Previously, I confessed and attended the Mass on my birthday. But since I observe the Saturday devotion, I confess monthly. Daily rosary and the Saturday devotion gives miracles to one's life.
Greenbelt Chapel
Would be having a late lunch after the Mass before proceeding home. Was thinking of the Malaysian restaurant at Glorietta.
Greenbelt
Greenbelt Walkway
Passed through the The Landmark on my way to Mamak Kopitiam at the Food Center of Glorietta 4. A short detour at BPI on the way.
Wanted to try something new today. Since I have been seeing people enjoying the BLK 513yoghurt, I will give it a try. It does taste good; but for me, it is not something I will regularly eat.
BLK 513
Left home again around 4PM to buy food at Emerald Garden Restaurant for a small handa for my birthday.
Truth be told, we have been missing Theo, my niece's Shih Tzu. When he feels like it, he goes to you either asking for food/ treat or for some petting. He has to be left at the clinic after bringing him last Saturday for a check-up.
We are just planning to bring a can of food for him; but, based on his status, he can already go home. The hematoma is almost gone and the wound of his operation has healed. His stitches has been removed.
I am observing the Saturday devotion. I would be going to the Sto. Niño de Paz Community Chapel (also known as Greenbelt Chapel) for the sacrament of reconciliation. This Chapel has a daily confession from 8AM to 6PM. I would also be attending the Saturday Mass to take the communion.
Here are guide questions (in Tagalog) as you examine your conscience in preparation for the confession.
After my confession and penance, I meditated on one of the mysteries of the rosary (for at least 15 minutes). Thank you to Regina Angelorum Press that helped me do my meditation. For today, it is the Crucifixion.
My takeaway for Saturday's homily by Fr. Paulo is when Job experienced the sufferings, he also asked God why. Job also came up with the answers to his questions. But we can learn from Job the following:
(W)ait -- patience (H)ope -- Hold On, Problem Ends; Hold On, Pain Ends (Y)ield
Also, pray the Act of Reparation for the first Saturdays of the month:
O Most Holy Virgin, and Our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your Immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of long you as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart. We therefore kneel before you to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause you, and to atone buy our prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which they return your love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn your eyes of mercy towards us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy Him forever in heaven. Amen.
Whether a Marian hymn was sung or not at the end of the Mass, I sing the Hail Mary or the Salve Regina.
I walked my way to The Landmark Food Center to post this in my blog (using my new Chromebook LOL) so I would not forget the learning I got from the Saturday Mass' homily.
Proceeded to Glorietta to have an ice-blended drink at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Have to finish my drink at least one (1) hour before the anticipated Mass I will be attending
Done, went back to Greenbelt Chapel for the Anticipated Mass.
The presider for the Anticipated Mass is Fr. Ronald. The Gospel talks about divorce. Which is fitting to what is happening in the Philippines where the divorce bill is being deliberated on. I pray that these legislators are enlightened that divorce is not the solution but an escape. It does not resolve the problem. In fact, it would create more problems. We really are in a spiritual warfare. The devil is bent on destroying the family... the domestic church.
Before proceeding home, went to Bistro Ravioli to buy food-to-go. Again, updating this blog using my Chromebook while waiting for my order. Sorry, I just can't resist stating it.
Segue.
Supposedly, today would just be a check-up for Theo to see his improvement after the surgery. He has to stay with the vet again for three (3) days for observation and medicine because he got hematoma. 😔
🙏 Thank You, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! 🙏
Today is my schedule for the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). Have to fast for eight (8) hours before the procedure--no food, no fluids.
The receptionist of the Endoscopy Unit is very accommodating. She was surprised at the amount supposedly to be covered by my HMO, which is PhP20,000.00. According to her, the EUS costs about PhP80,000.00. Boy, was I surprised. She said, she will try to reach out to my HMO to have it increased. (Thank you.) I said I am willing to cover the deficit, just in case, as long as the procedure pushes through.
The staff at Makati Medical Center are all nice and efficient. The nurse who assisted me gave her lozenges because my throat is still aching after the procedure, in spite of drinking warm water. My bill has been finalized that she cannot include the lozenges added to my bill; thus, she kindly gave me one of her stock. Praying for her safety and success on her next endeavor (it is her last day today).
And my billing? My HMO covered the EUS. And my doctor who is not covered by my HMO split her professional fee in half. Thank You so much for these miracles. 🙏
After paying my bill, I asked my niece to buy food (Mary Grace baked goods) for my "angels" in the Endoscopy Unit.
Result: Everything is normal (on the detected lesions in the duodenum during the endoscopy procedure). The problem with searching through the internet about causes of symptoms or illness, the Big C is always in the list. Thank You, God, for answering my prayers. 🙏
Since my niece have to pick-up an item at Greenbelt, we decided to also have our early dinner there. It has to be soft food, I think. So, we had our dinner at Din Tai Fung at Greenbelt 3.
🙏 Thank you for praying for me, Mama Mary, Saint Joseph, my guardian angel, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Martin de Porres, San Roque, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Jude, St. Padre Pio, Blessed Dina Belanger, Holy Souls in Purgatory and all saints!!! 🙏
