Nuestra Senora dela Merced

Today we celebrated the feast of Our Lady under the title of Nuestra Senora dela Merced (Lady of Mercy). She is also called Our Lady of Ransom. This devotion began in Spain of which She became the principal patroness of Barcelona and in some parts of Italy. It is believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary in white scapular appeared to St. Peter Nolasco and with St. Raymond Penafort., founded the Order of Mercedarians who cared primarily for the oppressed, the chained, and those in prison.

The celebration reminds us of how powerful the prayers of the Blessed Mother are. She care for her sons and daughters whom Jesus entrusted to her, "Woman, behold your son..." What else could Jesus give while hanging on the cross but her own mother, the very last person He had during that time. Yes, Jesus Christ did give His all to us, even to the point of giving up His own mother.

PRAYER

Mary, our Mother of Mercy,

the fullness of God’s own mercy dwells in you.

With the eyes of a mother, look upon your sons.

Intercede for everyone who suffers in body or soul

and for all who are enslaved in mind or spirit.

We give ourselves to you totally-ind, heart and senses.

Keep them and help us always to be a sign of God’s love.

Reveal to us what it means to be yours,

and teach us to live in that same generosity

with which you responded to the grace of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.

Following Christ

"Following Christ is not an outward imitation, since it touches man at the very depths of his being. Being a follower of Christ means becoming conformed to him who became a servant even to giving himself on the Cross (cf. Phil 2:5-8)"

-Veritatis Splendor, 21

To Your Patronage, O Holy Mother

Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary
erected in honor of her nativity at the
St. Peter's College Seminary chapel.

Holy Mother of God;

despise not our petitions in our needs,

but from all dangers deliver us always,

Virgin Glorious and Blessed!

In the Latin liturgical calendar of the Church, three significant births are celebrated with a solemn festivity: 1) the birth of John the Baptist, 2) the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and 3) that of Our Lord Jesus Christ known much as Christmas. These nativities are symbols of Christian journey - one who prepared the way of the coming Word, one who in her fiat (the obedient "Yes" to God's will) humbly carried the Word, an the One who is Incarnate, the Word Himself.

September 8 marks the annual commemoration of the Blessed Virgin's birth. Each year this day is a special one for me as I celebrate my birthday with her as well. This is one of my devotions to Mary that I celebrate it in a prayerful and recollective atmosphere. I see our day as a blessing and an affirmation that Mary's guidance has been with me all throughout my years guiding me and leading the way.

Although her birthday falls on a Sunday this year, it is imperative that the Sunday liturgy takes precedence over the celebration of her nativity. Nevertheless, we had an altar fixed in her honor. On the night of Septemeber 7, we had a harana for her. Seminarians sang their own compositions of Marian songs to give praise to her as the glory of God and model of faith, hope, and love.

This afternoon, a good friend of mine, Sem. Nino Acero from Siniloan, Laguna, handed me a rosary which he personally made (and on the same day!). He told me it was a present for my birthday. Just a trivia, almost every year I receive a white rosary on my birthday and I still have my very first rosary with me in my pocket that I use daily. It was given to me by my godfather when I was in preschool. Going back, upon receiving the my new rosary, I hastily went down to the chapel and placed it on Our Lady's hands together with a stargazer lily that I offer during these time of the year. The flower reminds me of the Blessed Virgin who is the lily of purity, the ornament and glory of Christinity, the flower of heaven which looks upward (the stargazer lily is called the "new cross" because it always looks up to heaven).

The image of the Virgin Mary holding the rosary given to me
by Sem. Nino Acero.

Why do I have such a love and devotion to Mary? For one, I feel close to her ever since I knew we shared the same birth day. Second, because she is for me a model of discipleship.

Knowing Jesus is one thing, but following Him is another. Mary shows me the way to both knowing and following her Son. She does not only lead me to Him but tells me to "do whatever He tells you." Mary inspires me in service. Even though I find myself astray and lost because of my wrong doings, I still find my way back home in the Church because of her. It is from her example that I drove one of my philosophies in life that true greatness comes from a humbles submission to learn from the Master's feet. Mary listened to Jesus and kept and pondered His words in her heart. Mary chose to give up her personal freedom in order to be the Mother of our Lord and from where she found her true liberation. Mary is our guide towards her loving Son. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus but also Our Mother.

Happy birthday dear Mother!

Servus Servorum Dei

"Blessed Gregory, raised upon the throne of Peter,
sought always the beauty of the Lord
and lived in celebration of that love."

The Four Doctors of the Church (1632) by Abraham Bloemaert
St. Augustine, St. Jerome (in hermit), St. Ambrose, and St. Gregory (in papal tiara)

The papal title "Servus Servorum Dei" - Servant of the servants of God- was first used by a humble pontiff who wanted a monastic life instead of the more glorious ecclesiastical positions of the medieval period (c. 5th cent.). Pope Gregory the Great was iconic with his choice of a lowly title when what determines a man's dignity in his time was the title and office he holds. The highly ranks of kings, princes, and emperor were to no avail for him; much more for even the prestigious ecclesiastical ranks of bishoprics and cardinals. Gregory, later acclaimed with an antecedent of greatness, is now exulted in the glory of God's high altars. In his humbles service to the Church of God, in him is likewise fulfilled the Blessed Mothers canticle of praise: "He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly."

Gregory's life was a sign of contradiction. When most of the clerics were being abusive and blinded by the vast wealth of the Church's power, here is he being the ruler of the one true Church showing how a true leader must be - as a servant for many. Here is the model of a true Christian, one who lives by the Word of the Lord. With his personal wealth he founded six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. He devoted his strength to the propagation of the faith through missionary activities in uncharted terrains. This is a man who tirelessly worked for the Lord's vineyard and sought only to give all glory due to the Most High and not for himself.

He was instrumental in the development and restoration of the beauty of the Latin liturgy and office in his time. In music, he propagated the use of the heavenly chants (now known as the "Gregorian Chants") that elevated both mind and soul in worship. Gregory is known as the Father of Christian Worship for he was able to transcend what is truly divine in the liturgical actions of his times. His aim was to aid the people in order to find meaning and a refreshing spring in moments of worship, as it is, an encounter with God.

Servus servorum Dei - one who is humble enough to place himself below others in order that he could serve them. This is the example of Jesus and this is the challenge to all Christians. We are called to serve and true service bear much fruit when its glory is rightly given to exult God, the fount of all holiness.