May all I do today begin with you, O Lord.
Plant dreams and hopes within my soul,
revive my tired spirit:
be with me today.
May all I do today continue with your help, O Lord.
Be at my side and walk with me:
Be my support today.
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2020
Last year, in December, I had the opportunity to attend the mission-sending Mass for Hazel Jean Angwani at Santa Rita de Cascia Mission Station in Bontoc, Montain Province, Philippines. Twenty of us, including Columban priests, lay missionaries and co-workers traveled from Manila to Bontoc in three cars.
February 28, 2020
Body of Christ, save me!
Save me from my great arch-enemy,
my weak and faltering self.
Save me from all greed of money,
of power, and of praise.
Save me from thirst for pleasure,
worldly show, and midnight revelry.
Save me from betraying You, Dear Lord,
in thought, or in word, or in deed.
Amen.
February 27, 2020
Breathe in me,
O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me,
O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart,
O Holy Spirit,
that I love only what is holy.
Strengthen me,
O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me so,
O Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy.
Amen.
February 26, 2020
Time flies! As I write this, it is October again, but I did not notice since the time passed by so quickly. By now, I am already almost one-and-a-half years in my country of origin, the Philippines. Actually, it was not part of the original plan of the Columbans that I would be here. I should be on my mission assignment at the Region of Britain at this point in time.
February 26, 2020
God of the desert,
as we follow Jesus into the unknown,
may we recognize the tempter when he comes;
let it be Your bread we eat,
Your world we serve
and You alone we worship.
February 25, 2020
O crystal Fountain of Faith,
bathe our minds with the eternal truths!
O fragrant Lily of All Holiness,
captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume!
O Conqueror of Evil and Death,
inspire in us a deep horror of sin,
which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell.
February 24, 2020
August is the month of solidarity in the Archdiocese of Santiago. Each year, there is a pilgrimage of young people to the Shrine of St. Alberto Hurtado S.J., the great social apostle of Chile. This year, 20,000 young people walked through the streets of Santiago to pay homage to St.
February 24, 2020
Heavenly Father, Almighty God,
I humble myself before Your Presence.
What a joy it is to come to You.
I thank You and I praise Your infinite Majesty,
Omnipotence and Perfections.
Please forgive me of all my sins.
Lord I come to You in my nothingness.
I want to worship You and adore You,
to love You with all my heart,
February 23, 2020
To you, our Mother, we entrust in a special way
our Bishop and the priests of our diocese.
To them has been given a special sharing
in the priesthood of Your Divine Son.
He has chosen them to be ministers of His Word and Sacrament.
Ask Him to fill them with zeal,
to keep them faithful and joyful in His service,
conscious of the fact that they care
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.