Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast Day of St. Angela Merici, January 22 | Patron Saint Disabled and Physically Challenged People

Today’s saint is not very popular, but the Religious Order she founded must be known to many, especially the youth. She was an Italian religious educator who founded the Company of St. Ursula, in 1535. This group is known today as the Order of Ursulines. The Ursulines serve the Church through their schools and places of prayer throughout Europe, then worldwide, including the Philippines, and particularly in North America. Angela was born in 1474, in a small town near the shore of Lake Garda in Lombardy, Italy. At ten years of age, she, her only sister, and her brothers left orphans and they lived with their uncle. Unfortunately, her sister died also and she grieved very much her departure from this earth. Angela was a beautiful girl, and when people began to give her attention, she dyed her beautiful hair with soot. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis but when her uncle died she returned to her home and lived with her brothers.  Being a very devout Christian. God was pleased to give her special graces, one of which was seeing visions of the future. One of these visions predicted that she was to found an association of virgins that were to devote their lives to religious training for young girls. Tradition also narrates that while traveling to Rome, she became blind, but she continued her journey so as to obtain the indulgences being offered by the Pope. Her sight was restored when she came back, right on the place where she got blind. On November 25, 1535, Angela gathered 12 young women, who, together with her committed themselves to teaching young girls. Consequently, they founded the Company of St. Ursula. Her goal was to improve family life through the Christian education of young girls who would later become wives and mothers of families. The Ursulines were said to be the first teaching order of women religious. After four years, the group had grown to 28 members. They lived in the world teaching the girls of their own neighborhood. They wore no special uniform and took no formal religious vows. Angela wrote the Rule of Life for the group which required the practice of celibacy, poverty, and obedience in their own homes. They opened orphanages and schools. On March 18, 1537, Angela was elected “Mother and Mistress” of the group. In 1544, four years after her death, the Rule was approved by Pope Paul III. Angela spent also much time in prayer. She often visited the tombs of Brescian martyrs to pray. The Company became popular and many young girls came under the direction of the sisters. Schools around the area were founded and many young members joined the company so much so that when Angela died in Brescia on January 27, 1540, there were 24 communities of the Company of St. Ursula.  When Angela died, her body was interred in the Church of Sant ’Afra, Italy so as to be near the remains of other martyrs.  She was dressed in the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis. Angela was beatified in Rome on April 30, 1768. She was canonized on May 24, 1807 by Pope Pius VII. The Company received formal recognition in 1546. Parishes and schools are dedicated to St. Angela Merici, especially in the United States and Canada. St. Angela Merici, please pray that we may always seek to serve and please God in everything we do and shun the vain things of this world.”

Am I happy with my life now or do I desire more comforts and pleasures?

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Sunday of the Word of God – A Call to be “Doers” and “Proclaimers” of the Word | Word and Songs with Sr. Lines Salazar, fsp

Scriptwriter: Cleric Vinz Aurellano, SSP - Society of St. Paul

On this third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate as well the SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD.  In an apostolic letter issued as Motu proprio by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, entitled “Aperuit illis” he declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God. This Sunday of the Word of God will thus be a fitting part of that time of the year when we are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. This is more than a temporal coincidence: the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity. 

We lift up to the Lord the reasons and intentions of this wonderful celebration. For truly, the Word of God cannot be contained, it is to be amplified, proclaimed, and celebrated. The Holy Spirit, then, makes Sacred Scripture the living word of God, experienced and handed down in the faith of his holy people. 

God’s word constantly reminds us of the merciful love of the Father who calls his children to live in love. The life of Jesus is the full and perfect expression of this divine love, which holds nothing back but offers itself to all without reserve. In the parable of Lazarus, we find valuable teaching. When both Lazarus and the rich man die, the latter, seeing the poor man Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, asks that Lazarus be sent to his brothers to warn them to love their neighbor, lest they also experience his torment. Abraham’s answer is biting: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Lk 16:29). To listen to Sacred Scripture and then practice mercy: this is the great challenge before us in life. God’s word has the power to open our eyes and enable us to renounce a stifling and barren individualism and instead embark on a new path of sharing and solidarity.

As we continue to reflect on the Word of God we also ask for the intercession of Mary, our mother. Along the path of welcoming God’s word into our hearts, the Mother of the Lord accompanies us. She is the one who was called blessed because she believed in the fulfillment of what the Lord had spoken to her (cf. Lk 1:45). Be like Mary, who never ceases to ponder the Word of God in her heart. Being reflective persons will be a great help for us in our journey towards holiness. In the stillness of our hearts, Jesus is always ready to speak his words of strength and encouragement.

Mabuting Balita | Enero 21, 2023 

Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Taon

Ebanghelyo: Marcos 3:20-21

Pagkauwi ni Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad, nagsidating ang mga tao kayat hindi na sila nakakain. Nang mabalitaan ito ng kanyang mga kamag-anak, lumabas sila para hulihin siya. Sinasabi nga nilang “Nababaliw siya.”

Pagninilay:

Nasisiraan siya ng bait. Mapapansin na kahit ang ilan sa mga kamag-anak ni Hesus ay hindi nakakaunawa sa kanyang misyon. Itinuturo sa atin ni Hesus ang kahalagahan ng tunay na paglilingkod-pagbibigay ng sarili ng buong -buo. Ang katapatan ni Hesus at ang kanyang pagbibigay ng sarili na walang kondisyon. Binibigyan tayo ng halimbawa ng tunay na paglilingkod o pagbibigay ng presensiya. Makikita natin ang impact o dating ni Hesus dahil hindi lang siya nangaral, gumawa ng milagro kundi higit sa lahat damang-damang ang kanyang concern o tunay na malasakit. Mga kapanalig, ang tunay na maghahatd ng tunay na kagalingan at pagbabago ay ang maramdaman ang ating tunay a pagbibigay na walang kondisyon. Bago pa sa ating ala-ala ang mga kuwento ng pagsasakripisyo ng marami sa ating mga front-liners nuong kasagsagan ng pandemya. Mga doctors, nurses mga nasa medical fields na nag-alay ng sarili at iba ay nagbuwis ng buhay dahil sa kanilang commitment sa pagsiserbisyo ng uong katapatan. Ito nga ay konkretong pagbibigay ng saksi sa kanilang pagpapahalaga sa misyon na iniatas sa kanila ng Diyos. Ang ating ginugunitang Santa ngayong araw, si St Agnes ay nagpatotoo rin sa kanyang pagmamahal sa Diyos. Hindi niya alintana na ang kanyang pagpapatoo sa kanyang pananamalataya ay katumbas buhay niya. Nawa’y ang salita ng Diyos ang patuloy na magiging lakas natin at sandigan sa ating pagtugon sa ating pang araw-araw na pagkilos at pagbibigay ng ating presensiya sa ating kapwa, Amen. Lord, may my presence bring ang consolation everywhere. AMEN

Sr. Justin Vargas, fsp l Daughters of St. Paul

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Mabuting Balita | Enero 20, 2023 

Biyernes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Taon

Ebanghelyo: Marcos 3:13-19

Umakyat si Jesus sa burol at tinawag ang mga gusto niya. At lumapit sila sa kanya. Sa gayon niya hinirang ang labindalawa (na tinawag din niyang Mga Apostol) upang makasama niya at maipadala sila para mangaral at magkaroon ng kapangyarihan upang palayasin ang mga demonyo. Kaya itinalaga niya ang Labindalawa at tinawag na Pedro si Simon, at si Jaime na anak ni Zebedeo, at ang kapatid nitong si Juan, at tinawag niya silang Boanerges, na ang ibig sabihi'y “Sina-Parang-Kulog”; at saka si Andres, at si Felipe, si Bartolome, si Mateo, si Tomas, si Jaimeng anak ni Alfeo, at si Tadeo, si Simong Kananeo, at si Judas Iskariote na magkakanulo sa kanya.

Pagninilay:

Umahon si Hesus sa kaburulan kasama ang kanyang mga pinili. Mula sa mga pinili ni Hesus ay humirang siya ng labing-dalawa na tinawag niyang mga apostol. Sila ang nakasama ni Hesus upang mangaral at binigyan ng kapangyarihang makapag palayas ng mga demonyo. Ang pagpili o pagtawag ay mula kay Hesus. Walang sinuman sa mga apostol ang nagkusa o nag volunteer para makasama sa misyon at gawain ni Hesus. Ang pakikiisa sa misyon ni Hesus ay daan at paanyaya ng kabanalan. Ang paanyaya sa mga apostol ay pakikinig, pag-aaral, pagtulad sa gawain ng kanilang guro. Ganito ang layunin kung bakit mahabang panahon ang ginugugul sa seminaryo. Maaaring ang mga seminarista ang kusang nagpahayag sa kanilang mga magulang ng layunin nilang maglingkod sa Diyos at sambayanan, subalit sa huli ang Diyos ang magpapasya kung sino sa mga ito ang hihirangin niyang maging ganap na lingkod pari. Kung nakikita natin sa ating sambayanan ang kahalagahan ng mga lingkod pari, harinawa ay panggalingan ang ating pamilya ng mga tatawagin ni Hesus na maging mga tagapangaral ng mabuting balita. Sakali man po na wala sa ating pamilya ang tawagin bilang pari, relihiyoso o relihiyosa, malaking tulong sa sambayanan ang tumulong tayo sa mga gawain sa ating parokya sa pagpaparami ng bokasyong ito. Tumulong din tayo sa ating mga seminaryo, pinansyal na tulong, pagkain, tulad ng bigas at iba pang pangangailangan ng mga seminaryo. Malaking tulong din ang ating araw-araw ng pananalangin para sa kanila upang makapagpatuloy sa dakilang bokasyon na kanilang nais na yakapin. Amen.

- Sr. Edith Ledda, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

ST. SEBASTIAN l PATRON OF ATHLETES

Feast day : January 20

Our saint for today is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes and those who desire to die a saintly death. He was Sebastian, a Christian youth from southern France, born about 256 A.D. He was reared as a Christian and was sent by his parents to study in Milan. When he came of age, he joined the Roman Army, and discovered how fiercely the Christians were being persecuted by the Emperors of the Roman Empire. He, therefore, decided to secretly help the persecuted Christians. As a soldier, he distinguished himself for his excellent service and was at once promoted to the rank of Praetorian Guards who were tasked to guard and protect the Emperor. While serving in this capacity, he tried to convert the pagans around him and helped the imprisoned Christians. Instead of beating them, he preached secretly to them about Jesus Christ.

Once, two Christian brothers, who were deacons, were arrested and imprisoned for not offering sacrifices to the Emperor. Their parents came to convince them to give up Christianity but Sebastian stopped them from this foolish idea. He instructed them and they too, were converted to Christianity. Those who heard Sebastian’s preaching, including the Prefect of Rome and his son, were also converted. Many people came to Sebastian in secret to hear him preach.

But this activity led to the discovery that Sebastian was a Christian. The Emperor called for him, gave him a nice scolding, reproached him for being ungrateful to him, and since Sebastian could not follow his command to deny his faith, he ordered that Sebastian be tied and brought to the training field of the soldiers to be used as the target for shooting practice. Tied to a tree, Sebastian was punctured with many arrows and thinking that he was dead, he was thrown into the open field.  Fortunately, he was discovered by Irene, wife of Diocletian’s servant, who was earlier martyred. Irene took care of him, and soon his wounds were healed and his health was restored. Sebastian went to Emperor Diocletian to surprise him that he was alive. He met him at the stairwell and reminded him about his sin in persecuting the Christians. The Emperor got frightened but gaining his composure, he told other guards to tie Sebastian, beat him with clubs until death and throw him into the sewers of Rome. The order was immediately executed and Sebastian’s body was pierced with many arrows that he looked like an urchin, a sea creature with hard and long spines. His dead body was found by a certain Lucina, who gave it a proper burial at the entrance of the catacombs of Rome.

Some 80 years later, his body was transferred to a basilica in Rome and his relics were claimed by many believers. St. Sebastian was proclaimed patron of soldiers. He is also patron of athletes due to the fact that his first punishment from the emperor was to make him a target for soldiers learning to shoot an arrow. It was like a game which amused the pagan soldiers. He is usually depicted tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. Because of his holy life, he is also invoked as protector against bubonic and other plagues. His feast day is January 20.

“St. Sebastian, you showed your great fortitude in witnessing to your Christian faith, pray for us that we may have the courage and joy to live as true Christians.”

Am I happy to be known as a good Catholic or am I ashamed to be seen going to church or doing my exercises of piety?

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Mabuting Balita | Enero 19, 2023  

Huwebes sa Ikalawang Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Mark 3:7-12

Lumayo si Hesus na kasama ang kanyang mga alagad papunta sa dagat. Maraming taga-Galilea ang sumunod sa kanya. Mayroon din namang mga taong galing sa Judea at Jerusalem, at sa Idumea at sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan, at sa Tiro at Sidon. Maraming-marami ang nagpunta sa kanya nang mabalitaan nila ang lahat niyang ginagawa. Kaya tinagubilinan niya ang kanyang mga alagad na ihanda ang isang bangka para sa kanya dahil maraming tao, at baka nila siya maipit. Marami na siyang pinagaling kaya pilit siyang inaabot ng lahat ng may karamdaman para mahipo siya. Sinusugod siya ng mga inaalihan ng maruruming espiritu pagkakita sa kanya. Nagpapatirapa sila sa kanyang paanan at pasigaw nilang sinasabi: “Ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos.” Ngunit tinagubilinan niya silang huwag siyang ibunyag.

Pagninilay:

SI HESUS AY ‘HINDI IBA SA ATIN!

Ang misyon natin ay ‘di atin kung hindi dahil kay Hesukristo. Si Hesus, bilang Anak ng Diyos, ang s’yang dahilan kung bakit ang simbahan ay nagpatuloy sa kanyang misyong maipalaganap ang mabuting Balita sa ibat-ibang parte ng mundo.

Mga kapatid, bilang Anak ng Diyos, ninais n’yang gawin at tupdin ang planong mailigtas ang bawat isa sa pangil ng kadiliman at kamatayan. Gaya na lamang ng ginawa n’yang pagpapagaling sa mga taong may ubhang karamdaman at sa ibang mga taong napasukan ng mga maruruming Espiritu ayon sa ating ebanghelyo.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapagaling ng maysakit at pagpapalayas ng demonyo sa mga taong nasaniban, naiparating ni Hesus na ang Diyos ay hindi iba sa atin. Naiparating ni Hesus na Karamay natin ang Diyos sa bawat sandali na may pag-ibig, awa at pang-unawa sa buhay ng tao. Ninanais ni Hesus na maramdaman natin ang pagiging malapit n’ya lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap at nahihirapan sa buhay dito sa mundo. Kaya sa Ebanghelyong ating napakinggan, dahil sa ginagawa ni Hesus, maraming-maraming mga tao na nagmula pa sa Judea, Jerusalem, Idunea, at iba pang malapit at malalayong bayan ang nagdaragsang malapitan si Hesus.

Sinabi sa banal na kasulatan, “lagi kaming namimighati ngunit hindi nalulupig; wala kaming malusutan ngunit ‘di nawawalan ng pag-asa; inuusig ngunit ‘di napapabayaan.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9a) ito ay dahil kakampi natin si Hesus. Mga kapatid ko sa pananampalataya, sa gabay ng simbahan, inaasahan ni Hesus na maipagpatuloy natin ang pagpapakilala sa ating Diyos bilang Diyos na nakikiramay, Diyos na nagpapagaling, Diyos na nagpapakita ng tunay na pang-unawa sa atin. Sa pamamagitan ng mga Gawain ni Hesus, naway maipahayag natin na ang Diyos ay hindi iba sa atin.

- Fr. Euclid D. Balosbalos l Prelature of Isabela de Basilan