It's been a Filipino tradition during Holy Thursday to visit seven churches as penance. It has now been expanded where people also get to say the Stations of the Cross. Never did I do that, and this year, I decided to spend the rest of the day visiting churches, reflect and pray.
I spent the day with Tina, a good friend, going from one churches to another. The experience was not just about praying to God and asking for forgiveness and thanking Him for his glory and gratefulness, but also reminiscing a wonderful experience I had had for the last 28 years of existence.
1. Padre Pio Church, Libis, Quezon City
Tina has been a devotee of this Church and has always visited this every Sunday. The place was serene, air conditioned and I would say, intended for those with sickness and needs healing. They have wheel chairs readily available for those in need. And I thought, my brother needs it.
2. Holy Family Chapel, Eastwood, Quezon City
I remember Meliza, an old friend from WNS, once told me that this church has brought her a lot of answered prayers. This is where she hears mass every Sunday together with her first boyfriend, now husband. The chapel was just across 1880 building where I used to work, where I had a lot of memories, struggles, pains and happiness.
3. St. Claire Monastery, Katipunan, Quezon City
The place is known for its praying nuns and offertory eggs. It is believed that St. Claire is a miraculous saint and answers prayer requests (in written form) of its devotees. Lee, one our friends, always go to this place whenever she wants peace of mind and prayer requests. I have had my share of prayer requests where I had to offer eggs too. I am thinking of doing that again regularly for my brother.
4. St. Joseph Parish, Anonas, Quezon City
I have personally witnessed how this church have evolved from an ordinary church to this fabulous one. This is where I have grown as a child and where we always go to every Sunday. I remember it was a Sunday habit to wake up early around 7am, have breakfast together with the family and go to church at 9am. We will then drop by Aunt Fe's house in Guijo St., where it is just a walking distance. This is where I learned Anima Christi and dreamt of becoming choir member, yeah, only in my dreams.
5. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church, Kamuning, Quezon City
It was in High School when we always go in this church with friends. Awit ng Paghahangad was our favorite church song then and Alma sings it very well. This is where I had my first recollection, it was Father Arlo who facilitated that and it was him who preached us on our graduation mass as well. It was truly memorable and inspiring.
6. Christ the King Parish Church, E. Rodriguez Sr, Quezon City
I remember in High School, during our Values Education class, a couple of boys visits our class and teaches us some verses from the bible. They were from Christ the King, studying Theology, yeah, they were the ones who wanted to become a priest. I remember Kuya Arvin that time was very sweet and thoughtful. He went to our class every Thursday and teaches us a lesson. It was interesting though that Kuya Arvin was Ate Lany's elder brother. Ate Lany was my roomie in UP Breha back in College.
7. Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Cubao, Quezon City
This is were Tina and I recited the Stations of the Cross. Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. There were 14 pictures or sculpture depicting different scenes from Jesus's condemnation to death to His resurrection.
More than the thought of going to these churches and my down the memory lane experience, is my heart-felt prayer for my brother's healing and recovery. Jude was diagnosed with Pott's disease, they say it is a presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the spine, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints. The doctor said he needs to undergo an operation where his spine needs to be replaced, and put a metal is it will be secure. The operation would last for 8 hours and requires complete bed rest for his recovery. We need to prepare or metal that would be used which costs, PHP160,000 to PHP220,000, on top of the hospitalization and professional fees we have to take care of. Above all the things that we need to worry about, what I really want to make is my brother's recovery.
Strength and good health for my parents. I pray for their understanding and acceptance on my brother's situation and that they will be able to survive and cope. Shy away from any kind of sickness and be strong for our family.
I pray for my program's success and for my career, and that I'd be able to reap more rewards for the team, to help me achieve my goals.
I pray for more wisdom that I will be strong for my family and friends who need me. I pray for my lifetime partner to come, and for me to be prepared when he arrives.
I spent the day with Tina, a good friend, going from one churches to another. The experience was not just about praying to God and asking for forgiveness and thanking Him for his glory and gratefulness, but also reminiscing a wonderful experience I had had for the last 28 years of existence.
1. Padre Pio Church, Libis, Quezon City
Tina has been a devotee of this Church and has always visited this every Sunday. The place was serene, air conditioned and I would say, intended for those with sickness and needs healing. They have wheel chairs readily available for those in need. And I thought, my brother needs it.2. Holy Family Chapel, Eastwood, Quezon City
I remember Meliza, an old friend from WNS, once told me that this church has brought her a lot of answered prayers. This is where she hears mass every Sunday together with her first boyfriend, now husband. The chapel was just across 1880 building where I used to work, where I had a lot of memories, struggles, pains and happiness.
3. St. Claire Monastery, Katipunan, Quezon City
The place is known for its praying nuns and offertory eggs. It is believed that St. Claire is a miraculous saint and answers prayer requests (in written form) of its devotees. Lee, one our friends, always go to this place whenever she wants peace of mind and prayer requests. I have had my share of prayer requests where I had to offer eggs too. I am thinking of doing that again regularly for my brother.4. St. Joseph Parish, Anonas, Quezon City
I have personally witnessed how this church have evolved from an ordinary church to this fabulous one. This is where I have grown as a child and where we always go to every Sunday. I remember it was a Sunday habit to wake up early around 7am, have breakfast together with the family and go to church at 9am. We will then drop by Aunt Fe's house in Guijo St., where it is just a walking distance. This is where I learned Anima Christi and dreamt of becoming choir member, yeah, only in my dreams.
5. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church, Kamuning, Quezon City
It was in High School when we always go in this church with friends. Awit ng Paghahangad was our favorite church song then and Alma sings it very well. This is where I had my first recollection, it was Father Arlo who facilitated that and it was him who preached us on our graduation mass as well. It was truly memorable and inspiring.6. Christ the King Parish Church, E. Rodriguez Sr, Quezon City
I remember in High School, during our Values Education class, a couple of boys visits our class and teaches us some verses from the bible. They were from Christ the King, studying Theology, yeah, they were the ones who wanted to become a priest. I remember Kuya Arvin that time was very sweet and thoughtful. He went to our class every Thursday and teaches us a lesson. It was interesting though that Kuya Arvin was Ate Lany's elder brother. Ate Lany was my roomie in UP Breha back in College.
7. Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Cubao, Quezon City
This is were Tina and I recited the Stations of the Cross. Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. There were 14 pictures or sculpture depicting different scenes from Jesus's condemnation to death to His resurrection.More than the thought of going to these churches and my down the memory lane experience, is my heart-felt prayer for my brother's healing and recovery. Jude was diagnosed with Pott's disease, they say it is a presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the spine, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints. The doctor said he needs to undergo an operation where his spine needs to be replaced, and put a metal is it will be secure. The operation would last for 8 hours and requires complete bed rest for his recovery. We need to prepare or metal that would be used which costs, PHP160,000 to PHP220,000, on top of the hospitalization and professional fees we have to take care of. Above all the things that we need to worry about, what I really want to make is my brother's recovery.
Strength and good health for my parents. I pray for their understanding and acceptance on my brother's situation and that they will be able to survive and cope. Shy away from any kind of sickness and be strong for our family.
I pray for my program's success and for my career, and that I'd be able to reap more rewards for the team, to help me achieve my goals.
I pray for more wisdom that I will be strong for my family and friends who need me. I pray for my lifetime partner to come, and for me to be prepared when he arrives.
Prayers for your brother and your family...
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