REFLECTIONS

 

Of Innocence and Involvement
Mikaila Julia A. Astorga

On the 12th of January at 04:53 pm, we bustled out of school; eager to get out of class and into the comfort of our homes.  As we boarded our cars to prepare for the ride home for the end of another school day or maybe waited to catch a tricycle, nothing eventful happened. And for the rest of the world, this was the truth. However, for a small Carribean country, over 150,000 died or went missing in the few seconds that an earthquake with the magnitude of 7 hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. At that moment where the rest of the world’s lives continued to proceed normally, the lives of Haiti’s citizens were changed forever.

Haiti is not a country of supreme richness. It is a small country which is only beginning to grow. In fact, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and the sudden earthquake that hit it did not do anything to improve that. In 2009, a series of supertyphoons hit the Philippines. They came ravaging mercilessly and without abandon. Businesses were destroyed. Infrastructures were damaged and lives were lost. During these trying times, these times of depression and loss, the true Filipino spirit of bayanihan and genuine concern for our fellow countrymen came out. We, as the Filipinos, came as one to extend a helping hand. Time, money and service were made available to those who truly needed them. Filipinos made their presence felt. However, it would be unfair and untrue to claim that we did this on our own. Help from all over the world made this recovery process easier and quicker. Now, it is our turn.

The call, the need and the desire to help Haitians seemed to be innate in the Filipinos. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) called us to offer our prayers and financial support to aid Haiti as they recover from this devastating plight. In response, Manresa School as one community, gathered in the gymnasium to pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The prayer emphasized that while we are here in this world, we are responsible for one another. We are, after all, one family. Spearheaded by the Manresa School General Student Board, the project entitled Help an Innocent Individual through Involvement (HAITI) gave room for Manresans to share their blessings as they gave their love offerings. As a witness to this heart-warming event, one cannot help but feel appreciation for the bigger picture taking place. As the students got up from their seats and approached the boxes in which the money was to be placed, one cannot help but see innocent children and youth giving a little bit of what they have simply because they know it is the right thing to do; simply because they know there is someone in need and they can do something to help. On top of all of these donations, Manresa School pledged P100,000 to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti further. All of this money will be sent to Haiti through the CBCP.

“It is during the worst of times that the best in people come out,” This statement holds a lot of truth in it. Heroes are not born, they are made. And on the 25th of January at 07:30 am, a time uneventful to the rest of the world, the Manresa community took one step closer to becoming heroes.

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            Fr. Aly Barcenal, the Parish Priest  of San Jose Manggagawa Parish Church at Chorillo St., Barangka, Marikina City, has been inviting Religious Congregations which belong to his Parish to share their reflections on the Word of God at Mass every Thursday instead of him giving homily.
            Below is a reflection which I shared when it was our  turn.

First Reading: 2 Cor 11:1-11                        Gospel: Mt. 6:7-15 (The Lord’s Prayer)

          “Ang  mundo natin ngayon ay masyado nang magulo at  ang nababasa natin sa diyaryo at nakikita sa telebisyon ay halos puro kasamaan na ng tao. Ang hirap hanapin kung saan ang Diyos sa bawat sitwasyon.  Totoo… mahirap ngang hanapin ang Diyos dahil sa oras na gumawa tayo ng kasalanan ay iyon din ang panahon na tayo ay napalayo sa kanya kasi naging sentro natin ang ating sarili. We are putting God out of the picture. Kagaya ng mga taga Corinto kahit gaano ang pagsisikap ni Pablo para makilala nila ang Dios. Sila mismo ang lumayo kaya naging magulo rin ang kanilang sitwasyon. At nasasaktan si Pablo sa kanyang mga nakikita.

          Kagaya ni Pablo lahat tayo ay may karanasan kung saan ay nasaktan tayo dahil sa nais nating tumulong o mamuhay ng tama. Naalaala ko ang aking karanasan noong nasa labas pa lamang ako. Napabilang ako sa isang Christian group sa amin. Aktibong naming ginampanan ang bawat responsibilidad. Pero isang araw, natuklasan ko na lamang na ang amin “head servant” pala ay may ginagawang kalokohan sa pera ng organisasyon.  Bilang coordinator, kinausap ko ang aking mga kasamahan kung ano ang pwede naming magawa. Pero ng  nalaman niya ito, nagalit siya at siniraan niya ako sa aking mga kasama hanggan pinaalis niya ako bilang coordinator. At ang masakit pa ay naniwala ang aking mga kasamahan sa nga paratang niya sa akin.  It was really a very painful experience for me. What I only wished that time was to straighten the wrongdoing of my brother. Those times, I felt alone and abandoned. But it was also the moment when I often found myself before the Blessed Sacrament crying, asking for strength and most of all, begging for God to forgive them and also be forgiven if I did something wrong to the group.

          Pagkatapos ng dalawang buwan biglang bumisita and “head servant sa aming paaralan kung saan ako nagtuturo para kausapin ako. Nabigla ako sa kanyang pinakita, kasi humingi siya ng tawad sa akin sa lahat ng kanyang ginawa. I could hardly believe that he was even willing to kneel down before me to ask for forgiveness…. Of course, I allowed him to do so…  Dito ko  naranasan kung paano maging isang anak ng Dios at ang lahat ay aking kapatid kay Kristo.  Dito ko rin naranasan ang kapangyarihan ng pagpapatawad…ang kapangyarihan ng dasal. God has opened my heart to forgive him. And my “head servant” was touched by God to ask for forgiveness and he responded with humility. At that moment our relationship was restored because  we both listened to God’s call. God inspired me to forgive him and on his part, God  enlightened  him to recognize his wrongdoing.       

(I realized that this is a religious experience which is a special gift of God, that allowed me to profoundly taste His Fatherhood and the power of forgiveness that brought joy and peace in my heart.)

          Kagaya ni Pablo na kahit gaano ang galit niya sa mga taga-Corinto dahil sa katigasan ng kanilang ulo pero nandoon pa rin ang kanyang taimtim na pagnanais na tumulong sa kanila na makilala ang Dios ng pag-ibig. Pag-ibig sa Diyos at sa kapwa.

In today’s Gospel, Christ teaches us that God is our Father and everyone is our brother or sister. In this relationship, we can see the great importance of forgiveness so that our lives will be harmonious, peaceful and joyful. The key to be able to live this way is to center ourselves in Christ and to love as he has loved... Amen!”

Shared by: Sr. Emily C. Espino, F.I.
June 18, 2009
San Jose Manggagawa Parish
6:00 am Mass, Thursday

 

 

An Encounter and An Embrace

Mother General and John Paul Mondejar in Maasin

          Where do I begin? To tell how happy and delighted I am to meet her at last. Last February 15, 2009, I met at last the Successor of Mo. Candida Maria de Jesus, our dear Mother General, Sr. Ma. Inez Furtado F.I. and her General Consultor, Sr. Jocelyn Salomo F.I. in the house of the sisters in Maasin. As I saw her from the door, I was filled with joy and much more joy when I came nearer and greeted her. As I greeted her, It was no wonder that I felt that Mo. Candida was with us because it was her successor.

          I felt so honored and privileged to be invited to eat lunch with them. As we ate our lunch, I took the privilege of telling her how happy and delighted I am to meet and talk to her and Sr. Jocelyn. It was also while we were talking, we shared a lot of laughter.

with Sr. Jocelyn

          As a sign of my love and welcome for them, I presented to Sr. Ma. Inez and Sr. Jocelyn, a copy of the book that I made which is about my philosophy on holiness, love and my point of view in life.

          I asked them also for their autographs and they even placed dedications. As I bid goodbye to Mo. General and Sr. Jocelyn, we shared a warm and loving embrace.

          I will never forget that encounter, in that warm and loving embrace with Mo. General, I felt that it seemed Mo. Candida Maria de Jesus went down from Heaven and talked to me. It was not an ordinary encounter and embrace, it was an encounter and embrace from a mother, a sister in Christ and most of all, I felt it was an embrace and encounter from Mo. Candida Maria de Jesus herself. I will always keep Sr. Ma. Inez Furtado F.I. and Sr. Jocelyn Salomo F.I. in a special place in my heart .

                                                 John Paul P. Mondejar
                                                     Year II Politeness
                                          Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus
                                               Ledesma St., Iloilo City

F.I. Reunion ‘08

  Amazed by God’s Gratuitous Generosity (Mt 20, 1 – 15)

 

SHARE A PAIR OF SHOES PROJECT
Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus

 

          It was an exciting first experience of mine to be able to witness the turnover of all the pairs of shoes in response to our "share a  shoe" project.  Along the way to Maasin where St. James Catholic High School is located, I was entertaining some personal questions that surfaced within me like:  why of all things a pair of shoes? It must really be the most urgent need of the students of Punong Elementary School who , from what I've heard come from distant barrios of Maasin and walk a number of kilometers, rain or shine, just to be able to attend classes and finish school.  Many others have to cross the river and in doing so, have to take off whatever footwear they have. 

          My heart was very much touched at the sacrifices they do in order to have an education.  For them, education is a priority and a means to alleviate poverty.  How I wish the pairs of shoes we have shared would really be of help to this striving young people like me. 

          With this experience, I am moved to be appreciative of all that I have and to be more generous to people who have less in life.  May the good Lord multiply people who have the heart and the hands to share willingly with those who are in need especially during this Christmas season. 

          I remember too the Bl. Candida Maria de Jesus who had only one pair of shoes then, when she was a humble maid of the Sabater family.  God did not allow the rain to fall on that awful bad weather because the good Lord knew she had only one pair and God would not allow the rain to wet her delicate feet.  May God do the same to all people who are shoeless.

 

                                                                        Ace Aceron,  Yr. IV – Service
                                                                       Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus

by SR. LYNN FALSIS, F.I.

Last October 16-17, 2008, I, together with the school’s Principal and Registrar, attended the seminar entitled ADVANCED LEADERSHIP: the Human side of Management. The seminar was held in Iloilo specifically in the Institute for Values and Professional Development. It was facilitated by Dr. Roque Carballo. It was a graced moment for me to reflect on my management style, interpersonal skills and on my way of doing my assigned tasks as Directress of Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus. While undergoing the seminar I saw my limitations and mistakes. However, I also rejoiced over the fact that I have grown much in the tasks of administration, management and supervision of the people I work with. Since I learned much from this seminar, I thought of sharing with you some tips/articles given to us during the seminar. I hope the articles could help you, dear sisters and lay partners, who are handling people to discover the positive ways of handling our human resources in all our schools and centers, how to produce good works and how to sanctify our work everyday. Maybe we can all share these articles to our lay partners who do the educative mission in all our schools and centers during our formative sessions with them.

Twenty Time-Tested Tactics for Improving Your People Skills
by Michael Zigarelli

1. Don't complain. It doesn't get you very far because people tend to react negatively to toxic talk. Instead, offer potential solutions when you identify problems, or say nothing at all.

2. Smile a lot: Check out that face of yours in the mirror. Do you usually have a "no" face or a "yes" face? Does your expression tell the world to leave you alone or that you're friendly and approachable? A real smile is a sign of joy.

3. Listen closely and actively: "You hear but you don't listen!" And the result is frustration and repetition—frustration because nothing incenses a speaker quite like the feeling of being ignored; repetition because the speaker will try to remedy the problem by repeating what he or she just said. This is not good for effective interpersonal relationships.

4. Make them feel important: Let them know you think they're working real hard, that they're doing a great job—that they're contributing, that who they are and what they do has genuine value. Be an encourager and an affirmer.

5. Show your appreciation: Gratitude is a cousin of affirmation. When someone has expended some effort from which you benefit—even if it's something they're expected to do—let them know that you appreciate it. Make a habit of expressing gratitude. People feel entitled to it and when it's withheld, resentment fills the vacuum. By contrast, when you express gratitude, you can instantly make that person's day. Gratitude costs you nothing and it gives them much. Awesome ROI.

6. Talk about their interests: Talk about the other person's interests. Set yourself aside and become interested in those around you. People love to talk about their interests, so give them the opportunity to do so.

7. Remember every name: Some people have an uncanny ability for remembering names. It's been said that someone's name is the sweetest word that person ever hears, so do whatever it takes to make that sweet sound. You'll do more than impress them. You'll make them feel memorable.

8. Make a sacrifice for them: Words are powerful, but few of your words will be more treasured than a sincere sacrifice of time or money on your part. So get in the habit of identifying and meeting people's needs. Be kind. Put their needs ahead of your own. Nothing—nothing—will earn you more real friends than sacrifice.

9. Use self-depreciating humor: Don't hesitate to make fun of yourself. In a world where people are so full of themselves and incessantly concerned about communicating their own importance, self-depreciating humor can instantly make you attractive. So go ahead. Make fun of your flaws. Knock yourself down a few notches. Paradoxically, it will probably raise you up in the eyes of others.

10. Focus on your similarities: Lots of research bears witness to what might already be obvious to you: we're more likely to be influenced by people who are similar to us. If people see that you are similar to them, they'll probably like you more. They'll listen to you more. They'll confide in you more. So focus on the similar.

11. Create "social relaxation": It has everything to do with creating an environment where people are relaxed in your presence and feel comfortable talking to you. How do you do that? For the most part, through an amalgam of the practices listed here. Smile, compliment them, focus on their needs, and express a real interest in them. Ease into tougher discussions—warm-up to them—rather than being so direct. And always show them you are paying attention by making good eye contact, by nodding your head when you understand what they're saying, and by squarely facing them rather than sitting at an angle. Be genuine, transparent, and accepting—even loving—and you will almost always reap the same in return.

12. Talk about your own mistakes while raising theirs: You might be a perfectionist, but you're not perfect. If you want to get somebody to listen to you about mistakes they've made, start by identifying your own. As you do, you'll make it safer for them to own up to their faults.

13. Don't assume you're right: This assumption derails more conversations, starts more fights, and extinguishes more potentially great ideas than any other. I'm not always right. That's pretty obvious. But in a conversation or a debate, that somehow becomes less obvious to me. And then it creates problems.
When I assume that my opinion is right and that someone who disagrees with me is wrong, I've lost the opportunity to learn from that person and to generate a win-win solution. Moreover, I just seem to get more entrenched in my position. That's stubborn. That's folly. And that's pride. I should humbly accept that I don't have all the answers, and that someone—even someone who is criticizing me—might have a good point.

14. Apologize: Just say it. Go ahead. It won't kill you. Besides, you probably owe it to the person. Repeat after me: "I…was…wrong. I'm…sorry." Tack on a "please forgive me" and you'll be liberated indeed. Beware, though. The resulting rush of peace may cause you to smile. You'll then look just like the person you're talking to.

15. Never, ever gossip—ever: Many people don't even realize they're doing it, bonding with someone by tarnishing someone else's reputation. That's gossip, plain and simple. If what you're about to say undermines the reputation of someone who's not in the conversation, think first about why you're really saying it. Then, in most cases, bite your lip.

16. Don't interrupt when someone is speaking: And never complete their thought for them either. These behaviors infuriate most people. So shut up and listen!

17. Never say "you're wrong": Think about how you felt the last time someone said those exact words to you. Did it help to resolve the problem, or did it escalate it? These words rarely persuade, so excommunicate them from your vocabulary.

18. Don't communicate when you're angry: Sometimes it's unavoidable, but often it's not. Most of us do an exceedingly poor job of making our point clear when our brains are clouded by anger. And then we get even angrier—at ourselves for not communicating well—spiraling the problem. Just step away and count to thirty. It works.

19. Make self-examination a habit: Am I using these skills daily? Where can I improve? What's working and what's not? As with any self-improvement process, you need to take inventory regularly regarding how you're doing. Reflect on your people skills often and then find ways to improve on your weaknesses.

20. Practice these practices: People skills are like any other skills. The more you use them, the more adept you become. So if you're serious about "perfecting" your people skills, there's no shortcut. Only practice will make perfect.

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“GOOD WORK:
WHEN EXCELLENCE AND ETHICS MEET”.
Howard Gardner, Mihaly Csikskentmihalyi, WilliamDamon

In every historical era, many people have sought to carry out good work. It has always been true that some people do their work expertly but not very responsibly.

People who do good work, in our sense of the term, are clearly skilled in one or more professional realms.

At the same time, rather than merely following money or fame alone, or choosing the part of least resistance when in conflict, they are thought full about their responsibilities and the implications of their work.

At best, they are concerned to act in a responsible fashion with respect toward their personal goals; their family, friends, peers and colleagues; their mission or sense of calling; the institutions with which they are affiliated; and, lastly, the wider world –people they do not know, those who will come afterwards, and, in the grandest sense, tom the planet or to God.

Doing good work feels good. Few things in life are as enjoyable as when we concentrate on a difficult task, using all our skills, knowing what has to be done. And, contrary to popular opinion, these highly enjoyable moments – the one Mihaly calls “flow experience”- occur more often in the job than in leisure time.

In flow we feel totally involved, lost in a seemingly effortless performance. Paradoxically, we feel 100 percent alive when we are so committed to the task at hand that we lose track of time, of our interest –even of our own existence.

Intense flow can happen anywhere. But it also happens surprisingly often at work –as long as the job provides us
with clear goals,
immediate feedback,
and a level of challenges
matching our skills.
When these conditions are present, we have a chance to experience work as “good” –something we experience as rewarding and enjoyable.

To be sure feeling of flow do not always signal that one is performing “good work” in our sense; the robber who is fully engaged in cracking a safe may well experience flow.

In short, “good work” needs to be always ethical.

Nor do we want to imply that “good work” is always accompanied by flow; it can be frustrating and discouraging at times.

Yet, time and again, we have observed the rewards of flow bestowed on individuals who have become wholly engaged in activities that exhibit the highest sense of ethical responsibility.

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SANCTIFICATION OF WORK

“This is the will of God
your sanctification”!
Thessalonians 4: 3.

"Be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven, is perfect."
Matthew 5:48

This is why Paul commands us, in Ephesians 5: 1, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children".

 

If you are a parent, you know that there is a special joy that comes when you see your children imitating some of your good qualities and following some of the moral standards that you have tried to model.

When we feel that joy as parents, it is just a faint echo of what God feels when he sees us, as his children, imitating his excellent qualities. "Be imitators of God, as beloved children."

This idea of imitating God explains many of the commands in the Bible. For instance, "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). We imitate God's love when we act in love. Or, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16, quoting Lev. 11:44). Similarly, Jesus taught, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). And he also said, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). God wants us to be like himself.

We should step back for a moment and remind ourselves again that each of us is called to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, first and foremost. From this position all else comes. The fruit of our relationship with Christ moves us to the level of our calling in work. That work is a holy calling of God.

The reason God holds a high view of work is that He created each person in His image for an express purpose in this world to reflect His glory in ALL aspects of life. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col 3:17).

Zeal for God’s honor and glory should be our grateful response for all his goodness to us. Created beings can do nothing to increase God’s INTRINSIC glory, which is complete in and of itself, independently of all things outside himself.

But creatures can, and rational creatures should, promote God’s EXTRINSIC glory. Indeed, the end for which god created all things from nothing is his own honor and glory.

This is why we say with the Psalmist, “The heavens show forth the glory of god, and the firmament declares the work of his hands” (Psalm 18: 2).

Therefore, noting can be more just and equitable –nothing can be more excellent- than zeal form the glory of God.

What matters most in the Christian's work life is not what matters to the world. It's not the size of the paycheck, the impressiveness of the business card, the prestige, or the number of battles won.

It's not even your productivity or the quality of your work, although hard work is certainly a worthy pursuit.

Instead, when it comes to your job, what matters most is the extent to which you were Christ-like from 9 to 5.

The sanctification of work is like a hinge on which the spiritual life of the Christian turns. Sanctifying work means carrying it out with the greatest possible human perfection (professional competence) and spiritual integrity (for love of God and as a service to humanity).

Work can be sanctified and turned into a path of sanctification. "Since Christ took it into his hands, work has become for us a redeemed and redemptive reality; not only is it the background of man’s life, it is a means and a path of holiness, it is something to be sanctified and something which sanctifies."

Any honest job, can be an occasion
for giving glory to God
and for serving others.

"It is we ordinary Christians immersed in the blood-stream of society, whom Our Lord wants to be saints and apostles, in the very midst of our ordinary work; that is,
sanctifying our job in life,
sanctifying ourselves in it,
and through it helping others to sanctify themselves as well."

How to sanctify your work?
1. We must inescapably fulfill the first condition which is to WORK AND TO WORK WELL.

2. Working well means working with the greatest possible human perfection.

3. How do you manifest working with the greatest possible human perfection?
            a) Work conscientiously, with a sense of responsibility, without abandoning your work anytime in a casual and easy-going way.
            b) Work like the best of your colleagues, and if possible, better than the best.
            c) Begin and finish your work with the same enthusiasm with which you begun it, and when there is no enthusiasm, with the same effort with which you begun it.
            d) Make good use of your time working intensely and with order.

4. Then add a supernatural motive in your work, by doing it all to give glory to God and to serve people.

Prepared by  Sr. Lynn Falsis, FI of Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus

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SPECIAL FEATURE FROM:

COLEGIO DE LAS HIJAS DE JESUS, ILOILO CITY

A TALK GIVEN BY JOHN PAUL MONDEJAR DURING THE CELEBRATION                                    OF MOTHER FOUNDRESS’ DAY

“May the most pure Virgin  shelter us beneath her mantle.”

To our dear Directress Sr. Emelinda C. Falsis F.I., Sisters, our Principal, Ms. Lea Cababasay, members of the Faculty and Staff and my beloved and dearest fellow CHJians!

Good morning! Buenos dias! I’m so glad to be speaking in front of you today. This morning i will talk about a holy woman from Spain who changed my life and the life of the Mondejar family. The name of this woman is very familiar to all of us, CHJians!

               MOTHER CANDIDA MARIA DE JESUS

The woman to whom I owe what I am today and  what my family is. How did it start?

                It all started in 1950 when my great great grandfather enrolled my grandmother, Exmila Mondejar in Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus under the Spanish Hijas de Jesus sisters. She lived there as an intern what we call “interna” under the care of Mo. Natividad Garcia F.I.. She graduated in 1955.  1971 was the year the Hijas de Jesus took over St. James Catholic High School,  Maasin, Iloilo, from the Mill Hill Missionaries. That was the time my family grew more closely to the Hijas de Jesus. My father John, my uncles Francisco Jr. and Anthony Gerard studied at St. James Catholic High School while my Aunt Bingbing studied at CHJ and like my grandmother,  she was also a “interna”.

Why did I say that I owe her what I am?

          My parents got married on October 7, 1989,  but there was big problem. Both of them have reproductive problems so it was impossible for them to have a child,  but the Hijas de Jesus Sisters told them not to lose hope and seek the help of Mo. Candida. They did novena prayers to her starting on August 1, 1993 and ending  on August  9, 1993,  the death anniversary or feast day of Mo. Candida. It also happens that August 9 is my mother’s birthday. A few days before their 4th wedding anniversary, my mother got sick and they went to the doctor,  but the doctor wouldn’t give her any medicine unless she undergoes pregnancy test, and  so she sent her urine sample to Ramon Tabiana Hospital in Cabatuan, Iloilo. The results were positive! My mother couldn’t believe that she was pregnant with me! The next day, October 7, 1993,  their 4th wedding anniversary, they attended the Holy Mass and the Gospel was about the Annunciation. My father and Mother cried for that was a sign from God, our loving Father, that I was in the womb of my mother. The sisters and my family were very happy and predicted that the child was a girl for it was given by Mo. Candida.  Sr. Nelida Peñaflorida, F.I., the present Directress of Manresa School, suggested the name to be Candie Marie. They expected that Mama will give birth on May 31, the birthday of Mo. Candida, but I was in a hurry to go out to see the world and so, on the 18th of May 1994, I was born in Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital at 2:02pm. My mother decided to name me John Klein but Tita Bingbing  and the late Sr.Jesusa Belosillo, F.I. wanted to change the name into John Paul for May 18 was the birthday of  Pope John Paul II.

          Two years after my birth, Mo. Candida, together with Sr. Ma. Antonia Bandres, F.I. were beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 12, 1996  at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy. That occasion was also a blessing to my family for my grandmother went to Rome as one of the two delegates of the Hijas de Jesus,  Philippine Province. Meeting the Pope, seeing the eternal city of Rome and reading the Charism of Mo. Foundress before Pope John Paul II was unforgettable on her part. It deepened more her faith and love for Mo. Candida and the Hijas de Jesus.

          When I was just  three years old, I only knew two Saints: St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Mo. Candida (whom I considered as a saint). My grandmother was a teacher at St. James Catholic High of Hijas de Jesus in Maasin, Iloilo and I always visited her there. The sisters were very kind to me and they always would tell me: “JP, pray  always to Mo. Foundress”.

          I, myself, was fond of collecting statues of saints and love to pray.  When Sr. Florence, the Mother Provincial that time and some sisters visited our house when I was three, she saw all my collections (which was only four statues at that time, but now, I have 164), I  heard her talking that she was going to Rome in two weeks.  She asked what statue would I like from Rome.  I  said “I lack one, Tita Florence. She answered “who?”, and I said  “Mama Candida!” (the name I call Mo. Candida when I was three). The sisters laughed and said,”grabe! He really loves Mo. Foundress”. The sisters always gave me Mo. Candida’s pictures and chocolates.

          1999 was the year I started to study here at Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus in Iloilo City. I can still remember when I first entered  my Alma Mater, I was feeling more of Mo. Candida’s presence. Here at  CHJ, I was able to discover more about Mo. Candida when I read the Weaver’s Daughter, Juanitatxo, God Wills It! And I even got to know the story of a nun who was beatified together with Mo. Candida, Blessed Antonia Bandres. I developed here at CHJ, love for Jesus & Mary, love for Mo. Candida and love for Hijas de Jesus community.

          My love for the Virgin Mary was deepened when I attended my Tita Bingbing’s wedding because instead of the traditional  bouquet throwing, she gave instead her bouquet to Sr. Florence, to be offered to the Virgin Mary. In that occasion, I was deeply struck  for I can see that I could also make sacrifices for Jesus and Mary in my own little way.

Was she also there in the darkest times of my life?
             My answer is yes because 2006 was  a year she really comforted me because many trials came to me: first, on July 25, 2006,  my dearest grandfather died. At 3:30 am, my father did not hesitate to call Sr. Nelida to tell my grandmother and Tita Bingbing the terrible news. To assure my grandmother’s safe trip to Iloilo, they sent Sr. Rebecca to accompany her. I was touched and felt comforted when sisters from other communities in Iloilo and Manila came to Maasin to pay their last respects to my grand father; second, another trial came. my Tita Bingbing was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. She needed an operation in the U.S. which would cost millions of pesos. I was  afraid for her life and for my cousins who are very young to lose their mother. I prayed to Mo. Candida and so did my family. Indeed she responded. My Tita was able to raise money from her friends and family members in a short period of time and had an operation in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A last February 2007.

How does one look at all these, in the eyes of a 14 year-old like me?

          It seems  like  it is going through the natural course of life. These may not  be  big or small  to us but it’s just a part of growing up but the Hijas de Jesus  experience from a child like me struck me so deeply, from cramming to asking Mo. Candida’s intervention in the song adaptation last year  and like winning the song adaptation contest  which made me and my dear Year I-Wisdom very happy. To receive a statue of Mo. Candida from the Provincial Superior, I was very touched and felt very proud and important. Of course, there were times when  Mo. Candida did not give me what I wanted like  joining the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia to see Pope Benedict XVI. I was not able to go because of my age and was not able to get a U.S. visa which made me very very angry.
Hence, my family compensated it in other fun & joyful moments and sad moments, my Tita Bingbing fighting for her life makes me feel so sad that I  make “kulit” of Mo. Candida when I stayed in Makati Medical Center because  her cancer might  come back saying, after I prayed the Rosary: “Mother,  indi man bi magpabungolbungol. Malu-oy ka man!”

And to feel proud to get the special attention of the sisters,  even the pioneer.  By  being able to speak  “Español” to Sr. Teresa Garcia, F.I., Mo. Natividad Garcia, F.I. and the oldest of all the sisters, Mo. Rosa Alonso, F.I. ,who is turning 104 years old!

I am very very sure of feelings of highs and lows and I know my life is just like a roller coaster- full of laughter and tears, just like you who are going through your own roller coaster ride in your own life.

Will my prayers be granted in the very way I want them to?

          Yes and no, but I am sure, Mo. Candida’s  life and love story with God had planted a deep seed in my heart and I will take good care of it. I am responsible to make the seed grow and turn to the direction where God wills it to be.

          My beloved fellow CHJians, always remember that the world is too small for the desire of our role model. I hope that little Juanita, who grew up to be financially poor but rich in desire for Jesus and Mary, will remind us that we  are loved and very important whatever is our status in life. Each one of us has a purpose here on earth. Let’s live and love it.

          Remember, nothing stopped Mo. Candida from fulfilling her mission to be a Foundress of schools. And remember that at that time, she couldn’t  read nor write. So what can stop us from being a joyful, generous, compassionate and loving children of God. So let’s be happy of who and what we are. Ok? Promise ha?

My love and embrace for each one of you.
God bless you all!

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