Mary, Mother of God

I busied myself working on this image for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. 

Initially, I wanted to pepper the image with selected Marian titles from the Litany of Loreto. But then, I decided against it since it would NOT just clutter the immaculate photograph of the Blessed Mother, but it will also make the concept altogether complicated. 

Hence, I settled with the one-liner "Nanay" ("Mom" in English) to make the theological concept rather appealing to human (and Filipino!) emotions, for all of us have got a link with a mother. 

And as we welcome the brand new year with a bang, let us also pause for a moment and remember the Mother who gave us her Son. 

Photo credits go to Funnylool.com

Why be happy?

Happiness. 

A cognitive researcher, Nancy Etcoff, believes that “the pursuit of happiness is obligatory.” She theorizes that “We are wired to pursue happiness; not only to enjoy it, but to want more and more of it.”  

True enough, Amazon.com has got over 2,000 titles of books with advice on the 7 habits, 9 choices, 10 steps, 12 secrets, and 14,000 thoughts that are supposed to bring happiness (Etcoff, 2004). 

Some believe that they can actually increase their happiness through medication. Hence, there are more than 120 million prescriptions for anti-depressants (Etcoff, 2004). 

On a purely experiential level, is it not true that we look for and, perhaps, even pursue individuals, endeavors, hobbies and whatnots that make us happy while we tend to avoid those which cause us pain and sadness?

Why Happiness?

Article 92 of our Constitutions tells us not just to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary; or to marvel at her fidelity at the hour of the cross; or just to follow her way of prayer. In concrete terms, we are also asked to contemplate and imitate her joy which is real, authentic, and genuine because of her experience of God. 

Because she encountered God, she no longer remained the same, even as gold touched by fire cannot not be different. The smoldering flame not only tests it, but also removes its impurities and transforms it.

Upon being greeted by the Angel, Mary’s happiness is initiated and cascades upon the people she meets along the way. 

I think of her cousin Elizabeth and the baby John the Baptist in her womb whose joy they couldn’t be contained because no less than the mother of their Lord visited them.

I think of the overjoyed newlyweds at Cana in the Gospel according to St. John who witnessed the first miracle of Jesus, thanks to the mediation of the Blessed Mother. 

I think of the first Christian community who must have been both nourished and edified immensely by the example of the Mother of Christ.

Calauan Experience

Upon arriving in Calauan last week, we received the bad news that a former driver of the community committed suicide by using a piece of electric wire to hang himself. When his relatives forced open the door of their toilet, he was already lifeless. His feet could touch the floor; but he chose to kneel down in order to not support himself. He was already determined to meet his end.   

Not having fully recovered yet from that news we were not aware that something else would come our way. The following day, Sunday, it was already past midnight when a mother’s loud cries broke the silence. She was asking for help. Her 14-year old daughter was stabbed seven times at the back and she was brought to site 2, where the convent is for some assistance. 

We were told that heart was still beating when she was brought to us, but it was already too late for her when she was rushed to the hospital. She was dead on arrival. 

I found myself asking, nay begging, for some wisdom from the Blessed Mother so that, somehow, she can help me grasp why these things have to happen. And if indeed, she really is the Help of Christians, what nature of help did she extend to these hapless individuals? 

When I arrived back in site 2, after assisting in the Mass held at site 1, I got the answer to these questions. 

It was shown to me in the countenance of the young people who seemed so happy in the company of the brothers who were assisting them. They were cheerful, their laughter sounded real, and as much as I tried to check some traces of fear in them, I couldn’t find any.  

I am sure that they learnt of the news that one of their friends died a gruesome death. And if security in the neighborhood will not improve, one of them could be the next. But I could read from their faces that they’re least bothered; mindless of the danger that may just snatch their life away. They’re simply happy.  

I found it really good to be with them, for unbeknownst to me, they were teaching me the value of trust and hope in the midst of a terribly frightening situation. 

That time, it hit me as to how daring I could be in remonstrating with the Blessed Mother as to the role she played in those difficult times, when in fact, I was reminded that she herself was no stranger of what it was to undergo pain; her only Son suffered a cruel death. 

And yet, she didn’t confront God or at least, it was not too important to be put on record; consistent with how she obeyed when the Angel relayed to her the good news of her divine conception, she maintained her serene, trusting composure. 

After all, God remains in control. 

And opening herself to God’s will, she was always happy to fully consent to His arrangements.

Magone and Mary

Most of the Bosconians I know could very well resonate with the naughty General Mickey than the perpetually holy Savio.  I can perfectly understand the reason why. Dominic, they perceive, must have been groomed right from the very start to become a saint.

General Mickey, on the other hand, had to find his way towards the greater scheme of holiness. It was not an easy feat for him to turn his back on his former life; to leave a life of sin did not happen in a snap. He agonized over the past evils he committed.

Mickey Magone figured into my consciousness when I read in that classic orange book entitled “Don Bosco: Spiritual Director of Young People,” that he made five resolutions to prepare himself to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady.

1. To detach my heart from all earthly things so as to give it completely to Mary.
2. To make a general confession in order to ensure a peaceful conscience at the hour of my death.
3. To skip breakfast every morning as a penance for my sins and to recite the Seven joys of Mary to merit her assistance at the last hours of my life. 
4. To go to communion every day provided my confessor advises it. 
5. To tell my companions an anecdote in honor if Mary each day. 
6. To place this sheet at the feet of Our Lady’s statue and, with this act, to consecrate myself completely to her and for the future, I wish to be entirely hers until the very last moments of my life.

All of these were approved by his confessor except for the first part of the third resolution, that is, to skip breakfast every morning as an act of penance for his sins.

Some observations:

First, you see in these resolutions the awareness of Magone of the reality of death.

At a very young age, he did not consider death morbid. In fact, he welcomed the idea of it. He longed for it to happen. He embraced it. And when it finally came, instead of conquering him, he conquered ‘it.’

Second, we see here an image of a young person who desired greatness, not through the use of force and might but through his submission to the will of the Father.   

See again resolutions 1 and 4.

Third, Magone took advantage of the sacraments, particularly confessions and communion, to attain holiness.

And finally, he allowed Mary to be his guide.

Magone died more than 100 years ago. But he lives on in that orange book, and in the many young people who continue to believe and declare, through their words and deeds, that God is still in charge after all. 

Mary's Move, the news

Following the long-standing tradition of Don Bosco’s oratory, the postnovitiate community mounted an academy in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. This time around, they presented a relatively non-traditional performance, as they staged a dance theater. Hence, the title of the production “Mary’s Move.”

The performers of the production were all young people who came from various settings where our FIN and FIS postnovices go for their apostolate. And instead of asking them to simply prepare a dance item, each group was given a theme to reflect on in order to guide them in executing their dance steps.

The themes revolved around four issues which our postnovices thought that affect our young people today: environment, sexuality, socio-economic realities, and various forms of anxieties which influence the behavior of our young people.

Our postnovices conceived this dance theater to not just prepare the young for the solemnity, but through the performances—and the reflections of their fellow young—they are able to recognize their very own situatedness.

The groups which performed included Teatro Sibol of Kapayapaan National High School (a public school where our postnovices teach weekly catechism), Liturgical Dance Group of Caritas Don Bosco School (a school run by Caritas sisters; our postnovices animate the youth groups of the school), Performing Arts Group and The Dance Co. of Don Bosco College (where they do their assistance) and the Juventus Youth Group of Mary Help of Christians Parish.

The result: it was not a mere theatrical production, but more of a full blown shindig held on the very eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The performers wowed the spectators with their stunning moves and brilliant steps. That eve of the celebration of Mary’s Immaculate Conception proved to be a night for the young!

Together with the friends, classmates, teachers and families of the performers, members of the Salesian family also came to watch the show, such as the FMA and CSM sisters and the Cooperators of Canlubang chapter. Fr. Eli Cruz, SDB the provincial superior of FIN stayed throughout the performance.

In his goodnight talk, Fr. Charles Manlangit, SDB, the rector of the postnivitiate community said that Mary’s Move is a move towards a return to innocence, a journey back to God’s fold.

Mary's Move

We're mounting a dance theater tonight in honor of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Sorry, you'll not be able to see us dance. But we have invited talented of young people from our various places of apostolate to do the strutting.

Join them with their groove, and let us see how the Blessed Mother moves! And yes, if in case you're curious, the admission is free. Show begins prompty at 7:30 PM.

Become a good news!

The past weeks have been a heyday for various mass media outfits. There was a knee-jerk reaction from various fronts on the move of the lower house to change the constitution. The A(H1N1) fever also created some hullabaloo stealing the limelight from the local political scene. Not to mention the equally scandalous fanfare conjured by that infamous video featuring a cosmetic doctor leaked out to the Internet for the entire world to see.

These news paint the atmosphere of the country rather bleak. And hopelessness seems to be the order of the day. With these things at hand, it's not just difficult to look into the future with a sense of optimism; it's a scary affair altogether.

Today is the 24^th of the month. For others, this day may not have any significance at all. But for us who are sons of Don Bosco, we are aware that the concurrence of the numbers two and four of each month is a special day for us to commemorate the Blessed Mother.

We just had the commemoration Mass earlier. But apart from the extra dose of practices of piety we observe today in honor of the Blessed Mother, the 24^th of each month reminds us that we don’t journey alone. Mary continues to walk with us and she loves us to no end. Despite the raging bad news that storms our life, we care to note that there is still good news, after all.

And so, let me share with you Psalm 23 with some little modifications:

My mom is my shepherd; I shall not want. She makes me lie down under cool, downy comforts. She watches me play beside still waters. She restores my soul.

She leads me in paths of respect, responsibility, and goodness, for I am her namesake!

Yea, even though I walk past monsters in the dark, I will not be scared, because my mom is always near me. Her hands and her voice, they comfort me.

Mama sets the table and cheerfully calls me to dinner even in front of big, mean bullies.

She anoints my skinned knees and broken heart with kisses. She smiles and throws me a towel when my cup runs over.

Surely God's peace, power, and mercy shall uphold me all the days of my life, for my Mother taught me to dwell in the house of God forever.

The Blessed Mother is indeed a good news. She was the relief of the newly-wed couple in Cana, she was the comfort of her cousin Elizabeth, she was the lasting refuge of her dying Son at the cross.

In our Gospel sharing last Saturday, Br. Sami said something to this effect: “I am limited in the postnov. I cannot travel across the globe to remedy the problem happening in Iran, Greece, Pakistan… The most that I could do is to do good to the people most proximate to me.”

As her sons, we are, too, expected to be a good news to others. Forget about the universal grand scheme to save mankind. We are invited to do the littlest things that we could in order to make heaven happen. Right here. Now.

Sa Pusod ng Ina, Sa Puso ng Ama

Poster Design by Miki

We're staging an academy on the 6th of December in celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. This year’s academy is a sequel of last year’s (Ang Paghihintay ni Inay). If last year zeroed in on the sharing of the invited mothers as regards their waiting and accompanying their children as they go through the important moments of their lives (i.e., deliver moments in hospital, etc.), this year’s academy will bring the fathers to the limelight, it will be their venue for their testimonies.

God the Father’s plan to send forth His only Son entails preparation. Specifically, this covers as well the selection of the woman who would be the mother of His Son.

The academy will bring light to the question “How does a human father prepare for such an essential function?” This role entails a careful planning of marriage, selecting the woman he would marry, determining the number of kids he would want to have and envisioning the whole picture of his family at present. We’ll journey with the fathers as they go down the memory lane and relive those tales. But more than focusing on the calculating persona of the father, his heart will be in the forefront.

However, the story of the Father and of the fathers goes on. The plan of the Father continues in our own stories. Our own personal journey is part of His great plan.

This academy, more than anything else, will not just be about Mary, but it’s about God planning everything.

You're invited!

Tanghalang Seminaryo at Don Bosco Seminary
8:00 PM
December 6, 2008