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Lumen Ecclesiae, Binangonan (2026)

23/05/2026

May 24 • Memorial of St. Joanna, wife of Chuza

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Joanna the Myrrhbearer (also known as Johanna, Junia, and Jessica). Saint Joanna is remembered as one of the female disciples of Jesus and is one of the women recorded as accompanying Jesus and the twelve disciples in the Gospel of Luke: “... Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means" (Luke 8:2-3).

Joanna is also recognized as one of the women who went to prepare Jesus’ body after His crucifixion (thus, the title “myrrhbearer”), only to find the tomb empty, and later recount the words of the “men in clothes that gleamed like lightning” to Peter and the disciples.

Saint Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, further references Saint Joanna (under the name Junia), suggesting that Paul recognized the importance of women leaders in the Church, offering encouragement and support of her mission, and emphasizing that her faith preceded his own.

Saint Chrysostom said of Joanna, “Think what an encomium it was to be considered notable among the apostles. They were distinguished by their works and achievements. Bless me, how great the philosophy of this woman to be counted worthy to be addressed also as one of the apostles! But the praise did not stand still here, but again he praises them, saying, ‘They have been in Christ before me’!”

Given her position as wife of the manager of Herod’s household, Easter holy tradition suggests that Saint Joanna rescued the head of Saint John the Baptist, following his martyrdom, preserving his relics and giving them a proper, pious burial.

The life and service of Saint Joanna reminds us that all are equal in the eyes of the Lord—men and women alike-- and all have their gifts of service to provide. Joanna, a wealthy member of the court of Herod, gave up her position to live with and follow Christ, ministering to him with her own money, and living with Him in poverty. Her leadership in the Church, as an early apostle of Christ, and the respect given to her by Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans, tells us of her great faith and holiness. We look to Saint Joanna to remind us of our own call to service, sacrifice, and faith, each in our own way!

Prayer:
Gracious God, fill my heart with your self-giving love. Use me to do your work in this world. Guide and strengthen me by your Spirit that I may give myself in love and service to others through Jesus Christ. Amen.

23/05/2026

Coming 40 days after Easter and 10 days after the Ascension of Our Lord, Pentecost ranks among the greats feast of Christianity along with Christmas and Easter. Known as "The Birth of the Church", it Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples, ushering the completion of the work of redemption and the gift of Faith for all Nation.

Happy Birthday to the One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church !

23/05/2026

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐂 | 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥

Today, the Dominican Order celebrates the Memorial of the Translation of our Holy Father Dominic. We remember in 1233 when, uring a General Chapter of the Order in Bologna, the interred body of St. Dominic was moved in order to allow the faithful to honor him more easily. In one of his letters, Bl. Jordan of Saxony, describes the event: "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒. 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑏𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑎, 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑏𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑦 𝑎 𝑣𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑔𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛... 𝐴𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑔𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔; 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒. 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑗𝑜𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠." In the Basilica of Santa Sabina, which was originally given to St. Dominic and the Order in the 13th century, this day is celebrated as a Solemnity, in honor of St. Dominic’s service there.

08/05/2026

May 8 - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii.

"Saint Bartolo Longo came to the valley in 1872 and heard a voice telling him to spread devotion to the Rosary. He gathered people for daily prayer and a church was built in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii. A secondhand painting from a junk store was enshrined in the chapel and several miracles happened. A basilica was built in 1939.

On this day, the "Supplica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii is recited that is also observed in different parts of the world." - PintakasiPH

22/04/2026

As we "celebrates the Centennial Celebration of the Canonical Coronation of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, Pangasinan - a hundred years of grace, devotion, and maternal protection.

One hundred years ago, through the authority of the Holy See and the loving faith of countless devotees, the image of our Blessed Mother was solemnly crowned as Queen and Mother of her faithful children. Generations of pilgrims have journeyed to her shrine in Manaoag seeking comfort, healing, guidance, thanksgiving, and hope.

This centennial celebration is not only a remembrance of a historic event, but a joyful proclamation that the love of Mary continues to reign in the hearts of her people. She remains the compassionate Mother who calls her children closer to Christ, her Son.

From every province, parish, and family devoted to her holy name, we raise our voices in gratitude for the blessings received through the years. In times of trial and triumph, she has been a refuge and intercessor for the Filipino faithful and for all who come to her sacred home.

As we honor this milestone, may we renew our devotion to the Holy Rosary, deepen our faith in Her Son, Jesus Christ, and imitate the humility, obedience, and charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

MABUHAY ANG REYNA NG MANAOAG!

19/04/2026

Iniibig ka Niya

kahit tahimik, kahit sugatan,
kahit hindi mo maramdaman.

Manalig ka sana.

18/04/2026

PRAYER AGAINST DEPRESSION
(By Saint Ignatius of Loyola)

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.

12/04/2026

April 13, Memorial of St. Margaret Di Castello
The Blind, Crippled and Abandoned Holy Women, a
Lay Dominican.

Margaret’s life is one of the most heart-wrenching stories in the calendar of the saints. She was born blind, with severe curvature of the spine; her right leg was an inch and a half shorter than her left, and her left arm was malformed. She never grew beyond 4 feet tall.

Her parents kept little Margaret hidden away in their house in Metola in the Italian province of Umbria. She was 6 years old when the family traveled to a shrine at Castello, hoping for a miracle. When no miracle took place, Margaret’s mother and father abandoned her.

Some women of Castello found the terrified child and took care of her until they could arrange for her to be adopted. A husband and wife, Venfarino and Grigia, invited Margaret to live with them; they treated her like their own daughter, with love and kindness. She appears to have spent the rest of her life with her adoptive parents.

There was a convent near Margaret’s home, and the nuns became fond of her. When she was about 13 years old, Margaret asked to be admitted as a postulant. Given her years of friendship with the sisters, Margaret expected that she would be happy in their convent. She was in for a disappointment. The nuns were lax in keeping the rule of their order and even in keeping the routine of daily prayer and meditation. Margaret, on the other hand, was intensely devout.

The lack of fervor in her sisters surprised and confused her, while Margaret’s zeal made the nuns self-conscious, angry and resentful. Ultimately, the superior of the convent asked Margaret to leave. She returned to her adoptive parents and at age 15 joined the Third Order of St. Dominic, which permitted her to wear the habit and take the vows of a nun but still live at home where she felt loved and secure.

Margaret’s disabilities did not make her bitter; rather, she became one of the most generous, sympathetic people in Castello. She nursed the sick, consoled the dying and visited prisoners. Margaret said that in the sufferings of her neighbors she saw the image of the suffering Christ. As for her own disabilities, she regarded them as a means to unite her pain with the pain Christ endured on the cross. Her courage, her patience and her deep religious devotion won her the affection of everyone in Castello.

Margaret died when she was 33 years old. At her Requiem Mass the crowd was so great it seemed that the entire town and all the peasants from the countryside had come to the funeral. Th e parish priest planned to bury Margaret in the churchyard, but after the Mass was over the mourners insisted that she must have a tomb inside the church, with all the other distinguished dead of the parish.

The priest and the congregation were still arguing the point when a girl whose legs were crippled dragged herself to Margaret’s coffin. She touched the casket, then stood up and began to walk.

The miracle convinced the priest to give Margaret a tomb inside the church. Today her remains lie beneath the high altar of Castello’s Church of St. Dominic.

St. Margaret (1287-1320) is the patron saint of the poor and anyone dealing with a disability or physical challenge. She also is venerated as one of the patron saints of the pro-life movement. Her feast day is April 13.

She is also the patron of Pro Life Philippines

12/04/2026

Jesus, I Trust in You

06/04/2026

THE FIRST SAINT WAS A CRIMINAL: St. Dismas, crucified beside Christ the King

At the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, two criminals were put to death beside Him. They had lived similar lives and were facing the same punishment. Both were suffering, both were near death, and both were looking at the same man on the Cross.

One of them spoke with anger and doubt. He told Jesus to save Himself and them, showing that his heart was still closed, even at the end.

The other man responded differently. Tradition calls him Saint Dismas. He admitted his guilt and said they deserved their punishment, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In that moment, he took responsibility for his life and recognized something greater in Christ.

Then he made a simple prayer: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

He had no time left to fix his past. No good works to offer. Just trust.

And Jesus answered him clearly: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The Church has always seen this as a real moment of repentance and mercy, showing that God can save even at the very end when the heart turns back to Him.

Two men were close to Jesus. One stayed hardened. One opened his heart.

That was the difference.

This is why Good Friday is called “good.” Even in suffering, Christ was offering forgiveness. Even on the Cross, He was bringing someone home.

It is not too late to turn back to God.

Have you ever put off coming back to God, thinking you still had more time?

📸 : Chito Paner

Lumen Ecclesiae

23/05/2026

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