Society for the Propagation of the Catholic Faith

14/04/2019

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the sixth and the Last Sunday of the Lent and the beginning of the Holy Week. Palm Sunday is celebrated in remembrance of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey as the Prince of Peace. This incident is mentioned in all the four Gospels (Mathew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19).

Palm Sunday is the fulfillment of prophesy of Prophet Zechariah 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A c**t, the foal of a donkey' (Zechariah 9:9).

Jesus during his ministry wanted to do it secretly and asked His apostles not to divulge to others that He was the Messiah. He even told people to whom he gave miraculous cures not to tell about that to others. But from this day He wanted to expose Himself as the king of peace. He did not stop the people who followed them from shouting 'Hosannah' (meaning 'Save Us Now'). He also accepted the respect given by the people, by covering the path of his journey with their cloaks and palm branches, to Him as a King. He entered the God's Temple and cleansed it from hawkers and coin changers and declared publicly that the Temple was His Father's Home. This is the last but victorious journey of Jesus before his suffering and death for the sins of others.

18/03/2019

Feast of St. Joseph

St. Joseph was the head of the holy family. When St. Joseph was betrothed to St. Mary but before the actual marriage, Arch-Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced the virgin conception of Jesus in Mary by the spirit of God. On knowing that Mary was pregnant, he did not want to want to humiliate Mary before others but wanted to divorce her secretly. But when informed by an angel of God in a dream that the child has come from Holy Spirit (Mathew 1:18-25), he accepted her. He belonged to the house of David. St. Joseph was the son of Jacob (Mathew 1:16) or Heli (Luke 3:23). St. Joseph must have been a poor carpenter. Mary took only two pigeons (offering of the poor) instead of one lamb and one pigeon to the Temple for the purification ceremony on completion of 40 days of the birth of Jesus. God entrusted His only child Jesus to the safe custody of Joseph clearly shows the divine place Joseph got before God. He took Mary to enroll their names in the census, when she was pregnant. He took child Jesus with Mary to Egypt to safeguard Jesus from the murderers sent by Herod.

St. Joseph is the patron of peaceful death.

06/03/2019

Ash Wednesday

This is the first day of the forty days of prayer and fasting commonly called the Lent. This feast is celebrated on the Wednesday in the seventh week before Easter or 46 days before Easter. This feast falls on different days depending on the date of Easter. Jesus also was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and He was tempted by the Devil for forty days there and in those days he ate nothing (Luke 4:1). Moses also fasted for forty days to repent for the making of the Golden Calf by the Israelites. Jesus did this fasting before starting His ministry. On Ash Wednesday Catholics between the age of 18 and 59 are required to observe fasting by consuming one full meal or two small meals that should not equal one full meal. Persons whose health condition does not permit fasting are exempted from fasting. Abstinence from meat and other non-vegetarian items should also be avoided on this day. In some countries Christians celebrate the previous day of Ash Wednesday as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, when they eat pancakes consisting of fatty food items.

On Ash Wednesday Catholic Christians attend church services in the morning. The priest ash is imposed in the sign of a cross on the forehead of every faithful. When applying the ash on the forehead of every faithful, the priest used to say that 'Remember that you are made of dust and you shall return to dust' or 'Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel'. The ash for the ceremony was obtained by burning the palm leaves used and blessed during the previous year's Palm Sunday and kept in the houses of the catholic people.

Dusting with ashes is a way of expressing repentance and sorrow for one's sins and faults. We can study in the Holy Bible the practice of using ashes for repentance and mourning in many places especially in Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1, Job 2:8, Daniel 9:3 and Mathew 11:21.

Ash Wednesday is celebrated on various dates in February and March. The dates of celebration of Ash Wednesday for the next ten years will be February 13, 2013, March 5, 2014, February 18, 2015, February 10, 2016, March 1, 2017, February 14, 2018, March 6, 2019, February 26, 2020, February 17, 2021 and March 2, 2022. The earliest Ash Wednesday occurred on February 4, 1818 and it will occur on February 4 again only in the year 2285. The latest Ash Wednesday occurred on March 10, 1943 and will again occur on March 10, in the year 2038. Very rarely Ash Wednesday occurs on February 29, in the Leap year. It will occur again in the year 2096.

Ash Wednesday is celebrated by catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist and Anglican churches.

11/02/2019

Rest in Peace Bishop. 🙏

The Philippine Catholic Church has lost another senior bishop on Sunday, hours after the passing of a prelate from the south.

09/12/2018

Saint for Today(December 9, 2018)

St. Juan Diego

St. Juan Diego was a native of Mexico and was born on July 12, 1474. He was a very poor farmer and used to attend mass daily after walking a long distance of about 15 miles. On December 9, 1531, he was on his way to attend the mass. When he was passing the Tepeyac Hill, he saw a beautiful young girl of light and she called Juan Diego near her. She then told him to meet the bishop of the area and tell the bishop to construct a church in the spot where they were then standing on the hill. He met the bishop and told him about the apparition. But the bishop asked about some proof of the Lady who met him on the hill. Since the uncle of Juan Diego was in death bed, he could not again meet the lady immediately. But after a few days when Juan Diego was hurrying to get a priest to bless his uncle, the Lady again met Juan Diego on the path and Juan told her about the bishop’s request. The Mother took him to the place where Juan met her before and Juan was surprised to see Castilian Rose flowers on the frozen soil. This variety of roses was not growing in Mexico. As requested by the Lady, who was none other than Virgin Mother Mary, Juan gathered some flowers in his cloak and took them to the bishop. When Juan opened the cloak containing the rose flowers, the flowers fell on the ground and the image of the lady (Mother Mary) was imprinted inside the Juan’s cloak. Shocked on seeing the image of Mother Mary, the bishop bowed and paid respect to the image and ordered to construct a church at the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego. The uncle of Juan Diego was also cured from the deadly illness miraculously. This church is venerated as the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Within a very short period, about six million people converted to Christianity in Mexico. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared as the patroness of Americas.

Juan Diego died on May 30, 1548. He was beatified on May 6, 1990 and canonized on July 31, 2002 both by Pope John Paul-II.

08/12/2018

Today is the Feast of Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Holy Mary by her mother Saint Anne. This belief was held by the Christian people for a long period. But this doctrine was proclaimed as a formal religious dogma by pope Pius-IX on December 8, 1854 by a Papal Bull namely Ineffabilis Deus. This feast means that the Blessed Virgin Mary was kept free from original sin from her moment of conception. This feast also means that from the moment of conception Blessed Virgin Mary received the sanctifying grace that would normally come to others with baptism after birth. Blessed Mother Mary is free from all sins whether original or personal. Pope Sixtus-IV authorized all dioceses on February 28, 1476 to celebrate this feast but without using the word 'Immaculate'. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Lourdes, France from February 11, 1858 to July 16, 1858 to St. Bernadette Marie Soubirous. St. Bernadette confirmed later that the Holy Mary told her 'I am the Immaculate Conception', When Brenadette asked the name of the mother. The apparition was approved by the Holy See on January 18, 1862 and Bernadette was canonized as a saint on December 6, 1833 by pope Pius-XI. Therefore since the Mother Mary herself has proclaimed her as the Immaculate Conception, this religious dogma is true and must be believed and celebrated with all piety. United States of America, Ireland, Philippines and Spain are certain nations consider themselves under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception.

31/10/2018

FIVE REASONS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN THE CATHOLIC WAY

Well, we can't stop you from observing Halloween... but instead of dressing up your children as monsters, dress them up as angels or saints instead! Here are some reasons why you should observe Halloween the Catholic way:

1. IT IS A CATHOLIC CELEBRATION. In a nutshell, Halloween ("All Hallow's Eve" or "All Hallow-Even") is a Catholic celebration in honor of all the saints, those who have been faithful to the Lord. It is observed on October 31, the eve (vigil) of the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1).

• Nota bene: Its origins as a Celtic celebration being warrants a lengthy discussion. It is also a subject of much discussion even today. You may read about it in the articles we've suggested below! 😇

2. TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO ADMIRE HOLINESS. It is commendable to teach our children about the goodness and holiness of Saints instead of the demonic or the diabolic, so that they will be inspired by the former instead of the latter. Let them grow up with faith in God, not just fear of the devil.

3. TO CELEBRATE GOD'S VICTORY OVER SATAN. The celebration of Jesus' triumph over His enemies, the fallen rebel angels, is a way of teaching our children that God is supreme and triumphant, and it is goodness, not evil, that should be admired and celebrated.

4. TO AVOID ATTRACTING THE DEMONIC. This is important. Exorcists have often pointed this out. The celebration of the demonic is a tribute to their self-perceived greatness. Led by Satan, they are fallen angels who rebelled against God and they seek to bring us to hell with them. This celebration of the demonic invites them to come to our lives. There are so many openings through which they can disrupt our lives. Let us stick with God instead!

5. TO PREACH THE FAITH TO OTHERS. This is a great opportunity for your children to be little preachers! Those who may have been away from the Church for some time now may be reminded of their faith once they see how adorable your young saints are!

More than just Halloween costumes and parades, St Paul gives us advise on what to wear everyday: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11)

All you saints in heaven, pray for us!

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*SUGGESTED READINGS:

• The Catholic Origins of Halloween | www.ucatholic.com/blog/the-catholic-origins-of-halloween/

• A Catholic's Guide to Halloween | www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/catholic-guide-to-halloween/

• History of All-Hallows Eve | www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_2.cfm

• The Surprisingly Catholic Origins of Halloween | www.aleteia.org/2016/10/25/the-surprisingly-catholic-origins-of-halloween/

• Halloween is for Catholics | www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/blog/index.cfm?id=225

• Why Catholics should embrace Halloween | www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-catholics-should-embrace-halloween

• It's Time for Catholics to Embrace Halloween | www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/its-time-for-catholics-to-embrace-halloween/2133/

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23/10/2018

St. Anthony Claret

He was born on December 23, 1807 at a place near Barcelona in Spain. He was ordained a priest on June 13, 1825, on the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. He was the confessor to Queen Isabel-II of Spain. He was appointed as the arch Bishop of Santiago, Cuba in 1849 by Pope Pius-IX. He taught the poor people about the importance of savings. He founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (The Claretians) on June 16, 1849 on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He died on October 24, 1870 in the Cistercian Monastery, in France.

He was beatified by Pope Pius-XI on February 25, 1934 and canonized by Pope Pius-XII on May 7, 1950. He is the patron saint of textile merchants, weavers and savings.

16/10/2018

St. Marguerite d’Youville

She was born on October 15, 1701. She was married with six children. She married Francois d’ Youville on August 12, 1722 at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal and they had six children. But her husband Francois died in 1730 and Marguerite was widowed at the age of 30 years. During this period she lost four of her children also. The remaining two of her sons entered into priesthood. She started a religious association with other three women to extend help to poor women. But the people around the association mocked them as “les grises” which means “Gray Nuns”. She founded the religious order of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, commonly called as the Grey Nuns of Montreal. Pope John-XXIII called her as the Mother of Universal Charity and beatified her in the year 1959. She was canonized by Pope John Paul-II on December 9, 1990.

She is the patron of widows and difficult marriages.

04/10/2018

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi was not a priest. He was born in 1181 at Assisi in Umbria. His mother baptized him as Giovanni after the name of the John the Baptist. But his father Pietro Bernardone, who was a cloth merchant wanted his son to become a merchant like him. His father re-named Giovanni as Francesco, which is equivalent to calling him a Frenchman. When Francesco was proceeding to the fourth crusade on a horse, he had a vision where God told him to return home, as his ways were wrong. When he returned home the entire village called him as a coward and he was humiliated and laughed at by them. Once when he saw a l***r face to face, he jumped from his horse and kissed the hands of the l***r. Then he rode off and after some time when he turned to see him, the l***r disappeared. Then he started to live a very simple life and wore only cast off rags, even though he was very rich. A story about him says that once he preached to hundreds of birds and the birds stood around him without moving. The birds left only when Frances told them to leave. Another story about him says that he preached to one wolf, which was hunting human beings for food in the town. The wolf thereafter became a friend of the town folk and discarded the habit of hunting humans. Pope Innocent-III gave him permission to preach. He received the marks of stigmata (wounds Jesus got when crucified) on his body, when he was praying on the mountain of Verna on September 14, 1224. When he was fighting the fifth crusade, he was arrested and brought before the sultan of Syria. The sultan told him I would convert to your religion which is a beautiful one, but both of us would be murdered. He was such a saintly man. He died on October 3, 1226 at 45 years of age. He was canonized by pope Gregory-IX on July 16, 1228.

30/08/2018

Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus

St. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were very prominent Jews and were members of the supreme Jewish Council called Sanhedrin.

Mathew called Joseph as a rich man and Luke called him as a good and upright man. Even though Joseph was a very important Jewish leader, he believed in the coming kingdom of God and started believing that Jesus might be the Messiah. Luke calls him a “good and upright man”. After the death of Jesus on the cross at Golgotha, Joseph courageously met Pilate, the Procurator of Judea, in person and asked him the body of Jesus. Pilate also ordered to handover the body of Jesus to Joseph, after confirming from the guards that Jesus died on the cross. Joseph then wrapped the body of Jesus with 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus, in fine linen and buried in a cave tomb hewn for him. Nicodemus helped Joseph in all these activities and he only brought the myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus. Joseph and Nicodemus have given an honorable burial to Jesus following the Jewish burial procedure. Nicodemus was a secret disciple of Jesus and he came to Jesus one night to listen to His teachings and praised Jesus “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles you have done” (John 3: 2). When the Chief priest sent guards to arrest Jesus, they did not brought Jesus. When the Chief Priests and the Pharisees condemned the officers who have said “no one talked like Him (Jesus)”, they cursed them. But Nicodemus told them “whether our laws judge anyone before hearing what had happened” (John-7:45-51). Nicodemus made this comment naturally in support of Jesus.

St. Joseph of Arimathea is the patron saint of Funeral Directors and Pallbearers.

26/08/2018

Ikadalawampu't Isang linggo sa karaniwang panahon
Juan 6:60-69

REPLEKSYON
Sa atin pong mabuting balita sa linggong ito, inihayag saatin ang tungkol sa pagtalikod ng maraming alagad ni Jesus dahil sa hindi nila matanggap ang Kanyang mga turo, kabaliktaran ng ginawa ng mga Apostol nang pinili nilang manatili Sakanya, yamang nasa Kanya ang mga salitang nagbibigay-buhay.

Sa isang classroom, sa unang araw ng pasukan, unang-unang ginagawa ng isang g**o ay ang pagpapakilala sakayang sarili, binabanggit din nya sa kanyang mga estudyante kung ano ang mga pwedeng asahan sakanya, ang mga maaari nilang matutunan mula sakanya, at higit sa lahat, ang mga hirap na maaari nilang kaharapin sa panahon na magkakasama-sama sila sa loob ng silid aralan.
Katulad ni Kristo, patuloy Siyang nagpapakilala sa bawat isa saatin, sa katunayan, sa mga nakalipas na linggo, ipinahayag saatin sa mabuting balita na si Jesus ang pagkaing nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan, ngunit sa kabila ng Kanyang patuloy na pagpapakilala saatin, marami parin ang taong tumatalikod Sakanya.
Problema sa pera, sa pamilya, sa pag-ibig, sa kaibigan, sa pag-aaral at marami pang problema ang nagiging dahilan ng pagtalikod sa Diyos. Ito ay sakadahilanang marami ang hindi nakakaunawa sa kung ano ba talaga ang plano ng Diyos sa buhay natin. Ang mga pagsubok na nagsisilbing dahilan kung bakit sinisisi ang Diyos, mga problema na nagiging dahilan kung bakit nakakalimutan na mayroong Diyos, mga dagok sa buhay na ngiging mitsa ng pagputol ng ugnayan sa Diyos. Pero kapatid, bago pa natin isipin ang mga dahilan para bumitaw sa pag-ibig ng Diyos, isipin muna natin ang dahilan kung bakit nangyayari ang mga bagay ba ito sa ating buhay. Maaaring hindi natin agad maunawaan ang plano ng Diyos, maaaring maraming sakripisyo ang hingin saatin para tayo ay magtagumpay, maaaring maraming balakid ang humarang saatin para makarating tayo sa ating paroroonan, pero ang lahat ng ito, hindi man natin maunawaan agad, ang mahalaga tayo ay patuloy na magtiwala at manalig Sakanya, dahil katulad ng isang g**o, ang nais Niya ay magkaroon tayo ng magandang kinabukasan na siyang tatanglaw saatin para magpatuloy sa pagtahak sa buha nang may higit na pag-asa. Napakapalad natin na tayo ay may Kristo sa buhay, napakapalad natin na nakikilala natin Siya, napakapalad natin na tinatanggap natin Siya sa Banal na Misa, at napakapalad natin dahil sakabila ng mga kakulangan at kahinaan natin, patuloy Siyang nagpapakilala saatin bilang Diyos ng awa at pag-ibig, nawa, ang patuloy na pagpapakilala saatin ni Jesus sa ibat ibang paraan ay magsilbing pagkakataon para magsumikap din tayong higit na kilalanin Siya, hindi bilang Diyos na sumusubok saatin kundi Diyos na naghahanda ng magandang kinabukasan. Atin din nawang tularan ang nga Apostol na hind iniwan si Jesus sakabila ng napakahirap ng pagsunod Sakanya, at nawa sa bawat sandali, nabigkas ng ating nga puso na "Panginoon kanino po kami pupunta? Nasa Inyo ang salitang nagbibigay-buhay na walang hanggan". AMEN!

-Kuya Pete