Jesus Nazareno Chapel

11/08/2026

WHY DO FILIPINOS OFFER EGGS TO SAINT CLAIRE?

August 11 is the celebration of St. Claire's feast day. Aside from being considered as the patron saint of weather, did you know that it has become part of Filipino tradition to offer eggs to her?

Offering eggs to St. Clare is a helpful prayer petition for good weather. According to tradition, you may offer a dozen eggs (which represent the months of the year) if you wish to have better weather even for just a few days.

As Sr. Ma. Amelia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe of the Madre Jeronima Federation of Monasteries of St. Clare once said in an interview, “those who want to have clear skies, a clear mind, or a clear conscience seek her intercession. It’s also because the egg white is clear.”

If you are a board exam taker, you may also offer blue eggs to her as blue symbolizes hope and as exam takers, you hope to pass the board. St. Claire is considered a patron saint of weather according to Margaret Rose Realy’s A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac (2015), in Castile, Spain, “clara means ‘a short interval of fair weather on a rainy day.’”

26/07/2026

Ang tradisyunal na pagsayaw sa imahe ni Sta. Ana kasama ang batang Mama Mary pagkatapos ng Prusisyon. Ang imahe ay nasa pangangalaga ng Pamilya Heredia-Vicente at ang Jesus Nazareno Chapel sa Bgy. Sta. Ana, San Mateo, Rizal ang nagsisilbing tahanan nito.

Happy Fiesta Lolo Joaquin and Lola Ana! Ipanalangin nyo po kami.

26/07/2026

HOW DID WE KNOW THE NAMES OF THE PARENTS OF THE VIRGIN MARY?

The names Saint Anne and Saint Joachim are not mentioned in the Bible. They come from an early Christian writing called the Protoevangelium of James (also known as the Infancy Gospel of James), written around A.D. 150.

Although this book is not part of Sacred Scripture, it preserves ancient Christian traditions about the birth and early life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to this tradition, Joachim and Anne were a devout Jewish couple who remained childless for many years. After fervent prayer, God blessed them with the birth of Mary, whom they dedicated to His service.

The Catholic Church does not regard the Protoevangelium of James as inspired Scripture. However, the Church has long accepted the names Joachim and Anne through Sacred Tradition, and devotion to them has existed for many centuries. Their veneration is reflected in the Church's liturgy, art, and the celebration of their feast on July 26.

Ultimately, whether or not every detail of their lives can be historically verified, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim are honored as the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus, reminding us of the importance of faith, family, and passing on the love of God from one generation to the next.

Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, pray for us.

Source: Protoevangelium of James

23/07/2026

Prayer to Saint Jude for a Desperate Situation

Saint Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,
I come to you with a heart that feels tired, frightened, and overwhelmed.

You know the desperate situation I am facing.
You know what I cannot fix, what I cannot control,
and the burden I have carried in silence.

Please take my petition before Jesus.
Ask Him to open a way where I can see no way,
to bring clarity where there is confusion,
peace where there is fear,
and help where every door appears closed.

Saint Jude, intercede for me in this urgent need:

[Quietly mention your petition.]

Do not allow despair to take hold of my heart.
Help me trust that God is working,
even when I cannot yet see the answer.

May His will guide this situation,
His mercy cover me,
and His power accomplish what I cannot accomplish alone.

Saint Jude, patron of desperate and difficult causes,
remain near me during this trial.
Pray that I receive the strength to endure,
the wisdom to know what to do,
and the grace to recognize God’s answer when it comes.

I place this desperate situation into the hands of Jesus,
believing that no prayer is ignored
and no circumstance is beyond His power.

Saint Jude, pray for me. Amen.

27/06/2026