Greenbelt Chapel

Just sharing Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel activities for 2015. This includes Simbang Gabi schedules and Christmas and New Year mass.

Padre Pio

I've turned to Padre Pio when I first read about him in Lucy's articles. I've always sought St. Pio's intercession personally since then and more so when recently my mother-in-law got sick and was scheduled to be operated. I prayed to Padre Pio for her immediate healing and that the operation wouldn't endanger her health and life. She's now discharged from the hospital and so far things are getting well.

The prayer I got hold of was the one in Greenbelt chapel. Before turning to his powerful intercession I tried to learn things about him to better understand the man whose "concrete synthesis of teaching is PRAYER and CHARITY".

"Padre Pio (Francesco Forgione) was born to Giuseppa and Grazio Forgione, in the small farming town of Pietrelcina, Italy on May 25, 1887. Although the Forgiones were poor in material goods, they were certainly rich in their faith, life and in the love of God.

Padre Pio is understood above all else as a man of prayer. He prayed almost continuously. His prayers were usually very simple. He loved to  pray the Rosary and recommended it to others. To someone who asked him what legacy he wished to leave to his spiritual children, his brief reply was, “My child, the Rosary.” He had a special mission to the souls in Purgatory and encouraged everyone to pray for them. He used to say, “We must empty Purgatory with our prayers.”

The marks of the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, appeared on Padre Pio’s body, on Friday, September 20, 1918, while he was praying before a crucifix and making his thanksgiving after Mass. He was thirty-one years old and became the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. With resignation and serenity, he bore the painful wounds in his hands, feet, and side for fifty years.

Although he received more than his share of spiritual gifts, he never sought them, never felt worthy of them. He never put the gifts before the Giver. He always remained humble, constantly at the disposal of Almighty God.

Serene and well prepared, he surrendered to Sister Death on September 23, 1968 at the age of eighty-one. He died as he had lived, with his Rosary in his hands. His last words were Gesú, Maria – Jesus, Mary – which
he repeated over and over until he breathed his last. He had often declared, “After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death.”"

(Source: www.padrepiodevotions.org)

A Prayer for the New Year

What shall I ask for the coming year
What shall my watchword be
What should thou do for me, dear Lord
What can I do for thee?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year
Spent in thy perfect will
Help me to walk in thy very steps
Help me to please thee still.

Lord, I would ask for a trustful year
Give me thy faith divine
Taking my full inheritance
Making thy fulness mine!

Lord, I would ask for a year of love
O let me love thee best
Give me the love that faileth not
Beneath the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer
Teach me to walk with thee
Breathe in my heart the Spirit's prayer
Pray thou thy prayer in me!

Lord, I would ask for the dying world
Stretch forth thy mighty hand
Thy truth proclaim, thy power display
This year in every land.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy
Thy peace, thy joy divine
Springing undimmed through all the days
Be thy days of shade or shine.

Lord, I ask for a year of hope
Looking for thee to come
And hastening on that year of years
That brings us home to you.

(Source: http://www.inspiringthots.net )

Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod

San Pedro Calungsod is the first Visayan saint, martyred in Guam doing his missionary work in 1672, he was considered to be a role model for the youth. He was beatified by St. John Paul II and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI. 

The chapel of San Pedro Calungsod is located at SM Aura Premier's Skypark 7th level.

The chapel has 12 stations of the cross and can seat almost 300 people. (source: philstar.com)

The area for those with children in tow.

I suggest you ride the elevator going up as it's 7-10 flights of stairs should you decide to walk up.

Mass Schedule (as of 2014)

SATURDAYS
12:00 nn
6:00 pm

SUNDAYS
10:00 am
12:00 nn
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
7:00 pm

WEEKDAYS
12:15 nn
6:00 pm

San Pedro Calungsod Prayer

Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and the Life

We wanted to hear anticipated Sunday mass here in Mall of Asia that we thought we were early when we got there 6pm. We just assumed, so we got late and ended up not hearing mass. I took a photo of the mass schedule and saved it in my phone for future reference. Thought I'd share..

Mass Schedule:

Daily: 6:00pm
Wednesday with novena: 5:00pm and 6:30pm
Saturday (anticipated mass): 5:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 10:30am, 5:30pm and 7:00pm
 

54 Day Novena

I have prayed this 54-day novena when I was asking for God's grace and mercy. I remember I promised I will pray the rosary everyday whether or not my prayer be granted. I wasn't able to fulfill that promise but I will try to make it up. Here's sharing how the 54-day novena works.

The Miraculous 54-Day NovenaOn March 3, 1884, Our Lady of Pompeii appeared before the gravely ill daughter of an Italian military officer and, through her, gave the world a new devotion of tremendous power.

For over a year, Fortuna Agrelli had been in great distress and even near-death. Indeed, her case had been given up as hopeless by the most celebrated physicians. In desperation, on February 16, the afflicted girl
and her family began a novena of Rosaries.

Two weeks later, the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared before Fortuna one evening. Sitting upon a high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, Our Lady was holding the Divine Child on Her lap and a Rosary in
Her hand. Both were arrayed in golden garments and were accompanied by Sts. Dominic and Catherine of Siena.

“Child, your faith has pleased Me.” Our Lady said to Fortuna, “Whoever desires to obtain favors from Me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.”

Obedient to Our Lady’s command, Fortuna and her family completed he six novenas whereupon the young girl was restored to perfect health and her family showered with many blessings.

How to Say the Miraculous Rosary Novena

 

Traditionally a novena is nine days. Thus, Our Lady’s words to young Fortuna “make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary in petition, and three novenas in thanksgiving.”

The novena consists of five decades of the Rosary (one set of mysteries) each day for twenty-seven days in petition; then immediately five decades each day for an additional twenty-seven days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether or not the request has been granted yet.

So began six novenas of Rosaries — which became known as the 54-day Rosary Novena.

To do the novena properly — one must pray the Rosary for 54 consecutive days, without missing a day, and must pray the particular Mystery indicated for that day following the correct sequence.

That is, the first day of the novena always begins with the Joyful Mysteries (regardless of what day of the week the novena started); the second day, the Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed; and the third day of the novena, the Glorious Mysteries are prayed.

The fourth day of the novena begins again with the Joyful Mysteries and continues on in that sequence throughout the 54 days of the novena.

People have asked over time about the Luminous Mysteries — this novena was given by Our Lady as noted above in 1884 and only allows for the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries.


Source: http://www.fatima.org
 

Related Article:

• OUR LADY OF LA LECHE

7 Churches

Late post...

Holy Week, more than anytime else, is the time to visit churches anywhere you maybe to pray the rosary, to hear mass, to reflect on the Stations of the Cross or just simply to pray. Here in Manila, most would visit 7 churches (others 14) as their family tradition, some walk barefoot all the way to Antipolo, a few still flagellate, others make their own way of sacrifices but one thing's sure: every Catholic fast and abstain which we adhere to strictly.

To make it more memorable than exhausting or distressing here are tips when doing Visita Iglesia:

Wear light colored cotton shirts or loose clothes (make certain that by paying respect you will avoid very short shorts and tank tops) and trainers; also bring umbrella, fan and bottled water with you. This is a time when it's possible to experience heat stroke so equip you with them most especially if with senior citizens or those who are sick but still decide to push through with their panata.

There’s not much restaurant available (as it’s an official Holiday too) but it’s still likely to see accessible fast food joints or convenience store around if in case you get starved. Better yet bring biscuits or sandwiches.

Most choose to pray the Stations of the Cross, if you have no prayer booklet with you, there are available outside every church.

Carefully choose the churches you are visiting. If it's 7 like us, choose those that are almost near each other so you can walk your way from church 1 to church 7 like what we did.

7 churches we visited in Manila:

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo church). We weren’t expecting this much people. We weren’t even able to get inside the church so we just prayed outside.

Sta. Cruz Parish.

Santisimo Rosario Chapel. (UST chapel)

Basilica Minore de San Sebastian. It’s one of my favorite churches. I’m still amazed every time I get here.

Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat. (San Beda) It’s another favorite church of mine. Every detail is worth every click. The vibe is very solemn even with many people inside.

St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine. I've had attended novena masses here since I was in college, so it's become close to my heart.

St. Michael & The Archangels Parish.

Padre Pio chapel and Custaroons

Finally we were able to get to Padre Pio chapel in Eastwood. I like how intimate the chapel is.. It's super serene inside, someone even carries a placard reminding everyone to stay silent. It's that peace that's inviting that engages you to a long and meaningful conversation with God. The stories shared written on the walls are inspiring that it makes you believe miracles can happen everyday and to everyone for as long as faith rules in your heart and soul. I remember my tears silently fell when I touched the  image of Padre Pio and hubby took my hand while we prayed. It is so unbelievable how a prayer unarms you and lets you be you. 

For Holy week, the Stations of the Cross outside are perfect for reflecting. You can send your prayers above by lighting a candle as you head out. You can find Padre Pio’s image outside surrounded with hundreds of rosaries as they symbolize every prayers that were granted. 

We ended the day by bringing home custaroons with us. Custard plus macaroons, that sounded so sweet and so we didn’t pass up the chance to sample it.

 

Bite-size box of 15, P210.00

how to observe the Season of Lent

I grew up with my grandmother and most of how I manifest my Catholic faith came from what I learned from her. This Lent I can't help but remember how as a child we took this obligation to heart. Now that I'm older and grandmama is in heaven, I fulfill it my way but this time with much understanding how fast and abstinence must and should be done. I read this article explaining the Code of Canon Law and if we share the same faith this might be of help to better your understanding of it too .

 

All Fridays throughout the year and the time of Lent are penitential days.

Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on all Fridays of the year (that's the reason why we grew up having monggo as ulam every Friday) except during solemnities such as Annunciation, Assumption, All Saints etc. if they fall on a Friday, we neither abstain or fast.

Abstinence requires a Catholic 14 years of age until death to abstain from eating meat on Fridays in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. (Meat or any food made out of it like soups or gravies.)

Fasting requires a Catholic 18 years of age until 60 to reduce the amount of food normally consumed. The Church defines this as one meal and 2 smaller meals a day. If these 2 smaller meals have to be added, it should not exceed the main meal in terms of quantity. Fasting is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The fast is broken by eating drinks considered to be food like milkshakes (but not milk) in between meals.

Those who are excused from fasting and abstinence are "those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need."

Catholics are also encouraged to impose some personal penance on themselves at other times. Like multiplying the number of times you abstain or the number of times you fast. You can also choose to give up things you enjoy like sweets, softdrinks or smoking. (Last year I gave up sweets and I lessened my rice intake, this year I'm thinking of extending fasting and abstinence on all Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent.)

Just be reminded that "any deprivation that would seriously hinder us in carrying out our work, as students, employees or parents would be contrary to the will of God."
(Source: The Holy Season of Lent,Fast and Abstinence.Colin B. Donovan, STL)

Prayer for Healing: Regina Rosarii

Prayer for Healing
(Regina Rosarii, Our Lady on top of the hill)

Dear God, You said, "Come to Me, all of you who are tired and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest." I come to you today...right now. Please touch every pore, every fiber, every cell of my body. Touch my mind, my heart and my spirit. Fill me with hope. Teach me to believe that with God, nothing is impossible. Let me forget and forgive all events that make me sad. And when I worry, teach me to rely on You. Help me to believe that nothing happens by chance and everything that happens has a reason.

I trust that no matter what, You will fight for me. I only need to be still. I need not fear anymore. Help me, heal me, hug me, be here in my pain. Blessed pain, holy pain. Blessed pain, holy pain. I accept Your will, but touch every part of me that needs healing...heal my body, heal my heart, heal my mind, heal my spirit, heal my pocket, heal my memories. I have come to You with my burdens. You will give me peace. You will give me rest. You will give me healing...and this I believe.

I believe that I am healed.
I believe that I am whole.
I believe that I can now live life to the full.

Mother Mary, REGINA ROSARII,
intercede for me to Jesus, your Son.
I ask this in the name of Jesus,
the great HEALER the Great PROVIDER. Amen,

REGINA ROSARII HYMN
O the Lady is waiting
On top of the hill
She's calling for us all
To gather so near.
Mother of mercy
Please heal all our pain
Regina Rosarii
Our Lady and Queen.

Schedule of Activities at Regina RICA

Mass
Sunday 11:00am / 3:30pm
Monday-Saturday 11:00am except Tuesday
6:00am every 4th Saturday of the month

Rosary
Daily 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Sunday 10:15am

Dawn Rosary
5:00am every 4th Saturday of the month

Contemplative Prayer
Friday 2:00 - 4:00pm

Visiting Time
8:00am to 5:00pm / CLOSED on Tuesdays

Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal, Philippines
Tel Nos. (+632)4012036/ (+632)2108567/ (+632)9853878
Mobile (+63)0919-2694286
Web: www.reginarica.org  Email: regina.rica@yahoo.com
FB: Regina RICA

Tune in to Radio Veritas 846 AM band
for SACREDspace o the air
every Sunday at 10:00-11:00pm

Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel, Landmark Makati

(Please see below the schedules of Masses for Christmas and Simbang Gabi)

All over Landmark, Makati you'll see tarps about the newly built chapel, Mary Mother of Hope. The chapel is located right inside the mall so as to probably remind each one of us that there's no excuse not to hear mass anymore. The chapel is in the 5th floor of Landmark store right along the curtains and bed linens section. You won't miss it because there's a stairs going up and of course there's the big signage.

 

that room is the children's room inside the chapel

flat screens abound

Landmark chapel

they added more chairs for children

Kneeling pad

The chapel is very solemn. It's big, spacious, clean and very conducive for silent talks with the Big Guy Up There. There's children's room that separated families with giddy toddlers so as to preserve the celebration's solemnity, the room though is provided with a big screen. The seats and kneeling pads are comfortable. Flat screens are situated on the left and right sides of the chapel to not miss the responses, the prayers and the songs. Confession rooms are aplenty. Volunteers are right around every corner, they assist seats for newcomers and latecomers too. (Side comment: it's just embarrassing really that some wapakels citizens still wanted to be assisted for vacant seats when they came in way beyond the Second Reading or even during the Homily pa. For realz?!? The entire people just saw how many of you didn't exert effort to come on time for just an hour of celebration and yet you still wanted to be comfortably seated? Enebenemenyen!) The chapel seems to be ready to accommodate more people and their careful thought of just what about every Catholics may have needed to be comfortable while hearing mass deserves a slow clap. I guess I've made mention of the word "comfortable" too many a times. It just really is.

Schedule of Masses:
Mon - Fri : 12:15pm and 5:30pm
Sat: 12:15pm and 5:30pm
Sunday: 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:00pm

Here's the new schedule as of March 2014

Simbang Gabi 2014 Schedule:

 

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS SCHEDULE 2016

Our Lady of La Leche

For all mothers, mothers-to-be and who wishes to become mothers, here's a novena prayer for all of us...

Regular Novena Prayers

PRAYER

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving Mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Mother, please listen to my humble prayer.  Your heart knows my every wish, my every need.  I trust, dear Mother, that you will shelter me beneath your protecting mantle, like what you did to your Son.  Intercede to Him that I may have the courage and the strength to overcome whatever difficulty surrounds me.  Give me the grace to be faithful to you always and  may you be my shining inspiration now and forever.

Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us.

LITANY OF OUR MOTHER OF MOTHERS

Lord  have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us.                         
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,                                           
Have mercy on us

God the Son, redeemer of the world  

Have mercy on us         

God the Holy Spirit,   

Have mercy on us                                                 

Holy Trinity, one God.   

Have mercy on us                                              

Holy Mary                                                                           
Pray for us
Chaste daughter of the Father,
Chaste spouse of  the Holy spirit,
Chaste mother of the Son of God,
Vessel of election,
Throne of the divine Majesty,
Tabernacle of the Divine Word,
Chalice of the Divine Life,
Mother of God,
Mother of the infant Christ,
Consecration of womanhood,
Hope of Christian womanhood,
Model of Christian womanhood,
Blessed in your motherhood,
Inspiration of holy motherhood,
Consolation of motherhood,
Protector of motherhood,
Blessing of all Christian motherhood,
Exaltation of motherhood,
Sanctification of motherhood,
Queen of the most holy family,
Queen of chaste family life,
Queen of mothers,
Mother of mothers,
Mother of happy delivery,

Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world           
Spare us, Lord

Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world           
Graciously hear us, Lord

Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world           
Have mercy on us

Our Lady of Happy Delivery 

Pray for us who have recourse to thee

Let us pray:
Cherished Virgin, heaven’s queen, chosen before all women to be the mother of the Son of God, Mary, my mother, who in your maternity so sanctified the state of holy motherhood, imploringly I come to you; humbly I beseech you; confidently I trust in you.  I know that, by your powerful intercession, you can help me in my need.  In you I take refuge, dear virgin.  Poor and needy, I turn devoutly to you and place all confidently in your hands.  Accept my humble trust, hear my petitions and come to my aid, dear Mother of mothers.

V.         Behold the handmaid of the Lord
R.        Be it done unto me according to your Word!

Nihil Obstat:  (Sgd)  Fr. Sanny de Claro
                                 Vice-chancellor & Censor
Imprimatur:   (Sgd)  Msgr. Socrates Villegas
                                 Vicar General
Manila, August 18, 2000        

(I learned that novena prayers should either be recited for 9 consecutive hours, 9 consecutive days, 9 consecutive weeks or 9 consecutive months. I also read somewhere that when we pray the novena we should be kneeling as we pray it and that we should hear mass at least once in any of the day the novena is recited.)