A Simple Prayer 10

Please watch over us Mama Mary and lead us always closer to your son, Jesus Christ.

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It’s A Rainy Evening

It’s raining cats and dogs and there is a super typhoon coming.  PAGASA named her Chedeng. I just can’t help but recall the damage brought by typhoon Ondoy – loss of lives which can never be replaced and a gargantuan damage to properties.  I remember how  we coped during those days, five families all in one roof and our belongings  destroyed by the typhoon. Even our car was completely submerged in water. It always pays to be on the alert specially now that the rainy season is almost upon us.

I want to share this wonderful prayer, we usually pray it after  praying the Holy Rosary.

Consecration of the Home 
to Our Lady Help of Christians

Most holy Virgin Mary, appointed by God to be the Help of Christians, we choose you as the Mother and protectress of our home. We ask you to favour us with your powerful protection. Preserve our home from every danger, from fire, flood, lighting, storm, earthquake, thieves, vandals, and from every other danger. Bless us, protect us, defend us, keep as your own all the people who dwell in this home: protect them from all accidents and misfortunes, but above of all obtain for them the most important grace of avoiding sin. Mary help of Christians pray for all those- who live in this home which is consecrated to you for all time. Amen

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Today Is The Feast Of Our Lady Of Fatima

What a lovely way to start another year in blogging by celebrating the feast of Mama Mary. Today, 94 years ago, Our Lady appeared before three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal. Here’s a picture I took of the image of Our Lady of Fatima three years ago in Binakayan, Kawit. Cavite.

Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima 

Dearest Mother, Queen of the Holy Rosary, who came to Fatima to reveal to all mankind the Divine plan for true Christian peace, of prayer, penance, and consecration, grant an abundance of grace, strength, and guidance to the members of Thy Fatima Crusade, here present and throughout the world. Inspire us to great zeal, oh great Mediatrix of All Graces, that we may be effective instruments in spreading devotion to Thy Rosary; that we may be faithful in wearing Thy scapular; that we may inspire our brothers in Christ to a life of sacrifice, penance, and modesty, and finally, that we may help to bring about that wonderful day when all men, through consecration to Thy Immaculate Heart, shall be one in Christ. Amen.

Hymn to Our Lady of Fatima

Dear Lady of Fatima,
We come on bended knee,
To beg Your intercession,
For peace and unity.

Dear Mary, won’t You show us,
The right and shining way,
We pledge our love and offer You,
A Rosary each day.

You promised at Fatima,
Each time that You appeared,
To help us if we pray to You,
To banish war and fear.

Dear Lady, on First Saturdays,
We ask Your guiding hand,
For grace and guidance here on earth,
And protection for our land.

Mama Mary, please pray for us, protect us with your mantle , just as you protected your son Jesus Christ. Amen!

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National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes(QC)

We’ve finally had another chance to visit the National  Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Quezon City this morning and we were lucky to attend the morning mass.  The image of Our Lady is more beautiful than ever and I could not resist taking a few shots.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of sinners,
comforter of the afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings;
look with mercy on me.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes,
you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
whence you dispense your favors;
and already many sufferers have obtained
the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with complete confidence
to implore your maternal intercession.

Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
Through gratitude for your favors,
I will endeavor to imitate your virtues,
that I may one day share your glory. Amen.

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Our Lady of La Naval de Manila

It was a touching scene and I could never forget the moment I was face to face with the image of Mama Mary.  I was invited by Lovell, a close friend, to pray the rosary with them ( the Dominican community) last Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 at Sto. Domingo Church  when Our Lady was  transferred  from her pedestal to a  special room in preparation for her enthronement this coming September 30 and in celebration of her Feast Day  on October 10, 2010.  Last year, hubby and I were supposed to go there but the wrath of typhoon Ondoy  and the heavy rains prevented us from attending.  Up close,  she is truly awesome.

I found this special prayer that I wish to share with all of you.

Prayer
La Naval de Manila, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, Mirror of Justice, help us to pray for the greatest victory, the victory of  Your  Son’s Peace in the Philippines and the entire world.  We ask you  to help us remember that one of your most blessed titles is Queen of Peace.

The main altar where she will be enthroned.

The green and relaxing garden of Sto. Domingo Church

I wish I could have focused my camera right in front of the church…

St. Domingo Church is the National Shrine of Our Lady of The Holy Rosary.

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Of Rosaries and Friends

Its been a while since I posted an honest to goodness blog here. I have lots of things to share but  I was so busy doing some research the past few days.  Anyway, I promised myself that I would write something about Mama Mary’s birthday today.  Hubby and I spent the early morning attending mass to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.   At this same time last year,  we did a round of  some  churches  in  Metro Manila as a tribute to her.  That was when I was still undergoing chemotherapy.  Time has flown and  with it comes the thought that being well and given a second chance at life is truly a gift from above.

A week ago,  Malou, a friend of mine who lives in Netherlands  sent  me a rosary from Siena, Italy.   Her family spent  a few days touring  the Tuscan countryside and they visited the shrine of St. Catherine of Siena.  What a lovely, lovely gift! I am always touched when friends give gifts that strengthens  my  faith and love for God.  That only means that they are concerned with my spiritual growth.   I have at least  collected a dozen rosaries  the past years but these stand out as my favorites, reads –  I carry them in my bag wherever I go.

This ring rosary has been with me for the past fifteen years or so. It’s very convenient when I am traveling and I need to pray.  What’s fifteen minutes of your time compared to being at peace with yourself after praying?

This was a gift from a close friend, Lovell who I consider my eldest son,  a seminarian from Sto. Domingo Convent.  I love these ivory beads and the first decade depicts the coat of arms  and a picture of  His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the succeeding  four decades represent the  four Basilicas of Rome – St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside-The Walls.  It’s indeed a very special gift from a special friend.

This is a rose rosary, a gift from  another close friend Lori when we had our grotto blessing last April 10, 2010.  Every time  the scent of roses assails my nose, I am always reminded of Mama Mary.

This came from Malou, my friend from Netherlands.  In it is the  image of St. Catherine of Siena.

And I’ve said time and again that I am   grateful for the gift of friends, it is something that no money could buy.   I always welcome the opportunity to find new friends,  friendship  is  one of  the simplest but most mysterious gifts from God.  It is in having true friends that we grow, discern what life is all about,   it lift us up and let us discover more of ourselves.  I feel  I am truly blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA MARY!

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Thank You Mama Mary

Finally, I had our grotto blessed yesterday. Our long-time friend Fr. Aly came over for the blessings.  I was  in seventh heaven meeting old friends, close friends and some relatives that I haven’t seen for a while.   Having that touching pray-over for my healing was one thing I did appreciate, thank you Fr. Aly.

One of my friends gave me a rosary made of rose petals from Italy.  Lovell brought a lovely journal with  scripture verses on every  page.  Annaliza and my aunt sent lovely gifts too.  Thank you all, it is very touching to be remembered but more than that, having you around to give your moral support and prayers is just so uplifting.  My ardent wish when I was in the hospital was to  build a grotto  in honor of Mama Mary.  She has a very special place in my heart.  And I thank God, that despite all my weaknesses, pains and doubts, He is always there to assure me that I would get well.

For all these blessings, THANK YOU!

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Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

I promised myself I would have a little grotto built at our corner garden in honor of Mama Mary once I finished my chemotherapy. It’s my own tribute to a loving mother who has been an inspiration to me throughout the years and more particularly in the last five months while I was having my treatments.

Today is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. My doctor allowed me to choose the date and I thought it would be a great way to remember something significant in my life by choosing an important feast day in the Catholic calendar and it also coincided with the 21 days interval from my 5th chemo to the final one.  And I quote,

“The doctrine of the immaculate conception holds that Mary is the one fully human being preserved from original sin because she is the Mother of God. Grace intervened at the very instant in which her life began, preventing sin from touching her in any way, and so making her holy and immaculate from the moment of her conception. This made her worthy, and suggests that she was divinely chosen, to be the Mother of God. Christ preserved Mary from sin because she was his Mother; as Ambrose taught, ‘Christ chose this vessel into which He was about to descend, not of earth, but of heaven; and he consecrated it a temple of purity.”- Jane Shaw

I had my last chemotherapy session today, my “graduation” ,  as my medical oncologist terms it.  She was giving me the thumbs up sign this morning so I jokingly asked, “where’s my diploma Doc”, then she said, “join us, we’ll be having a party this afternoon”.  I will still have my follow-up checkup two weeks from now,once I am done with my chemo tablets. At least Christmas day would be spent without worrying about it. I am praying and hoping that my SGPT would go back to its normal level soon, it’s what I am worried about but I am happy to share that my CEA (cancer marker test) is normal.  It has even gone down to the comfortable level of .5ng/ml and considering that the normal level is in the range of 0-5ng/ml, the result is really something to be thankful for. I feel I am truly blessed, God gave me a second chance at life.

Another journey is about to begin, and wherever life takes me, I would be there and will wholeheartedly accept what God has in store.

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I Survived Kindergarten

September 09, 2009 BCI – UST Hospital

I was mentally drafting what to write about while we were traversing Ortigas Avenue. As usual, the approach to Greenhills was a gridlock.  Hubby was so sure it was because of Noynoy’s press conference at Club Filipino.  I told him the place is not directly along Ortigas Avenue.  It’s a perennial problem, the only time that you could pass through without a hitch is when there are no classes at La Salle.

We were at BCI early despite the traffic and the heavy rains in some areas.  Whereas before, I was groping my way like some nursery kids in a new school, this time I was confident enough to see my way  through, unaided by the hubby. Brave New World, to borrow Aldous Huxley’s famous book title.  Unknown territory! Untrodden path! But you are willing to embrace it because you want to get well.  I’m halfway through with the book on alternative way to battle the big C.  If truth be known,  I have this quiet reservation whether to continue my chemotherapy or to try the natural way of healing.  Much like having an experienced medical oncologist, you also need a good doctor to guide  you if you choose the other non-traditional path to wellness.  Sr. Thea, FMM, a close friend suggested that I try this free acupuncture service at Biosafe Center tomorrow but it is quite impossible for me to go there right after my chemo.  Chances of getting infection are quite high when you are still under the effect of the chemo drug.  Technically though, I will still have two weeks of treatment starting tomorrow, with my Xeloda tablets.

Just to give you an idea of how BCI looks like, chemo treatments are confined at the third level. The adult suite has eight hospital beds and two lazy boy chairs.  I chose bed one (they are numbered, by the way) because it’s very near the ladies’ room, easier to navigate with two IVs in tow.  The walls are painted in a soft touch of ecru, the curtains are of caramel and the sheets are in egg yellow.  I’ve always loved the sunny effect of yellow colors.  I’ve read that “color has been used as healer since time immemorial and simply surrounding yourself with life-affirming color changes your way of thinking”. Yellow is a color of cheer, warmth and light.  Days and months from now, I’ll probably always associate this shade at this phase in my life – my chemotherapy.

I had some sort of nightmare during my first chemo.  A few minutes after they removed the IV, I was vomiting like crazy and the doctors were alarmed.  Four hours of the procedure became six because they have to attach another IV so I won’t get dehydrated.  They even suggested that I be confined overnight.  I chose to go home of course and I was the last to leave BCI among the patients who checked in early.

This morning, I would have laughed out loud if not for the serious mien of the nurse trying to locate a good vein to inject the needle and start the drip. “Close, open, close open“.  I opened and closed my fingers ten times I guess, much like a child trying to learn his first set of finger exercise.  I spent the next four hours staring at the ceiling, with lots of thoughts playing in my head – having a cup of sinful chocolate or vanilla ice cream, eating one or two slices of pizza with lots of veggies and cheesy melts, haha! No meat please, just a simple Hawaiian flavor will do (just dreaming) I know it is “bawal”. I didn’t eat lunch until we reached home at around 3:30 pm.  I took a half  glass of Gogi herbs and a packet of wheat grass juice. They are both food supplement to help the immune system.

Upbeat? Yes, because I feel so much better today than the first time I had my chemotherapy.  There is just that feeling of discomfort, you want to rest but you can’t sleep.  My right arm felt like it has gone to sleep.  Have you experienced that kind of electric shock when you dip your fingers in ice cold water?  My veins from the wrist up are sensitive to the touch.

Another day of miracle! Answered prayers!  Thank you Mama Mary.  God is ever so good.

I’ve survived kindergarten and I am now accelerated to grade two, isn’t that wonderful?

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Happy Birthday Mama Mary

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary.

By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein, may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

(took this shot a year ago at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite)

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