SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MERCY

[Photo: Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy at Penrose Park, NSW, Australia]

http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/southern-highlands/surrounds/attractions/shrine-of-our-lady-of-mercy-at-penrose-park

The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy at Penrose Park was established in 1984 on 75 acres of land near Berrima. Penrose Park with its various devotional areas in a setting of natural beauty, serves as a spiritual oasis open to all.

The Shrine is totally dependent on the goodwill and generous charity of visitors. The Pauline Fathers would like to thank all those people who have been, and are supporting them through their prayers, work and donations.

In 1984 the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy at Penrose Park was founded. On 24 May 1997 the new Church was consecrated. This new Church, together with the new monastery is a lasting testimony to the faith and generosity of the pilgrims who support it. On 26 August 2001 the holy Icon of Our Lady of Jasna Gora was solemnly crowned with crowns blessed by Pope John Paul II.

[Photo: Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila]

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC42P36_the-shrine?guid=d6d274e7-cda0-4877-8cfe-2ed004ee5cfa

About the International Chapels 

The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Penrose Park, was purchased in 1984, with the support and financial assistance of a small but dedicated group of pilgrims, by the first of the Pauline Fathers to come to Australia. Back in those early days the dreams were many and varied but, as the numbers of pilgrims grew, there was one dream which was nourished and nurtured with such success that the remarkable phenomenon, now known as the INTERNATIONAL CHAPELS, became a reality. 

These chapels, which are almost as many and varied as the nationalities of the thousands of pilgrims who come to "Penrose Park", have become such a feature of the Shrine property that they are, in themselves, also subjects of pilgrimage. Having been built by individuals or groups of like-minded people, often at very substantial cost, the chapels are maintained by all those who built them. The land on which they are constructed is still owned by the Pauline Fathers, to whom the chapels will revert, should any group or individual fail to keep them in good order.

Cockington Green Gardens (Canberra, Australia)

From http://www.cockingtongreen.com.au/

Cockington Green Gardens offers its visitors an experience you will not find anywhere else. Venture into this delightful and fascinating display of meticulously crafted miniature buildings set within beautifully landscaped gardens to make your Canberra visit complete. Created by Doug & Brenda Sarah Cockington Green Gardens is a family owned and operated attraction, with four generations involved in it’s operation over the past 30 years.

Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green is one of Canberra’s landmark attractions, being a winner of an Australian Tourism Award and many local tourism industry awards in this time.

From http://www.visitcanberra.com.au

Explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens. See highly detailed miniature buildings and magical landscaped gardens.

Take a miniature steam-train ride. Marvel at detailed replicas of actual buildings. Figurines, sound and movement bring scenes to life. See Scotland’s Braemer Castle, the Ukraine’s St Andrew’s Church, Chateau De Ruit from Mauritius and many more.

VALLADOLID (SPAIN)

[Photo: Street of Valladolid, Spain]

Wikipedia:

Valladolid (Spanish pronunciation: [baʎaðoˈlið]) is the capital city of the Province of Valladolid and de facto capital of the autonomous region of Castile and León in north-western Spain. It is situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three winegrowing regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales. It has a population of 311,501 people, making it Spain's 13th most populous municipality and northwestern Spain's biggest city. Its metropolitan area ranks 20th in Spain with a population of 413,605 people in 23 municipalities.

[Photo: Columbus monument]

TripAdvisor:

This is located just outside the train station at the corner of Paseo de Filipinos. The sculptor of the statue of Columbus was Antonio Susillo, of Seville. The statue of Columbus looks towards the New World and is guided by the statue of Faith. Both statues are on top of a globe, with a lion underneath the globe. These are flanked by four nude statues of allegorical characters. The monument was going to be sent to Havana, Cuba, for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America at the end of the 19th century, but the Spanish American War of 1898 ended with Cuba getting its independence. Spain decided to keep the monument for Valladolid, where Columbus died.

[Photo: Museo Nacional de Escultura]

[Photo: Museo Nacional de Escultura]

Wikitravel:

Museo Nacional de Escultura: The best cultural thing that Valladolid has is the polychrome wood museum (Museo de Escultura). Some of the sculptures are used during the Easter holidays when Valladolid becomes a famous city because of its religious traditions.

[Photo: Oriental Museum]

[Photo: Oriental Museum]

Wikimapia:

The Oriental Museum was founded in 1908 and after a second renovation in 2005 was reopened to the public in May 2006. Its aim is to exhibit the large collection of objects from China and the Philippines. They were collected by Augustinian “Filipinos” in their missions in the Far East. This great collection of art is found in this city for two reasons: Valladolid was the headquarters of the Augustinian “Filipinos” in Spain and the second, being the headquarters, it was where they trained the future missionaries who later on brought many artifacts from the East.

HARBOUR BRIDGE (SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA)

[Photo: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia]

Wikipedia:

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of Sydney, New South Wales, and Australia. The bridge is nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design.

Under the directions of Dr J.J.C. Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works, the bridge was designed and built by British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough and opened in 1932. The bridge's design was influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York. It is also the sixth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world, and it is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (440 ft) from top to water level. It was also the world's widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 meters (160 feet) wide, until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver.

THE PLAZA MAYOR OF SALAMANCA (SPAIN)

[Photo: Plaza Mayor, Salamanca, Spain]

Wikipedia:

The Plaza Mayor (English Main Plaza) in Salamanca, Spain is a large plaza located in the center of Salamanca, used as a public square. It was built in the traditional Spanish baroque style and is a popular gathering area. It is lined by restaurants, ice cream parlors, tourist shops, jewelry stores and a pharmacy along its perimeter except in front of the city hall. It is considered the heart of Salamanca and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain.

In 1988, UNESCO declared the old city of Salamanca a World Heritage Site. Today, there is a plaque placed in the center of the plaza marking its significance to boast the plaza's baroque-style beauty. Salamanca is known as La Dorada, "The Golden City" because of the glow of its sandstone buildings, which the Plaza Mayor represents at its core.

Rick Steves’ Europe:

Salamanca’s many students help keep prices down. The young people congregate under the stars until late in the night, chanting and cheering, talking and singing. Over the centuries, the university’s poorer students earned money to fund their education by singing in Salamanca’s streets: a tradition called “tuna music.” The name tuna, which has nothing to do with fish, refers to a vagabond student lifesyle and later was applied to the music these students sing. This 15th- to 18th-century tradition survives today as groups of students, dressed in the traditional black capes and leggings, sing and play mandolins and guitars, serenading the public in the bars on and around the Plaza Mayor. While they make their serious money performing for weddings on weekends, you’re likely to see them out singing for tips on summer week nights.

THE ECSTASY OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA (BERNINI)

[Photo: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome]

Wikipedia:

Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, (March 28, 1515 – October 4, 1582) was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.

In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV and in September 27, 1970 was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.[6] Her books, which include her autobiography (The Life of Teresa of Jesus) and her seminal work El Castillo Interior (trans.: The Interior Castle) are an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature as well as Christian mysticism and Christian meditation practices as she entails in her other important work, Camino de Perfección (trans.: The Way of Perfection).

Khanacademy.org

This is her description of the event that Bernini depicts:

    Beside me, on the left, appeared an angel in bodily form.... He was not tall but short, and very beautiful; and his face was so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest rank of angels, who seem to be all on fire.... In his hands I saw a great golden spear, and at the iron tip there appeared to be a point of fire. This he plunged into my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he pulled it out I felt that he took them with it, and left me utterly consumed by the great love of God. The pain wasso severe that it made me utter several moans. The sweetness caused by this intense pain is so extreme that one cannot possibly wish it to cease, nor is one's soul content with anything but God. This is not a physical but a spiritual pain, though the body has some share in it—even a considerable share.

Annenberg Learner

Bernini’s sculptural group shows a cupid-like angel holding an arrow. His delicate touch and lithe figure give him an air of grace. With her head thrown back and eyes closed, Teresa herself collapses, overcome with the feeling of God’s love. Her physical body seems to have dematerialized beneath the heavy drapery of her robe. Twisting folds of fabric energize the scene and bronze rays, emanating from an unseen source, seem to rain down divine light. The combined effect is one of intense drama, the ethereality of which denies the true nature of the work of art. Despite being made of heavy marble, saint and angel—set upon a cloud—appear to float weightlessly.

FOUNTAIN OF FOUR RIVERS (BERNINI)

Photo: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi at the Piazza Navona, Rome

Rome.info:

The Fountain of the Four Rivers depicts Gods of the four great rivers in the four continents as then recognized by the Renaissance geographers: the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in America.

Each location is further enhanced by animals and plants of that country. The Ganges carries a long oar, representing the river's navigability. The Nile's head is draped with a loose piece of cloth, meaning that no one at that time knew exactly where the Nile's source was. The Danube touches the Papal coat of arms, since it is the largest river closest to Rome. And the Río de la Plata is sitting on a pile of coins, a symbol of the riches America might offer to Europe (the word plata means silver in Spanish).

Each River God is semi-prostrate, in awe of the central tower, epitomized by the slender Egyptian obelisk (built for the Roman Serapeum in AD 81), symbolizing Papal power and surmounted by the Pamphilj symbol of the dove.

ABC News. Bernini's Famous Fountain Gets a Face-Lift:

The scaffolding came down just in time for the holidays, and now Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 17th century masterwork -- the Fountain of the Four Rivers -- has reclaimed its place as the centerpiece of Rome's famed Piazza Navona.

This imposing fountain has always been a landmark in one of Rome's most magnificent squares, just two steps from the Pantheon and the Spanish steps. And in recent years, it has acquired special intrigue, thanks to author Dan Brown, who set his prequel to "The Da Vinci Code" in Rome. Robert Langdon's clues in "Angels and Demons" lead him to Piazza Navona at night and, believe it or not, into the fountain itself where he proceeds to wrestle a mysterious foe underwater. "Angels and Demons" tourists can now fully appreciate where Langdon fought for his life.

Angels and Demons Film Location:

The cardinal is dumped into the fountain: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona, Rome.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

[Photo: Façade of the Australia War Memorial, Canberra, Australia]

Australian War Memorial Official Website:

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.

Wikipedia:

The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Photograph at the Australian War Memorial Museum

Large Australian and American forces fought in the south-West Pacific to regain New Guinea, the Philippines and Borneo.

Caption of the photo: Fulfilling his promise – “I shall return”—General Douglas MacArthur strides ashore at Leyte in the Philippines in October 1944. The main objective of MacArthur’s campaign in the south-western Pacific was to liberate the Philipines.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

[Photo: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tabor House, Pansol]

FIRST APPARITION

At dawn on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert, was going to Tlatelolco to attend catechism class and hear the Mass. As he was passing Tepeyac Hill, he saw a brilliant light on the summit and heard the strains of celestial music. Filled with wonder, he stopped. Then he heard a feminine voice asking him to ascend. When he reached the top he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in the midst of a glorious light, in heavenly splendor. The beauty of her youthful countenance and her look of loving kindness filled Juan Diego with unspeakable happiness as he listened to the words which she spoke to him in his native language. She told him she was the perfect and eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, and made known to him her desire that a shrine be built there where she could demonstrate her love, her compassion and her protection. "For I am your merciful Mother", she said, "to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire." (Queen of the Americas Guild)

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IS SECONDARY PATRONESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO ON JULY 16, 1935, Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Philippines. Pope Pius XII, however, issued a Papal Bull on Sept. 12, 1942 declaring that the Immaculate Conception is the principal and universal patroness of the Philippines. At the main altar of the Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros is enshrined the Inmaculada Concepcion. This makes the Guadalupe secondary patroness. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

THE IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE WAS PREGNANT

The Guadalupe Apparition is the only apparition where Our Lady left an actual picture of herself. All other apparitions were drawn from the description given to them from the visionary.

The image wore a black sash which was a symbol of pregnancy. Also the central part of her dress was bulbging. This would indicate she was pregnant with the Child Jesus at the time of the apparition. Mary would possibly be around the age of fourteen. (EWTN)

For this reason Our Lady of  Guadalupe has been chosen as patroness of the pro-life movement.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

[Photo of the Belen taken at the St. John Bosco Parish in Makati.]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

September 1, 2013

The Philippines has the longest Christmas season (not officially....but popularly) in the world. It covers the -BER months. Thus September 1 is considered the beginning of the Christmas season.

Nevertheless, we Filipinos Catholics should not forget that there is still the ADVENT season (four Sundays) that is meant to prepare us spiritually for Christmas. And we should not also forget that liturgically the Christmas season begins on December 26 and ends with the Baptism of the Lord.

And another thought. It is not the Christmas tree that should best remind us what Christmas is all about. It is the Belen. Because Christmas took place only because "God so loved the world that he sent his only Son that those who believe in him may not perish but have eternal lifd."

THE KILLING FIELDS

[Photo: Skulls at the Killing Fields, Cambodia]

From Wikipedia:

The Killing Fields (Khmer: វាលពិឃាត viel pi-kʰiet) are a number of sites in Cambodia where large Numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979, immediately after the end of the Cambodian Civil War (1969–1975).

Analysis of 20,002 mass grave sites by the DC-Cam Mapping Program and Yale University indicate at least 1,386,734 victims of execution. Estimates of the total number of deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including disease and starvation, range from 1.7 to 2.5 million out of a 1975 population of roughly 8 million. In 1979, communist Vietnam invaded Democratic Kampuchea and toppled the Khmer Rouge regime.

Cambodian journalist Dith Pran coined the term "killing fields" after his escape from the regime. A 1984 film, The Killing Fields, tells the story of Dith Pran, played by another Cambodian survivor Haing S. Ngor, and his journey to escape the death camps.

The Killing Fields is outside Phnom Penh. There was a stupa  that towered over the site. Inside were skulls, clothes and leg irons. There were skulls of young people. Around the stupa were mass graves. Some had an enclosure and roof.

[Photo: Photographs of children at Tuol Sleng (Cambodia), a school turned into a prison where the Khmer tortured and killed their own people]

[Photo: Instruments of torture and murder at Tuol Sleng (Cambodia), a school turned into a prison where the Khmer tortured and killed their own people]  

From Wikipedia:

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (Khmer: សារមន្ទីរឧក្រិដ្ឋកម្មប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍ទួលស្លែង) is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng (Khmer [tuəl slaeŋ]) means "Hill of the Poisonous Trees" or "Strychnine Hill". Tuol Sleng was only one of at least 150 execution centers in the country,[1] and as many as 20,000 prisoners there were killed.

The first “tourist” spot we went to was Tuol Sleng. It was a depressing experience. It was a school turned into a security prison of the S21, something like the SS of Hitler. The enemies of the regime were tortured and killed there. Children and even babies were imprisoned together with their mothers.

Homo, lupus homini. Man’s inhumanity to man. How can any human being be so cruel! Evil is real and many times, it is enough for good men to do nothing for evil to create a horror story such as the Killing Fields.

BATO AT ILAW (ROCK AND LIGHT)

[Photo: Mount Batulao late in the morning. Taken at Don Bosco Batulao.]

[Photo: Mt. Batulao late in the afternoon. Taken at The Chapel on the Hill, Don Bosco Batulao.]

[Photo: Mt. Batulao after sunset. Taken at Don Bosco Batulao.]

From AboutPhil.com

Because of its proximity to Metro Manila, Mt. Batulao is highly recommended as a mountain climbing destination for dayhikers and novice mountaineers.   For its main attraction, the summit of Mt. Batulao offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the Batangas landscape, including Taal Lake and Volcano, and Balayan Bay.

Batulao’s name was derived from “Bato sa Ilao” (Illuminated Rocks) which later on became abbreviated to “Batulao.”  According to local residents, every yearend the sun sets right between Batulao’s two peaks, creating a spectacular image of rocks surrounding a disc of red light.

What I heard was that Batulao came from "Bato AT Ilaw". The name seem to have come from the marriage of the setting sun and the space between the two mountain peaks that happen towards the end of the year.

I will always associate Mt. Batulao with the Don Bosco Batulao retreat house. Many years ago I brought high school graduating students there for their retreats. I myself have gone there for my annual summer retreat. I have participated in Provincial Chapters there. Many ongoing formation programs, meetings and conferences have been held there, too. I will always remember Don Bosco Batulao as place for renewal and refreshment of body and soul. 

THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD

 [Photo: Banaue Rice Terraces as seen from the NFA Viewpoint]

The Banaue Rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site and Eighth Wonder of the World

From Sanafelodge:

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995. These include the Rice Terrace Clusters of Banaue - Batad, Banaue - Bangaan, Mayoyao, Kiangan - Nagacadan and Hungduan.  There are 3 viewpoints in Banaue: NFA View Point, Dayanarra View Point (named after former Ms. Universe, Dayanarra Torres) and the Banaue View Point.

From: The Department of Tourism

One of the nine (9) towns of Ifugao Province, Banaue, is world-famous and a must-see place. Its Rice Terraces considered as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and declared as a World Heritage Site, are beautiful stairways to the sky that ascend steep mountain sides. The guest in this hiker's paradise will have an outstanding preview of the beautiful countryside, surrounded by mountains and tribal villages. These rice terraces were built by the Ifugao tribes 2000 years ago using only their bare hands and the most primitive tools. It is said that the length of the terraces, if connected end to end would encircle half of the globe.

Who Owns the Rice Terraces

From: A Travel Guide for Banaue and the Ifugao Rice Terraces

There is no land ownership around the terraces as such, but only the right to till, plant, harvest and maintain their family plots. Once the family ceases to do this, ‘ownership’ of the land passes to another, be it a neighboring farmer or relative of the original ‘owners’.

[Photo: The obverse of the old P1000 peso bill showing the Banaue Rice Terraces. See excerpt from Biyaherong Barat below.]

The Rice Terraces and the P1000 Bill

From Biyaherong Barat:

I kind of enjoyed the non-perspiring walk to the most notable among the three view points, NFA-Aguian View Deck, also known as the “1000 Peso bill view deck”. Printed in the Philippines’ largest usable banknote (the old banknote) is the picture-perfect image of the Banaue cluster viewed from the NFA vantage point. 

CLEAN AND GREEN EVEN BEFORE IT BECAME FASHIONABLE

[Photo: Sunset at Brunnen at Lake Lucerne, Switzerland]

From myswitzerland.com:

Brunnen enjoyed early prominence when, in 1865, King Ludwig II, a great admirer of William Tell, travelled to Brunnen. Regularly at midnight, he would have himself rowed out on the Urnersee to listen to alpine horn music, played at his command, against the backdrop of fairytale mountain scenery.

The 114 sq km (44 sq mi) lake has been called the heart of Switzerland and it is surrounded by four cantons: Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. 'Lake Lucerne' is a name given by English speakers; its real name is the Lake of The Four Cantons (Vierwaldstättersee in German, Lac des Quatre Cantons in French).

Mention Switzerland and may images come to my mind. White cross against a red field. Swiss army knife. Luxury watches such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, IWC, and Longines. Chocolates with the brand names of Toblerone and Lindt. Nestle. Not only the chocolate bar but Milo and Nescafe as well. Bear Brand milk. The cities of Geneva, Lucerne, Bern, Basel and Zurich. Snow-capped mountains like the Matterhorn. Crystal clear lakes like Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne. And then you have personalities such as William Tell, Zwingli and in modern times, Federer.

I was given the opportunity to visit Switzerland twice. The first time was part of the program “In the Footsteps of St. Francis de Sales” and the other was to do Holy Week ministry among the Pinoys there. Thanks to Fr. Johann for this.

Geneva was part of the itinerary in the program “In the Footsteps of St. Francis de Sales” because he was appointed as bishop of Geneva. But having been under the Calvinists for a considerable period of time, St. Francis de Sales could not take possession of his cathedral in Geneva. Instead, he had to be content to take possession of a similarly named church at Annecy just like his other predecessors.

We visited three places in Geneva. The first was the Reformation Wall. It was a memorial to personalities of the reformation. Among them were John Calvin along with William Farel, Ronald Knox and Theodore Beza. The second was the cathedral of St. Peter which was supposed to be the church of the Catholic bishop of Geneva. But since the time of Calvin, it had become the church of the Calvinists. 

Our final visit was at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches. What I found surprising was an altar on which were placed an open bible, a metal cross, a candle and an icon of Mary with Jesus! Protestants allowing an icon and an icon of Mary and Jesus at that! I think they had to make a concession to the Orthodox Church that loves Mary very dearly.

MOSES HAS WHAT?!

[Photo: Moses by Michelangelo at St Peter in Chains, Rome]

St. Peter in Chains is a minor basilica in Rome. It is home to “Moses”, a sculpture of Michelangelo. It was supposed to be part of a grand tomb for Pope Julius II. What is so weird about the statue is that Moses is depicted with two horns. What could be the reason for this?

The culprit is a mistranslation of the Hebrew text of Ex 34:29: “And when Moses came down from the mount Sinai, he held the two tables of the testimony, and he knew not that his face was horned from the conversation of the Lord.” Instead the correct translation is: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.”

How did the mistranslation come about? The Hebrew word is “qaran” which means “horn”. But it has also another meaning which is “to emit rays”. The choice between the two depends on the context. When the context is about animals such as an ox, then “horn” would probably be the right word. But in the case of Moses, “to emit rays” that is, “to be radiant” would probably be the correct one. Hence, modern translation use “radiant” and not “horn”.

Translating Sacred Scriptures is not an easy task. One must be an expert not only in Hebrew and Greek but in related fields of knowledge as well. It is also not just a matter of using the right word but in conveying what the words mean in the original language. For the same reason, teaching and preaching Scriptures is not to be taken lightly.

The minor basilica of St. Peter in Chains is called that way because it contains the chains the bound St. Peter in Jerusalem and in Rome. The legend says that Empress Eudoxia gave to Pope Leo I the chains that bound St. Peter while he was in prison in Jerusalem. When the pope held them next to the chains that bound St. Peter while he was in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, the two chains miraculously fused.

The name of the church, St. Peter in Chains, figured in the life of Don Bosco. That phase of his life was called “The Wandering Oratory”. Don Bosco could no longer meet the boys for games and religious services at the Little Hospital of St. Philomena. Without a permanent meeting place, they had to go here and there to meet on Sundays and holy days. One of the places they went was the church of St. Peter in Chains in a cemetery that was no longer in use. But their first time there was also their last. They were not allowed to go back again. The noise of the boys playing was too much for the housekeeper of the chaplain. At the instigation of the housekeeper, the chaplain wrote a letter to the municipal authorities asking that Don Bosco be not allowed to return.

 

A few hours after the chaplain had written it, he was suddenly brought to death's door by an apoplectic stroke, and died within three days. A similar fate befell the housekeeper two days later, so that before the week was over these two, who had opposed the Oratory, were removed from the scene. On the preceding Sunday Don Bosco had said that neither the chaplain nor his housekeeper knew if they would be there themselves on the following Sunday. His remark had been a prophecy. 

SEGOBRIGA, THE HOME OF THE TOWERING ROMAN AQUEDUCT

[Photo: Roman Aqueduct, Segovia, Spain]

Sebobriga is the ancient name of the city of Segovia.

Mention the word “Segovia” and two things come to my mind at once. The first is Andres Segovia, the virtuoso Spanish classical guitarist. He is recognized as the father of modern classical guitar. The second is the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. It covers the province of Ilocos Sur and has Vigan for its seat. And just as New York is the New World counterpart of York in England, so Nueva Segovia is the Philippine counterpart of Segovia, a city in the autonomous region of Castile and Leon in Spain.

Segovia boasts of three landmarks: the Roman Aqueduct, the Cathedral and the Alcazar.

The best know historical monument of Segovia is its imposing Roman aqueduct. Built towards the end of 1 AD, it is still standing today – a testimony to Roman engineering genius. It is said that until recently (how recent is not stated) it was still in use. This towering Roman structure was what greeted me when I arrived in Segovia from the train station.

The cathedral of Segovia is huge and beautiful. It was built in the 16^th century in the Renaissance Gothic style. It is huge not only in terms of floor area but height as well. When you go inside the cathedral, you will see pillars rising from the ground to meet the ribbed vaults that make up the ceiling of the cathedral. San Sebastian church will give you an idea of how a Gothic church looks like.

And speaking of San Sebastian church, it was there that I had my first confession and first communion. On the importance of preparation for first communion, Don Bosco had this to say: “With all my heart too I recommend to parents, teachers and all those who are responsible for the young, to give the greatest importance to this great act. Be assured that the First Communion very well made is a solid moral foundation for the rest of the child's life. It will certainly be an extraordinary thing to find anyone who has made this great act with real devotion and care and has afterwards gone astray.”

Alcazar de Segovia is a castle. (A castle is a large fortress, usually containing a palace, and normally has spiraling towers as well as a courtyard, and is frequently surrounded by a mote or by a cliff.) It was built in the 14^th century. Isabel la Católica used it as the starting point of her royal procession before being proclaimed queen in the Plaza Mayor. It was here that the queen promised to finance the voyage of Christopher Columbus which eventually led to the discovery of America. If the castle of Sleeping Beauty was inspired by the late 19th century Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, the castle of Cinderella was inspired by Alcazar de Segovia. This was probably the reason why it looked familiar when I saw it from a distance.

In addition to the three landmarks, there is an interesting church in Segovia. It is called the Corpus Christi church. It used to be the principal synagogue of the Jewish population of the city in medieval times and dates from the 13th century. It was later converted into a church. It was perhaps for this reason that when I entered I felt that there was something different in this church but I couldn’t put my finger on it. There must be something of the old synagogue still enduring in it..

THREE COINS IN A FOUNTAIN

[Photo: Fontana di Trevi. Trevi Fountain. Rome]

The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most beautiful in the world (TreviFountain.net). The flamboyant baroque ensemble was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and depicts Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses – one wild, one docile – representing the moods of the sea (Lonely Planet). Trevi derives from the old name for the area, which was originally called Trebium (ItalyGuides.it). But Lonely Planet claims that Trevi refers to the three roads (tre vie) that converge at the fountain.

By tradition visitors throw a coin over their shoulders into the fountain. It is believed to guarantee their return to Rome. An estimated 3,000 Euros in coins are thrown into the fountain every day (ItalyGuides.it). These coins are collected and given to charity.

When my niece went to Rome on a European tour, I accompanied her to Trevi. (I was in Rome for studies.) While she was preparing to perform the required ritual of throwing a coin, I felt a coin fall on my head. Either the tourist was too far away or he/she did not throw it far enough. I did not bother to look for the culprit.

The practice of throwing a coin is behind the song “Three Coins in a Fountain”. In the song, however, one throws a coin while making a wish and has nothing to do with a return to Rome. In the romance film of the same title, the three stars perform the act of throwing a coin while making a wish.

Two other films made use of the Trevi Fountain as a setting: "Roman holiday" and "La dolce vita". The latter was Federico Fellini's satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s. (Rome.Info)

During my stay in Rome, someone vandalized the fountain. One news source said that someone threw dye that turned the water of the fountain red. Another news source said it was paint. What I know at that time was that it was done in connection with a sciopero (strike) called by a union. Another interesting thing. In the beginning the baseball-capped culprit was branded a vandal. Later on he was called an artist. A news source reported: “As soon as it was clear that the 18th Century baroque fountain had not been seriously damaged, intellectuals and art critics began reconsidering the gesture as something nearing genius.”

The authorities drained the fountain and by the following day it was its old self, ready to receive the coins that tourists were sure to throw.

WHAT? A CATHEDRAL INSIDE A MOSQUE?

[Photo: Mezquita Catedral (Mosque Cathedral) of Cordova, Spain]

SACRED DESTINATIONS: The Mezquita (Spanish for "Mosque") of Cordoba is a beautiful and fascinating building that symbolizes the many religious changes Cordoba has undergone over the centuries. Today, the Mezquita is the cathedral of Cordoba (officially the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption), but the vast majority of its art and architecture is the work of Islamic architects, who built it as a mosque in the 8th century. The site on which the Mezquita stands has long been a sacred space – it was host to a Roman temple dedicated to Janus and a Visigothic cathedral dedicated to St Vincent of Saragossa before the mosque was constructed in the 8th century. Finally, a cathedral was added inside the mosque by the Christian conquerors in the early 13th century.

HERITAGE HISTORY: The context for understanding the origin of the Mosque Cathedral of Cordova is the Reconquista that covered the years from 717 to 1492. In 711 the Moslem armies defeated the Visigoth kingdom and overran the Iberian Peninsula. The subsequent wars fought between Christian and Moslem armies on the Iberian Peninsula, over the next 750 years are often collectively referred to as the Reconquista, because the general trend over time was for the Christian kingdoms that originated in Asturia to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from the Moslem Moors.

The operative word is “reclaim”. That was what the Crusades were all about, too—the reclamation of the Holy Land which had been Christian – from the hands of the Moslems. Where the Crusades failed, the Christians of the Iberian Peninsula succeeded. In fact, only the Spaniards ever succeeded in throwing off the yoke of Moslem domination.

Thus, the present Mosque Cathedral was originally a Christian church dedicated to St. Vincent. It was demolished and a mosque was built over it during the Moslem occupation but reverted to a Christian church when the Moors were defeated. But instead of demolishing the mosque, the Christians just built the cathedral inside it.

At this point I would like to insert the story of the title “Mary, Help of Christians”. It is connected with Mary’s intervention on behalf of Christian Europe in its struggle against the Moslem onslaughts.

CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY: The Feast of Mary Help of Christians is celebrated on May 24.

The tradition of this advocation goes back to 1571, when the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islam.

Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200,000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna, but a great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians: on September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy rosary.

.Today Christians in certain parts of the world continue to be persecuted. According to the group “Salviamo i Cristiani”, no other group is more persecuted: “Out of every 100 people who suffer violations to their right to religious freedom, 75 are Christians. It added that during the course of history, an estimated 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith, including 40 million in the 20th century alone. Each year, it said there are 105,000 new Christian martyrs killed by Islamic terrorists, Hindu extremists in India, or Communists in China, North Korea and Vietnam.”

Against this background, Christians continue to need the succor of Mary, the Help of Christians.

THE TRAPPIST MONASTERY OF GUIMARAS

[Photo: Mass at the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras]

The official name of the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras is Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Abbey. The official name of the Order of the Trappist monks in that monastery is the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. While there are several monasteries for contemplative nuns, this is the only monastery for contemplative men in the Philippines. I do not include the Benedictines of San Beda, Alabang and Malaybalay because they do not live the same kind of life as the Trasppists, although both follow the Rule of St. Benedict.

I have been to this monastery twice. The first time was just a passing visit of half an hour. I took a look at their church and then at their gift shop. The second time was for six days. I was there to give a retreat to our novices before their first profession.

During my stay I saw a Trappist monk give a retreat to a small group of women. From afar I noticed how he was able to make these women laugh as he gave them a conference. I was happy to discover that Trappists monks do not have to be serious all the time.

I witnessed their community at Mass and at Compline (something like night prayers). I found dramatic the singing of the Salve, Regina at the end of Compline. The voices of the monks reverberated throughout the church. The church itself was shrouded in darkness save for the spotlight trained on our Lady’s statue.

The monks sanctify the whole day by praying together seven times throughout the twenty-four hour period.  Compline is last. The first is called vigil. It is at 2:30 am! I didn’t go for this prayer. Too early for me. But some of our novices did go just for the experience.

The life of the monks revolves around work and prayer. They earn their living by the work of their hands. One of the monks made himself available to show us their “bakery”. Among their products are otap (mango and ube), mango bars, mango biscocho, and jellies. You can buy them at SM’s Kultura. We appreciated this monk’s hospitality. He gave us a generous serving of some of their products to taste.

This first time I became aware of the Trappists was in High School when I read Thomas Merton’s autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. I must say that he made a great impression on me. Unfortunately, he died of electrocution in Bangkok, Thailand while attending a meeting of religious leaders.

The next time I came across another book about the Trappists was when I was a novice. I found in the library a book entitled, “The Family That Overtook Christ”. It was about the remarkable family of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. His father Tescalin has been declared “Venerable” by the Church, and his mother, Alice, his sister Humbeline, and his brothers Guy, Gerard, Andrew, Bartholomew, and Nivard have all been declared “Blessed.” The holy siblings frequently attributed their exceptional religious formation to their parents, who truly raised a generation of saints. (My Catholic Faith Delivered).

And so it was with St. Therese of the Child Jesus whose parents have been declared “Blessed”. And so it was with St. John Bosco whose mother’s cause for canonization has been introduced. Thus is proved true the “salawikain”: “Kung ano ang puno siya ang bunga”. Indeed, saints are many times the result of the influence of saintly parents. 

THE EMERALD ISLE

[Photo: Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. On one tourism website we read: “On the west coast of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland and biggest Tourist Attraction. A visit to these cliffs should not be missed.” I visited this place in July 27, 2009.]

What comes to my mind when I hear the name “Ireland”? Eire. It is the Irish Gaelic name for Ireland. I learned about it in a crossword puzzle. Its poetic name is Emerald isle because of its green countryside. Ireland is home to leprechauns. They are a kind of fairy in Irish folklore who takes on the appearance of an old man dressed in green or red coat. They are supposed to be keeping a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The NBA team from Massachusetts is called the Boston Celtics because Boston like New York is home to the Irish.

History tells us that the Irish together with the Poles and Italians were the three European nations that produced the greatest number of migrant workers. While poverty was the common reason for their migration, the great potato famine of 1845-1852 also contributed to that of the Irish. That famine killed a million people. An equal number left for friendlier locations outside the country.

New York is home to St. Patrick’s cathedral. Every year 5.5 million visitors pass through its bronze doors. Every year too New York hosts the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was started in 1766 by the Irish military men serving in the American colonies. On that day New York might not color the city green but they make sure the river turns green-literally!

Although a Scot by birth St. Patrick is acknowledged as the apostle of Ireland. He converted all of Ireland after forty years of preaching. Many stories surround his preaching ministry. According to a one legend, St. Patrick was traveling and happened upon a number of Irish chieftains along a meadow. The tribal leaders were curious about the Trinity and asked St. Patrick for an explanation. So he bent down, picked a shamrock, and showed it to them, and explained how the three leaflets form one leaf. Similarly the three Persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, form one Supreme Being. For this reason the shamrock has become a symbol both for the Holy Trinity and St. Patrick and eventually of the Irish.

One interesting fact about Ireland is that it has no snakes. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. And it was to this legend that one of our Irish confreres alluded to when he answered my query. “Father, is it true that St. Patrick drove away all the snakes from Ireland?” And with his typical dry humor he answered: “Yes. And that’s why I’m here.”

The Irish Redemptorists have left an indelible imprint in the heart of the Filipino people—the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The center of this devotion is the shrine in Baclaran. It is one of the largest Marian churches in the Philippines, authorized by the Holy See to remain open 7 days a week for 24 hours a day. In that church we find one of the most venerated and celebrated Marian images in the country, the icon of “Ina ng Laging Saklolo”. (Wikipedia) In this tagalong translation of Mary’s title we find the secret behind the irresistible attraction of Baclaran. While the West refers to Mary as “Our Lady”, Filipinos look on her as “Ina” (Mother). And because she is “ina”, she can always be counted on for help (perpetual help) in time of need. And this is why Filipinos love her and why Filipinos have been called “un pueblo amante de Maria”.