YOL Module - Choose to be Brave

Transcription

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CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (CBCP)
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oly
eroes
“Called to be Saints... Sent forth as Heroes!”
A F ormation P rogram
for the
( december 2013 -
Y ear
november
of the
2014)
F a c il it a t o r ’ s M a n u a l
(2 n d Edition)
L aity
S!
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EPISCB i s h
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CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES
E piscopal C ommission
on the L aity
Calle
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be
SaintS
af
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Cover of 2nd Edition
CatholiC Bishops' ConferenCe of the philippines
E P I S C O P A L C O M M I S S I O N O N T H E LA I T Y
Cover of 1st Edition
oly
eroes
A F ormation P rogram
for the
( december 2013 -
Y ear
november
of the
2014)
L aity
F a c il it a t o r ’s M a n u a l
Called to be SaintS... Sent forth aS heroeS!
(2 nd Edition)
EXPLANATION OF THE COVER
Holy Heroes…“Called to be Saints…Sent Forth As Heroes! The whole
cover calls us to be a Holy-Hero, by responding to the call of this
year’s celebration of the Year of the Laity. The re other images,
symbols and words that complete the picture.
In the upper left section is the logo of the Episcopal Commisison on
the Laity for the Year of the Laity, “Choose to be Brave”.
The upper middle mentions the Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) which is the overall umbrella of the Church
of the Philippines. Under the CBCP is the Episcopal Commission
on the Laity (ECLA), the commission in charge of the Laity of the
Philippines. It is under the aegis of both organizations that this
program, Holy Heroes, is being conducted all over the Philippines.
In the upper right sector is the capsulized version of the original
cover page (first edition). The contents of the first and second
editions are practically the same. However, after conducting the first
edition in different regions in the country, the need for a facilitator’s
guide came up. The second edition was then created with some
streamlining of processes for a clearer and easier facilitation.
The central middle portion contains two images,. One, the crucified
Christ who is our premiere or ultimate model of self-giving (holiness
and heroism). Second, the imagery of the lamb is the call, as
mentioned in Sacred Scriptures, to imitate the sacred laying down
of one’s life for others. The placing at the end of the staff of the
Philippine flag is a portrayal that all Filipinos are called to vivify deed
of holiness and heroism.
“Holy-Heroes” is the title of this formation program. The theme,
“Called to be Saints…Send for the as Heroes!” is its relevant and
timely slogan at this point in time of the Church and Society in the
Philippines. The CBCP deems it a real need of our country today, we
need Holy-Heroes!
This manual was formulated and designed to be the formation
program for the Year of the Laity which covers the period of
December 2013 to November 2014. Finally, this is the copy of the
module given to all Facilitators who have undergone this formation
program.
This manual is now in its Second Edition (First Edition , October 24,
2013; Second Edition, January 12, 2014).
Note: There is a Workbook available separate from
this Facilitator's Manual. A CD of the whole formation
modules and other resource materials (powerpoint,
music, pictures, etc.) is also provided.
H
oly
eroes
“Called to be Saints... Sent forth as Heroes!”
a f ormation p rogram for the Y ear of the l aitY
( deCemBer 2013 - novemBer 2014)
"HOLY HEROES"
Called to be Saints... Sent forth as Heroes
"Holy Heroes" is a formation guide composed of different modules for
the Year of the Laity (December 2013-November 2014). With the theme,
“Called to be Saints, sent forth as Heroes”, "Holy Heroes" formation
program is supposed to touch and move the hearts, as well as hone the
minds of the laity towards the renewal of their faith. "Holy Heroes" is a
journey of faith rooted in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation,
inculcating the values of heroes who offered their lives for our freedom
and the modern day ones who live out their faith through heroic deeds
in their ordinary life. Moreover, models of faith and discipleship led by
our Mother Mary, call us to a process of seriously becoming holy in our
faith and heroes in our deeds. In the end, the two become one for it is
the same Spirit that moves the two calls, being a saint and a hero. That is
the Spirit of God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy
Spirit that moves us to become a “Holy Hero.”
The Formation Team of Holy Heroes does not claim ownership of the
contents of this formation program. Most of them came from the very
rich resources of Church documents, including the Scriptures, and from
other writings of holy heroes, holy and brave men and women who
have shared their works and examples generously. The Holy Heroes
Formation Team discerned on what materials to include, and arranged
them in way that the Spirit can flow through them in the actual sessions.
Moreover, they added some of their own reflections and thoughts,
creativity and style so that the whole program can be more useful to
everyone and get the best benefits from them especially the ones we are
celebrating and honoring: the Laity.
"Holy Heroes: Called to be Saints...Sent forth as Heroes" is a
Formation Program for the Year of the Laity by the Episcopal
Commission on the Laity - Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP).
Some of the images found in this module were taken from the
collection of Marcello Silvestri, a well-established Italian artist
dedicated to evangelization through art. Painting on religious
themes is for him a spiritual experience and a vocation. Some
images were also taken from the powerpoint presentations of Rev.
Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI, who published a book under the Sons of
the Holy Mary Immaculate (SHMI) Quality Catholic Publications
(QCP) entitled "The Apostles' Creed". Some images/illustrations
were taken from the internet.
Module Development and Design by:
Rev. Msgr. Jose Antonio Galvez - Program Director
Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ - Program Coordinator
Team Members: Ms. Rebecca "Rica" Lavilla
Mr. Isidoro "Syd" Baradi IV
Ms. Czarina "Shary" Espiritu
Module Layout by Isidoro "Syd" Baradi IV
HB
C a t h o l i c B i s h o ps ' C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e P h i l i pp i n e s ( CBC P )
E P I S C O P A L C O M MISSION ON THE LAITY (ECLA)
oly
eroes
Called to be Saints...sent forth as Heroes!
anal
na
ayani
Tinawag para maging Santo...
isinugo bilang Bayani!
A F ormation P rogram for the Y ear of the L aity
( december 2013 - november 2014)
"
It only takes a spark
to get a fire going,
And soon all those around
can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
You spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.
Lyrics from the song
"Pass it on" by Kurt Kaiser
"
Faith is passed on, we might say, by contact,
from one person to another, just as one candle
is lighted from another. Christians, in their poverty,
plant a seed so rich that it becomes a great tree,
capable of filling the world with its fruit.
– Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei # 37.
Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
Office of the Archbishop
Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines
28 September 2013
Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions
My Beloved Lay people, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greeting of peace to all the lay faithful, our “HOLY HEROES” or “Banal na Bayani!” We are
called to be saints, sent forth as heroes! The Year of the Laity (Dec. 2013 – Nov. 2014) is part
of the preparation for the 500th year anniversary of the first Holy Mass and baptism in the
country.
His Holiness, Pope Francis in one of his homilies to the youth urged them, “Go, do not be
afraid, and serve!”. His inspiring homily went on with a suggestion on how to do, “Sing to
the Lord a new song” (Psalm 95:1). What is this new song? It does not consist of words, it is not
a melody, it is the song of your life, it is allowing our life to be identified with that of Jesus, it is
sharing his sentiments, his thoughts, his actions. (WYD 2013, Brazil)
Indeed, it the time to sing a “new song” with the youth, the poor, including our Catholic
brothers and sisters who have been disillusioned with the Church and have lost hope in faith.
Let us call one another to renewal of faith by exerting a more conscious effort to live out the
sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Alongside, we want to revive the values of our
heroes, those who have offered their lives for the country. Moreover, there are many of you
who live a holy and heroic lives everyday with whom we can learn from. Our Mother Mary,
the model of living out all that our faith can be for us will be our guide.
Once again, this formation program entitled, HOLY HEROES, which embodies the theme
“Called to be Saints, Sent Forth as Heroes”, are for us to participate in and pass on.
Let us join our hearts and minds, let us become holy heroes. Maging banal na bayani nawa
tayong lahat. Kasama ng aking panalangin sa bawat isa, pagpalain tayo ng Maykapal.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 Socrates B. Villegas, D.D.
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
A
ROMAN
CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PARAÑAQUE
ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PARAÑAQUE
Diocesan
for
Evangelization
Diocesan Center
Center for
Evangelization
No. 8No.
Villonco
Road,
Road
(Km.
Muntinlupa
City
8 Villonco
Road,West
West Service
Service Road
(Km.
21), 21),
Sucat,Sucat,
Muntinlupa
City
Telefax:
850-4586, 850-9315;
850-9315; Chancery:
807-1662
local 816
Telefax:
850-4586,
Chancery:
807-1662
local 816
Email: chancerydop@gmail.com; chancerydop@yahoo.com
Email:
chancerydop@gmail.com; chancerydop@yahoo.com
Website: www.dop.ph
Website: www.dop.ph
MESSAGE
M
e
s
s
a
g
e
MESSAGE
My Dear Lay Faithful, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Greetings of Peace!
My Dear Lay Faithful, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
We are slowly approaching the five-hundredth anniversary of the first Baptism and Holy
Greetings
of Peace!
Mass in our
country.
As part of our preparation, the Episcopal Commission on the Laity is
My
Dear
Lay
Faithful,
Brothers
and2013
Sisters
the 2014,
Lord, with the theme “Called to be
launchingWethe
of the
Laity, Dec.
untilinNov.
areYear
slowly
approaching
the1,five-hundredth
anniversary
of the first Baptism and Holy
Saints, Sent
Forth
as Heroes”.
Mass
in our
country. As part of our preparation, the Episcopal Commission on the Laity is
launching the Year of the Laity, Dec. 1, 2013 until Nov. 2014, with the theme “Called to be
Saints,
Sent Forth as Heroes”.
Greetings
of Peace!
It is in this spirit that I am happy to offer to you this formation program entitled “HOLY
HEROES”Itor
na Bayani”
. The
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our
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(Angelus,
19
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one another
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world today. I pray for all of you as I encourage everyone to be a part of the Year of the
this journey.
Laity.
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May
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communion in the Church!” (Angelus, 19 May 2013)
JESSE
E.Christ,
MERCADO, D.D.to reflect on our faith life and the role in the Church and the
yours
Let us take
this
opportunity
Sincerely
in
Chairman,
Episcopal Commission on the Laity
world today. I pray for all of you as I encourage everyone to be a part of the Year of the
September 2013
Laity. 30
Feast of St. Jerome
May God bless us all in this endeavor!
 Jesse E. Mercado, D.D.
Chairman, Episcopal Commission on the Laity
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 JESSE E. MERCADO, D.D.
B
Chairman, Episcopal Commission on the Laity
October 4, 2013
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
FOREWORD
Greetings to all the HOLY – HEROES! Ikaw ang Banal na Bayani ng ating lahi!
With the theme “Called to be Saints, send forth as Heroes”, HOLY HEROES, this formation guide for the Year of
the Laity, is a tribute to our brothers and sisters who have offered and continue to offer their lives for God and
for our country.
LAY (Laity)…Lay down your heart with the power of the Holy Spirit at baptism; LAY (Laity)…Lay down
your life with the power of the Holy Spirit at confirmation; LAY (Laity)…Lay down the foundation of our
faith, as what our Mother Mary did; LAY (Beloved Laity)…you are the key to communion of the future.
It is a time to honor and celebrate the laity whose charism and valuable contribution to the Church and society
are indispensable. This celebration would give impetus to them to assume the role that is properly theirs in
strengthening the Church in the Philippines. The year of the Laity is a big challenge for all of us in the Church
and civil society. Each one of us has a role that no one can relinquish to the other, and that no one can take
away from us. His Holiness, Pope Francis, in calling the Church to allow the laity to play their role once said:
“The layperson is a layperson and has to live as a layperson with the power of baptism, which enables him to be a
leaven of the love of God in society itself, to create and sow hope, to proclaim the faith, not from a pulpit but from
his everyday life. And, like all of us, the layperson is called to carry his daily cross — the cross of the layperson, not
of the priest.” Hopefully, these modules will generate creative energies among the laity, that will allow them to
fulfill their undertaking in the Church and society.
With the program team of Holy Heroes, composed of two lay volunteers and a religious sister, with the help of
other good-hearted laity who lent their hearts to make this formation modules possible, allow me to express
our gratitude to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission
on the Laity, for inviting us to write and put together this “Holy Heroes”. It is a privilege to be a part not
only of the Year of the Laity but of the whole aspirations and preparations towards 2021, the quintcentennial
anniversary of the first Holy Mass and baptism in the Philippines.
If I may also mention, this year is the closing of the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Malolos, Bulacan where
many Holy-Heroes reside starting from my bishop, brother-priests, and the lay faithful especially the flock of
the Parish of La Purisima Concepcion, Sta. Maria Bulacan, who have given me great inspiration through their
deep faith and time-honored traditions. To you all, I personally dedicate my efforts for this program.
And to all who will use and benefit from this humble work, you are our Holy Heroes. I also salute the gallantry
of the countless other Filipino Lay who, day-to-day, offer their heroism to God. Sa lahat po ng mga “Banal na
Bayani”, alay namin ito sa inyo.
Pagpalain tayo lahat ng Panginoon!
Msgr. Jose Antonio “Jojo” Galvez
Parish Priest, La Purisima Concepcion Parish, Sta Maria Bulacan
Program Director, HOLY HEROES Formation Program
C
TO ALL OUR BELOVED LAITY,
YOU ARE GOD’S BELOVED...
“Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come.
For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone.
Flowers are appearing on the earth.
The season of glad songs has come,
the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree is forming its first figs
and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance.
Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come.”
D
Song of Solomon 2:10-13
table of contents
MESSAGES
Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D.
............................................................................
A
Most Rev. Jesse Mercado, D.D.
............................................................................
B
FOREWORD
Rev. Msgr. Jose Antonio Galvez
DEDICATION
C
............................................................................ D
............................................................................
FACILITATOR'S GUIDE
Opening Activity
............................................................................
i
ii
iii
vi
1
4
Content and Talking Points
............................................................................
8
Organization
............................................................................
Activities
............................................................................
Recommended Schedule
............................................................................
Introductory
............................................................................
MODULE 1: Lay your Heart to be Holy
The Sacrament of Baptism
............................................................................
............................................................................
8
Integration: Renewal of Baptismal Promises
............................................................................
14
The Call to Belovedness
............................................................................
17
Closing Prayer
............................................................................
22
MODULE 2: Lay down your Life to be a Hero
............................................................................
25
Opening Activity
............................................................................
28
............................................................................
33
The Sacrament of Confirmation
............................................................................
33
Pastoral Exhortation of the CBCP
............................................................................
41
Workshop: Photo Language
............................................................................
47
Buhay Rizal
............................................................................
49
Workshop: Values of Heroism
............................................................................
52
Integration: "My Mi Ultimo Adios"
............................................................................
56
Closing Prayer
............................................................................
62
MODULE 3: Lay the foundation of the Holy Heroes ............................................................................
65
Opening Activity
............................................................................
68
............................................................................
72
Mary as our Model
............................................................................
72
(Continuation) Pastoral Exhortation...
............................................................................
79
Integration: My "Magnificat"
............................................................................
85
Closing Prayer
............................................................................
87
............................................................................
89
Opening Prayer
............................................................................
92
Culminating Activity
............................................................................
95
Closing Prayer
............................................................................
101
APPENDICES
............................................................................
103
EPILOGUE
............................................................................
188
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
............................................................................
190
MODULE 4: Lay down your heart and mind...
your whole life
Facilitator's Guide
RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATION
The responsibilities in conducting the Formation
Program is divided among several people:
Coordinator
This person oversees the entire program. He/she
should pay attention to the time, the flow of each
session, the clarity of the talks, and pay attention
to the participants. He/she is also responsible
for stitching all the activities and making the
whole session spiritually and mentally engaging.
Usually, he/she leads most the sessions and
delegates the Talk to other experienced resource
speakers.
Assistant Coordinator
The Assistant Coordinator should assist the
Coordinator in stitching all the activities of the
formation program. He/she should primarily take
responsibility in the practical needs of the program
like overseeing the work of volunteers, arranging
for a singer or guitarist, picking out who among
the participants need help adjusting, etc.
Logistics Coordinator
He/she is responsible for the logistical needs of
the formation program. In particular, his/her
responsibilities are:
1) Locating a venue for the sessions and
making arrangements for necessary
equipment
2) Arranging for any snacks or meals or
accommodations
3) Arranging for books, handouts and
songbooks if needed
HOLY HEROES • “Called to be Saints... Sent forth as Heroes!”
O rganization
Organization for this formation program is
relatively easy. The Leadership Team should
be gathered way before the formation program
starts to gain a common mindset about the
program. The main task of the team is to set
the atmosphere and tone of the sessions. The
team should not just act as organizers but as
participants of the program as well. They
should be directed to participate and get
involved in the formation program.
4) Handling registration and collection of fees
(if any)
5) Takes responsibility in setting-up and
cleaning up the venue after use.
Speaker
A Speaker is the one who delivers the Talks. This
can be an experienced member of the community
who is familiar with the topic or can simply be
the Coordinator him/herself. Given the topics of
the Talks, the Speaker can be a Priest or a Sister/
Brother.
Discussion Group Leaders
Discussion Group Leaders are important
people in this formation program. They can be
volunteers from the community or experienced
group handlers. They are responsible for caring
for individuals in a discussion group. They make
sure that each participant is comfortable, open
and participative in the formation program. They
make sure that participants understand the talk
given to them and help them make a commitment
to Christ.
Animators
Animators animate or energize the whole group.
These volunteers can either dance a song that
the participants can follow, usually a simple
animation song, or lead parlor games or wacky
games. Animators should be briefed about the
formation program so that they can choose
appropriate games or songs.
i
DYNAMICS OF THE FORMATION PROGRAM
Workshops
These are individual activities
that would require participants
to write, draw, reflect and pray.
Workshops can take a variety of
forms, some may require them to
share their work with others, yet
some might require them to reflect
on their work.
Talks
Talks or input should be
captivating and adorned with
personal experiences. A personal
testimony on the topic of the talk
greatly helps the participants feel
a connection between you and
your talk. They will feel a sense of
you know what you are talking
about. However, testimonies can
tend to be too long and boring,
so it is advised to limit the time
you take to give your personal
testimony.
Prayer
Prayer is an opportunity for
participants to talk to God.
Prayer in this formation program
requires participants to say their
prayers out loud, to be vocal.
Participants should be led into
prayer as they feel comfortable.
Usually, the leadership team
should lead the prayer and
as the retreat progresses the
participants should be allowed to
spontaneously say out loud their
prayer. Prayer should make the
participants feel a greater freedom
in expressing their thoughts and
provide a deeper communication
with God.
ii
Singing
Singing is an important part
in the formation program.
Participants should be encouraged
to sing even if they do not sing that
well. Feeling and internalizing
the message of the song is just as
important.
A ctivities
This formation program
uses workshops, storytelling,
prayer,
talks/
input, reflection and group
discussion/sharing,to
create an atmosphere of
reflection and prayer.
Years of experience have
told us that the atmosphere
of the session hall or room
is just as important as the
talk/input.
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups are primarily
a forum of 5-7 people where the
main goal is to find out where
people stand and help them to
better understand the talks.
Reflection
There will be times for quiet
reflection. Most reflections will
come after a talk or input. This
will allow the participants to
internalize what they heard from
the main speaker. Reflections
should be in the form of questions
and revolve around a key
scriptural passage used in the talk.
Sharing
Sharing is one of the most
important parts of this formation
program. It can either build up
your own faith or build up the
faith of others. It can be done
in pairs, triads or the whole
group. Participants should be
given guidelines on what they
are supposed to share. The focus
should be about the topic at hand.
Animations
Animations can either mean
a dance or an energizer. The
participants should be given
times to enjoy, to have fun and to
move around. It allows them to be
relaxed and attentive to what is
being said, and as a result, makes
them more open and involved.
However, care should be taken
that any of your animations are
not offensive to any participants,
so keep your animations
wholesome and appropriate.
Eucharistic Celebration
The Mass is a significant part of
the formation program. The goals
will be best achieved if the priest is
briefed on the theme of the retreat
as well as the talks that have been
given.
R ecommended S chedule
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
recommends the following
schedule to be followed.
However, the schedule can
be adjusted to the liking of
the Leadership Team or
Organizers. At least 20 hours
is recommended in order
for the complete process
of formation to take place.
Presented are some models.
Model A – Live-in seminar that will run for two-full days
Type 1
Day 1 – 3 pm to 10 pm (7 hrs)
Day 2 – 8:00 am to 12:00 nn (4 hrs); 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm ( 4 hrs);
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm (2 hrs)
Day 3 - 8 am to 12 pm (4 hrs)
Total = 21 hours
Model A - Type 1
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
Morning Praise
Module 2 (Part 1)
Morning Praise
(Module 4 - Part 2)
PM Sessions
Introduction
Opening Mass or
Welcome Liturgy
Module 1 (Part 1)
Module 2 (Part 2)
Module 3 (Part 1)
Concluding Mass or
Closing Liturgy (with
Mission Sending…
Pagsusugo sa Misyon
Bilang mga Bayani at
Banal
EVENING Sessions
Module 1 (Part 2)
Evening Prayer
Module 3 (Part 2)
Module 4 (Part 1)
Evening Prayer
n/a
AM Sessions
n/a
Type 2
DAY 1 – 8 am to 12 nn (4 hrs); 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (5 hrs.); 7:00 pm to 10 pm (3 hrs) = 12 HRS
DAY 2 - 8 am to 12 nn (4 hrs); 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (5 hrs) = 9 HRS
Total = 21 hours
Model A –Type 2
DAY 1
DAY 2
Introduction
Opening Mass or Welcome
Liturgy
Module 1 (Part 1)
Morning Praise
Module 3
PM Sessions
Module 1 (Part 2)
Module 2 (Part 1)
Module 4
Concluding Mass or Closing
Liturgy (with Mission Sending…
Pagsusugo sa Misyon Bilang
mga Bayani at Banal
Evening Sessions
Module 2 (Part 2)
Evening Prayer
n/a
AM Sessions
iii
Model B – Live-out seminar that will run for 2 consecutive days
Day 1 & 2 – 8 am to 12 nn (4 hrs); 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (5 hrs);
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (1.5 hrs)
TOTAL = 21 hours
Model B
DAY 1
DAY 2
AM Sessions
Introduction
Opening Mass or Welcome
Liturgy
Morning Praise
Module 3 (Part 1)
PM Sessions
Module 1
Module 2 (Part 1)
Module 3 (Part 2)
Module 4 (Part 1)
Module 2 (Part 2)
Evening Prayer
Module 4 (Part 2)
Concluding Mass or Closing
Liturgy (with Mission Sending…
Pagsusugo sa Misyon Bilang
mga Bayani at Banal
EVENING SESSIONS
Model C – Live-out seminar for 4 consecutive evenings
Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – at least 4 hours per evening
Total = 20 hours
DAY 1
Introduction
Opening Mass or
Welcome Liturgy
Module 1
iv
DAY 2
Module 2
DAY 3
Module 3
DAY 4
Module 4
Concluding Mass or
Closing Liturgy (with
Mission Sending…
Pagsusugo sa Misyon
Bilang mga Bayani at
Banal
Model D – One day seminar
(At least four hours should be allotted per module but due to time
constraints, all the parts in each module will be compressed in 2 to 2 ½
hours. This could spell a difference in the experience of the participant,
thus, Model D is the least recommended)
TIME
7:30 am
Introduction
Mass( *) or Opening Liturgy
8:30 am
Module 1 (Part 1)
10: 00 am
Break
10:15 am
Module 1 (Part 2)
10:45 am
Module 2 (Part 1)
12:00 nn
Lunch break
1:00 pm
Module 2 (Part 2)
2:00 pm
Module 3 (Part 1)
3:00 pm
Break
3:15 pm
Module 3 (Part 2)
5:15 pm
Module 4 (Part 1)
7:00 pm
Dinner
7:30 pm
Module 4 (Part 2)
Concluding Mass (*) or Closing Liturgy (with Mission Sending…Pagsusugo sa
Misyon Bilang mga Bayani at Banal
8:30 pm
Home Sweet Home
(*) – Organizers have the option to schedule one mass for the day, its either an Opening or Closing Mass
v
NOTES TO THE FACILITATOR
1. The success of this formation program for
the Year of the Laity rests on the capability
of the Facilitator and the Leadership Team.
Therefore, you as a facilitator, are expected to
be:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
PROCESS-ORIENTED
ANIMATED
INTERACTIVE
SENSITIVE
KNOWLEDGEABLE
SPIRITUAL
COMMITTED
2. A successful formation program is a product of
prayer, knowledge, coordination, cooperation
and team commitment. The Youth can serve as
SERVICE FACILITATORS, as staff, animators
and hosts during the conduct of the program.
You are, therefore, encouraged to work very
closely with a team of volunteers to make the
tasks lighter and manageable.
I ntro d u ctor y A cti v ities
1. ANIMATION
You are expected to welcome the
participants in a joyful and happy mood.
Prepare a short animation of a song or
an exercise or game that you can teach
the participants. Remember that the
participants are looking forward to new
experiences that they can bring back with
them after the program. This will also
warm them up and make them comfortable
and relaxed. Remember also that there is
a big difference between a performer and
an animator. Your role is to animate not to
perform.
2. WELCOME MESSAGE
It is suggested that the Parish Priest,
Parish Pastoral Council President, or
Commission Director be present to deliver
the welcome message to the participants.
His/her presence will serve as an example
to the participants and add meaning to the
program.
vi
I ntro d u ctor y
Organization for this formation program is relatively
easy. The Leadership Team should be gathered
way before the formation program starts to gain a
common mindset about the program. The main task
of the team is to set the atmosphere and tone of the
sessions. The team should not just act as organizers
but as participants of the program as well. They
should be directed to participate and get involved in
the formation program.
3. HOUSE RULES
To realize the objectives of the program, the
facilitator should make clear the following
House Rules to the participants:
a. Individual Activities
All participants are expected to fully
accomplish all individual activities at a
given time. To realize this, participants are
reminded to follow instruction carefully.
Ask if something is not clear or confusing.
b. Workshops/Sharings
Everyone is expected to actively participate
and share their reflections or insights. This
can only be possible if everyone is attentive
to what others are sharing. Participants
are also encouraged to be open to all
possibilities and avoid being aggressive
and confrontational in their approaches.
c. Prayers/Reflections
Silence and a Reflective mood should be
observed during prayers and reflections.
We believe that it is God who invited us to
come to this formation program and that
we are answering His call. Allow God to
work through and in us.
d. Materials
Each participant will be provided with
materials and hand-outs. Discussion Group
Leaders and Service Facilitators will
be present to assist all during the entire
program.
e. Personal Needs
Discussion Group Leaders and Service
Facilitators will always be available to
assist anyone with personal or private
needs.
Jubilees
ers
d & Prison
Homeboun
Broken Families
Addicted Friends
Homeless & Jobless
Farmers, Fisherfolks and
Laborers
Young
Professionals
Publ
ic Sc
Indigeneous People
hool
Teac
h
ers
ns
nizatio
rga
Civic O
Lay Saints and
Catholic Filipino
Heroes
Non-
Prac
ticin
g Cat
holic
s
Gove
rn
Emp ment
loyee
s
vii
www.choosetobebrave.org
We have been called to share in Christ’s mission to spread the truth through our words and actions. To reach out to
those who are in need of us. The 12 sectors of society represent different groups of individuals who need the loving
and courageous help of every Christian. We have a vocation to serve others through everyday acts of Love. By
choosing to reach out to the different sectors, we Choose to be Brave.
12 Sectors (Jubilees)
to pray for and minister to during the Year of the Laity.
You can choose one or two groups to focus on during the month.
Non-practicing Catholics
Troubled Friends
Young Professionals
Government Employees
Find out how you can help bring back to the Church
our brothers and sisters, who are not serious with the
Catholic faith, or who have left the church for other sects
& religious denominations.
Help empower young professionals to act as force for
good in the society we live in. The youth can be saints!
Broken Families
Learn how you can take part in reaching out to broken
homes and families. Broken families are called to be holy!
Homeless and Jobless
Find out how you can support informal settlers and
contractual workers through church based programs
and summits. We, just like Jesus, are one with them.
Homebound and Prisoners
Reach out to those who have been bound to seclusion: the
sick, handicapped, elderly, and prisoners. Help restore
hope into their lives!
Farmers, Fisher folks & Laborers
With your help, you can animate and make Farmers,
Fisher folks, and Laborers (FAFILAB) effective agents of
evangelization.
By your loving words and understanding, you can
heal those who are struggling with addiction of drugs,
alcohol, sex, gambling & cyberspace, assuring them of
God's salvation.
Be a part of a program that will instill integrity and
honesty in the hearts of rank and file government
employees.
Civic Organizations
Being socially responsible is a choice. Choose to help
in the social transformation of all major civic groups,
promoting the spirit of volunteerism based on faith and
solidarity.
Public School Teachers
Support in the formation of public school teachers that
they may be animated to teach ethics and moral values
to their students.
Indigenous People
Participate in a program that highlights exemplary
Catholic leaders of indigenous peoples. We show our
gratitude to them since the Church is a custodian of
culture and integrity of creation.
Lay Saints and Catholic Filipino Heroes
Be part of the campaign against the Halloween scare,
highlighting people who can inspire us to live holy lives.
viii
Introductory
Activity
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay your heart
and mind
WORD OF GOD / GROWTH BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
ix
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Introductory Activities
ONE
Welcome to “Holy Heroes!”
This is an introductory activity to
prepare your heart and mind for
the exercises ahead, towards being
“called to be saints and sent forth as
Heroes”
REGISTRATION /
ID MAKING
1.
As the participants arrive, you
can have them make their ID’s.
The atmosphere of the session
hall/ room should be reflective
and prayerful. Instrumental
music can be played in
the background while the
participants work on their ID’s.
You can group them in Dyads/
Triads and let them introduce
themselves and share what they
have written in their IDs.
R e g istration /
ID M a k in g
B. YOUR SYMBOL FOR "HOLINESS"
Think of a symbol or a word that reminds you
of Holiness. Write/draw it on the upper-right
side of your ID.
A. YOUR SYMBOL FOR "HEROISM"
Think of a symbol or anything that reminds you
of Heroism. Write/draw it on the upper-left
side of your ID.
Saving a life
C. WHO IS YOUR HERO?
Name your hero. It can be fictional or a
real person. Write the name on the lowerleft side of your ID.
2. Distribution of Worksheet for
the Group Work.
Martyr
Liza
Juan
dela Cruz
E. YOUR NICKNAME
Last but not the least, in the middle of
your ID, write your nickname in bold
letters in your own style for others to
read easily.
D. WHO IS YOUR MODEL OF
HOLINESS? Name your role model
for being holy. It can be an actual
person or a Saint. Write the name on
the lower-right side of your ID.
St. Andrew
* (Option) You can also place the
seminar schedule at the back of the ID.
TWO
nampalataya
Pag
a Pana
pap
ay s
l
i
in n
a
Pagkilos
o
P
n
a
a
g
tata
apl
p
a
K
l
a
g
gayan
sa
ag
Bagon
Kalagayan
P
sya
ACTIVITY:
PASTORAL SPIRAL
P astoral S piral
Pag
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Process: PASTORAL SPIRAL
(Adopted Process)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
x
The participants will be grouped
according to their diocese/
parish/community/sector.
The participants will be given
time to answer the worksheet.
Assign a group leader to
facilitate the sharing and
discussion and a secretary
to record all the members’
answers.
The groups will discuss and
reflect on the guide questions
in the worksheet.
Finalize the answers and write it
on a Manila paper. Prepare for
the Reporting.
1
REFLECTION
1) Present Situation
a. What are the services or gifts that the Laity
brings to your diocese/parish/community?
What are the qualities of holiness and heroism
that they emulate?
b. What are the services or gifts that the Laity
receive from the Church that help them to
realize the call to holiness and heroism?
c. What are the qualities of holiness and heroism
brought about by the lay participation or
service in the Church?
1) Reflection in Faith
a. How are the services and gifts of holiness of
the Laity to the Church bring about God’s
Kingdom?
b. How are the formations and opportunities
that the Church provides to the Laity help in
the deepening of faith and its effects in their
respective ministries?
c. What are the factors or conditions in the
Church or Society that (a) facilitate, or
(b) hinder the growth and deepening of saintly
and heroic deeds of the Laity?
THREE
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
G ro u pin g
GROUP INTRODUCTION
The group will introduce themselves
(what diocese/parish/community/
sector) do they belong to.
G ro u p
3
G ro u p
2
SHARING OF GROUP
WORK
The group will share to the
whole group their answers to
the reflection questions.
2. The group will be asked to
post and display their report
around the venue so that the
other groups can look at their
responses.
G ro u p
4
1.
G ro u p
5
G ro u p
1
DISTRIBUTION TO MIXED
GROUPS
The reporting of each group can
already serve as a group recognition.
After each group has reported,
each one will then be assigned to
the Mixed Group. (Make sure that
all the members will be evenly
distributed to the new groups.
Members of the new group should
make sure that their group is well
represented by the different diocese/
parish/community/sector)
D iocese / P arish / S ector
xi
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
INTRODUCTION TO MIXED
GROUPS
The new groups will now have
to think of a group name. The
name should be a value or a
characteristic that is holy or
heroic.
2. The group will have to come up
with a group cheer which they
will present to the assembly.
g
Matapan
1.
Honesto
g
Masipa
ing
it
g
Ma
Mati
kas
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
After the presentation of the group
cheer, each group will now be given
the task of being the:
1. Animation/energizer for the
morning, afternoon and evening
sessions
* "Group Cheer" *
2. Bell Ringer (for the morning
praise and before the start of
the session)
3. Creative Recap – a group will
be assigned to give a recap of
what transpired on the previous
day. (include important points/
lessons/ learnings from the
sharing/talks)
4. Readers and Prayers of the
Faithful at Mass
5. Physical Arrangement
(Venue)
FOUR
G ro u p A ssi g n m ents
G ro u p
3
G ro u p
1
G ro u p
2
6. Morning Prayer/Praise
7. Evening Prayer/Praise
8. Choir (for the Mass)
9. Physical Preparation (for the
Mass)
1) Pr
aye
2) An r Lead
e
i
3) Be mations rs
ll Rin
gers
xii
MODULE 1 • LAY YOUR HEART TO BE HOLY
1
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay your heart
to be Holy
SECTORS TO SHARE
HOLINESS & HEROISM WITH
MONTHLY
JUBILEES
Broken Families
(separated, remarried,
OFW, death in the family)
Homebound (sick,
handicapped, elderly) and
Prisoners
Addicted Friends (drugs,
alcohol, sex, gambling,
compulsive shoppers)
BAPTISM BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
1
The Story of a Son
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of
art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso
to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the
great works of art.
When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went
to war. He was very courageous
and died in battle while rescuing
another soldier.
The father was notified and grieved
deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before
Christmas, there was a knock at
the door. A young man stood at
the door with a large package in his
hands.
He said, "Sir, you don't know me,
but I am the soldier for whom your
son gave his life.
He saved many lives that day, and
he was carrying me to safety when
a bullet struck him in the heart and
he died instantly. He often talked
about you, and your love for art.
The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't
much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son
would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his
son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the
way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in
the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his
own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for
the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your
son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every
time visitors came to his home he took them to see the
portrait of his son before he showed them any of the
other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a
great auction of his paintings. Many influential people
gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings
and having an opportunity to purchase one for their
collection On the platform sat the painting of the son.
The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the
bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this
picture?"
There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room
shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this
one."
But the auctioneer persisted, "Will
someone bid for this painting?
Who will start the bidding? $100,
$200?"
Another voice shouted angrily,
"We didn't come to see this
painting. We came to see the Van
Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on
with the real bids! "But still the
auctioneer continued, "The son!
The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the
very back of the room. It was the
longtime gardener of the man
and his son. "I'll give $10 for the
painting." Being a poor man, it was
all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10
is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was
becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the
son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going
once, twice, SOLD for $10!
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get
on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his
gavel, "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction,
I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not
allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only
the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever
bought that painting would inherit the entire estate,
including the paintings. The man who took the son gets
everything!"
God gave his Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross.
Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The
Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?" Because you see,
whoever takes the Son gets everything. - Source: E-mail Inspirational Message
2
1
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay your heart
to be Holy
MODULE GUIDE
I. Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Awareness of God
Word of God
Reflection
Prayer of Petitions
Prayer
Closing Song
II. Content and Talking Points
The Sacrament of Baptism
Inspirational Story
III.Integration
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Reflection
Reflection
SPECIAL PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
•
Broken Families
(separated, remarried, OFW,
death in the family)
•
Homebound (sick,
handicapped, elderly) and
Prisoners
•
Addicted Friends (drugs,
alcohol, sex, gambling,
compulsive shoppers)
IV.Closing Prayer
Prayer
Closing Song
3
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
SILENCING
1.
ONE
O penin g P ra y er
Allow the participants to take
a few minutes to relax and be
comfortable.
2. With soft meditative music, lead
the participants to think of the
“Love of God for us.”
1
OPENING SONG
Sa Pagmamahal, Naroroon ang Diyos
(Ubi Caritas - Taize)
(Optional) Using a Singing Bowl or
Gong, strike the bowl/gong three times
(allowing the sound to resonate) to
facilitate silencing before the start of the
prayer.
Ubi caritas et amor
Ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
Note: Playing the meditative music and
the ringing of the bowl/gong can be used
together.
Sa pagmamahal, naroroon ang Diyos.
Sa pagmamahal, naroroon ang Diyos.
SINGING
3. Distribute copies of the song
or project them using an LCD
projector as the participants
follow/join in the singing of the
opening song.
You may also use Alternative
Songs or Songs that
are appropriate to your
participants.
ALTERNATIVE
SONGS
MATERIALS
• Meditative Music
• Altar (table cloth, Crucifix, Bible,
candles)
• (Optional) Singing bowl or Gong
• Copies of Song lyrics
• (Optional) Powerpoint of song
lyrics or video of song
• YOUTH
Heart of Worship
(Hillsong)
• POOR
Power of Your Love
(J. Rivera)
• DISILLUSIONED CATHOLICS
Sa Iyong Pag-ibig
(Hangad)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
2
AWARENESS OF GOD
REFLECTION ON THE SONG
4. Look at the lyrics of the song/s.
Be aware of what the lyrics of
the song is trying to tell you
about God’s love for us and how
we open our hearts to receive
his abundant love for all of us.
I am leaning on the heart of God.
I am resting there in silence.
All the turmoil that exhausts me
is brought to bear on this great love.
PREPARATION
No resistance or complaint is heard
as I lean upon God’s welcome.
There is gladness for my coming.
There is comfort for my pain.
5. Slowly, bring the participants
to journey with you as you all
prepare your hearts to be holy.
REFLECTION
6. The following texts can be used
for reflection:
Option 1: Reflection from Joyce
Rupp
Option 2: Create in Me a Clean
Heart (Psalm 51) ~ Song
4
I lean, and lean, and lean
upon this heart that hurts with me.
Strength lifts the weight of my distress.
Courage wraps around my troubles.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
No miracle of instant recovery.
No taking away of life’s burdens.
Yet, there is solace for my soul,
and refuge for my exiled tears.
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
7. After reading the reflection or
singing the reflection, slowly
prepare the participants for the
Word of God.
It is enough for me to know
the heart of God is with me,
full of mercy and compassion,
rending to the wounds I bear.
- Joyce Rupp
ALTERNATIVE CONTENT FOR AWARENESS
SONG-PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS
Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51)
Couples for Christ
Refrain
Create in me a clean heart
Put a new and right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Your presence
And take not Your Holy Spirit from me
Verse 1
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness
In Your compassion, blot out all my sin
Thoroughly cleanse me from all of my guilt
Wash me till I’m whiter than snow
Verse 2
Restore in me the joy of Your salvation
Uphold me with a willing spirit
So I will teach transgressors Your ways
And sinners will return to You (Refrain)
Verse 3
Your are pleased with sincerity of heart
Not with sacrifices or with holocausts
My sacrifice is a broken spirit
For You will not refuse a humble heart (Refrain)
5
MATERIALS
3
WORD OF GOD
• Bible
• (Optional) Copies of the Word of
God
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
READING THE WORD
8. Read the Word of God slowly
and meditatively. Do not rush
reading.
Alternative Scripture you can
use:
ALTERNATIVE
SCRIPTURE
• YOUTH
Matthew 19: 16-24
• POOR
Matthew 5: 3-12
John 15: 4-9
R
emain in me, as I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by
itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless
you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with
me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do
nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me is
thrown away like a branch -- and withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on
the fire and are burnt.
If you remain in me and my words remain
in you, you may ask for whatever you please
and you will get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should
bear much fruit and be my disciples.
I have loved you just as the Father has loved
me. Remain in my love.
John 8: 1-12
4
REFLECTION
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
REFLECTION
9. Read out loud or show through
power point the reflection
questions and allow the
participants some moments to
reflect.
How will you
describe your
relationship
with God?
You are God's
Beloved. Have you
experienced God's
belovedness?
(Optional) SHARING
One or two participants can
share their answers to the
reflection questions. Remind
them that they are free to share
only the reflections they want to
share.
Faith is a flame that grows stronger the more it is shared and
passed on, so that everyone may know, love and confess Jesus
Christ, the Lord of life and history (cf. Rom 10:9).
- Pope Francis, Homily at Closing Mass of World Youth Day at
Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 6
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
5
PRAYER OF PETITION
PETITIONS/INTENTIONS
10. Prayerfully read the Prayer
of Petition. You can assign a
participant to read it aloud or
do it yourself.
11. Don’t forget to include in the
prayer the Special Petitions/
Intentions for the Year of the
Laity.
12. Tell the participants to say out
loud their prayers of petition/
intention.
SPECIAL PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
Broken Families (separated,
remarried, OFWs, death in the
family)
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the privilege of coming together in the
Name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. According to
Your Word we are making our requests known to You
knowing that You already know what we need.
Father, we ask that You renew our strength so that we
can wait patiently for Your return.
We ask for... (your petitions...)
We pray for... (your intentions...)
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
6
Homebound (sick, handicapped,
elderly) and Prisoners
PRAYER
Let nothing trouble you.
Let nothing scare you.
All is fleeting.
God alone is unchanging.
Patience
Everything obtains.
Who possesses God
Nothing wants.
God alone suffices.
Addicted Friends (to drugs,
alcohol, sex, gambling)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
PRAYER
13. End the Prayer of Petition with
a prayer by St. Therese of Avila.
- St. Teresa of Avila
7
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
CLOSING SONG
Lord, Jesus Christ
SINGING
14. End the prayer with a song. Ask
the participants to follow and
join in the singing of the Taize
song “Lord Jesus Christ”
Taize
Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us
Let not my doubts or my darkness speak to me
Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us
Let my heart always welcome your love
7
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
To build your Talk, choose among
the Contents and Supplementary
Resources which best fits your
audience. It is recommended to
mix Inspirational Stories, Songs
& Videos into your Talk. You can
be creative and be inspiring
in giving your Talk. Powerpoint
presentations with Pictures (less
text) are also helpful.
TWO
C ontent
& T al k in g P oints
Lay your heart
to be Holy
1
TALK
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Baptism is a Sacrament of Christian
initiation
• By which we receive the dignity
of adoption as children of God.
• By which we are incorporated
into the Body of Christ, the
Church.
Baptism is the Sacrament of
renewal.
• By which we are freed from
Original Sin
• By which we are born again of
water and the Holy Spirit
• By which we receive a new and
spiritual life in Christ
• Initiates us into that community
which gives personal witness
to God’s saving grace through
Jesus.
Baptism is the Sacrament of Faith
• Baptism is offered to all who
have faith in Jesus.
• Baptism is the beginning of a
life of faith.
• Baptism brings us into a
community of faith.
Baptism is a Gift of Sanctifying
Grace.
• It is a divine gift because it
is given to those who bring
nothing of their own.
• It is grace because it is given out
of love even to the guilty.
8
The Sacrament of
Baptism
1. What is a Sacrament?
A
sacrament is a saving symbolic act, arising from
the ministry of Christ and continued in, by and for
the Church. When celebrated in faith, it leads us into
a likeness to Christ. The purpose of the sacraments is to
sanctify, to build up the Body of Christ (the Church), and to
give worship to God.
There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation,
Eucharist (sacraments of Christian initiation), Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick (sacraments of healing), Holy Orders
and Matrimony (sacraments of communion).
2. The Sacrament of Initiation
The sacraments of initiation, namely Baptism, Confirmation
and the Eucharist, lay the foundations of every Christian
life. The faithful are born anew in Baptism, strengthened
by Confirmation, and receive the food for eternal life in the
Eucharist.
3. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament of spiritual rebirth and it is the
basis of our whole Christian life. By the symbolic action of
washing with water and the ritual formula (“I baptize you
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit”), the baptized person is cleansed from all sins, both
original and personal, and is incorporated into Christ.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Lord himself affirms
that Baptism is necessary for
salvation. “Amen, amen, I say
to you, no one can enter the
kingdom of God without being
born of water and Spirit. What
is born of flesh is flesh and what
is born of spirit is spirit. Do not
be amazed that I told you, ‘You
must be born from above.” John
3:5-7
Baptism is necessary for
salvation for those to whom the
Gospel has been proclaimed,
and who have had the
possibility of asking for this
sacrament.
The Church does not know of
any means other than Baptism
that assures entry into eternal
life.
Non Christians who never
receive the Baptism can be
saved through: 1) Baptism of
Desire - Unbaptized persons;
Sorry for his/her sins; Unaware
of the importance of baptism
2) Baptism of blood - Those
who suffer and dies for the faith
or for perfect charity; Those
infants who die unbaptized are
entrusted to God’s mercy upon
His will of universal salvation.
The two principal effects of
Baptism are: 1) purification
from sins, 2) and new birth
in the Holy Spirit. It brings
us into a new life with Christ,
Incorporate us into the church
and makes us sharers in the
divine life
All Sacraments have a proper
matter and a proper form. In
Baptism, the matter is water. In
Baptism, the form is: “I Baptize
you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.”
4. Why is Baptism Necessary?
Jesus Himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.
In Mark 16:16, he said: “The man who believes in it and
accepts baptism will be saved.” In Matthew 28:19, Jesus
likewise said: “Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
5. Who Can Be Baptized?
Any infant not yet baptized can receive the sacrament of
Baptism, provided there is the assurance that his parents will
bring him up in the Christian faith. An adult who wishes to be
baptized, must first receive the basic Christian initiation.
6. Who Can Baptize?
The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishops, priests
and deacons. But in case of necessity, anyone, even a nonbaptized person, can baptize, provided that the Trinitarian
formula is used and that the one who baptizes will do what
the Church intends to do at Baptism.
The Church allows this because of the universal saving will of
God and the need for Baptism for salvation.
7. What Are the Effects of Baptism
A. The first effect of Baptism is to unite the baptized person
with the risen Lord by water and the Holy Spirit. He dies
to a life of sin and is reborn to a new life in Christ. The
baptized becomes an adopted child of God and is called to
a life of holiness.
B. By Baptism all sins are forgiven, both original and
personal, as well as the punishment for sin. The baptized
person shares in the Paschal Mystery of Christ -- in his
suffering, death and resurrection.
C. Baptism incorporates the baptized person into the
community of believers, the living Body of Christ -- the
Church.
8. The Rite of Baptism
The rite of Baptism is divided into three parts.
A. RECEPTION OF THE CHILDREN
The baptismal ceremony begins with the priest asking the
parents what they ask from God’s Church to do for their child.
The parents respond by saying that they came to ask for
Baptism. Namely, they are asking that their child may enter
into the saving mystery of God, that he be given eternal life,
and that he become a member of the Church -- the community
of believers.
9
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Symbols of Baptism
• Fire - It gives light. Jesus is the
light of the world who takes us
away from darkness of sin to
His light.
• Oil - Signifies the gift of the holy
spirit to the newly baptized,
who become Christians, that
is, one anointed by the holy
spirit, incorporated into Christ’s
mission.
• White garment - Symbolizes the
veiling of our shame of sin or
guilt.
• The Church asks God that
through his Son the power of
the Holy Spirit may be sent
upon the water, so that those
who will be baptized in it may
be “born of water and the
Spirit.”
• The water used is a natural
water mixed with holy oil or
chrism.
Original Sin & Original Holiness
• When Adam and Eve sinned
in the Garden of Eden by their
disobedience, they lost the
sanctifying grace with which
they had been blessed when
they were created.
• We inherit their fallen state,
and are born without that
sanctifying grace.
Sanctifying Grace
• Born with a fallen nature and
tainted by original sin, children
also have need of the new birth
in Baptism.
• Baptism restores our friendship
with God by an infusion of
sanctifying grace.
The priest asks the parents for the child’s baptismal name,
which gives him his Christian identity from now on. It is
advisable that a Christian name be given to the child.
The priest reminds the parents of their Christian duty to bring
up the child in the practice of the Christian faith, to keep God’s
commandments by loving God and neighbor. The godparents
are reminded of their duty to help the parents in bringing up
the child as a Christian.
The child is welcomed by the Christian community, a
reminder that Baptism is a celebration of the whole
community, not only of the priest or deacon. Hence, all must
actively participate.
Then the child is marked with the cross on the forehead,
which signifies that the child belongs to Christ and to his
people, and that he is called to be Christ’s follower.
B. THE CELEBRATION OF THE WORD
Readings from the Scriptures follow. We must listen intently,
especially to the Gospel because when Scriptures are read in
the Church, it is Christ himself who speaks. We must listen in
order that our faith may be stirred, so that Baptism becomes
an experience of faith.
As a response to the Word just proclaimed, we pray for the
whole community which asked for Baptism for the children.
The community prays for the children, their parents and
godparents.
The priest pronounces the Prayer of Exorcism, imploring that
the children be set free from original sin and become temples
of the Holy Spirit. Then the priest lays his hands on each child
as a sign of protection and invoking the Spirit of God.
C. CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT
The presence of God is invoked over the water, which the
minister blesses for the celebration of Baptism, that those
who will be baptized in it may be “born of water and the Holy
Spirit. - Water has a cleansing power. It symbolizes interior
purification and our rebirth into a new life in Christ.
The saints are invoked to surround us with their care and
protection. At Baptism, we ask the Church in heaven to be
united with us in prayer at this turning point of the child’s
life.
Satan and sin are renounced because we cannot live our new
life in Christ, if we live a life of sin.
Baptism is validly conferred only by a washing in real water
with the proper form or words. Once given. Baptism cannot
be repeated.
10
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
A New Birth in the Spirit
• Through the grace of Baptism
we become “a new creature,”
adopted sons and daughters of
God, who partake of the divine
nature
• We are incorporated into
Christ’s Mystical Body.
• We attain a share in the
common priesthood of all
believers.
• We are called to profess our
faith.
Baptism makes us members of the
Church.
• We belong now to Christ.
• We are called to serve others.
• We enjoy rights within the
Church
Marked with the Sign of Faith
• Baptism imprints on the soul
an indelible spiritual sign which
consecrates the baptized person
for Christian worship.
• No sin can erase this mark.
• The seal of baptism is given
once. Baptism cannot be
repeated.
Minister of Baptism
• Bishops
• Priest
• In case of necessity, anyone
can do when there is danger of
death and an ordinary minister
is unavailable
• The matter, form and symbols
used in Baptism are signs that
through God wishes to share
His life with all people.
• They are also the signs through
which Jesus’ followers are to
become people in the New
Testament.
Then the priest anoints the child with the sacred chrism.
Chrism is perfumed oil, blessed by the bishop, which signifies
the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized. By this
anointing, the newly baptized begins to share in the priestly,
prophetic and kingly functions of our Lord Jesus.
The white garment symbolizes the purity of the soul, now
that the baptized is purified of his sins and lives in union with
Christ.
At Baptism, the lighted Paschal Candle, a symbol of Christ, is
present. The light of Christ is passed on to the parents so that
they may also pass on this light to their child. The baptized is
to be “the light of the world and the salt of the earth.”
By Baptism we become members of God’s household. We are
no longer slaves but adopted sons and daughters of God, so
we cry out to him “Abba,” Father.
CONCLUDING RITE
The celebration ends with the priest blessing the newly
baptized, the parents, the godparents, and everyone present
-- all members of God’s household.
9. What is the Response of the Newly Baptized?
A. Since he has been saved from death by Christ and owes
his new life to him, the newly baptized must seek to know
and love his Savior.
B. He must become an active and fruitful member of the
Church, of which he is now a part.
C. He must nourish and grow in his new life in Christ by
prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
D. He must set his heart on the things that are above and
must be ready to meet the Lord when he comes again.
10. Responsibilities of the Parents
A. Parents must see to it that the child is baptized as soon as
possible.
B. Parents must be the first to catechize their children,
teaching them the commandments of God and the basic
teachings of the Church.
C. Parents must teach their children the prayers that a
Catholic must know by heart, like the Sign of the Cross,
the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Apostles’
Creed, the Act of Contrition, etc.
D. Parents must lead their children to the frequent reception
of the Sacraments, especially of the Eucharist.
E. Parents themselves must know and live their Christian
faith. In this way, they will be the first examples of mature
Christian living to their children.
11
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Rule Parents
• Parents seek Baptism for their
children, and speak on their
behalf at the Baptism.
• Help the child fulfill the true
meaning of the sacrament.
•
As parents, you promised in the
name of your child to renounce
sin and the devil, and to live the
faith according to the teachings
of Christ and His Church.
• They carry the child the
baptismal font, hold the lighted
candle, to receive confirmation,
and to participate in the
Eucharist.
• “Through the grace of the
sacrament of marriage, parents
receive the responsibility and
privilege of evangelizing their
children.
• Parents should initiate their
children at an early age into the
mysteries of the faith of which
they are the “first heralds” for
their children. They should
associate them from their
tenderest years with the life of
the Church.
Godparents or Sponsors
• The godfather and godmother
must be firm believers able and
ready to help the newly baptized
on the road of Christian life.
• Godparents bear the
responsibility of safeguarding
the grace given at Baptism.
• Representatives of the church
• They have the duty of providing
proper religious education to
their godchildren in case the
natural parents cannot carry out
this function.
11. Responsibilities of Godparents
A. Godparents must assist the parents in the Christian
upbringing of their godchildren.
B. Godparents must assume the duties and responsibilities of
the parents, especially if the parents are unable or fail to
provide for the religious training of the children.
C. A godparent must be a Catholic who has been baptized
and confirmed and has received the Eucharist.
D. A godparent must not be less than 16 years of age.
E. A godparent must be able to provide the child with an
example of good Christian living by being a practising
Catholic. A non-catholic is not suitable to stand as
principal sponsor at Baptism.
The ultimate goal of a disciple is not just doing what the Master did but to
be led and guided by the Master’s spirit.
A young man was apprenticed to a master artist who produced the most
beautiful stained glass windows anywhere. The apprentice could not
approach the master’s genius, so he borrowed his master’s tools, thinking
that was the answer. After several weeks, the young man said to his
teacher, “ I am not doing any better with your tools than I did with mine.”
The teacher replied, “So, it’s not the tools of the master you need; it’s the
spirit of the master you are in need of.”
(John Fuehllenbach, SVD, Proclaiming His Kingdom, p.79)
12
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Ideally, it is best to weave the
Inspirational Story into your Talk.
Openers that actively engage the
audience's imagination are very
effective, like, "Just yesterday, a
friend told me...", "Last Sunday...",
"On my way to work this morning..."
Setting up the story as part of your
personal experience even works
better. To end, try a short pause,
a change of tone or a shift in body
language. All these signal a start of
a new segment in your talk without
saying "that's the end of the story."
You may also use one of the
alternative stories or inspirational
reflections written for this module.
ALTERNATIVE STORIES
•
Holy Heroes
by Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ
(page 24)
•
Legend of the Candle
from 100 Stories you can use
(page 179)
•
Valentines
by Dale Galloway
(page 179)
2
INSPIRATIONAL STORY
Changed Lives
Tim Kimmel, Stories for the Heart compiled by Alice Gray, 1996
I
n 1921 Lewis Lawes
became the warden at
Sing Sing Prison. No
prison was tougher than
Sing Sing during that time.
But when Warden Lawes
retired some 20 years later,
that prison had become a
humanitarian institution.
Those who studied the
system said credit for the
change belonged to Lawes.
But when he was asked about the transformation, here’s what he said:
“I owe it all to my wonderful wife, Catherine, who is buried outside the
prison walls.”
Catherine Lawes was a young mother with three small children when her
husband became the warden. Everybody warned her from the beginning
that she should never set foot inside the prison walls, but that didn’t stop
Catherine! When the first prison basketball game was held, she went…
walking into the gym with her three beautiful kids and she sat in the
stands with the inmates.
Her attitude was: “My husband and I are going to take care of these men
and I believe they will take care of me! I don’t have to worry!”
She insisted on getting acquainted with them and their records. She
discovered one convicted murderer was blind so she paid him a visit.
Holding his hand in hers she said, “Do you read Braille?”
“What’s Braille?” he asked. Then she taught him how to read. Years later
he would weep in love for her.
Later, Catherine found a deaf-mute in prison. She went to school to learn
how to use sign language. Many said that Catherine Lawes was the body
of Jesus that came alive again in Sing Sing from 1921 to 1937.
Then, she was killed in a car accident. The next morning Lewis Lawes
didn’t come to work, so the acting warden took his place. It seemed almost
instantly that the prison knew something was wrong.
The following day, her body was resting is a casket in her home, threequarters of a mile from the prison. As the acting warden took his early
morning walk he was shocked to see a large crowd of the toughest,
hardest-looking criminals gathered like a herd of animals at the main
gate. He came closer and noted tears of grief and sadness. He knew how
much they loved Catherine. He turned and faced the men, “All right, men,
you can go. Just be sure and check in tonight!” Then he opened the gate
and a parade of criminals walked, without a guard, the three-quarters of
a mile to stand in line to pay their final respects to Catherine Lawes. And
every one of them checked back in. Every one!
13
THREE
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
I nte g ration
Note: Invite the participants to sit
with their groupmates. From their
small group, select their prayer
partner.
1
INTERIORIZING ACTIVITY
Prepare the venue and the
material/s needed for this activity.
(A candle can be placed in the center
of the venue or it can be placed in
front.)
A Renewal
of Baptismal Promises
SILENCING
1.
a few minutes to settle and be
comfortable.
2. With soft meditative music,
lead the participants to recall
the inputs from the Sacrament
of Baptism. (“Having learned
about the Sacrament of
Baptism, let us do the Renewal
of Baptismal Promises as a
reminder for us that we are
freed from sin and reborn as
sons and daughters of God.
We become members of Christ
and are incorporated into the
Church and made sharers in
its mission to love and serve
others”)
Song: Isang Pananampalataya (Refrain & 1st verse only)
Koro: Isang pananampalataya , isang pagbibinyag
Isang Panginoon, angkinin nating lahat
Habilin ni Hesus, noong Siya’y lumisan
Kayo ay magkatipon sa pagmamahalan
(Koro)
Facilitator:
What do you ask of God’s Church?
All: FAITH
(Facilitator)
Partner:
“Christ has called you to be his friend. Mark your
forehead with the sign of the cross. It is the sign of
Christians; let it remind you always of Christ and
how much He loves you.”
Facilitator:
Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of
the children of God?
All:
“I do.”
5. Ask the participants to face their
prayer partner and make the
sign of the cross on the forehead
of their prayer partner while
saying: “Christ has called...”
Facilitator:
Do you reject the lure of evil, so that sin my have no
mastery over you?
All: “I do.”
6. The participants (baptized)
are then invited to renew their
Baptismal Promises.
Facilitator:
Do you reject Satan, the author and prince of sin?
All: “I do.”
SINGING
3. Distribute the copies of the
song or project them using an
LCD projector as participants
join in the singing of “Isang
Pananampalataya”.
4. Lead the assembly to sing the
Refrain and the 1st verse and
can be repeated 2-3 times.
RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL
PROMISES
•
14
NOTE: This can be incorporated
at Mass at the end of the
session/day if there is a priest to
celebrate with the participants.
Facilitator:
“This is our Faith. This is the faith of the Church. We
are proud to profess it, in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
7. A candle, representing the
baptismal candle, the Light of
Christ, that we each received
at baptism, is lit and “Isang
Pananampalataya” (Refrain and
2nd verse only) is sung.
All: “Amen.”
(Facilitator)
Song: Isang Pananampalataya (Refrain & 2nd verse only)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
8. Continue singing “Isang
Pananampalataya” (Refrain and
3rd & 4th verses) is sung:
Ama pakinggan Mo ang aming panalangin
Dalisay na pag-ibig sa ami’y lumapit (Koro)
Facilitator: “The light of Christ has been entrusted to you. Keep
it burning brightly until you meet the Lord in the
heavenly kingdom”
“Let us now profess our faith in God and in His
Church.”
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator
of heaven and earth?
All: “I do believe.”
Facilitator: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our
Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
death and was buried, rose again from the dead and
is seated at the right hand of the Father?
R: “I do believe.”
Facilitator:
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
everlasting?
R: “I do believe.”
Song: Isang Pananampalataya (Refrain, 3rd & 4th verses)
Mga alagad ko pa’no makikilala
Tapat nilang pag-ibig wala nang iba pa. (Koro)
Kaya nga O Ama, sana’y iyong hawian
Ang aming mga puso ng mga alitan (Koro)
15
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
REFLECTION
1.
Continue to guide the
participants for the next
activity. (or you might ask the
participants to go on a break
before starting the workshop/
sharing session)
2. Invite the participants to sit
with their groupmates.
3. Allow them to take a few
minutes to relax their bodies.
their experience while doing the
Baptismal Promises.
5. From the inputs given prepare
the groups for the session.
6. Show the activity using an
LCD , (in case there is no
LCD), distribute the reflection
questions. Guide them through
the activity.
7. Ask the groups to assign a
facilitator/team leader for this
activity.
2
REFLECTION
Sa liwanag ng mga pangako ng binyag ano
ang mga nais kong:
SARIWAIN
(Refresh)
BAGUHIN
(Renew)
PAG-IBAYUHIN
(Strengthen)
Bilang isang BINYAGAN at Laykong lingkod ng simbahan,
ano ang matingkad na tawag sa akin ng Diyos upang ako
ay maging kaisa niya sa Kanyang misyon?
8. (Individual Reflection) Invite
the participants to reflect on
their work and see how God has
spoken to them.
9. (Group Sharing) Invite the
participants to share their
reflections/ work with the
group.
If love needs truth, truth also needs love. Love and truth are
inseparable. Without love, truth becomes cold, impersonal and
oppressive for people’s day-to-day lives. The truth we seek, the
truth that gives meaning to our journey through life, enlightens
us whenever we are touched by love. One who loves realizes
that love is an experience of truth, that it opens our eyes to see
reality in a new way, in union with the beloved.
– Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei # 17.
16
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
YOU ARE GOD’S BELOVED
Note to the Facilitator:
This section was based on the book
of Henri Nouwen, the Life of the
Beloved.
It is recommended that you read the
book and digest the richness of his
reflections. It will help you deepen
the discussions/reflections for this
part of the module.
1.
Help the participants recall
some of the verses from the
Word of God taken from the
Gospel of John Chapter 15:
verses 4-9.
2. Tell the participants that they
are “God’s Beloved”.
3. Use the different Scripture
passages that tell us that Jesus
is God’s Beloved Son.
•
•
•
•
Matthew 3:17; 4:1
Matthew 12:18
Mark 1:11
Mark 9:7
3
INTEGRATION
You have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You are now God’s
Beloved
'This is my Son, the
Beloved; my favour
rests on him.' Matthew 3:17 - 4:1
Look! My servant
whom I have chosen,
my beloved, in whom
my soul delights, I
will send my Spirit
upon him, and he will
present judgement
to the nations. Matthew 12:18
NATIVITY BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered
them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came
a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my
favour. Listen to him.' - Matthew 17:5
A voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my
favour rests on you.
- Mark 1:11
FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING
POINTS
WE ARE GOD’S BELOVED.
Let God’s voice reverberate in your
heart, “You are my Beloved.”
- you may ask the participants to
look at each other / look at their
seatmate and say, “You are God’s
Beloved”.
1.
Ask the participants, “When was
the last time somebody told you,
“You are dear to me...”, “You are
precious”.... “ I accept you for
what you are....”.
I LOVE
YOU.... I LOVE YOU VERY
MUCH.....
And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the
cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen
to him. - Mark 9:7
L
et God’s voice reverberate in your heart,
“You are my Beloved.”
When was the last time somebody told you, “You are dear to me..
You are precious… I accept you for what you are… I LOVE YOU…
I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH."
God is offering us a relationship: You are my Beloved, allow me
to love you and make you my beloved.
Our relationships are all about that: giving each other the gift of
our belovedness.
Oftentimes, it is not easy to hear that voice in a world that is
filled with noise and negative voices: You are not good enough,
you are ugly, you are impossible, you are despicable, you are
17
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
2. Tell the participants that God is
offering a relationship: He said:
“You are my Beloved, allow me
to love you and make you my
beloved.”
3. Focus on this statement: “You
are my Beloved, allow me to
love you and make your my
beloved.”
4. Ask the participants to reflect
on what Henri Nouwen said
about being the “Beloved” and
about “self-rejection.”
(Optional) You might want to
ask the participants to share for
a few minutes on their insights.
BECOMING GOD’S BELOVED
1.
We are already God’s Beloved.
But “How can we become the
beloved?” “What does one
do to become the beloved?”
- “Becoming the Beloved
means letting the truth of
our Belovedness enfleshed in
everything we think, say or do.”
2. To become the beloved, we need
to allow the movements of the
Spirit in our lives.
3. We need to be TAKEN,
BLESSED, BROKEN, and
GIVEN.
nobody --- unless you prove
otherwise.
Sometimes the opposite voices
of belovedness are so loud
and persistent that we tend to
believe and own them already.
And that is the time when
we fall into the trap of selfrejection.
Henri Nouwen in his book, Life
of the beloved, where this whole
topic of “Belovedness”
is based on, said that “the
greatest trap in our life is not
success, popularity or power,
CRUCIFIED BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
but self-rejection.” They are a
great temptation but they are just a part of a much larger and
deeper temptation which is the self-rejection. Nouwen added that
“When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless
and unlovable, then success, popularity and power are easily
perceived as attractive solutions”
Self-rejection then becomes the greatest enemy of spiritual life
because it reiterates our negative image of ourselves. Selfrejection despises the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved”.
Our acceptance of our belovedness reveals the core truth of our
being, the sole nature of our soul.
Becoming God’s Beloved
We are already God’s beloved, but we still have “to become”
the beloved. It is a great spiritual journey that we take in
life. Becoming the Beloved means letting the truth of our
Belovedness enfleshed in everything we think, say or do.
“My soul is restless until it rests in you”
- St. Augustine
“If it is true that we not only are the Beloved, but also have to
become the Beloved; if it is true that we not only are the children
of God, but also have to become children of God; if it is true.
To become the beloved, we need to allow the movements of the
Spirit in our lives. There are four movements we can enter into:
TAKEN, BLESSED, BROKEN and GIVEN
A. TAKEN
TAKEN/CHOSEN
1.
18
You can show a picture of a
father embracing his/her son/
daughter.
I
t is important that we recognize our being the Beloved
before so we can choose to become one. The first step to a
spiritual life is to acknowledge that we are so loved by God.
Another word for “take” which may be warmer to use is
“choose”. As children of God, we are God’s chosen ones.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
2. The first step in our spiritual
journey is to acknowledge our
belovedness, that we are loved
unconditionally and chosen by
God.
(Show pictures of the Creation
Story – Genesis 1-2.)
3. That God loves us and intended
the best for us. That God has a
wonderful plan for us.
How do we get in touch with our chosenness when we are
surrounded by rejections?
a. You have to keep unmasking the world about you for
what it is: manipulative, controlling, power-hungry,
and in the long run, destructive. The world tells many
lies about who you are.
b. You have to keep looking for people and places where
truth is spoken and where you are reminded of your
deepest identity as the chosen one.
c. You have to celebrate your chosenness constantly:
This means saying “thank you” to God for having
chosen you, and “thank you” to those who remind you
of your chosenness.
(Show a picture of a person
being rejected.)
4. Ask this question as you show
the picture.
- How can we acknowledge
our belovedness when we are
constantly surrounded by
rejections?
Ask the participants to share their
ideas about the following:
• You keep unmasking the world
about you for what it is.
• You have to keep looking for
people and places where truth
is spoken. (Be with people who
speak of the truth).
• You have to celebrate your
chosenness constantly by
saying, “Thank you” to God
and to others who continually
remind you that God has chosen
you.
COMMUNITY BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
BLESSED
1.
As God’s beloved, we are
blessed.
B. BLESSED
A
s God’s Beloved, we are blessed. In Latin, to bless is
"benedicere". The word “benediction” used in many
churches means literally: speaking (dictio) well (bene) or
saying or speaking well of the other. If God is blessing us,
then God speaks well, feels well, thinks well of us. We need to
affirm one another, thus bless one another.
We can bless one another in two ways:
2. Reiterate to the participants
that if God is blessing us, then
God speaks well, feels well,
thinks well of us. And as a
beloved, we need to affirm one
another, and thus bless one
another.
a. Prayer. At prayer, we keep silent with God. We
are with God and listen to him. At prayer, we come
close and be one with God at prayer. There, we are
embraced by God and loved for who we are.
19
b. Cultivation of presence.
It means attentiveness to the blessings that come to
you day by day, year after year. Our world today
engages us into so many things that we can no longer
be present even with ourselves.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
3. There are 2 ways to bless one
another:
• Prayer
• Cultivation of presence
BROKEN
(Show a picture of a tree trunk with
nodes.)
1.
The nodes/holes of the trunk
of the tree can mean the pains
that the tree went through
in its lifetime. What makes
a tree strong are its nodes.
Withstanding the different
storms that come.
2. We can compare ourselves with
the nodes of the tree. All of us
experience brokenness. “I am
broken”, “You are broken”. Just
like the nodes of the tree trunk,
they are tangible and concretely
seen in our lives.
C. BROKEN
A
ll of us has an experience of brokenness. I am broken. You
are broken. They are so tangible and concretely seen in
our lives.
Our brokenness is ours. We know what they are. No one else
can take responsibility of them. We have been pained and
suffered because of them. However, our brokenness touch
our uniqueness and our most intimate individuality. Our
brokenness is as unique as our chosenness and blessedness.
How can we respond to our brokenness?
a. Face it squarely and befriend it. The natural
reaction to pain and suffering is to avoid it, to keep
it away, circumvent or deny it. We have to find the
courage to face and embrace our brokenness. Our
suffering need not be a hindrance to our spiritual life,
they can even be a catalyst to facilitate growth within
and outside among people who were a part of the
woundedness.
b. Put our brokenness under the blessing. Putting
our brokenness under the blessing is a pre-condition
to befriending it. Befriending our brokenness and
putting it under blessing do make things less painful
or easy. It also does not mean that it will go away. But
embracing it and bringing it into the light. The One
who calls us the Beloved can make our brokenness
shine like a diamond.
3. Continue by saying: “Our
brokenness is ours. No one
else can take responsibility of
them. We have been pained
and suffered because of them.
However, our brokenness
touch our uniqueness and our
most intimate individuality.
Our “nodes” or “brokenness”
makes us stronger to face life’s
challenges.
“How can we respond to our
brokenness?”
Show this through power point.
• Face it squarely and befriend it.
• Put our brokenness under the
blessing.
GIVEN/ SHARED
(Show pictures of different people
who unconditionally share their
blessings to others.)
1.
20
Share to the participants that
the more we are “broken” the
more we can share ourselves to
others.
D. GIVEN
W
e are blessed and broken so as to be given. Our chosen,
blessed and broken have their fulfillment in being given.
In giving whatever we received, it becomes clear that we are
chosen, blessed and broken not simply for our own sakes, but so
that all we live finds significance in its being lived for others.
How can we be a Given Beloved?
a. Our life is the greatest gift we can give.
Oftentimes, we think about our being given to each
other, what comes immediately to mind are our
unique talents: those abilities to do special things
especially well. We tend to forget though that our
greatest gift is who we are and what we can do.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING
POINTS:
2. Our chosen, blessed and broken
have their fulfilment of being
given. In giving whatever we
received, it becomes clear
that we are chosen, blessed
and broken not simply for our
own sake, but so that we find
significance in its being lived for
others.
b. We are called to offer ourselves not only in life,
but in death as well. As God’s Beloved Children,
we are called to make our death the greatest gift. We
have affirmed that we have been taken, blessed, and
broken so as to be given, then our final brokenness,
death, is to make our death the means to our final gift
of self.
3. Ask this question to the
participants: How can we be a
given beloved?
•
•
Our life is the greatest gift we
can give.
We are called to offer ourselves
not only in life, but in death as
well.
2
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
Ask the participants to reflect
on the following questions.
2. The reflection questions may
be flashed on the LCD monitor
or can be distributed to each
participant.
3. Give them time to reflect
individually and after a few
minutes ask the participants
to go to their groups and share
to them their discoveries and
insights while reflecting and
answering the questions.
4. If there is still time, you may
call 2-4 participants to share
to the assembly their insights
about the Sacrament of Baptism
and how we as Lay belong to
God’s family.
REFLECTION
1. After renewing your baptismal vows, what new
insights and discoveries have you learned from this
sacrament?
2. Baptism introduces us to the world of being a Lay
in the Catholic Church. Can you say that you can
now readily recognize the bond among your fellow
lay and appreciate the sense of belongingness?
Why or why not?
3. If you feel that gift of belongingness in the Church,
in what way does this compare to feeling God’s
belovedness?
4. As a baptized person, how can you truly live out
your being God’s beloved?
21
FOUR
C losin g P ra y er
1
PRAYER
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24
O
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1 | READ SLOWLY
Prayerfully read the Psalm-Prayer,
allowing the participants to “soak in”
the richness of the scripture. Read
the Psalm-Prayer twice, without
hurry.
2 | CHOOSE A WORD
Invite the participants to identify
a word or phrase that stands out
for them, a word or phrase that is
significant for them.
3 | MANTRA
Invite them to savor this word or
phrase. Ask the participants to
continually repeat the word or
phrase in their minds, like a mantra.
4 | SILENCE
Invite everyone to be silent and
listen to what feelings or thoughts
arise within them as they create
space for God to speak to them
through the Psalm-Prayer.
22
L ord, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.
My travels and my rest you mark;
with all my ways you are familiar.
Even before a word is on my tongue, LORD, you know it all.
Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon
me.
Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.
Where can I hide from your spirit?
From your presence, where can I flee?
If I ascend to the heavens, you are there;
if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too.
If I fly with the wings of dawn and alight beyond the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me
fast.
If I say, “Surely darkness shall hide me,
and night shall be my light” –
Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day.
Darkness and light are but one.
You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s
womb.
I praise you, so wonderfully you made me;
wonderful are your works! My very self you knew;
my bones were not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
fashioned as in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written
down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.
How precious to me are your designs, O God;
how vast the sum of them!
Were I to count, they would outnumber the sands;
to finish, I would need eternity…
Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my concerns.
See if my way is crooked, then lead me in the ancient paths.
2
ALTERNATIVE
SONGS
CLOSING SONG
• YOUTH
I Love the Lord
(Bukas Palad)Hillsong)
• POOR
In My Heart
(Bukas Palad)
Your Heart Today
(Bukas Palad)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1 | PREPARATION
As you finish the prayer, distribute
copies of the closing song or project
them using an LCD projector.
2 | SINGING
Internalize the lyrics of the song.
3 | END
You may end the song with a “kiss of
peace” or “hug of peace”.
You Are Mine
David Haas
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near
I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me
Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name
Chorus:
Come and follow Me
I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live
Chorus:
Come and follow Me
23
INSPIRATIONAL REFLECTIONS
Holy Heroes
H
oly Heroes! Can one be holy without being
heroic or be a hero without being holy? Can
one character exist without the other?
When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a doctor.
One of our lessons then was about Rizal and other
Filipino heroes. I was inspired by their “dying
for the freedom of their fellow Filipinos and for
the liberation of our country”. I don’t remember
what I exactly thought of , but I was sure it was
an “inspiration of a young person” to do something
heroic other the people. Like Rizal, I dreamt of
becoming a doctor. I imagined myself going up
to the mountains , living with the poor, taking
care of and curing their illnesses to the best of my
ability. It was an exciting thought and I set myself
out towards the dream. As I shared them with my
classmates, they also formulated their own desires
to do heroic deeds.
As I went through life with the guidance of my family
and company of friends. I pursued an academic
degree for medical school. In the process though, I
came into a deeper consciousness of God’s love and
presence in my life. More than my dream to become
a doctor, I was more amazed at and fascinated that
I am so loved by God. I started to see my blessings,
that everything is a gift. And gifts are meant to be
shared with others especially to those in need.
I desired to know God more. I developed a deep
relationship with Christ. I thought that he was
more than a hero, he did not only free his people, he
saved them. He is now saving us. He is leading me
to become holy. But whether a hero or a holy one, it
requires one thing: offering of one’s life.
This led me to the desire to know God more
through our Lord Jesus Christ. I developed a deep
relationship with him and contemplated deeply on
his faith in the Father and his dying for me because
he loves me. The purpose of my life became clearer,
a life with God. I wanted to be a “hero” but this time
with a new spirit, “heroism with holiness” or is it
“holiness with heroism”?
A decision had to be made, medical school to be a
“doctor –hero in the mountain” or religious life, not
to mention the consequence of giving up the dream
of having a family of my own. The call became
loud and clear: to live a life for others not only
by sharing my talents but by doing heroic deeds
with Jesus. My childhood dream to be a doctor so
that I can serve and the call to live a life with Jesus
became one. With the added inspiration at that
time, “my youth is the most beautiful part of my life,
and I want to offer my best to God”, I left behind
my dream to serve as a doctor. Knowing that I am
with God, who will help me to the “path of holiness”,
while serving others, that is enough for me.
Having lived religious life for many years already,
sometimes, I still wonder, did I choose holiness or
heroism? I got no clear answer until I realized that
I was asking the wrong question. A better question
may be: Can heroism be real without holiness and
vice versa? Can I be “holy” without being “heroic”?
If ever there is a real difference between the two,
or whichever comes first, I don’t think I can ever
pinpoint the drawing line. At least, in my experience,
I don’t think holiness can exist without heroism
especially in giving one’s life for others. They lift up
or reinforce the other to enter into the depths of my
being where God is. They point to the very truth
of my existence, my being God’s beloved, where the
call to become a holy- hero emanates.
I am God’s beloved, called to be a holy-hero.
Tinawag ako upang maging banal na bayani. It is
a lifetime journey, and I am on it. We are all on this
journey together.
I may have not become a “heroic” doctor, but
I have been led to a life where there are many
opportunities to do heroic deeds, not because I want
it, but because, Jesus calls me to do it. Moreover, I
am grateful to my life where I am able to live, work,
share with and receive from the many holy-heroes
from all states and walks of life.
by Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ
1 October 2013. Written for Holy Heroes (Banal na Bayani),
Formation Modules for the Year of the Laity
24
MODULE 2 • LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE TO BE A HERO
2
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay down your life
to be a Hero
SECTORS TO SHARE
MONTHLY
JUBILEES
(informal settlers,
contractual workers)
Young Professionals
Farmers, Fisherfolks
and Laborers (FAFILAB)
NEIGHBOR BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
25
In 1982 Pope John Paul II canonized Fr. Maximilian Kolbe,
a Polish Franciscan, who gave his life so that the father of a
family might be saved from the gas chamber. At the time of his
beatification some years later a television interviewer asked
this man whose life had been spared what it felt like to have
been saved from death, to have another man die that one might
himself be spared. The saved man replied, “ever since that day
I feel that I have been walking in another man’s shoes. I feel
impelled to live with his attitudes, by the values for which he
lived and died.
(cf. Proclaiming His Kingdom, John Fuehllenbach, p. 89)
26
2
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay down your life
to be a Hero
MODULE GUIDE
I. Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Awareness of God
Word of God
Reflection
Prayer of Petitions
Prayer
Closing Song
II. Content and Talking Points
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Reflection
Pastoral Exhortation of the CBCP
for the Year of the Laity
Workshop: Photolanguage
Heroism Video Clips
Buhay Rizal
Workshop: Values of Heroism
Inspirational Story
SPECIAL PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
•
(informal settlers, contractual
workers)
•
Young Professionals
•
Laborers (FAFILAB)
III.Integration
My “Mi Ultimo Adios”
IV.Closing Prayer
Prayer
Closing Song
27
ONE
MATERIALS
O penin g P ra y er
candles)
• (Optional) Powerpoint of song lyrics
or video of song
1
OPENING SONG
Veni Sancte Spiritus
(Taize)
FACILITATOR’S GUIDE
Veni Sancte Spiritus (repeat)
SILENCING
1.
comfortable.
“Love of God for us.”
(Optional) Using a Singing Bowl or Gong,
strike the bowl/gong three times (allowing
the sound to resonate) to facilitate silencing
before the start of the prayer.
ALTERNATIVE SONGS
• YOUTH
Breath of God
• POOR
Come Holy Spirit
I Need You
Spirit Song
2
AWARENESS OF GOD
OPENING SONG
opening song.
You may also use Alternative Songs
or Songs that are appropriate to
your participants.
Be aware of what the lyrics of the
song is trying to tell you about
God’s spirit is ever present in our
lives.
PREPARATION
5. Slowly, bring the participants
to journey with you as you all
prepare your hearts to be holy.
AWARENESS OF GOD
6. The following texts can be used
for reflection: Option 1: Reflection
from Joyce Rupp; Option 2:
Psalm-Prayer for Forgiveness
Spark of God, Spirit of Life!
I remember and celebrate your dwelling within me.
Divine Fire, you never waver
in your faithful presence.
Amid the seasons of life,
you are my inner illumination.
Ever-present Light, the spark of your inspiration
has been with me in every moment of my life,
always available to lead and guide me.
Eternal Joy, the dancing flames of your joy
are reflected in my happiness and in the many ways
that I delight in life.
Spirit of God, your fiery presence gives me passion
for what is vital and deserving of my enthusiasm.
Blazing Love, the radiant glow
of your compassion fills me with awareness,
kindness, and understanding.
28
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
PREPARATION FOR THE READING
OF THE WORD OF GOD
7. After reading/singing of the
reflection, slowly prepare the
participants for the Word of
God.
Purifying Flame, your refining fire
transforms me as I experience
life's sorrow, pain, and discouragement.
Radiant Presence, your steady flame
of unconditional love kindles my faithful
and enduring relationships.
Luminous One, you breathed love into me
at my birthing and your love will be with me
as I breath my last.
Thank you for being a shining Spark of Life
within me.
- Joyce Rupp
PSALM-PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
Psalm 32
How blessed are those whose offence
is forgiven, whose sin blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh
imputes no guilt, whose spirit
harbours no deceit.
I said not a word, but my bones wasted away
from groaning all the day;
Day and night your hand lay heavy upon me;
my heart grew parched as stubble
in summer drought.
I made my sin known to you,
did not conceal my guilt.
I said, 'I shall confess my offence to Yahweh.'
And you, for your part, took away
my guilt, forgave my sin.
That is why each of your faithful ones
prays to you in time of distress.
Even if great floods overflow,
they will never reach your faithful.
You are a refuge for me,
you guard me in trouble,
with songs of deliverance you surround me.
29
I shall instruct you and teach you
the way to go;
I shall not take my eyes off you.
Be not like a horse or a mule;
that does not understand bridle or bit;
if you advance to master them,
there is no means of bringing them near.
Countless troubles are in store for the wicked,
but one who trusts in Yahweh
is enfolded in his faithful love.
Rejoice in Yahweh, exult all you upright,
shout for joy, you honest of heart.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
READING THE WORD
reading.
Alternative Scripture you can
use:
ALTERNATIVE
SCRIPTURE
• YOUTH
Luke 9:23-25
• POOR
Matthew 5: 13-16
John 21: 3-7
3
WORD OF GOD
John 15: 9-14
I have loved you just as the Father has loved me.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my own joy
may be in you and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
No one can have greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
30
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
REFLECTION
reflect.
(Optional) SHARING
share.
FACILITATOR’S
GUIDE
participant to read it aloud or do
it yourself.
Laity.
4
REFLECTION
Do you recognize
that as the Father
has loved the
Son, the Son has
personally loved
each one of us,
including oneself?
Being loved by
Jesus, everyone is
called to share and
offer his/her life
for others. Are you
ready to follow in
his footsteps?
Youth
Poor
Disillusioned Catholics
We are asked to
carry our own
crosses. Do you
recognize and accept
the crosses which
you carry in life?
Being poor has
many meanings.
What other
poverties do you
see in the world
around you?
Like Peter, have you
doubted the Lord in
your life?
In denying the
enticements of the
world, are you
willing to lay down
your life for Jesus
and others?
In your present
situation, what is
your poverty and
what is it trying to
tell you?
intention.
What is the Lord
trying to tell you in this
Scriptural Passage?
5
PRAYER OF PETITION
Heavenly Father,
SPECIAL
PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
(informal settlers,
contractual workers)
Young Professionals
Farmers, Fisherfolks
and Laborers
(FAFILAB)
You have given us grace to pray with one heart
and one voice; and have promised to hear
the prayers of two or three who gather in your name;
fulfill now, we pray, the prayers and longings
of your people.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well being
of the holy Church of God, and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord, Hear Us
31
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
PRAYER
13. End the Prayer of Petition
with a prayer from
emmauscommunity.net
6
PRAYER
Lord God,
as you sent forth your Spirit,
so too you send us forth
as agents of your kingdom.
Clarify your call to us.
Give us courage to do
whatever is asked.
May we come to realize
the dignity of our unique
vocation and rejoice in its entrustment.
Show us the heart of Mary
as we attempt
to emulate her commitment.
Send us forth with joy and trust.
- emmauscommunity.net
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
CLOSING SONG
14. End the prayer with a song.
Ask the participants to follow
and join in the singing of
the Taize song “Sa Diyos
Magpapasalamat”
ALTERNATIVE
SONG
• Open our Eyes Lord
32
7
CLOSING SONG
Sa Diyos Magpapasalamat (Taize)
Sa Diyos magpapasalamat
sa kanya'y magagalak
Masdan Siya at huwag mangamba
Siya'y kapiling, Siya'y Ama
Siya'y kapiling, Siya'y Ama.
In the Lord I'll be ever thankful,
in the Lord I will rejoice.
Look to God, do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices the Lord is near
lift up your voices the Lord is near
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
TWO
C ontent
Lay down your Life
to be a Hero
1
TALK
The Sacrament of
Confirmation
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
Emphasize that “this sacrament
confirms and strenthens the
baptismal grace.”
•
Change the tone of your voice
when saying “mature” and
“witnesses” to put emphasis on
the words.
•
You may ask the participants
if they know when did the first
Confirmation in the Spirit
happen.
1. What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
 The Sacrament of Confirmation is the efficient sign of
grace that confers the Holy Spirit. It is called Confirmation
because this sacrament confirms and strengthens the
baptismal grace. Through the Holy Spirit, we become
mature Christians and witnesses of Christ, in words and
deeds, until death.
2. When did Jesus institute the Sacrament of
Confirmation?
 Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confirmation when
he said: ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you - he
breathed on them and said - Receive the Holy Spirit” (John
20:21-22). The first Confirmation in the Spirit happened
on Pentecost Day (33 AD), when the Holy Spirit came over
the Virgin Mary and the twelve apostles gathered in the
Cenacle of Jerusalem (Acts 2).
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FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
You may demonstrate the laying
of hands done by the Bishop.
THE MATTER OF CONFIRMATION
1. What is the matter of Confirmation?
 The matter of Confirmation is the laying of hands and
Sacred Chrism.
2. What is the meaning of the laying hands?
 The laying hands signifies the coming of the Spirit. It is in
accordance with the example of the apostles: “Peter and
John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit”
(Acts 8:17).
•
You may also show them a
sample of the Sacred Chrism.
•
Emphasize that the Chrism
is consecrated by the bishop
during the Chrism Mass on
Holy Thursday.
•
Narrate the story that in the
Old Age, people are anointed
and became kings, prophets
and priests. The Sacred Chrism
symbolizes and makes us share
in the ministry of Christ.
•
Highlight the word Christian
which means “anointed”.
3. What is the Sacred Chrism?
The Sacred Chrism is olive oil mixed
with perfume. The Chrism is consecrated
by the bishop during the Chrism Mass
on Holy Thursday at the cathedral. The
perfume signifies the sweet fragrance of
Christ that every Christian must bring into
the world.
The Sacred Chrism makes us share in
the prophetic, kingly, and priestly ministry
of Christ, since in the Old Testament
people became prophets, kings, and priests
by anointing. Isaiah was anointed prophet (Isaiah 61:1),
Saul was anointed king (1 Samuel 10: I), and Aaron was
anointed priest (Leviticus 8:12). The anointing highlights
the name Christ and Christian, which means anointed.
THE FORM OF CONFIRMATION
1. What is the “form” of Confirmation?
•
You may also demonstrate or
act the form by making a sign
of the cross with your thumb
and saying the form/words, “Be
sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit”.
•
The slap on the cheek is simply
an awakening reminder that
we are soldiers of Christ and
we must fight bravely for the
Kingdom.
34
 The form is the prayer spoken by the Bishop to administer
the Sacrament of Confirmation. After laying his hands and
anointing the forehead of the candidate with the Sacred
Chrism, by making with the thumb a sign of the cross, the
Bishop says: Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
2. What is the meaning of the slap on the cheek?
 Traditionally, after the anointing and the laying of hands,
the bishop slaps the cheek of the candidate to signify
bravery. Since the candidate is now a “soldier of Christ”
(Miles Christi), he must fight bravely for the Kingdom of
God.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
Name three effects of
Confirmation.
THE EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION
1. What are the effects of Confirmation?
 The Sacrament of Confirmation has three effects: 1) gives
the Holy Spirit, 2) makes us mature Christians, 3) imprints
the character.
2. What is the “character” of Confirmation?
•
Highlight that the character is
an indelible mark signifying our
total belonging to Christ.
 The character of Confirmation is a spiritual seal that
consecrates us to Christ. As St. Paul said: “God has put
his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as
a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:22). The character is an
indelible mark signifying our total belonging to Christ. It is
similar to the seal marked on the soldiers to indicate their
loyalty to their leader, or the seal used on a document to
make it authentic. Baptism and Ordination also imprint
the character; therefore these three sacraments cannot be
erased nor repeated.
THE CANDIDATES FOR CONFIRMATION
1. Who can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?
•
•
•
•
Emphasize that a candidate may
receive the sacrament after he
reached the age of reason, and
after due preparation.
The age of reason varies in
different dioceses throughout
the country, but seven year old
is generally accepted.
Children may be Confirmed in
special cases, such as during in
danger of death.
Adults receive at the same time
the Sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist.
 Every baptized Catholic can and should receive the
sacrament of Confirmation after he reached the age of
reason, generally accepted as seven years, and after due
preparation. Presently, in most countries, Confirmation is
given anywhere between seven and eighteen years of age.
In danger of death, or for special cases, children can also
be confirmed.
2. What is the case for adult candidates?
 The adult catechumens ought to receive at the same
time Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. If the adult
candidate is already baptized, he can receive Confirmation
anytime after due preparation.
3. Do we need to prepare before receiving
Confirmation?
•
The four basic pillars of our
faith should be emphasized.
- Creed
- Sacraments
- Commandments
- Prayer
•
Name the Sacraments,
highlighting the Sacrament of
Penance and its importance.
 The candidates for Confirmation should be properly
prepared: generally, in the four basic pillars of our
faith (creed, sacraments, commandments, prayer); and
specifically, in the understanding of the Holy Spirit (his
manifestations and gifts) and in their mature participation
to the life and mission of the Church.
4. Do we need to go to Confession before receiving
Confirmation?
 Yes, we do. In order to celebrate the Sacrament of
Confirmation we must be in the state of grace; therefore,
we should first receive the Sacrament of Penance.
35
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
5. Can we receive Confirmation more than once?
 No, we cannot, because Confirmation imprints an indelible
character on our soul, that cannot be erased nor repeated.
THE GODPARENTS
1. Is there a need for godparents at Confirmation?
 Yes; each candidate for Confirmation should be
accompanied by one godparent (sponsor), preferably the
same one of Baptism.
2. What is the mission of the godparents?
•
Elaborate on the mission
of godparents and the
requirements for godparents.
 The godparents have the mission of : 1) presenting their
godchildren to the Bishop during the Confirmation;
2) guiding them in their Christian life.
3. What are the requirements for godparents?
 The godparents for Confirmation must fulfill the following
requirements:
1) to be at least sixteen years old;
2) to be Roman Catholic of good standing, already
confirmed; 3) and not the father or mother of the
candidate.
LITURGICAL NOTES
1. What is the proper dress for the candidates for
Confirmation?
•
Explain what modest but
festive dresses are. Name a few
samples. The dress styles to
use, the color, the shoes and the
haircut.
 The dress of the candidates for Confirmation should
be modest but festive. Confirmation robes are not
recommended, since they are easily confused with
graduation robes. Confirmation stoles should not be used,
since the stole is a liturgical garb that distinguishes an
ordained minister.
2. Should Confirmation be celebrated within the Mass?
 The sacrament of Confirmation should be celebrated within
the Mass, after the homily of the Bishop, to make evident
the connection between the two sacraments of Christian
initiation. Confirmation can be celebrated outside the Mass
only for a just and reasonable cause. In that case, only the
Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion are omitted.
•
36
Color is an important Liturgical
symbolism. It denotes what
kind of celebration takes place.
3. What is the Liturgical color of Confirmation?
 The liturgical color for Confirmation is red or white. On the
Sundays of Advent and Lent the color is Violet; during the
Easter Season, the color is white; on Solemnities, the color
of the day must be used.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
4. What arc the liturgical readings and prayers for
Confirmation?
 The proper readings and prayers of the day must be
used on all Sundays in Advent, Lent, Easter, and on all
Solemnities. On other days, the Liturgy in ritual Mass of
Confirmation is used. Gloria and Alleluia are omitted on
Advent and Lent. The candidates for Confirmation may
also serve as lectors and carry gifts during the offertory.
•
Proper greetings is a sign of
good manners and respect.
5. What is the proper manner to greet the bishop and
other clergy?
 The deacon should be addressed as Reverend; the priest
as Father; the bishop as His Excellency; and the cardinal
as His Eminence. To the deacon and priest, we should ask
for the hand for the customary blessing (“mano po”); to
the bishop, we should kneel or bow down and kiss his ring,
otherwise, we make a deep bow.
Catechesis for Confirmation
1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
•
Explain the meaning of a
Dogma (it is a doctrine or
truth of the Church. As related
to science, it is a Theory or
something agreed upon)
 The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
 The dogma of the Blessed Trinity, which says that God is
one nature in three divine persons, was defined by Jesus,
when he said: “Go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
2. What are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
 The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are permanent
dispositions that make us docile to God’s will. They are
revealed by Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest
upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit
of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of piety, a Spirit of
knowledge and of fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2-3).
1. WISDOM: It is the predisposition to judge and
order all things according to God’s will. Its contrary is
foolishness.
2. UNDERSTANDING: It is the predisposition to grasp
the truths of faith easily and deeply. Its contrary is
unawareness.
3. COUNSEL: It is the predisposition to discern correctly
and immediately the will of God in the different
circumstances of life. Its contrary is stubborness.
4. STRENGTH: It is the predisposition to persevere in
fulfilling the will of God in moments of trial.
37
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Its contrary is weakness.
5. KNOWLEDGE: It is the predisposition to discover
the truths of the spiritual and material world, and to
relate them to the Creator. Its contrary is ignorance.
6. PIETY: It is the predisposition to worship God with
all our heart, and consequently to love our neighbor
as ourselves. True worship to God is manifested in the
sincere love for his children. Its contrary is wickedness.
7. FEAR OF THE LORD: It is the predisposition to
respect the majesty of God and to be scared of sin.
We should avoid sins not for fear of punishment, but
for fear of offending God’s love. Fear is not terror, but
adoring reverence for God’s fatherly love. Its contrary
is disrespect.
3. What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
1. LOVE
2. JOY
3. PEACE
4. PATIENCE
5. KINDNESS
6. GOODNESS
7. FAITHFULNESS
8. GENTLENESS
9. SELF-CONTROL
10. GENEROSITY
11. CHARITY
12. CHASTITY
4. What are the four major manifestations of the Holy
Spirit in the Bible?
•
Define the meaning of
inspiration.
13. INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE: The Holy Spirit
spoke through the prophets and the apostles, and
inspired them into writing the Old and New Testament.
As St. Peter said: “There is no prophecy of Scripture
that is matter of personal interpretation, for no
prophecy ever came through human will; but rather
human beings moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under
the influence of God” (2 Peter 1:21).
14. ANNUNCIATION: Jesus Christ was conceived in
the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy
Spirit. As the Archangel Gabriel said to her: “The Holy
Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be
born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
38
The Holy Spirit came in form of
a dove or like a dove.
15. BAPTISM OF JESUS: The Holy Spirit descended
on Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan River. As the
Gospel says: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up
from the water and behold, the heavens were opened,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
coming upon him” (Matthew 3:16-17).
The Holy Spirit came in the
form of tongues of fire or simply
fire.
Fire is a purifying or cleansing
element. It also changes the
form of things.
They are signs of God’s grace.
Give examples of these signs.
16. PENTECOST: On Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit
descended upon the Virgin Mary and the apostles
gathered at the Cenacle in Jerusalem. As Scriptures
say: “Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a
strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in
which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues
as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of
them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
begun to speak in different tongues” (Acts 2:1-4).
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
•
•
•
SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
1. What are the seven sacraments?
•
Priests administer them “on
behalf” of Christ.
 The seven sacraments are efficient signs of grace. They
are “SIGNS” because they are visible symbols of invisible
realities. For example: in Baptism the visible sign is water,
the invisible reality is the Holy Spirit: in Eucharist, the
visible signs are bread and wine, the invisible realities are
the body and blood of Christ.
 They are “EFFICIENT” because they make effective
the invisible reality they represent. The sacraments are
always valid (“ex opere operato”), because the ministers
administer them on behalf of Christ (“in persona christi”).
 They transmit the divine “GRACE”: The sanctifying grace
is the communion with God, which is lost any time we
commit a mortal sin, the sacramental grace is the divine
assistance given by each sacrament in order to fulfill our
duties.
2. What is the difference between sacraments and
sacramentals?
•
•
Sacraments are instituted by
Christ himself. Sacramentals
are instituted by the Church.
Name the “essential elements”
of a Sacrament.
 The seven sacraments were instituted by Christ himself,
and cannot be changed, while the sacramentals are
instituted by the Church, and can change (house blessing,
procession, pilgrimages, exorcisms, religious profession
...). For example, the Rosary, which is a sacramental, was
changed when Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of
Light.
3. What are the three essential elements of each
sacrament?
 The three essential elements of each sacrament are:
1) MINISTER: the one administering the sacrament;
2) MATTER: the visible object used for the sacrament;
39
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
There are only three (3)
Sacraments of Initation. The
grace given increases.
3) FORM: the words used to celebrate the sacrament. If
any of the three elements is missing, the sacrament is
invalid.
4. What are the sacraments of Christian initiation?
 Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are called the
sacraments of Christian initiation because they lay
the foundations of every Christian life. In the past, the
catechumens received the three sacraments during the
Paschal Vigil. Today, for practical purposes, Baptism is
celebrated as soon as possible after birth, Eucharist and
Confirmation at the age of reason (seven years old and
above). The three sacraments of initiation do not give a
different grace, but the same grace in increasing degrees.
2
REFLECTION
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
REFLECTION
1.
After finishing your Talk
on Confirmation, allow the
participants to refelct on the
following questions.
2. Make sure you give them
moments of silence.
3. You may also want to distribute
copies of the relfection
questions or project them using
an LCD projector. Or you may
write them on Manila papers or
colorful paper.
4. Break them into their groups
to start their sharing. You may
also want a plenary sharing
after the group sharing, asking a
representative from the groups
to share their thoughts.
40
1. We have been refreshed with ideas on theA
sacrament of confirmation as growing in maturity
in one’s Christian faith. Are you resolved to carry
on, in your own means, Christ’s call to witness and
live as His disciple?
2. Various generations and circumstances have
produced various heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal, Nelson
Mandela, and numerous others. Who would you
consider your present heroes and how did they
live-out their heroism?
3. Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is a tangible launching
point of acts of sanctity and heroism. Can you
share your experiences and acquired accounts on
how those traits came to the forefront?
3
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Note: The following are excerpts
from the “Situations where
Sainthood and Heroism are called
Forth” – A Pastoral Exhortation of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines written by His
Excellency Bishop Socrates B.
Villegas.
READING
Situations where
Sainthood and Heroism
are called forth
Pastoral Exhortation
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines
for the 2014 Year of the Laity
Filipino Catholic Laity:
Called to be Saints…Sent Forth as Heroes!
NOTES
Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
You already know surely that this coming 2021 we shall be
celebrating the 500th year of the arrival of Christianity in
the Philippines. For in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived
in the Philippines, and in Cebu, he, a lay person, catechized
King Humabon of Cebu, his wife and their people. The
king and his queen were subsequently baptized together
with their followers. It was on this occasion that the queen,
newly given the baptismal name of Juana was gifted by
Magellan with a statue of the Santo Niño, which was later
found in 1565 by soldiers of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, and is
now preserved in the Basilica of the Santo Niño in Cebu.
...celebrating the 500th
year of the arrival
of Christianity in the
Philippines.
In preparation for the celebration of this providential event
of the first arrival of Christianity in our shores, the Church
in the Philippines has planned nine years of intensive
evangelization, with a theme for every year. For the year
2013, we celebrated the Year of Faith provided by then
Pope Benedict XVI. The Year 2014 will be the YEAR OF THE
LAITY.
41
PASTORAL EXHORTATION
OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’
CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES
FOR THE 2014 YEAR OF THE LAITY
Called to be Saints…
Sent Forth as Heroes!
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS, D.D.
CBCP President
December 1, 2013, First Sunday of Advent
Pope Francis says “The
joy of living frequently
fades, lack of respect for
others and violence are
on the rise, and inequality
is increasingly evident.
It is a struggle to live
and, often, to live with
precious little dignity”.
(Evangelii Gaudium, 52)
NOTES
Our Situation: The Gospel of Joy
Pope Francis says “The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect
for others and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly
evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little
dignity”. (Evangelii Gaudium, 52)
If we were given an opportunity to describe the situation of the
Catholic laity in the Philippines, it would be the paradox of poverty and
abundance. The devastation that typhoon Yolanda brought upon our
brothers and sisters in Samar and Leyte has created surges of pain and
anguish all over our land and even beyond our shores. The typhoon
left us dazed and lost groping in the dark for answers and explanation.
Poor as we are, this pauper among the nations of the earth hides two
jewels in her rags. One of them is our music. Our other treasure is
our faith. As long as there remains in these islands one mother to sing
Nena’s lullaby, one priest to stand at the altar and offer God to God,
this nation may be conquered, trampled upon, enslaved but it cannot
perish. Like the sun that dies every evening, it will rise again from the
dead–Horacio de la Costa, SJ.
The first and most important truth about you Filipino Catholic laity
is not poverty but the greatness of your dignity. This dignity derives
from God’s unmerited choice of you to belong to God’s holy people. God
called you in Christ to be united to his Son. When you were baptized,
the Holy Spirit united you with our Lord Jesus the Son of God, and thus
you became true sons and daughters of God, partakers of the divine
nature. There is no greater dignity on earth or in heaven than that of
being adopted children of God, and being made truly his children, and
thus co-heirs to eternal life with Jesus Christ. This dignity flows from
the love of God, and made the author of 1 John exclaim, “Behold, what
manner of love God has bestowed upon us, that we should be called
children of God, and that is what we are. Beloved we are already the
children of God but it has not yet appeared what we shall be, because
when we see him, we shall become as he is.” This is what also made St.
Leo the Great exclaim, “Recognize your dignity, O Christian . . .” That
grace came to you with your baptism which is a true rebirth to eternal
life.
The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter
Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin,
sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly
born anew. (Evangelii Gaudium, 1)
“Recognize your dignity,
O Christian . . .” That
grace came to you with
your baptism which is a
true rebirth to eternal life.
42
When you were united to Christ by the Spirit at baptism, you were
also incorporated into the body of Christ, which is the Church, and you
became members of the people of God. Your membership in the Church
is a full membership. You belong to the Church as much as any pope,
bishop, priest, or religious does. You are not second class members of
the people of God. When you live the life of grace, you are full citizens of
God’s kingdom on earth. In fact, the Church teaches that “the greatest
in the kingdom of God are not the ministers but the saints”.
When you were joined to Christ by the Spirit at baptism, you also
became sharers of the threefold mission of Christ teacher, priest and
NOTES
servant. You were baptized not only to share in Christ’s dignity as Son
of God, but also to share in his mission for the salvation of the world.
You share in Christ’s dignity and mission with all others who are
likewise united to him by the Holy Spirit. In uniting you to him, Christ
also united you to all those who are united with him. With all those
who are united to Christ by faith and baptism, you form one body of
Christ, whose head is no less than Christ himself. Thus the whole body
manifests and prolongs Christ’s life and mission in the world.
You, our dear lay faithful, have as your particular mission the
sanctification and transformation of the world from within. In fact,
many of you are called by the Lord to do service in the Church and for
the Church. Such is the case of lay liturgical ministers and catechists,
for example, who perform an indispensable service in the Church
community and its institutions. Such also is the case of lay people who
are asked to participate in the administration of Church property and
works.
You, our dear lay faithful,
have as your particular
mission the sanctification
and transformation of the
world from within.
Yet, your own specific task, and the special responsibility given to
you by the Lord is to find your own sanctification in the world, and to
sanctify the world and transform it so that this world becomes more
and more God’s world, God’s kingdom, where his will is done as sit is in
heaven. You are called by Jesus to be the salt of the earth and the light
of the world. The Lord Jesus told his disciples to preach the Gospel to
every creature, and to make all nations his disciples. This command to
the whole Church falls especially on you, who are in the world.
As Pope Francis has been repeatedly telling Catholics, you must go
into the world of the family, of business, of economics, of politics, of
education, of the mass media and the social media, to every human
endeavour where the future of humanity and the world are at stake
and to make a difference, the difference that the Gospel and the grace
of Christ bring to human affairs.
NOTES
... to make a difference,
the difference that the
Gospel and the grace of
Christ bring to human
affairs.
CBCP President
43
Our Situation: The Challenge of the Gospel
When we look at our Philippine world with the eyes of faith, there are
several areas of special concern which you, our lay faithful should direct
your attention and action to.
Pope Francis calls our attention to “the great danger in today’s world,
pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a
complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures,
and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in
its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place
for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no
longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for
believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless.
That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us,
nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen
Christ. (Evangelii Gaudium, 2).
NOTES
CBCP President
...the great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is
by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of
a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit
of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.
Poverty
Poverty is a social and spiritual problem in our country. A great
percentage of our people live below the poverty line. They do not even
have the necessities for decent human living. It is estimated that twelve
million of our people have gone to foreign countries in their search
for adequate income to support their families’ needs. While this has
brought many material advantages, it has also resulted in great harm
to family life. And many of our overseas Filipino workers work in
conditions of servitude and are often submitted to humiliations. A still
a vast number of our people are without work, and many are forced
to live in slum areas and in miserable situations. A vast number of
our children are unable to go to school, and those who do go get substandard education in poorly equipped schools. Many have been driven
by poverty to cater to the lusts of human predators.
Though there have been significant economic gains, the same
percentage of our people have remained mired in poverty over the
past several years. The wealth of our country has remained woefully
mal distributed. This endemic poverty is gravely contrary to the will
of God. You, my dear lay faithful are in the best position to creatively
work our solutions which will satisfy the demands of justice and
charity. What are you doing to create wealth, to preserve wealth, and
to share wealth? Do the more prosperous among you feel the sufferings
of our poor brothers and sisters, and do you think of ways and means
to help alleviate their poverty, and help them towards prosperity?
44
Politics
The second is the problem of politics. We say “problem of politics” because, as we
have repeatedly pointed out, politics as it is practiced in our country is perhaps
the single biggest obstacle to our integral development as a nation. Politics as
presently practiced, and as it has been practised for a long time, is riddled with
graft and corruption.
Our elections are notoriously noted for their violence and vote-buying and for
the lack of proper discernment in the choice of candidates. Recent developments
have highlighted the corruption connected with the pork barrel which those in
power are loath to give up despite their blatant misuse for political patronage.
It is now clear that our people are poor because our leaders have kept them poor
by their greed for money and power. What are you doing to help get worthy
people to positions of authority and power? What are you doing to get rid of the
politics of patronage, violence and uneducated choices? What are you doing,
our dear lay faithful to rid our country of graft and corruption? Do you perhaps
participate in corrupt practices by selling your votes, by buying votes, by bribery
and acceptance of kickbacks?
CBCP President
Politics as
presently practiced,
and as it has been
practised for a long
time, is riddled
with graft and
corruption.
Business and Commerce
Corruption in politics is paralleled and strengthened by corruption in
business. We know that our tax collecting agencies are notorious for
their extortionary practices. Corrupt tax collectors of course imply
business people who cooperate in their corrupt activities either to
survive in business or to reap bigger profits. It is also known that too
many of our tax payers do not pay the correct taxes, while the taxes
that are collected are often misspent in over-priced or ghost projects.
Corruption in business leads to the further impoverishment of the poor
and the widening of the gap between the rich and the poor.
Greed and Selfishness
While poverty and corruption are real and great evils; we must search for their causes.
Our culture has been contaminated by the twofold greed for money and power that has
characterized much of the modern world. In our consumerist and materialistic society,
people are valued according to what they have.
Pope Francis says “Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used
and then discarded. We have created a “throw away” culture which is now spreading.
It is no longer simply about exploitation and oppression, but something new. Exclusion
ultimately has to do with what it means to be a part of the society in which we live; those
excluded are no longer society’s underside or its fringes or its disenfranchised – they
are no longer even a part of it. The excluded are not the “exploited” but the outcast, the
“leftovers”.(Evangelii Gaudium, 53)
The greed
for power
is the twin
brother of
greed for
money.
The greed for power is the twin brother of greed for money. Those who have money
easily get into power, and when they are in power, they can protect and increase their
acquisitions. In our country, winning a government position is often the passport to
affluence. Politics in the Philippines is a business proposition.
45
CBCP President
Truth Suffers
The first casualty of such greed for money and power is the truth. To
get money and power, to keep money and power, to increase their
money and power, people have recourse to lies and cheating. The truth
is easily disregarded and sacrificed. This is true also in the mass media
where what is sought after and broadcast is not so much what is true
but what is news; the competition among the networks and the printed
media is not so much for accuracy in reporting but for ratings which
attract more money and build up greater power.
Common Good is Ignored
The second casualty is the common good. The sense and responsibility
for the common good is sadly wanting in our country. The culture
of greed for money and power caters to the selfish interests of
individuals, families and economic and political groups. Our
families which are characterized by an admirable closenessare also
characterized by a closedness that is unmindful of the common good.
This being closed to the common good is especially evident in our
politics where political dynasties are nurtured and people vote with
little consideration for the impact on the country of their votes. But
even our mass media are often tools of vested interests rather than
instruments for the promotion of the common good. In business, in
politics, in the entertainment business, in media, profit almost always
has priority over service despite protestations to the contrary.
The first casualty of such
greed for money and
power is the truth. To
get money and power, to
keep money and power,
to increase their money
and power, people have
recourse to lies and
cheating.
NOTES
Pope Francis warns us “Almost without being aware of it, we end
up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor,
weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as
though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own. The
culture of prosperity deadens us; we are thrilled if the market offers
us something new to purchase. In the meantime all those lives stunted
for lack of opportunity seem a mere spectacle; they fail to move us.
(Evangelii Gaudium, 54).
The second casualty is the
common good. The sense
and responsibility for the
common good is sadly
wanting in our country.
46
NOTES
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
4
EXERCISE
You can use different
sets of photographs for
the Youth, Poor and
Disillusioned Catholics.
Make sure the photographs
are appropriate to your
audience.
Photo Language
Instructions:
1) Pre-select photographs from the your Picture Collection (or Newspaper Clippings). The number
of photographs should be proportionate to the participants. A minimum ratio of 5 photographs
to every participant is recommended.
2) Group the participants into 6 groups representing themes they are called bring acts of holiness
and heroism to. They are, a) Poverty, b) Politics, c) Business and Commerce, d) Greed and
Selffishness, e) Truth Suffers, and f) Common Good is Ignored. You can be creative in grouping
the participants. This can also take the form of a game. Allow them to sit together for sharing.
3) Clear the room so that the floor can be seen and ask all the groups to gather in a corner of the
room.
Instruct the participants about the exercise:
a. From this set of photographs, each one of you will select one and only one photograph
that best represents God’s presence in your life. Which photo best resonates or stirs your
heart in relation to the theme that you are called to bring acts of holiness or heroism?
b. We will spread the photographs on the floor then we will go around the photographs
clockwise, meditating, reflecting, and choosing your photograph. Do not get your
photograph right away. We will do the activity silently. You will be given 5-10 minutes
to study and choose your photograph. Once you have chosen a photograph, take it, sit
down and wait for everyone else to be seated.
4) Once everyone is seated in their groupings, ask them to share on the following:
a. Where and how is God present in the photograph?
b. How did God speak to you through the photograph?
c. What is it in the photograph that speaks to you about yourself?
d. From your inspiration, do you feel any stirring or hear a call towards
holiness and heroism? What kind of acts?
(Optional) Ask the participants to return the photograph after they have shared. Some participants
may have also chosen the same photograph and so it is important that they return their chosen
photograph.
47
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
If you can't get a
multimedia projector to
show your videos, you can
also show photographs of
Heroism or narrate stories
of Heroism.
5
EXERCISE
Heroism Video Clips
Saints and heroes are those who, through their compassion, courage,
and integrity, inspire us to transform places of brokenness, whether
within ourselves or in our communities, into places of wholeness.
– Jamie Manson (received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School where she
studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics. Her columns for NCR earned her a first prize Catholic Press
Association award for Best Column/Regular Commentary in 2010.)
RESOURCES
• Video Clips of Heroism
• Real Stories of Heroism
• Heart-shaped Meta-cards
(Red, Yellow, Blue and Green)
The facilitator should prepare Video Clips of Heroism.
You can show videos from Youtube.com or similar websites.
After showing the video clips of Heroism or
vidoes of Heroes (Filipinos, as much as possible)
(i.e. Bayan Ko and Magkaisa from youtube.com)
1. Distribute colored heart-shaped meta-cards (Red,
Yellow, Blue and Green)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
There are several ways
to divide answers into
four groups and you can
be creative in doing this,
especially with the Youth.
This can also take the form
of a game where they divide
into groups and answer the
questions.
2. Invite participants to reflect on the following
questions:
a. How have you experienced/witnessed heroism
done to you or others?
b. What heroism have you done or offered to others?
c. Who are the heroes in your life?
d. What hinders you from becoming a hero to
others?
Is it possible to change direction? Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow
and death? Can we learn once again to walk and live in the ways of peace?
Invoking the help of God, under the maternal gaze of the Salus Populi
Romani, Queen of Peace, I say: Yes, it is possible for everyone! From every
corner of the world tonight, I would like to hear us cry out: Yes, it is possible
for everyone! Or even better, I would like for each one of us, from the least
to the greatest, including those called to govern nations, to respond: Yes, we
want it! My Christian faith urges me to look to the Cross.
Pope Francis , Homily at Peace Vigil, Rome, Sept. 7, 2013
48
1
EXERCISE
Buhay Rizal
Introduction
The Yuchengco Group of Companies
(YGC), one of the largest conglomerates
in the country with diversified interests
in different industries, has been actively
involved in various Corporate Social
Responsibility Programs since way back,
either as a group (YGC) or through its
numerous member-companies.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
You may ask some jumping board
questions or think of more relevant
and appropriate questions, like:
•
What quotations or sayings of
Jose Rizal do you remember?
•
Why do you remember them?
•
Who taught you the saying? Or
did you acquire the teaching
through experience?
Last October 24, 2008, another milestone
was etched in the rich history of YGC with
the launch of the Buhay Rizal Project, a
three-year values formulation program
focused on emulating the life of Jose
Rizal. Throughout its years of existence,
YGC has consistently campaigned the life
lived and values espoused by Dr. Jose P.
Rizal. Buhay Rizal thus served as the avenue that best suits this purpose.
YGC has always stood by its belief that the values and teachings of Rizal,
our national hero, remain relevant and critical to nation-building. It is the
cherished dream of YGC to see our nation’s youth emulate these values and
teachings, knowing fully well that only good things await them by doing
so. The values and teachings have been applied in the way things are run
at YGC, and management has attributed, in part at least, the success it has
attained to this practice. Rizal’s presence in YGC is very evident, and this
includes the name of its flagship company, the Rizal Commercial Banking
Corporation and the Malayan Insurance Co., Inc. (Rizal being the pride of
the Malay race), the leading non-life insurance company in the Philippines.
What’s heartwarming about this project is that several parties are involved
in its initiatives, effectively maximizing its span and reach – from the YGC
member-companies and their employees and customers, to the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines, various Local Government Units,
Department of Education, the Knights of Rizal, and selected public high
schools and their students, among others.
We, at YGC, want to impart this to the rest of the Filipino people - that if
we were able to successfully apply the values and teachings of Rizal at YGC,
we see no reason why these should not be the case for other people and
institutions as well. This is our cherished dream, and through the Buhay
Rizal program, we hope to turn this dream into reality.
Rizal in the Modern Day Filipinos
YGC has identified six among several values espoused by Dr. Rizal. These, we
believe, are of utmost importance to the National Hero and which we would
like to push for advocacy by modern-day Filipinos. These have endured the
49
passage of time and are very well still applicable today as these were more
than a hundred years ago. These are: FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
What are the dreams for your
family? for the Church? for your
Country?
1. Hangarin at Pangarap, Kaya Mong Tuparin
“Rizal performed the second operation on the cataracts which had grown in
his mother’s eyes, and she could now see with both eyes.
This story exemplifies Rizal’s drive to achieve his dream in helping his
mother to be able to see again. He will pursue in achieving his dream
whatever obstacle comes in his way.
When Rizal sets his mind on a dream, he works really hard for it, sacrifices
for it and stays focus on it until he achieves it. He acts with a sense of
commitment and purpose. He does everything at his best. Similar to our
workplace, whatever the goal or task we have on hand, we should really
give 101% in the process of achieving the goal. The future will take its own
course in providing us rewards for a job well done.
Everyone can dream. Everyone can set goals. YOU can achieve anything
and everything by being like Rizal.
SET IT.
COMMIT TO IT.
WORK HARD BUT PATIENTLY FOR IT.
DO YOUR BEST.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
How do you manifest your
respect for your parents?
•
How can we encourage the
young people to do the same?
2. Paggalang sa Magulang, Lagi mong Ipadama
Parents only wish for true happiness for their children notwithstanding the
amount of sacrifice and hardwork that they have to go through. In return,
children must show gratitude by giving them love and respect by living
honorable lives.
While true parents are oftentimes seen providing guidance through
countless preaching, this is only to show how they really care for their
children’s future. All these teachings are focused on molding a better person
in children. As children, in return, must live honorable lives and never taint
the name.
Rizal demonstrated this Godly virtue in one of his many stories. In 1887,
shortly after his mother’s cataract operation, he wanted to visit his fiancée
Leonor in Pangasinan. His parents declined to Rizal’s wish since they knew
that Leonor’s mother opposed to the engagement. Raised in a family where
‘absolute unquestioning obedience to the word of parents’ was the practice,
Rizal, although of age, obeyed his parents as ‘he followed everything to be
his duty.’ He could have easily reasoned with his parents as he was then
already a doctor of medicine, an accomplished and educated man, a man of
age. But with all humility, he accepted his parents’ decision.
He showed the highest love and respect for his parents even if it meant
sacrificing his own happiness.
50
3. Ang Buhay na May Dangal, Sa Sarili
Nagmumula
The great painter Juan Luna knew the highest level of honor and integrity
that Dr. Jose R Rizal possessed. He entrusted his younger brother, Antonio,
to Rizal when he was in Europe and even sent money through Rizal for the
education of Antonio.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
What are the values that we can
practice to reinforce respect for
one another?
“For whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with a lot, and
whoever is dishonest with very little is dishonest with a lot.” (Luke 16:10)
It’s not how huge the responsibility is but rather how we handle situations
with honor and integrity in mind.
Integrity is instilled in young hearts by parents and teachers. It is
strengthened over time through the everyday realities and experiences in
life. Truthfulness and honesty in everything that we do are the pillars of
developing Honor and Integrity.
An untainted good name is the gratification we can give back to our
parents and live a life of honor and integrity to veer away from shame or
indignation.
4. Husay at Galing, Kaya Mong Pagyamanin
Dr. Jose R Rizal is excellence personified.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
He excelled in academics. In 1877, he graduated from the Ateneo and
University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Bachelor of Arts and Surveyor
respectively. Passed the Surveyor licensure Examination on 1 878 and
graduated from Universidad Central de Madrid on 1994 with a degree in
licentiate in Medicine Philosophy and Letters.
What traits and characteristics
of the Filipino that we can
support, reinforce or affirm?
He even mastered at least 22 languages.
He was a well-known figure in various endeavors. Among others, Rizal is a
novelist, ophthalmic surgeon, architect, educator, artist/painter, sculptor,
historian, economist, journalist, businessman, cartoonist, ethnologist, etc.
Jose Rizal was able to accomplish all of these because of his great appetite
for knowledge and burning desire to succeed in everything. Certainly
“A Man For Others”, Rizal devoted his life in uplifting the lives of every
Filipino. Nourished his skills and talents in order to help others.
5. Ang Galing ng Pinoy, Kaya Mong Ipagmalaki
sa Buong Mundo
From the onset, Jose Rizal persevered in his studies in order to help his
‘oppressed motherland’. Specifically the Filipino youth, his love was
reflected through his writings. One of which is ‘To The Philippine Youth’.
He had high expectations and hope that the Filipino youth will follow his
ways and dedicate their energy, their passion, and their idealism for the
betterment of the country.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
What are our gifts to the world?
•
What are the positive Filipino
attributes of Filipinos which are
recognized worldwide?
51
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
•
Rizal wrote and dreamed that
we will enjoy freedom which he
desired for in his lifetime. He
even gave up his life to achieve
this dream.
How can we protect and
conserve the democratic gains
that Rizal worked so hard for?
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
STORIES &
READING MATERIALS
• You may also use other
Resource Materials to build
your Rizal talk. You can use the
Stories and Reading Materials
in the Appendices.
Rizal’s entire persona was dedicated in bringing dignity and pride to the
Filipino race.
You who have more freedom...
Who have access to modem technology and knowledge base...
Who live in a smaller world enabled by fast transport and the web...
What are you doing to help this country?
Take up Rizal’s challenge.. . LIVE THE BUHAY RIZAL.
6. Hangarin at Pangarap, Kaya Mong Tuparin
Jose Rizal is a talented man who could have easily scoured the world and
amassed great riches. But he has other things ¡n mind that is of greater
priority.
This is to set the Filipino nation free from oppressors.
Rizal’s gift of FREEDOM, we enjoy today. He reminds us that every Filipino
has a responsibility to the country in maintaining this freedom using our
individual talents and abilities and for the betterment of our country.
“Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines and his coming to the
world was like the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare brilliance
appears only every other century.” — Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt
7
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
EXERCISE
1.
2.
3.
Provide Manila Papers for
each group and colored Heartshaped metacards to each
participant.
Invite participants to write
down their answers on the
corresponding colored metacard
and post them according to
their color.
Display them on Manila papers
(as if on exhibit) or make a
VALUES Wall.
PLENARY SHARING.
4.
Allow each group to present
their work and extract or clarify
the VALUES mentioned.
EXERCISE
Values of Heroism
Heroism you have
done for others
(Acts)
<Yellow>
Your experience
of heroism
(Done to you or others)
<Red>
Hindrances
(to becoming a hero)
<Green>
Heroes in your life
(Names of persons)
<Blue>
52
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE
TIRAGE
1.
Gifts and Fruits
of the Holy Spirit
Make a tirage of the Gifts and
Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Write
down each Gift in a piece of
paper and do the same for
the Fruits. Make as many as
possible or the number may
depend on how many the
participants are. Place them
separately inside a bowl or box.
2. Allow each participant to pick
one Gift and one Fruit.
3. Encourage them to share about
what they picked from the bowl
in their own groups.
4. After they have shared in their
groups, allow 2-3 participants
to share with the whole group
about their reflections.
Faith is linked to hearing. Abraham does not see God,
but hears his voice. Faith thus takes on a personal aspect.
God is not the god of a particular place, or a deity linked
to specific sacred time, but the God of a person, the God
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, capable of interacting
with man and establishing a covenant with him. Faith is
our response to a word which engages us personally, to
a “Thou” who calls us by name.
– Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei #8.
53
8
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
ALTERNATIVE STORIES
•
An Environment of Service
by Syd Baradi
(page 64)
•
Filipino Youth’s Self-Giving
taken from Punto
(page 183)
•
Honesty is the Best Policy
taken from the Philippine Star
(page 182)
•
Indifference
by Paul Wharton
(page 184)
Source: E-mail Inspirational Message
INSPIRATIONAL STORY
The Bridge Master’s Son
I
want to share with
you a true story about
a man named John
Griffith. In the 1930’s he
worked as the controller
of a huge railroad bridge
across the Mississippi
River. Every day at certain
scheduled times the huge
bridge was raised so that
barges and other ships
might make their way down
the river. And according to a schedule, John would lower the
bridge so that the freight and passenger trains could rush
across.
In the summer of 1937, John Griffith took his then eightyear-old son with him to work for the first time. The boy
was excited to watch the big railroad bridge and the trains
& boats, and also to see the control house with all kinds of
levers over which his daddy had absolute control.
His father took him to an observation deck so that he could
watch the boats and trains go by. At noon John put the
bridge up to let some ships go by since there would not be a
train coming for awhile. He made his way to the observation
deck where the two of them had lunch.
Just as John was telling a long story about the trains &
boats, he was startled by the shrieking of a train whistle in
the distance. He quickly looked at his watch and noticed that
it was 1:07.
In the midst of his story telling he had forgotten that
the passenger train - the express for Memphis with 400
passengers on board - would soon be roaring across that
bridge.
Without panic but very quickly he leaped from the
observation deck and ran back to the control tower. He
placed his hand upon the massive iron controls and started
to close the bridge. But before pulling the lever, he glanced
down beneath the bridge to see if there were any ships
beneath it.
54
There a sight caught his eye that made nearly made his heart
stop.
His son had slipped from the observation deck and had fallen
into the huge gears that operate the bridge. Though the boy
was still alive and conscious, his left leg was caught in the cogs
of the main gears! John knew that if he pulled that lever his
son would be crushed.
His eyes filled with tears of panic, and his head was spinning.
What he could do was to take a rope, rush to the observation
tower, tie it and lower himself into the gear box, free his son,
bring him back up to the observation deck, and make his way
quickly back to the control tower to lower the bridge.
But no sooner had he thought it, than he knew there was no
way he could do it in time for the train.
Again, closer than ever, the train whistle sounded. He could
hear the wheels clicking over the tracks and the puffing of the
engine.
But that was his son!
Yet there were 400 passengers on that train which was roaring
toward the bridge. But John Griffith was a father and that was
his boy!
………He knew what he had to do…….. so he buried his head in
his left arm and pulled the master lever.
That massive bridge lowered into place just as the Memphis
Express roared across the Mississippi.
When he lifted his head with his face smeared with tears, he
looked into the passing windows of the train.
There were businessmen casually reading their afternoon
papers, uniformed conductors looking at their large vestpocket watches, well-dressed ladies in the dining car sipping
coffee, and children pushing long spoons into the dishes of ice
cream.
No one looked at the control house and no one looked at the
great gear box.
With wrenching agony, John Griffith cried out at the train---"I sacrificed my son for you! Don't you care?" But nobody
heard. They never even looked up from their newspapers,
watches, coffee and ice cream.
55
THREE
I nte g ration
1
My Mi Ultimo Adios
FACILITATOR'S GUIDE
1.
Invite the participants to read through the English or Tagalog versions of Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell / Huling
Paalam) written by Dr. Jose Rizal. You can have Mi Ultimo Adios reproduced and read through the material together as a
group or let the participants read on their own. It is important to be creative in this part of the module, like, through storytelling, drama and other artistic methods. You can also use the Audio-Visual "Mga Bayani" from YouTube which has "Mi
Ultimo Adios".
2. After the participants have read, ask them which word, phrase, sentence or paragraph made a deep impression on them.
Allow them to dwell on it for a while. Let them feel the meaning of the word or phrase. Let the words reverberate into their
being.
3. Now, hand out worksheets of My Mi Ultimo Adios, and ask the participants to write down their very own "MI ULTIMO
ADIOS" in two or three paragraphs or have them imagine that they are the Leader of the Philippines and writing their own
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS (SONA).
4. Allow several minutes for them to draft and write their compositions. After several minutes, let them share their
compositions with the group.
Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)
This 14-stanza poem of Jose Rizal talks about his “Goodbyes”
to his dear Fatherland where his love is dedicated to.
He wrote it on the evening before his execution.
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun
caress'd
Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!,
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded
life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.
On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight,
Others have given their lives,
without doubt or heed;
The place matters not-cypress or laurel
or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat
or martyrdom's plight,
T’is ever the same, to serve our home
and country's need.
56
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake
To dye with its crimson the waking ray.
My dreams, when life first opened to me,
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov'd face,
O gem of the Orient sea
From gloom and grief, from care
and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.
Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,
All hail ! cries the soul that is now to take flight;
All hail ! And sweet it is for thee to expire ;
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire;
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.
If over my grave some day thou seest grow,
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow
in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness,
thy breath's warm power.
And when the dark night wraps
the graveyard around
With only the dead in their vigil to see
Break not my repose or the mystery profound
And perchance thou mayst
hear a sad hymn resound
'Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,
Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with sad lament over me keen ;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.
And even my grave is remembered no more
Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone
Let the plow sweep through it,
the spade turn it o'er
That my ashes may carpet earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
And heavenward in purity bear
my tardy protest
Let some kind soul o 'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer
be lifted on high
From thee, 0 my country,
that in God I may rest.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care
As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air
With color and light,
with song and lament I fare,
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
Pray for all those that hapless have died,
For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly
their woes have cried,
For widows and orphans,
for captives by torture tried
And then for thyself that redemption
thou mayst gain.
My Fatherland ador'd,
that sadness to my sorrow lends
Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-by!
I give thee all: parents and kindred and friends
For I go where no slave
before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill,
and God reigns e'er on high!
Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,
Friends of my childhood
in the home dispossessed !
Give thanks that I rest
from the wearisome day !
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend
that lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell!
In death there is rest!
57
Mi Ultimo Adios (Huling Paalam)
Sa salin ni Andres Bonifacio
Pinipintuho kong Bayan ay paalam,
Lupang iniirog ng sikat ng araw,
mutyang mahalaga sa dagat Silangan,
kaluwalhatiang sa ami’y pumanaw.
Ikaw’y guminhawa laking kagandahang
akoy malugmok, at ikaw ay matanghal,
hiniga’y malagot, mabuhay ka lamang
bangkay ko’y masilong sa iyong Kalangitan.
Masayang sa iyo’y aking idudulot
ang lanta kong buhay na lubhang malungkot;
maging maringal man at labis alindog
sa kagalingan mo ay aking ding handog.
Kung sa libingan ko’y tumubong mamalas
sa malagong damo mahinhing bulaklak,
sa mga labi mo’y mangyayaring itapat,
sa kaluluwa ko hatik ay igawad.
Sa pakikidigma at pamimiyapis
ang alay ng iba’y ang buhay na kipkip,
walang agam-agam, maluag sa dibdib,
matamis sa puso at di ikahapis.
At sa aking noo nawa’y iparamdam,
sa lamig ng lupa ng aking libingan,
ang init ng iyong paghingang dalisay
at simoy ng iyong paggiliw na tunay.
Saan man mautas ay dikailangan,
cipres o laurel, lirio ma’y patungan
pakikipaghamok, at ang bibitayan,
yaon ay gayon din kung hiling ng Bayan.
Bayaang ang buwan sa aki’y ititig
ang iwanag niyang lamlam at tahimik,
liwayway bayaang sa aki’y ihatid
magalaw na sinag at hanging hagibis.
Ako’y mamamatay, ngayong namamalas
na sa silinganan ay namamanaag
yaong maligayang araw na sisikat
sa likod ng luksang nagtabing na ulap.
Kung sakasakaling bumabang humantong
sa krus ko’y dumapo kahit isang ibon
doon ay bayaan humuning hinahon
at dalitin niya payapang panahon.
Ang kulay na pula kung kinakailangan
na maitina sa iyong liway-way,
dugo ko’y isabong at siyang ikinang
ng kislap ng iyong maningning na ilaw
Bayaan ang ningas ng sikat ng araw
ula’y pasingawin noong kainitan,
magbalik sa langit ng boong dalisay
kalakip ng aking pagdaing na hiyaw.
Ang aking adhika sapul magkaisip
ng kasalukuyang bata pang maliit,
ay ang tanghaling ka at minsan masilip
sa dagat Silangan hiyas na marikit.
Bayaang sino man sa katotang giliw
tangisang maagang sa buhay pagkitil;
kung tungkol sa akin ay may manalangin
idalangin, Bayan, yaring pagka himbing.
Natuyo ang luhang sa mata’y nunukal,
taas na ang noo’t walang kapootan,
walang bakas kunot ng kapighatian
gabahid man dungis niyong kahihiyan.
Idalanging lahat yaong nangamatay,
mangagatiis hirap na walang kapantay;
mga ina naming walang kapalaran
na inihihibik ay kapighatian.
Sa kabuhayang ko ang laging gunita
maningas na aking ninanasa-nasa
ay guminhawa ka ang hiyas ng diwa
hingang papanaw ngayong biglang-bigla.
pag hingang papanaw ngayong biglang-bigla.
Ang mga bao’t pinapangulila,
ang mga bilanggong nagsisipagdusa;
dalanginin namang kanilang makita
ang kalayaan mong, ikagiginhawa.
58
At kung an madilim na gabing mapanglaw
ay lumaganap na doon sa libinga’t
tanging mga patay ang nangaglalamay,
huwag bagabagin ang katahimikan.
Ang kanyang hiwagay huwag gambalain;
kaipala’y maringig doon ang taginting,
tunog ng gitara’t salterio’y mag saliw,
ako, Bayan yao’t kita’y aawitin.
Kung ang libingan ko’y limat na ng lahat
at wala ng kurus at batang mabakas,
bayaang linangin ng taong masipag,
lupa’y asarolin at kauyang ikalat.
At mga buto ko ay bago matunaw
maowi sa wala at kusang maparam,
alabok ng iyong latag ay bayaang
siya ang babalang doo’y makipisan.
Kung magka gayon na’y aalintanahin
na ako sa limot iyong ihabilin
pagka’t himpapawid at ang panganorin
mga lansangan mo’y aking lilibutin.
Matining na tunog ako sa dingig mo,
ilaw, mga kulay, masamyong pabango,
ang ugong at awit, pag hibik sa iyo,
pag asang dalisay ng pananalig ko.
Bayang iniirog, sakit niyaring hirap,
Katagalugang ko pinakaliliyag,
dinggin mo ang aking pagpapahimakas;
diya’y iiwan ko sa iyo ang lahat.
Ako’y patutungo sa walang busabos,
walang umiinis at berdugong hayop;
pananalig doo’y di nakasasalot,
si Bathala lamang dooy haring lubos.
Paalam, magulang at mga kapatid
kapilas ng aking kaluluwa’t dibdib
mga kaibigan bata pang maliit
sa aking tahanan di na masisilip.
Pag pasasalamat at napahinga rin,
paalam estranherang kasuyo ko’t aliw,
paalam sa inyo, mga ginigiliw;
mamatay ay siyang pagkakagupiling!
59
WORKSHEET
My Mi Ultimo Adios
My Last Farewell / Huling Paalam
___________________
Signature
___________
Date
60
WORKSHEET
My State of the Nation Address
___________________
Signature
___________
Date
61
FOUR
C losin g P ra y er
1
PRAYER
THIS JESUS CHALLENGES ME
I am FURIOUS and he tells me: FORGIVE!
I am afraid, and he tells me: TAKE COURAGE!
I have DOUBTS and he says to me: HAVE CONFIDENCE!
I feel RESTLESS, and he says to me: BE CALM!
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1 | READ SLOWLY
I prefer to go, MY OWN WAY, and he tells me: COME AND FOLLOW ME
I make MY OWN PLANS, and he says to me: FORGET ABOUT THEM!
I aim towards MATERIAL GOODS, and he says LEAVE THEM BEHIND!
I want SECURITY, and he says: I PROMISE YOU ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
Prayerfully read the Prayer, allowing
the participants to internalize the
richness of the prayer. Read the
Prayer twice, without hurry.
I like to live MY OWN LIFE, and he says: LOSE YOUR LIFE!
I believe I AM GOOD, and he tells me GOOD IS NOT SUFFICIENT!
I like to BE THE BOSS, and he says: SERVE!
I like to COMMAND OTHERS, and he says: OBEY!
2 | CHOOSE A WORD
I like to UNDERSTAND, and he says, BELIEVE!
I like CLARITY, and he speaks to me in PARABLES.
I like POETRY and he speaks to me in REALITIES.
I lke my TRANQUILITY, and he likes me to be DISTURBED.
Invite the participants to identify
a word or phrase that stands out
for them, a word or phrase that is
significant for them.
3 | MANTRA
Invite them to savor this word or
phrase. Ask the participants to
continually repeat the word or
4 | SILENCE
through the Prayer.
I like VIOLENCE, and he says: PEACE BE WITH YOU!
I draw the SWORD, and he says: PUT THAT AWAY!
I think of REVENGE, and he says: OFFER THE OTHER CHEEK!
I speak of ORDER, and he says: I HAVE COME TO BRING THE SWORD!
I choose HATRED, and he says: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.
I try to sow HARMONY, and he says: I HAVE COME TO CAST FIRE ON
EARTH!
I like to be the GREATEST, and he says: LEARN TO BE AS SMALL AS A
CHILD!
I like to remain HIDDEN, and he says: LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
I look at the BEST PLACE and he says: SIT IN THE LAST BENCH!
I like to be NOTICED, and he says: PRAY IN YOUR ROOM BEHIND
LOCKED DOORS!
No, I don’t understand this Jesus.
He provokes me. He confuses me.
Like so many of his disciples
I, too, would like to follow another Master
Who would be more certain and less demanding.
But I experienced almost the same as Peter:
“I do not know of anyone else,
WHO HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE!”
- Pe. Zezinho, SCJ, Brazil
(Proclaiming His Kingdom, John Fuehllenbach,
SVD, pp. 73-74)
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FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
CLOSING SONG
Bayan Ko
1 | PREPARATION
As you finish the prayer, distribute
copies of the closing song or project
them using an LCD projector.
2 | SINGING
Sing the song together with
conviction. You may also ask the
participants to hold hands or “kapitbisig.”
3 | END
You may end the song with a “kiss of
peace” or “hug of peace”.
ALTERNATIVE
SONG
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa
CHORUS
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya
63
An Environment of Service:
the Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education
(SHIFT) Foundation
Low-income communities have always been viewed as recipients of services rather than providers of services.
In our modern time, institutions and individuals should see community members not just as recipients of
services but as agents for renewal and partners in development.
I am currently on my 10th year as a volunteer in a faith-based institution, the Sacred Heart Institute
for Transformative Education (SHIFT) Foundation, here in Northern Samar. As a volunteer for visual
communications, much of my time here is spent around computers and technology. Although my interaction
with people is limited, the sense of community is very much felt around here. People are helping people…
‘Bayanihan’ in our Tagalog tongue. Although people do not see it as volunteerism at its concrete form, they
have been volunteering all their lives… for survival. Neighbours bringing excess food to other neighbours.
A father helping build his neighbour’s dilapidated house. A mother lending a hand in babysitting while
her neighbour goes to work in the market to sell fish. Their son helps out in repairing their neighbour’s
‘pedicab’. If a neighbour helps out, they are repaid by helping them out too. But service at its precious context
is not evident in this form of volunteerism where an exchange of favours is expected. Service is without
expectation of compensation or return. Service in the context of volunteerism is a way ‘of’ life, not a way ‘to’
life (survival). This I believe is what SHIFT Foundation and its Volunteers are trying to model to the people of
Northern Samar…service in its purest form. This makes the foundation distinct from other non-government
organizations that provide services here. And I and my fellow volunteers of the foundation embrace this
vision with all our hearts.
The community of volunteers has grown throughout my stay in Northern Samar, from four full-time
volunteers to seven full-time and eight part-time volunteers who stayed with the Religious of the Sacred
Heart (RSCJ) sisters. Volunteers from outside (national and international) the Foundation also spend their
time of service with us. It is a joy to be here among peers with a servant’s heart. Volunteers from different
backgrounds and communities added a mix of passion and strength to the work entrusted to us and in some
way affirmed my life of service and volunteerism. The student leaders in the Campus Ministry Organization
(CMO) of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) has developed into a pool of potential volunteers for the
foundation. I have constantly expressed their blessing of being exposed to such an environment of service in
their college years for I was exposed to such an environment after my college years. How I wished I was able
to live this kind of life when I was in college.
Being part of the Program Team headed by Sr. Lydia Collado, RSCJ and was blessed to be part of the
development of formation programs towards this goal. I strongly believe that the environment of service that
I am exposed in constantly has affirmed in all ways the life I chose today. I thank the RSCJ’s for saying ‘yes’
to volunteerism. I thank the Lord, our God for working through my life. And I thank my fellow volunteers for
allowing God to work through them. This much I owe to them, without all these elements, I would not be here
serving with a passion God Himself planted. My community has watered me with love and affirmation.
To those who in their hearts, have expressed a desire to serve, I encourage you to surround yourself with
people of the same heart and mind. You’ll feel an affirmation from God through them in so many ways.
Syd Baradi
SHIFT Volunteer
Adopted and Revised 07 October 2013
For “Holy Heroes” Formation Module for the Year of the Laity
http://www.rscjinternational.org
64
MODULE 3 : LAY THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOLY HEROES
3
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay the foundation
of the Holy Heroes
SECTORS TO SHARE
MONTHLY
JUBILEES
Indigeneous People
Non-Practicing
Catholics
HOLY HEROES • “Called to be Saints... sent forth as Heroes!”
65
“My friend isn’t back from the battlefield, sir.
Request permission to go out and get him.”
“Permission refused,” said the officer. “I don’t want
you to risk your life for a man who is probably
dead.” The soldier went all the same and, an hour
later, came back mortally wounded, carrying the
corpse of his friend. The officer was furious, I told
you he was dead. Now I’ve lost both of you. Tell me
was it worth going out there to bring in a corpse?”
The dying man replied, “Oh, it was , sir. When I got
to him, he was still alive. And he said to me, ‘Jack, I
was sure you’d come.”
(Anthony de Mello, The Prayer of the Frog. Vol. 1)
66
3
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay the foundation
of the Holy Heroes
MODULE GUIDE
I. II.
Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Awareness of God
Word of God
Reflection
Prayer of Petitions
Prayer
Closing Song
Mary as our Model
Reflection
(Continuation) Pastoral Exhortation...
Inspirational Story
SPECIAL
PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
• Public School
Teachers
• Indigeneous People
• Non-Practicing
Catholics
III.Integration
My "Magnificat"
IV.Closing Prayer
Prayer
Closing Song
67
ONE
MATERIALS
O penin g P ra y er
candles)
1
OPENING SONG
Ang Puso Ko'y Nagpupuri
(Magnificat - Taize)
SILENCING
1.
comfortable.
Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri
Nagpupuri sa Panginoon
ating Diyos
the joy we feel knowing that God
loves us.
Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri
Nagpupuri sa Panginoon
Magnificat, magnificat
Magnificat anima mea dominum
OPENING SONG
opening song.
God’s love for us and how we
open our hearts to receive his
abundant love for all of us.
Magnificat, magnificat
Magnificat anima mea
ALTERNATIVE SONGS
• YOUTH
All That I Am
(David Haas)
REFLECTION
6. The following texts can be used as
reflection.
Option 1: Reflection from Joyce
Rupp
Option 2:Prayer for Forgiveness
Inay
(Jesuit Music Ministry)
2
PREPARATION
5. Slowly, bring the participants to
journey with you as we joyfully
proclaim the love of God for us.
• POOR
Ang Puso Ko'y
Nagpupuri
(Hontiveros)
AWARENESS OF GOD
M
y being proclaims the wonders of light as it slowly
penetrates the ebbing darkness
And my spirit bows to the beauty of the One who gives life to
all that has existence
Oh, vibrant green stems of life sing out your praise to the Heart
who draws you forth
Bird songs rejoicing in the breath of dawn, warble your joy in
view of the morning star
Dew drops radiant upon the wetness of grass give glory to the
Wise Creator who sustains you
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FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
7. After reading the reflection ,
slowly prepare the participants
for the Word of God.
Flower gardens, rushing streams, silent deserts, sing, sing, for
the Dancer who rejoices in your midst
Peoples of the planet, creatures of the universe, play before the
Enlivener who delights in you
And my soul, my soul, rise up and greet this day with
gratitude, in a stance of humble remembering
For all I am, and all I am called to be, is held in the hands of a
Creator who daily loves me into life.
- Joyce Rupp
SONG-PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS
G
od of mercy and compassion, deep within me is
a longing to keep on renewing the love that you
have bestowed upon me.
I am sorry for the many times that I make myself
busy about the many things that I consider important
in life and ignore the equally important and probably
more important than we thought they would be: our
nourishment and renewal.
You renew us everyday but we fail to recognize your
constant love and care; You nourish us with your
strength and energy that sustain us in our
day to day struggles.
To you Lord, we give thanks and guide us with your
Spirit; so that we may continue to know the way to
the perfect nourishment and renewal in your love.
Amen.
69
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
3
WORD OF GOD
READING THE WORD
reading.
You can also use Alternative
Scriptures.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
REFLECTION
reflect.
(Optional) SHARING
share.
participant to read it aloud or
do it yourself.
Laity.
intention.
SPECIAL PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
Indigeneous People
Non-Practicing Catholics
70
Luke 1: 46-55
And Mary said: My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord 47 and my spirit
rejoices in God my Saviour; 48 because
he has looked upon the humiliation of
his servant. Yes, from now onwards all
generations will call me blessed, 49 for
the Almighty has done great things for
me. Holy is his name, 50 and his faithful
love extends age after age to those who
fear him. 51 He has used the power of
his arm, he has routed the arrogant of
ALTERNATIVE
heart. 52 He has pulled down princes from
SCRIPTURE
their thrones and raised high the lowly. 53
• YOUTH
He has filled the starving with good things,
Luke 1: 28-38
sent the rich away empty. 54 He has come
to the help of Israel his servant, mindful
• POOR
of his faithful love 55 -according to the
Luke 1: 39-45
promise he made to our ancestors -- of his
mercy to Abraham and to his descendants
John 19: 25-27
for ever.
4
REFLECTION
What is it in your faith that you
REJOICE over and would like to
PROCLAIM to others?
5
PRAYER OF PETITION
Gracious God,
May your Spirit give strength to all your people as
they work and witness in your world. Through Mary,
unite us in your truth and love, and help us to show
your love to others
Response: God of love, grant our prayer
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
6
PRAYER
PRAYER
Magnificat of Resurrection
13. End the Prayer of Petition with
a prayer entitled "Magnificat of
Resurrection.
(based on John 20: 19-21 from RSCJ Community Prayer Book)
My soul sings and my spirit delights
and rejoices, O faithful God, which was
rolled over our hearts and we are risen.
Yes, from this day forward all
generations will call us blessed for the
Almighty has called us forth from death
and we have responded.
The anguished of heart are stilled and
made whole again by this good news,
and the arrogant are reduced to eternal
confusion.
You have come to the help of Israel,
your faithful one, Israel who remembers
you the God who saves... according
Holy is the name of God, and
to the history of our time with you...
compassion reaches from age to age for
Israel who remembers you are the
those who walk hand in hand with the
God who saves us from bondage,
everlasting One.
from faithlessness, and from ulimate
violence.
You have shown power over death. You
have humiliated those who believe they
You are the Forever Living One
could destroy your living word.
The Shatterer of Death.
Amen.
You have enfeebled those who would
rule by their own might and empowered
the simple people who trust in you, O
God who creates and companions.
7
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
CLOSING SONG
Mariang Ina Ko
SINGING
14. End the prayer with a song. Ask
the participants to follow and
join in the singing "Mariang Ina
Ko".
ALTERNATIVE SONGS
• YOUTH
Inang Mahal
• POOR
To Mary
If I Could Touch You
Sa 'king paglalakbay, sa bundok ng buhay, Sa ligaya't lumbay maging talang gabay. Koro: Mariang ina ko, ako ri'y anak mo, Kay Kristong kuya ko, akayin mo ako. Kay Kristong kuya ko, akayin mo ako. Maging aking tulay, sa langit mong pakay, Sa bingit ng hukay, tangnan aking kamay. (Koro) Sabihin sa kanya aking dusa't saya, Ibulong sa kanya, minamahal ko siya. (Koro)
71
TWO
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
C ontent
Lay the foundation
of the Holy Heroes
1
TOPIC
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Mary as our Model
MARY , THE BELOVED OF GOD
1.
Lead the participants in
reflecting on the role of Mary as
our model of faith.
2. The Scripture Passages support
how Mary’s life exemplifies
what it is to be a beloved
disciple of God.
3. Let the participants ponder
on the reflection points that
will help them be one of God’s
beloved disciple.
4. Following the “framework” of
Henry Nouwen’s Life of the
Beloved, we can consider the life
of Mary as a concrete example
of God’s beloved disciple. As a
review, Nouwen regards Mary
as...
Mary, the Beloved of God
Following the “framework” of Henry Nouwen’s Life of the Beloved, we
can consider the life of Mary as a concrete example of God’s beloved
disciple. As a review, Nouwen
72
MARY as…
Scripture Passage
Reflection Points
1.GOD’S
BELOVED
Luke 1:28 Rejoice, you who
enjoy God's favour! The Lord
is with you.
God is greeting you now,
“You are my beloved! I
have called you by name,
you are mine!”
(cf. Is. 43:1)
FACILITATOR'S
NOTES
A. CHOSEN
Luke 1:35-37 35 The angel
answered, 'The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power
of the Most High will cover
you with its shadow. And so
the child will be holy and will
be called Son of God. 36 And I
tell you this too: your cousin
Elizabeth also, in her old age,
has conceived a son, and she
whom people called barren is
now in her sixth month, 37 for
nothing is impossible to God.'
Like Mary, you are
chosen for “something”,
have you somehow
identified what God is
calling to do in building
the Kingdom of God?
What is your response?
Luke 1:41-42 41 Now it
happened that as soon as
Elizabeth heard Mary's
greeting, the child leapt in her
womb and Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Spirit. 42 She
gave a loud cry and said, 'Of
all women you are the most
blessed, and blessed is the fruit
of your womb.
B.
BLESSED
Luke 1:31-33 Look! You are
to conceive in your womb
and bear a son, and you must
name him Jesus. 32 He will be
great and will be called Son of
the Most High. The Lord God
will give him the throne of his
ancestor David; 33 he will rule
over the House of Jacob for
ever and his reign will have
no end.'
God speaks well
(benedicere) of you and
will bear good fruit
through you. What
fruit/s do you bear?
C.
BROKEN
Luke 1:34-35 34 Mary said
to the angel, 'But how can this
come about, since I have no
knowledge of man?' 35 The
angel answered, 'The Holy
Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the Most High
will cover you with its shadow.
And so the child will be holy
and will be called Son of God.
In saying “yes”, Mary
risks her whole self.
Our “yes” to God entails
giving of one’s heart to
be “pierced”. Has your
heart been pierced
because of following
Jesus?
Luke 2:34-35 34 Simeon
blessed them and said to
Mary his mother, 'Look, he is
destined for the fall and for the
rise of many in Israel, destined
to be a sign that is opposed- 35
and a sword will pierce your
soul too -- so that the secret
thoughts of many may be laid
bare.'
73
FACILITATOR'S
NOTES
74
D.
GIVEN
Luke 1:38-40 38 Mary said,
'You see before you the Lord's
servant, let it happen to me as
you have said.' And the angel
left her. 39 Mary set out at that
time and went as quickly as
she could into the hill country
to a town in Judah. 40 She
went into Zechariah's house
and greeted Elizabeth.
We need to be broken in
order to be given /shared,
our brokenness can be the
healing of other people,
our woundedness can
heal others’ wounds.
Can you be a “wounded
healer”? How?
2. LIVING
AS GOD’S
BELOVED
John 19:25-27 Near the
cross of Jesus stood his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary
the wife of Cleopas, and
Mary of Magdala. 26 Seeing
his mother and the disciple
whom he loved standing near
her, Jesus said to his mother,
'Woman, this is your son.' 27
Then to the disciple he said,
'This is your mother.' And
from that hour the disciple
took her into his home.
Mary, by loving Jesus
lived a daily life of being
God’s beloved.
Luke 1:46-55
6
And Mary said:
My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord
47
and my spirit rejoices in God
my Saviour;
48
because he has looked upon
the humiliation of his servant.
Yes, from now onwards all
generations will call me
blessed,
49
for the Almighty has done
great things for me. Holy is his
name,
50
and his faithful love extends
age after age to those who fear
him.
51
He has used the power of
his arm, he has routed the
arrogant of heart.
52
He has pulled down princes
from their thrones and raised
high the lowly.
53
He has filled the starving
with good things, sent the rich
away empty.
54
He has come to the help of
Israel his servant, mindful of
his faithful love
55
-according to the promise he
made to our ancestors
-- of his mercy to Abraham
and to his descendants for
ever.
How do you love Jesus in
your daily life.
How are you called to live
your being God’s beloved
everyday?
Does your life speak of
God’s love for you and for
others?
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
MARY AS THE MODEL..
1.
Present the following reflection
points to the participants. These
will guide them to follow the
footsteps of Mary, "walking by
faith and not by sight."
“Mary As The Model Of
True Discipleship
(Holiness and Heroism):
She Walked by Faith and Not By Sight”
“The journey of life can be compared to a person walking in a
huge forest where it is pitch dark, where it is raining and thundering and one has completely lost the way. Suddenly there is
a bolt of lightning, and for an instant, the way is clear. Then
it is dark again. All one can and must do is to keep going in the
direction one saw illuminated by the lightning flash.
Most of our life we must move ahead in darkness, sustained in
our faithfulness by that which we once glimpsed when, even if
only for an instant, everything was clear. That is exactly what
Mary did. When it was dark and she could not understand anymore, she kept to what she had seen, walking by faith and not
by sight. – Martin Heidegger (cf.John Fuellenbach, Proclaiming His Kingdom, p. 206)
Saints pursued the same path towards holiness, to proclaim
and share the faith.. Heroes braved the way even to sure death
to defend freedom and life of the people. In our lives, if we are
to live out our Christian lives to utmost sincerity.
FACILITATOR'S
NOTES
2. Show the table comparing how
Jesus and Mary practiced their
faith in God the Father.
Note: It can also be helpful to have
a rich discussion/sharing if you ask
the participants what insights they
get from the information given to
them on how Mary and her Son
Jesus lived a life of Faith.
JESUS' own life was ruled by two MARY’s life was ruled by the same
principles:
principles:
total dedication to the Father
total dedication to the Father
Father, into your hands I commend
my spirit"
(Luke 23:46 )
“ Let it be done according to your
will” (Lk. 1:38)
total dedication to his mission
total dedication to the mission
of her Son
Father, if you are willing, take this
cup away from me; still, not my
will but yours be done."
(Luke 22:42)
“Do whatever he tells you”
(Jn. 2:5)
(The following reflection points and materials were taken
from / based on the books/notes given during the Seminar/
Retreat by Fr. John Fuellenbach at the East Asian
Pastoral Institute (EAPI), August 22-September 2, 2011.
The points were consolidated and developed for Holy
Heroes”)
75
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
MARY'S FATIH IN JESUS
1.
on the Scripture Passage of how
strong Mary’s faith in her Son
is.
Note:
• You may ask a participant to
read the passage. Or ask them
to open their Bibles and read
silently as they follow the
reader.
2. Pause for a few minutes after
reading the passage. Allow the
participants to internalize what
the passage is saying.
Mary’s Faith in Jesus
The Wedding at Cana
“Do whatever he tells you.”
John. 2:5
John 2:1-10 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana
in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his
disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran
short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4
(And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect
me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servers,
"Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now there were six stone water
jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty
to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So
they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Draw some out
now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. 9 And when
the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without
knowing where it came from (although the servers who had
drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom
10
and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then
when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have
kept the good wine until now."
REFLECTION POINTS
(cf. Wedding at Cana Reflections of Archbishop Chito Tagle, D.D. and
“H.E.A.R.T.S”. Reflections by Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ)
REFLECTION POINTS
1.
The following are reflection
points about the passage that
will help enrich the participants’
life as a follower of Jesus.
2. You may flash this so everyone
can see the reflection points or
have it produced so everyone
will have a copy as you journey
with Jesus and Mary.
1. THE CONCERN
The desire of our hearts
There was no wine. In the culture where Jesus grew up, one
cannot imagine a social gathering, or a wedding at that, without
serving wine. And there was no more wine. Mary saw the need of
the situation. It became a big concern that she took the courage
to bring her concern to Jesus.
What about you, do you have a concern in your heart that
you want to bring to the Heart of Jesus? Or is there anything
bothering your heart at the moment?
Jesus’ mother was bothered that even if it was “not yet the hour
” of her son, she let him know what was bothering her…. ‘They
have no wine.’
What do you want to tell Jesus?
76
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
You might want to ask the
participants to face their
seatmate and ask them to tell
their partner the statement/s in
UNDERLINED bold letters.
With our Mother, you can tell Jesus your concerns.
Jesus is waiting… Jesus is listening.
2. THE FAITH
God at the core of our hearts.
Jesus heard the concern of his mother and spontaneously
responded that his hour has not come yet. In her heart, Mary
knew her son… so she told the servants,
‘Do whatever he tells you’. Mary believed that her Son would
know what to do..
Only she knew what the response of Jesus to her request will be.
In her heart, maybe she knew, that her request for the good of
everybody will be granted. Jesus took her mother’s concern as
his. He believed in her, too.
Jesus’ hour has not come, but he also had faith in the One who
sent him.
Are your concerns also the concern of Jesus?
Like our Mother, do you believe that Jesus is with you in living
out the desires of your heart?
What are the desires of your heart for the good of all?
Where Is your heart?
3. THE RELATIONSHIP
My heart in the Heart of God
Mary trusted that her son will not fail her. Jesus valued the
desire of her mother during that crucial situation..
They are both secure in their relationship with each other.
Mary was not afraid to ask. Theirs is a relationship of love and
trust for the good of others in need. There is a union of hearts.
Are you secure with your relationship with Jesus/with God?
Do you communicate with God in loving trust?
At prayer, and at any given moment, we are called to a “heart to
heart” communication with God.
Jesus is now embracing you in His Heart.
77
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
Starting from the examples
of our Mother Mary, we can
also go back to our sisters and
brothers who lived in the past
and those living in the present
and let us learn from their
values that led to holiness and
heroism.
2. You may use the following to
show that people offer their
lives for something that they
believe in. We too, can be
models of faith and can respond
to God’s call to enter into the
disposition of the Heart of
Jesus.
4. THE ACTION
The desires of my heart are for the hearts of many
Mary did not waste any moment doubting. “Do whatever he tells
you.” Jesus acted on the “crisis” situation presented to him by his
mother. Mary was actively and contemplatively participating.
She was sensitive to the needs around her. The servants followed
the mother of Jesus --- to follow Him. And there was the best
wine.
Is there anything paralyzing you “ to do whatever he tells you”?
What are you afraid of? What are your fears?
Are you free within or humble enough to ask?
Do not be afraid. Ask. Pray. Do your best. The rest will be done
by God.
Jesus is now acting in and through you.
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
You can also use other stories or
videos of holiness and heroism, like:
•
•
•
Saint Pedro Calungsod
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
Other saints
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
on the following questions.
2. The reflection questions may
be flashed on the LCD monitor
or can be distributed to each
participant.
3. Give them time to reflect
individually and after a few
minutes ask the participants
to go to their groups and share
to them their discoveries and
insights.
• (Optional) If there is still time,
you may call 2-4 participants
to share to the assembly their
insights about Mary and how we
can follow her ways in being a
model of Christian discipleship.
78
The best of you is yet to come!
5) OTHER MODELS OF HOLINESS AND HEROISM
The Heart of God hones the hearts of His
chosen ones
Mary our Mother is our model of faith, trust and all that
embodies a person who is deeply united with Jesus. Such person
is sensitive to the Spirit and goes where the Spirit blows. Mary’s
heart has been drawn, responded to God’s call and has been
shaped to “enter into the dispositions of the Heart of Jesus”.
2
REFLECTION
1) After listening to the exposition of this session, what
is now your perspective and imagery of the Virgin
Mother?
2) The Virgin Mary exuded qualities on how to serve
and follow Jesus. What particular Marian qualities
do you see also in yourself?
3) Mary’s life serves as a premiere example and model
on Christian discipleship. How can you continue this
discipleship in your environ and circumstances?
3
READING
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Note: The following are excerpts
from the “Situations where
Sainthood and Heroism are called
Forth” – A Pastoral Exhortation of
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines written by His
Excellency Bishop Socrates B.
Villegas.
(Continuation)
Situations where Sainthood and
Heroism are called forth
Pastoral Exhortation
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
for the 2014 Year of the Laity
Called to be Saints…Sent Forth as Heroes!
CBCP President
CHALLENGE AND MISSION
“The renewal of our country thus demands of us all, and especially of
you, our lay faithful, a return to truthfulness and the fostering of the
sense of the common good. A society that is not founded on truth cannot
stand, because a society not founded on truth is either founded on lies or
deceit which can provide no stable basis for human relationships and a
stable social order. Thus, we must obey the biblical injunction “to do the
truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). We must seek the truth, speak the truth, do the
truth. This means that we must seek what is right, speak what is right,
and do what is right; and to do so “in love”, that is, in solidarity with and
service of others.”
KNOW THE FAITH
“My dear lay faithful, the greatest challenge for you is to know the content
of our faith, and to bear witness to your faith by a life of faith. Yet we had
to point out to you two main deficiencies of the faith of our people: first,
that the faith of many is uninstructed and, more importantly that this
faith has been separated from life.
This means that we must
seek what is right, speak
what is right, and do what
is right; and to do so “in
love”, that is, in solidarity
with and service of others.”
So many of our people do not even know the fundamentals of our faith!
They thus become very vulnerable to the seductions of other religious
groups who find them easy targets of their recruitment efforts. Many
of our Catholics cannot even answer attacks on basic Catholic doctrines
like the divinity of Christ, the Eucharist, the veneration of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the veneration of images.”
So many of our people do not even know the
fundamentals of our faith!
79
LIVE THE FAITH
“But more harmful even is the separation of faith from life. It is certainly a shameful proof of our failure
to evangelize our country that our churches are filled with people, our religious festivities are fervent,
our Catholic schools are many, but our country is mired in poverty and in corruption. Many, perhaps
the majority of the corrupt people in politics and in business are graduates of our own Catholic schools
and are “practicing” Catholics. The majority of those who cheat in elections and those who sell their
votes are also baptized Catholics. This is also true of the bribe takers in public offices and the looters of
our public coffers. As we noted in our pastoral letter, the criteria for decisions taken by many in politics
do not derive from faith but from other sources inimical to the Christian life. The poison of the greed for
power and wealth has already pervaded the political and business systems.
We echo the challenge of Pope Francis “We want to challenge “the baptized whose lives do not reflect
the demands of Baptism”, who lack a meaningful relationship to the Church and no longer experience
the consolation born of faith. The Church, in her maternal concern, tries to help them experience a
conversion which will restore the joy of faith to their hearts and inspire a commitment to the Gospel.
(Evangelii Gaudium, 15)
Thus we urge you to promote a continuing education towards maturity of faith among our people,
starting with our Christian families. But even more importantly, we ask you to make your faith bear
on your day to day decisions and activities. It is only an integral faith, a faith that believes, a faith that
worships, and a faith that works in love (Gal. 5:6), that will serve as God’s way “to make all things new”
in our beloved country.”
The majority of those
who cheat in elections
and those who sell their
votes are also baptized
Catholics.
CBCP President
NOTES
The poison of the greed
for power and wealth
has already pervaded
the political and business
systems.
...make your faith
bear on your day to
day decisions and
activities.
80
COMMUNITIES OF FAITH
“Since the corruption in business and in politics that we must fight against is systematic, we your pastors,
urge you to unite in groups which through prayer, discernment and concerted action will renew the social and
political fabric of our country. Individual goodness is not sufficient anymore. The good individual will only be
swallowed up by the evil system. While individual witness is important, it is in unity that good Christian people
will get their strength and attain victory.
To sustain and strengthen you in your efforts, we urge you to read the Bible, God’s written word. Read it not
only to study it but pray with it. When read prayerfully, the Bible will nourish your life. It will be a lamp to
guide you in your journey. It will help you resist temptations; it will help you know and follow Jesus, our Lord.
Second, we urge you to have resources to the SACRAMENTS. Value your baptism and prepare well for the
baptism of your children. Let parents take seriously the responsibility they undertook at baptism to raise up
their children as good Christians.
Christian marriage should be valued not only as a beautiful and solemn ceremony but as a welcoming of Christ
into the life of the couple and their future family. Hence, it must be adequately prepared for by pre-marital
instructions. Christian married couples should see their marriage as a public commissioning by Christ to serve
and protect life and married love itself.
We ask you to have recourse especially to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The Eucharist
participated in actively in faith, is the source of Christian life and strength. It is the bread of life and of martyrs.
The sacrament of Reconciliation, on the other hand, will help us heal our moral wounds and give us the grace
to fight sin in ourselves and in society.
A Church which “goes forth” is a Church whose doors are open. Going out to others in order to reach the fringes
of humanity does not mean rushing out aimlessly into the world. Often it is better simply to slow down, to put
aside our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing form one thing to another and to remain
with someone who has faltered along the way.
At times we have to be like the father of the prodigal son, who always keeps his door open so that when the son
returns, he can readily pass through it. (EG, 45)
And finally, we ask you to stand up for Jesus not only in religious activities but in your private and public life.
Speak up for Jesus and his Church in public discussions. Do not be afraid to be identified as Catholic Christians.
You have been called to be saints; you are sent forth as heroes. Take courage. Choose to be brave!
May the example of our two lay Filipino saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod be your inspiration for the
coming year!
May the Jesus and his Mother be with you and with us all, and make us, a “pueblo amante de Maria” also truly
the land of Jesus in Asia.”
CBCP President
81
OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES
CBCP President
... we urge you to unite in groups which through
prayer, discernment and concerted action will
renew the social and political fabric of our
country.
... we urge you to read the Bible, God’s written
word. Read it not only to study it but pray with
it.
... we urge you to have resources to the SACRAMENTS.
Value your baptism and prepare well for the baptism of
your children. Let parents take seriously the responsibility
they undertook at baptism to raise up their children as
good Christians.
We ask you to have recourse especially to the
Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside
our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to
stop rushing form one thing to another and to remain
with someone who has faltered along the way.
... we ask you to stand up for Jesus not only
in religious activities but in your private and
public life.
82
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
ALTERNATIVE STORIES
•
Who has sown the seed of
Holiness and Heroism in me?
by Rica Lavilla
(page 86)
•
My Mom had one eye
from E-mail Inspirational Msg.
(page 185)
4
INSPIRATIONAL STORY
Come Home
The small house was simple but adequate. It consisted of one large
room on a dusty street. Its red-tiled roof was one of many in this
poor neighborhood on the outskirts of the Brazilian village. It was
a comfortable home. Maria and her daughter, Christina, had done
what they could to add color to the gray walls and warmth to the
hard dirt floor: an old calend ar, a faded photograph of a relative,
a wooden crucifix. The furnishings were modest: a pallet on either
side of the room, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove.
Maria’s husband had died when Christina was an infant. The
young mother, stubbornly refusing opportunities to remarry, got
a job and set out to raise her young daughter. And now, fifteen
years later, the worst years were over. Though Maria’s salary as
a maid afforded few luxuries, it was reliable and it did provide
food and clothes. And now Christina was old enough to get a job
and help out.
Some said Christina got her independence from her mother. She
recoiled at the traditional idea of marrying young and raising a
family. Not that she couldn’t have had her pick of husbands. Her
olive skin and brown eyes kept a steady stream of prospects at her
door. She had an infectious way of throwing her head back and
filling the room with laughter. She also had that rare magic some
women have that makes every man feel like a king just by being
near them. But it was her spirited curiosity that made her keep all
the men at arm’s length.
She spoke often of going to the city. She dreamed of trading her
dusty neighborhood for exciting avenues and city life. Just the
thought of this horrified her mother. Maria was always quick to
remind Christina of the harshness of the streets. “People don’t
know you there. Jobs are scarce and life is cruel. And besides, if
you went there, what would you do for a living?”
Maria knew exactly what Christina would do, or would have
to do for a living. That’s why her heart broke when she awoke
one morning to find her daughter’s bed empty. Maria knew
immediately where her daughter had done. She also knew
immediately what she must do to find her. She quickly threw some
clothes in a bag, gathered up all her money, and ran out of the
house.
83
On her way to the bus stop she entered a drugstore to get one
last thing. Pictures. She sat in the photograph booth, closed the
curtain, and spent all she could on pictures. With her purse full of
small black and white photos, she boarded to next bus to Rio de
Janeiro.
Maria knew that Christina had no way of earning money. She
also knew that her daughter was too stubborn to give up. When
pride meets hunger, a human will do things that were before
unthinkable. Knowing this, Maria began her search. Bars, hotels,
nightclubs, any place with the reputation for street walkers or
prostitutes. She went to them all. And at each place she left her
picture – taped to a bathroom mirror, tacked to a hotel bulletin
board, fastened to a corner phone booth. And on the back of each
photo she wrote a note.
It wasn’t too long before both the money and the pictures ran out,
and Maria had to go home. The weary mother wept as the bus
began its long journey back to her small village.
It was a few weeks later that young Christina descended the
hotel stairs. Her young face was tired. Her brown eyes no longer
danced with youth but spoke of pain and fear. Her laughter was
broken. Her dream had become a nightmare. A thousand times
over she had longed to trade these countless beds for her secure
pallet. Yet the little village was, in too many ways, too far away.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes noticed a familiar
face. She looked again, and there on the lobby mirror was a
small picture of her mother. Christina’s eyes burned and her
throat tightened as she walked across the room and removed the
small photo. Written on the back was this compelling invitation:
“Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn’t
matter. Please come home.”
She did.
By MAX LUCADO
84
THREE
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
I nte g ration
Note:
Prepare the venue and the
material/s needed for this activity.
Magnificat
SILENCING
1. Allow the participants to take
a few minutes to settle and be
comfortable.
the inputs from the life of
Mary- being a true model of
discipleship.
READING
3. Distribute the copies of the song
projector as participants join in
reading the “Magnificat”.
(Optional) You can play an
instrumental song while reading
the prayer and during the
making of their own Magnificat.
MY MAGNIFICAT
4. Ask the participants to reflect
on the prayer.
5. Lead the participants to answer
this question:
What are the things you want
to praise and magnify the Lord
for?
M
y soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
6. Include your response to God’s
call to you, like Mary, to be part
of God’s plan of Salvation.
7. Ask the participants to come up
with their own Magnificat.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
85
WORKSHEET
What are the things you want to praise and magnify the Lord for?
Include your response to God's call to you, like Mary,
to be part of God's plan of Salvation.
My Magnificat
86
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
PRAYER
1. At this point, it may be good to
look back at our own journey
as a lay and how we can be true
models of discipleship through
the works we do in our own
place (may it be in our own
diocese/parish/community/
sector/ school and family).
•
You may also tell the
participants that as God’s
beloved, He prepares and
hones our hearts so we can
give back by serving, loving our
neighbours just as what he did
to his fellowmen.
SILENCING
2. Play a soft meditative music as
you prepare the participants for
the closing prayer.
READING
3. Prayerfully read the Prayer,
allowing the participants to
“soak in” the richness of the
words from Joyce Rupp, Out
of the Ordinary. Read without
hurrying.
FOUR
C losin g P ra y er
1
PRAYER
God of the journey, we need a burning bush to set our
hearts aflame with deep love of you.
When the road of life seems long and tedious, when
the dying and rising gets to be too much sometimes,
be that pillar of fire by night and comforting cloud
by day so that we can not only see the way but can
be confident of your gracious presence which is our
strength and our hope.
We are on our way Home. Thank you for your
nearness to us and for encouraging us to trust in you.
Amen.
- Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary, p. 227
2
CHOOSE A WORD
4. Invite the participants to
identify a word or phrase that
stands out for them, a word or
phrase that is significant.
MANTRA
5. Invite them to savour this word
or phrase in their minds, like a
mantra.
SILENCE
6. Invite everyone to be silent
and listen to what feelings or
thoughts arise within them
as they create space for God
to speak to them through the
Prayer.
CLOSING SONG
7. Invite everyone to join in
singing the closing song
“Gentle Woman”. (This may be
projected or distributed to the
participants.)
CLOSING SONG
Gentle Woman
Gentle woman, quiet light, morning
star
so strong and bright,
gentle mother peaceful dove
teach us wisdom; teach us love.
You were chosen by the Father:
You were chosen for the Son,
You were chosen from all women
and for woman shining one.
Gentle woman, quiet light, morning
star
so strong and bright
gentle mother peaceful dove
teach us wisdom; teach us love
Alternative Song: Stella Maris
Blessed are you among women
Blessed touch over the true
Blessed they with peaceful spirits
Blessed they with special hearts.
Gentle woman, quiet light,
Gentle woman peaceful dove
Gentle mother, quiet light,
Gentle woman peaceful dove
Gentle woman.......Gentle
woman.........
Gentle woman............Gentle woman
ALTERNATIVE
SONG
Stella Maris
87
WHO HAS SOWN THE SEED OF
HOLINESS AND HEROISM IN ME?
than blood that is how she cares for these children.
The Greeter and the Psalmist – photo taken after we served
for one of the Simbang Gabi masses in our parish.
A Charismatic leader who faithfully journeyed with
the members of her soon to be extinct charismatic
community. She diligently, patiently and lovingly led
prayer sessions and bible studies until her arthritis and
hypertension prevented her from being present to their
weekly meeting . It did not matter whether there were
three or thirty members in attendance. She shared LIFE
with each and every member of the aging charismatic
group.
A Vocation Promoter to her family and community. Her
having a priest son who is being praised for giving lively,
timely and inspiring sermons is a testament to her also
being good at giving sermons to her six children. No,
but kidding aside, she is a very witty woman and this is
matched by her deep spirituality.
A Cheerful Mass Greeter and Collector, a silent parish
server. At the age of seventy –one she is still an active
member of the group of ushers and collectors, and the
choir. Laughter emanates from where the group would
regularly gather because my hero is there cracking jokes.
A Surrogate Lola...she only has one grandson whom she
seldom sees. But for our neighbours she is their lola, a
good replacement to their own lolas who are working
abroad or who have already gone before us. At home she
has three marias whom she considers her own, a source
of her joy.
She is at her happiest when the youngest would play with
her, when the second born would ask for food from her,
and when the eldest would ask for "pangdagdag baon".
No blood relation at all but if there is a substance thicker
88
A small sari-sari store owner whose business is just
a front to do acts of charity to our neighbours. She
gives free pandesal to the street-sweeper, offers to lend
pamasahe for customers who doesn’t have small bills
in the morning. She would survey what products our
neighbours would frequently buy, like Milo instead of
milk for their babies, one piece of diaper just to keep the
baby dry overnight, ice, rice, noodles. And these are what
she would buy and sell at the store because these are the
immediate needs of our neighbours. She does not sell
liquors and cigarettes because she believes these are not
necessities for our neighbours.
Pambansang Nanay to our parish youth and the younger
members of her parish group she is their second mother.
Again, the small store is being ransacked whenever
meetings are held in her home especially if it’s the youth.
Life celebrations and milestones are shared in her simple
living room and she would keep on coming in and out of
the door bringing whatever food or left over there is. I am
in awe when a young person would stay with her at her
favourite spot in the store having deep conversations with
her about life, about their vocation.
A Prayer Warrior...one thing about my heroine is that ‘
ang lakas-lakas n’ya kay Lord.’ There were these moments
that two of her children had a near death experience, one
was even pronounced dead upon arrival at the ER, thank
God he was revived. While the rest of the family are in
panic mode, my heroine would look for a candle and light
it at the altar and will silently pray and recite the rosary.
In big and small decisions I always ask my heroine for
prayers.
Last but not the least my hero is a SIMPLE HOUSEWIFE
AND A MOTHER TO ME AND MY FIVE SIBLINGS!
My heroine did not perform any grand acts, she only live
her life meaningfully for herself and for others.
Ms. Rica Lavilla
Pastoral Worker/Youth Minister
Holy Family Parish
Pasig City
MODULE 4 : LAY DOWN YOUR HEART AND MIND... YOUR WHOLE LIFE
4
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay down your heart
and mind...your whole life
SECTORS TO SHARE
MONTHLY
JUBILEES
Government
Employees
Civic Organizations
Lay Saints and Catholic
Filipino Heroes
GOOD SHEPHERD BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
89
DO IT ANYWAY
Written By Mother Theresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got
anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them
anyway.
90
4
Module
LAY
(LAITY)
...Lay down your heart
and mind... your whole life
MODULE GUIDE
I.
Opening Prayer
Opening Song
Word of God
Reflection
Prayer of Petition
Prayer
II. Culminating Activity
Pastoral Spiral
Offering
III.Closing Prayer
Prayer
Closing Song
SPECIAL
PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
• Government
Employees
• Civic Organizations
• Lay Saints and
Catholic Filipino
Heroes
91
ONE
MATERIALS
candles)
• (Optional) Powerpoint of song lyrics
or video of song
SILENCING
1.
With soft meditative music
playing in the background,
allow the participants to take
a few moments to relax and be
comfortable.
OPENING SONG
2. Distribute the copies of the song
opening song “Pagkakaibigan”.
You may also use alternative
songs that are appropriate to your
participants.
your friendship with God, how
he let us feel his love for us, and
through us, we let others feel and
see his unconditional love for us.
PREPARATION
4. Slowly, bring the participants to
journey with you as we joyfully
proclaim the love of God for us.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
reading.
6. After the end of the reading, say
out loud “The Word of the Lord.”
Pause after reading the Word of
God
92
O penin g P ra y er
1
OPENING SONG
Pagkakaibigan
Ang sino man sa Aki'y mananahan Mananahan din Ako sa kanya. At kung siya'y mamunga nang masagana, Siya sa Ama'y nagbigay ng karangalan. Mula ngayon kayo'y Aking kaibigan Hinango sa dilim at kababaan. Ang kaibiga'y mag-aalay ng sarili niyang buhay; Walang hihigit sa yaring pag-aalay. Kung paanong mahal Ako ng Aking Ama, Sa inyo'y Aking ipinadarama. Sa pag-ibig Ko, kayo sana ay manahan, At bilin Ko sa inyo ay magmahalan. Pinili ka't hinirang upang mahalin Nang mamunga't bunga mo'y panatilihin. Humayo ka't mamunga nang masagana, Kagalakang walang hanggang ipamamana
2
WORD OF GOD
John 15: 10-17
If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just
as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his
love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and
your joy be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved
you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for
his friends.
FACILITATOR’S
GUIDE
REFLECTION ON THE WORD OF
GOD
powerpoint the reflection
reflect.
(Optional) SHARING. One to three
participants can share their answers to
the reflection question. Remind them
that they are free to share only the
reflections they want to share.
You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall
no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know
the master's business; I call you friends, because I have made
known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You
did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to
go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father
will give you anything you ask him in my name. My command
to you is to love one another.
3
REFLECTION
How can I "pass it
on" to share and
foster communion
with others?
How can I
celebrate and live
out my rootedness,
connectedness
with God?
4
PRAYER OF PETITION
PRAYER OF PETITIONS
participant to read it aloud or do it
yourself.
9. Include in the Petitions the
following intentions:
SPECIAL
PETITIONS/
INTENTIONS
Almighty Father,
By your Spirit the whole body of your faithful people
is governed and sanctified. Receive our prayers,
which we offer before you for all members of your
holy Church, that in our vocation and ministry we
may truly and reverently serve you.
Government
Employees
Civic Organizations
Lay Saints and
Catholic Filipino
Heroes
Almighty God, hear our prayer
Response: Almighty God, hear our prayer
loud their Prayers of Petition.
11. End the Prayer of Petition with a
Prayer.
93
5
PRAYER
F
ather in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all
goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and
receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving
thanks.
Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have
betowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith
and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our
health, the loves we have for one another, our family
and friends.
Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant
us continued graces and blessing throughout the
coming year.
This we ask in the Name of Jesus,
Your Son and our Brother.
Amen.
Jesus did not say: “One of you go”, but “All of you go”: we are sent
together. Dear young friends, be aware of the companionship of the
whole Church and also the communion of the saints on this mission.
When we face challenges together, then we are strong, we discover
resources we did not know we had.
Pope Francis, Homily at Closing Mass of World Youth Day at
Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 94
TWO
C u l m inatin g A cti v it y
1
EXERCISE
Pastoral Spiral
3. The answers will be used
as spring board for the
Planning Session
P
2. Show the Guide Questions
using an LCD or ask them
to bring out their personal
copy.
Pananampalataya
Pag
a
s
pap
ay
l
i
in n
k
g
i
a
l
o
a
s
P
o
Pagt
n
a
l
ata
p ap
a
K
l
a
g
g
sa
n
a
o
y
g
a
g
n
a
Ba
Kalagayan
sya
1. Guide the participants for
the culminating activity.
Ask them to go back to the
Pastoral Spiral. (Refer to the
groups’ answers written on
the Manila paper)
Pag
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Pagninilay sa Pananam
pala
yan
a
taya
g
a
K al
asya Pagpaplano
Pagk
g p ap
i
Pa
Pagpapasya
Pagninilay sa
Pananampalataya
los
Pagpaplano
Pagkilos
Bagong Kalagayan
Pagtatasa
Ang ‘Pastoral Spiral’ (PS) ay isang proseso o pamamaraan na ginagamit
ng Simbahan sa kanyang pagsusuri, pagninilay at pagpaplano upang
tumugon sa mga usaping panlipunan. Ito ay sininop na bersyon
ng ‘pastoral cycle’ o ‘see-judge-act framework’ na unang ginamit ni
Cardinal Joseph Cardijin sa Europa. Ang PS ay unang ginamit ng
pormal sa ginanap na 7th Convention ng Bishop Institute for Social
Action (BISA VII) sa Hua Hin, Thailand nuong 1986.
Ang buong proseso ng PS ay binubuo
ng pitong yugto:
1) Kalagayan
(My Situation)
2) Pagninilay sa Pananampalataya
(Reflection in Faith)
3) Pagpapasya
(Decision)
4) Pagpaplano
(Planning)
5) Pagkilos
(Action)
6) Pagtatasa
(Sharpening/Evaluation/Discernment)
7) Bagong Kalagayan
(New Situation)
95
UNANG
YUGTO
Kalagayan
(My Situation)
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1. Having reviewed the answers
of each group in the Pastoral
Spiral and add in all the
inputs from the modules
– ask the participants the
following questions that will
help them respond more
as laity – (to lay down your
heart and mind.. your whole
life for the Church)
Ang yugtong ito ay tumitingin at sumusuri sa kalagayang panlipunan.
Maaaring tingnan ang mga ito sa aspeto ng kalagayang panlipunan,
pangkabuhayan, pampulitika at pangkultural, personal, komunidad
at pambalangkas, lokal, nasyonal at pandaigdig na kalagayan.
Mahalaga ang yugtong ito sapagkat dito naitatakda ang konkretong
kalagayang pagmumulan at gagalawan ng unang ikot ng PS.
PANGALAWANG
YUGTO
Pagninilay sa Pananampalataya
(Reflection in Faith)
Pinalalalim naman ng yugtong ito ang pagsusuri ng kalagayan.
Kung sa unang yugto ay ginamit natin ang ating mga mata, ngayon
ay gagamit naman tayo ng “salamin sa mata” para sa mas malinaw
na pagtingin sa kalagayan. Ito’y isang muling pagtingin sa punto
de bista ng pananampalataya. Ang tanong: Ano ang sinasabi ng
ebanghelyo at ng mga turo ng Simbahan sa ganitong kalagayan?
Ano rin naman ang sinasabi ng kalagayan sa tinuturo ng Simbahan?
Maaaring ang maging tugon natin ay pagpapatotoo o kabalintunaan.
Sa mga pagninilay na ito magmumula ang mga gagawin nating
pagpapasya.
IKATLONG
YUGTO
Pagpapasya
(Decision/Response)
Sa yugtong ito, gagawin natin ang mga pasya at paghuhusga. Ito ay
maaaring pasyang ipagpatuloy ang positibong kalagayan o maaari
rin namang ipasyang itakwil ito at baguhin. Dito rin nagaganap
ang ating pagpapasya ng pagtataya sa pagkilos para sa ating
pinahahalagahan. Kailangan na hindi ito tumigil sa nibel ng utak
lamang, dapat itong lumikha ng pwersang pagkilos.
1. What are the needs of the Laity at this point in time in the
Church to be able to realize the call: “Called to be Saints,
Send forth as Heroes.”
2. How can the Church respond to the above needs?
3. How can the Laity be further helped and encouraged to
foster greater service and collaboration in the different
ministries of the Church?
96
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1. Ask the participants to group
with the members from
their own diocese/ parish/
community/ sector/ school.
2. As a group come up with a
plan of action according to
their diocesan or parish/
school.
3. Flash on the LCD monitor
and/or distribute a copy of
the worksheet.
4. You can also use the list of
the Jubilees in making a plan
of action using the values
learned in Module 2.
IKA-APAT NA
YUGTO
Pagpaplano
(Planning)
Ang pagkilos ay hindi dali-dali kundi isang maingat at planadong mga
paghakbang, ‘di man kabilisan ngunit may katiyakan. Mahalagang
yugto ng proseso ang pagpaplano. Kailangang magbigay tuon ito
sa mga tiyak at makatotohanang layunin, paglalapat ng mga akma
at mabibisang pamamaraan, at pagsasaalang-alang sa panahon,
kakayahan at mga taong kikilos. Nakabatay sa masinop na plano
ang tagumpay na pagkilos.
Commitment/Acts
of Holiness & Heroism
ONE
In your life of faith and service in the Church, what
would you like to:
STOP.
JUBILEE LIST / SECTORS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Broken Families
Homebound & Prisoners
Addicted Friends
Homeless & Jobless
Young Professionals
Laborers
7. Public School Teachers
8. Indigeneous People
9. Non-Practicing Catholics
10. Civic Organizations
11. Lay Saints and Catholic
Filipino Heroes
12. Government Employees
Not because it is not good, but maybe,
there are greater "calls" or "needs"
to respond to.
CONTINUE...
not only because we want it but because it
continues to be a “call” by God for our people
that we want to continue to respond to.
START
something that is a product of a discernment
on a call that God is calling us to do.
97
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
Show the SMART model to the
participants.
S – Specific
•
Goals must be well defined and clear
•
What do you want to happen in your
diocese/parish/community/ school/
sector?
•
What are the needs of your group?
•
Do you know exactly what you want to
accomplish with all the details?
M – Measurable
•
Define specific criteria for measuring
progress toward the accomplishment
of each goal you set so that you can
measure and keep track of your
progress.
•
Can you quantify your progress so you
can track it?
•
How will you know you reach your
goal?
A – Attainable
•
Goals must be achievable
•
Set specific goals that can be easily
achieved given a specific time.
•
Is your goal a challenge but still
possible to achieve?
•
What are the programs/projects
that can be done given the present
situation?
R – Realistic/Relevant
•
Set goals must be consistent with
other goals established and fits with
your immediate and long term plans.
•
Are your goal/s realistic and within
your reach?
•
Is your goal relevant to your diocese/
parish/community/ school/ sectors’
purpose
T – Time Bound
•
Goals must have a clearly defined time
frame including starting date and a
target date. If you don’t have a time
limit then there is no urgency to start
taking action towards achieving your
goals
•
Does your goal have a deadline?
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1. Present this quote to the
participants
2. Guide the groups to discern
and evaluate their own
community by saying:
3. Lead the groups to evaluate
their respective diocese/
parish/ community/ school/
sector.
98
Pagkilos
IKALIMANG
YUGTO
(Action/Implementation)
Ito ang yugto ng pagsasa-kamay at paa ng mga nagawang
pangpersonal at pangbalangkas na kilos. Hindi lamang ito basta
pagkilos, ito’y isang pagkilos nang may pagmamalay at dasal na
magsisilbing panata ng bawat hakbang. Mahalaga rin ang pagiging
kolektibo at organisado ng pagkilos upang mas maging mabunga
ang layuning magbago ng kalagayan.
S
PECIFIC
M
EASURABLE
A
TTAINABLE
R
EALISTIC
T
IME-BOUND
IKA-ANIM NA
YUGTO
Pagtatasa
(Sharpening/Evaluation/Discernment)
Matapos ang pagkilos, mahalaga ang yugto ng pagtatasa. Ito ay
ginagawa sa dalawang antas: Una, sa nibel na nagawang pagkilos at
pangalawa, sa antas ng kabuuang proseso ng PS mula sa pagsusuri
hanggang pagkilos.
“An unreflected life is not worth living”
- Socrates
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1. After a cycle of seeing,
reflecting, planning/
responding, evaluating/
discerning through the
process of Pastoral Spiral,
lead the participants to come
to a “new reality” which,
using the same process
(looking into the present
situation, reflection in faith,
response/decision, etc..)
We can then again reach a new
level of reality.
IKA-PITONG
YUGTO
Bagong Kalagayan
(New Situation)
Ito ang ating layunin at mangyayari ito kahit hindi man maging
ganap. Maaaring pagmulan ito ng mga bagong suliranin at
alalahanin. Maaari rin naman itong pagmulan ng sigla upang mas
paghusayin pa ang ating pagkilos para sa pagbabago. Pagkatapos
nito, isang bagong ikot muli ng PS ang maaari na nating simulan.
A new cycle begins... the process of the spiral is repeated...
towards another new situation... towards a better situation.
2
RITUAL
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1.
As the groups are finalizing
their answers, play a soft
meditative music to signal them
for the next part of the session.
2. You may tell the group an
Inspirational story with a theme
about “offering” (or choose from
the stories in the appendices)
Offering
COMMUNION/ BAYANIHAN
You can connect the inspirational
story to being in communion with
others.
Say that in the context of this
formation program, “Holy Heroes”,
when we talk of communion, it is
like connecting with or having a
gathering of the Laity towards a
common goal.
That is... to journey together, in one
heart and mind, help and lift up each
other to become “Holy Heroes”.
We may also liken it to a Filipino
concept of “Bayanihan”. Bayanihan
in many local understanding can
mean coming together voluntarily to
do something for a common cause.
The word itself speaks of what “Holy
Heroes” is about.
99
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Bayanihan: Bayan at Bayani or
Bayani para sa bayan.
We can also derive from it the word
“ani” and “anihan” or “harvest” and
“gathering of harvest.” Together,
we sow seeds of the values, virtues
and other kinds of goodness that
can form communion with the lay
faithful.
3. Ask the participants to join in
singing a song in scouting – it
is a gathering song at campfire
to call the scouts and all the
campers:
Flash the lyrics of the song:
After singing it 2-3x, say this:
Come, let us light the fire of
communion together,
Let us join the “bayanihan ring”,
Let us tell our stories, and make our
dreams come true.
Come, come light of the fire.
Come, come, join in the ring.
Here comes dreams to inspire,
Stories to tell, music to sing...
Come, come...
4. Tell the participants that “all
that we are given as individuals,
especially the gift of holiness
and heroism, are meant to be
shared with one another. Let
us offer ourselves and form
communion or “bayanihan”
with God and with one
another.”
5. Give everyone pieces of heartshaped papers and invite them
to write, prayerfully, what
they think they can do to build
“communion” or “bayanihan” of
holy heroes.
You can play soft instrumental
music during this activity.
6. Ask them to keep their heartshaped papers to be offered
during the Closing Mass. A
cross or a cross-shaped cloth
is ideally placed in front where
each participant offers their
hearts and say a little prayer
7. If there is no Closing Mass,
this activity can serve as the
Culminating Activity. A more
elaborate ritual can be done,
with songs, music, dances and
many more.
100
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
1 | PRAYER
At this point, it may be good to
reflect on the whole journey on
laying down one’s heart and mind
even your whole life in being holy
heroes for our Church.
2 | SILENCING
Play a soft meditative music as you
prepare the participants for the
closing prayer.
3 | READING
Prayerfully read the Prayer, allowing
the participants to internalize the
richness of the words. Read the
prayer without hurry.
4 | CHOOSE A WORD
Invite the participants to identify a
word or phrase that stands out / or
significant to them.
5 | MANTRA
Invite them to savour this word or
6 | SILENCE
through the Prayer.
7 | CLOSING SONG
Invite everyone to join in singing the
closing song “Pass It On”. (This may
be projected or distributed to the
participants.)
FOUR
C losin g P ra y er
1
PRAYER
God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:
We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath that sustains life,
for the food of this earth that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.
We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty that the eye can see,
for the joy that the ear may hear,
for the unknown that we cannot behold
filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space that draws us beyond
the definitions of our selves.
We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families who nurture our becoming,
for friends who love us by choice,
for companions at work,
who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers who welcome us
into their midst,
for people from other lands
who call us to grow in understanding,
for children who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn, who offer us hope
for the future.
We thank you for this day:
for life and one more day to love,
for opportunity and one more day
to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors and one more person
to love and by whom be loved,
for your grace and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise: to be with us,
to be our God, and to give salvation.
For these, and all blessings,
we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
101
2
CLOSING SONG
Pass It On
Kurt Kaiser
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
What a wonderous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.
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APPENDICES
Appendices
A. New Evangelization
B. Readings on and Resource materials
for the Year of the Laity
1. St. Lorenzo Ruiz
2. St. Pedro Calungsod
3. Social Doctrines
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church
5. Leading With Heart and Soul,
Fostering Workplace Spirituality
6. Alternative Resources
C. Biblical Passages
D. Taize Prayer
E. Quotations
1. Pope Francis
2. Dr.Jose Rizal
3. Other Heroes/Great People
F. Stories
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A
N http://newevangelizationphilippines.com/
e w E v an g eli z ation
As we initiate concrete activities of the New Evangelization,
we need to emphasize the absolute necessity of three
overriding faith imperatives for evangelizing efforts to be
fruitful.
First, the centrality of the Eucharist. For if “the liturgy
is the summit toward which the activity of the Church
is directed” and “is also the fount from which all power
flows,” it is “especially from the Eucharist” that “grace is
poured forth upon us as from a fountain” (Sacrosanctum
Concilium, no. 10). The grace that radiates from the
Eucharist has to accompany all our evangelizing efforts.
Second, the necessity of Prayer. We believe that the
Holy Spirit is the main agent of evangelization. Every
evangelizer, therefore, has to be led and driven by the
Spirit, even as Jesus was in His proclaiming of the
Kingdom of God (see Lk. 3:22; 4:1,14). And it is through
prayer that we are able to listen to the Holy Spirit and do
his bidding. It is by the Holy Spirit that we are able to call
on God, Abba. It is by the Holy Spirit that we are able to
follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus and tell His story
to others. In our context, our people’s fidelity to prayer
through religious devotions and practices – through their
popular religiosity and piety – is an enduring witness to
their acceptance of the Good News of Jesus. Hence, the
New Evangelization has to be accompanied by prayer
and contemplation. We are called to rekindle the spirit
and practice of prayer among us and foster a renewal of
popular religiosity and piety in its different forms and
practices.
Third, the necessity of Conversion. The journey to
discipleship in Christ begins with conversion, a deep
metanoia, a change of mind and heart. Conversion into
discipleship leads to telling the story of Jesus as one has
seen him, heard him, and touched him in the core of one’s
heart. Jesus our Lord of Divine Mercy is a testimony that
no evangelization can be fruitful without conversion.
“Repent and believe in the Gospel” were the first words
of Jesus in his public ministry as recorded by Mark. As
Church, all the faithful, and especially we as Pastors,
should recognize and confess our own “mea culpas,” and
our failures to evangelize credibly and effectively.
With these postulates of the New Evangelization, we
respond to the call of the Spirit for a New Evangelization
by focusing on the Nine Pastoral Priorities of the Church
in the Philippines as the key themes over a nine-year
period.
104
Year 2013: Integral Faith Formation.
What a blessing it is that this first pastoral priority
coincides with this Year of Faith as declared by the
Holy Father! Our pastoral concern goes out to the great
many whose faith hardly plays a significant role in daily
private and public life. We reach out during this year to
those who have drifted away from the Christian faith.
We note with sadness the erosion of the faith and our
need for true conversion. The Sacred Scriptures and
Tradition, Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic
Church and the Catechism for Filipino Catholics will be
fundamental references of the New Evangelization. This
is the year of San Pedro Calungsod, who with San Lorenzo
Ruiz, provides an exemplary model for the mission of the
Church in the Philippines. Integral Faith Formation will
focus on the “12 articles of Faith” found in the Apostles
Creed. Faith Formation has one objective: a more
intimate relationship between Jesus and his followers.
Blessed John Paul uses the three phrases: evangelization
with “new methods, new expressions, and new fervor.” In
the end, the Church follows the way of holiness through
conversion and discipleship.
Year 2014: Laity.
This year especially celebrates both the sacrament of
Baptism by which all the faithful become God’s sons
and daughters and the sacrament of Confirmation by
which they become witnesses of Christ to others. Yet
the gifts of the Holy Spirit through these sacraments
often remain dormant. This year is to be devoted to the
renewal of the laity, to their “empowerment” or more
accurately to activating their charisms from the Spirit, so
that they may indeed take up their role as co-responsible
agents of evangelization and lead in the task of social
transformation. In this regard, of paramount global
importance is the ecological challenge of climate change.
Year 2015: The Poor.
This year is dedicated to committing ourselves more firmly
to our vision of becoming truly a Church of the Poor. The
new evangelization is also a powerful call from the Lord to
follow in His footsteps to be evangelically poor. How far
have we journeyed to our vision of Church? How shall we
assist the materially poor to face the challenges of hunger
and poverty, of globalization and climate change? And
together with them eradicate the evil of corruption and
the economic and political imbalances of our society? At
the same time we realize that the materially poor in our
APPENDICES
midst have the God-given power to tell the story of the
poor Christ who by His poverty liberates and enriches us.
The whole Church, rich and poor, powerful and powerless,
have to be in solidarity in the work of restoring integrity
and truth, justice and peace – love – in our benighted
land.
Year 2016: The Eucharist and of the Family.
This is a year of great blessing for us. The Holy Father
has chosen Cebu as the host of the Fifty-first International
Eucharistic Congress. We will focus our pastoral action on
making the Eucharist better appreciated and its missionary
implication better lived by the Catholic faithful. We shall
especially emphasize on forming the Filipino Family as a
Eucharistic community of parents and children, true to
its name as a domestic church, rooted in the Eucharist.
An evangelized family is an evangelizing family. Even as
it is increasingly besieged by secularist values, the Family,
as PCP-II has said, is “the focal point of evangelization.”
We shall intensify our efforts to strengthen marriage and
the family and to protect them from ideas and values that
destroy them.
Year 2017: The Parish as a Communion of
Communities.
This is a year when we more deeply discern not only the
structures of governance of our dioceses and parishes but
also of the quality of faith life in the parish, the fellowship,
belongingness, and participation experienced by its
members. In a special way we shall probe into our efforts
of making the parish a communion of communities,
a communion of Basic Ecclesial Communities and of
covenanted faith-communities and ecclesial movements.
We shall discern and implement measures on how
communities of consecrated life may be more integrated
into the life and mission of the parish. In brief, our
focus will be the building of a parish that is truly a faith
community immersed in the lives of its people.
Year 2018: Clergy and Religious.
In our culture, clergy and religious are the key to the
New Evangelization. Yet they are not immune to the twin
errors of a dichotomy of faith and inadequate discipleship
of Christ. This is a year dedicated to the integral renewal
of the values, mind-sets, behavior, and life-styles of the
clergy and religious. The aim is to become servant-leaders
in the manner of the Good Shepherd, live the spirit of
the evangelical counsels and be authentic prophets of
the Good News of Jesus and of the Kingdom. It will be
a year, too, of revisiting ways of seminary and religious
formation, of on-going formation, and of the collaboration
of the laity in these crucial approaches to integral growth
and development in view of mission and ministry.
Year 2019: Youth.
It is often said that the youth are the future of the Church.
The youth are in fact the present of the Church. They are its
most numerous members. They inspire us by their active
participation in society and in the Church. The involvement
of hundreds of thousands of young people in the various
activities of evangelization and social transformation is a
call to greater participation in the Church. “New methods,
new expressions and new fervor” of evangelization are
imperative. We shall invite the youth to discern deeply
their vocation in the world and in the Church, especially
the Lord’s invitation to them to the priestly and religious
life. How we, as Church, respond to the aspirations of the
youth will shape the third millennium.
Year 2020: Ecumenism and Inter-Religious
Dialogue.
Different faiths and religions are a formidable challenge to
a nation that strives to be a community, a human family,
a unity in diversity. This year will be devoted to exploring
new ways of being community through ecumenical and
inter-religious relationships and action. Caritas in veritate,
open, honest, respectful – loving – dialogue of life, prayer
and action is the only way towards community. At stake
are the great values of peace and harmony, particularly in
areas of armed conflict, solidarity in the struggle for social
change, unity in healing social ills, integrity and social
justice in our land.
Year 2021: Missio ad gentes.
We are indeed proud that so many of the Filipino faithful
(laity, priests, and religious) are missionaries in all the
continents of the world. It is the duty of faith in Christ to
tell his story to others, especially to those who have not
sufficiently heard of him. Even as we are deeply inspired
by the stories of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
witnessing to their faith in “ad gentes” regions as well as
in highly secularized countries, we need to explore new
ways of assisting them as evangelizers. We have been
challenged by Blessed John Paul to become the “foremost
missionaries” in Asia. This year will be devoted to how we
are fulfilling that vocation, how a mission-consciousness
in all the faithful can be formed, how each one can be
animated into becoming a missionary even at home, and
more concretely how parishes and dioceses are supporting
our own Philippine-Mission Society.
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APPENDICES
B
R ea d in g s & R eso u rce M aterials
1
SAN LORENZO RUIZ
http://www.chapelofsanlorenzoruiz.org
On September 29,1637, San Lorenzo Ruiz professed his faith by martyrdom. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II
in Manila and later canonized on October 28,1987. San Lorenzo Ruiz holds the distinction of being the first person
beatified outside the Vatican. He also holds the honor of being the first Filipino saint, the "most improbable of saints,"
as Pope John Paul II described him during the canonization ceremony.
Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, was the kind of man who could die for God and religion a thousand times
if he had to. Lorenzo Ruiz was was a layman who worked as a calligrapher for the Dominican parish of Binondo,
Manila. As an "escriba," he was exceptionally gifted, and the Dominican friars relied on him to transcribe baptismal,
confirmation and marriage documents into the church's official books. He was also an active member of the Marian
confraternity, a man the Dominicans described as someone "they could trust."
The son of a Chinese father and Tagala mother who lived in the Parian district outside the city walls of Manila,
Lorenzo Ruiz married a Tagala like his mother and had three children -- two sons and a daughter -- whose
descendants are currently residents of the same area where the original Ruiz family lived.In 1636, Ruiz was
implicated in a murder. He sought help from his Dominican superiors who believed in his innocence. In order to
escape what they believed would have been an unjust prosecution for their protege, the Spanish friars immediately
sent Ruiz on a missionary expedition outside of the Philippines. Initially, Ruiz thought he was being sent to
Taiwan, where he believed his Chinese roots would enable him to start a new life. Little did he know that he and the
missionary expedition led by Fray Domingo Ibanez was actually headed for Nagasaki, Japan, where feudalism was
fanning the flames of Christian persecution. Lorenzo Ruiz was headed straight into the arms of death.
He was arrested almost immediately upon his arrival in Japan in 1636, and subjected to torture by his Japanese
captors for more than a year. Tied upside down by his feet and dropped into a well where sharp stakes lined the
bottom, his torturers would stop just before he would be impaled, and thereupon try to convince him to renounce his
faith.
"Deny your faith and we will spare your life," his persecutors said.
To which Lorenzo Ruiz answered, "I will never do it. I am a Catholic and happy to die for God. If I have a thousand
lives to offer, I will offer them to God."
Existing documents attest that the Japanese promised him a safe trip back home where he could be reunited with his
loved ones, but Ruiz staunchly chose to remain faithful to his religion.
On September 22, 1637, Ruiz, Fray Domingo and their 14 companions were led up a hill overlooking the bay of
Nagasaki. There they were hung upside down with their heads inside the well. Their temples were slit open to let
blood drip slowly until they died either from loss of blood or asphyxiation. Many died after several days. Ruiz died
last, on September 29,1637.
"The Lord gives us saints at the right time and God waited 350 years to give us this saint," the Holy Father then said.
"It is the heroism which he demonstrated as a lay witness to the faith... which is very important in today's world. The
witness of San Lorenzo is the testimony we need of courage without measure to show us that it is possible. Faith and
life for Lorenzo was synonymous and inseparable. Life without faith would have been without value...he proved that
sanctity and heroism are there for anybody and the final victory is made to size for each one of us."
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APPENDICES
Saint Lorenzo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Ruiz
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (ca. 1600 – 29 September 1637), also known as Laurentius Ruiz de Manila[1] or San Lorenzo
Ruiz de Manila, is the first Filipino saint venerated in the Roman Catholic Church; he is thus the protomartyr of the
Philippines. He was killed for refusing to leave Japan and renounce his Roman Catholic beliefs during the persecution
of Japanese Christians under the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century.
Saint Lorenzo is patron saint of, among others, the Philippines and Filipinos.
Early Life
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother who were both Catholic. His father
taught him Chinese while his mother taught him Tagalog.
Ruiz served as an altar boy at the convent of Binondo church. After being educated by the Dominican friars for a few
years, Ruiz earned the title of escribano (calligrapher) because of his skillful penmanship. He became a member of the
Cofradia del Santissimo Rosario (Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary). He married Rosario, a native, and they had
two sons and a daughter. The Ruiz family lead a generally peaceful, religious and content life.
In 1636, whilst working as a clerk for Binondo Church, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard. Ruiz sought
asylum on board a ship with three Dominican priests: Saint Antonio Gonzalez; Saint Guillermo Courtet; Saint Miguel
de Aozaraza, a Japanese priest; Saint Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz; and a lay leper Saint Lazaro of Kyoto. Ruiz and his
companions left for Okinawa on 10 June 1636, with the aid of the Dominican fathers and Fr Giovanni Yago.
Martyrdom
The Tokugawa shogunate was persecuting Christians by the time Ruiz had arrived in Japan. The missionaries were
arrested and thrown into prison, and after one year, they were transferred to Nagasaki to face trial by torture. He and
his companions faced different types of torture. One of these was the insertion of needles inside their fingernails.
On 27 September 1637, Ruiz and his companions were taken to the Nishizaka Hill, where they were tortured by being
hung upside down a pit. This form of torture was known as tsurushi in Japanese or horca y hoya in Spanish. The
method was supposed to be extremely painful: though the victim was bound, one hand is always left free so that victims
may be able to signal that they recanted, and they would be freed. Ruiz refused to renounce Christianity and died from
blood loss and suffocation. His body was cremated and his ashes thrown into the sea.
According to Latin missionary accounts sent back to Manila, Ruiz declared these words upon his death:
"Ego Catholicus sum et animo prompto paratoque pro Deo mortem obibo. Si mille vitas haberem, cunctas ei offerrem."
In English this may be rendered:
"I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for the Lord; If I had a thousand lives, all these I shall offer to
Him."
This may be reconstructed into Tagalog or Filipino as:
"Isa akong Katoliko at buong-pusong tinatanggap ang kamatayan para sa Panginoon. Kung ako man ay may isanlibong
buhay, lahat ng iyon ay iaalay ko sa Kanya."
Miracle
The miracle that led to his canonization took place in 1983, when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio, a 2-year-old girl suffering
brain atrophy (hydrocephalus) was cured through the intercession of the family and supporters to Lorenzo Ruiz. She
was diagnosed shortly after her birth and was treated at Magsaysay Medical Center.
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APPENDICES
2
A Catechetical Primer on the Life, Martyrdom
and Glorification of Blessed Pedro Calungsod
by Msgr. Ildebrando Jesus Aliño Leyson
1. What is the name of the Filipino who is going to be declared a saint on October 21, 2012? His baptismal name is
“Pedro”. He may have taken his name from the saint of the day when he was born, like for example, from Saint Peter the Apostle
on June 29. His surname is variedly spelled in the manuscripts of his Spanish companions and contemporaries as “Calonsor”,
“Calongsor”, “Calansor” and “Calangsor”. The present version of the surname is “Calungsod”, with the accent falling on the “u” –
“Calúngsod”. The surname is of Visayan origin. It comes from the Visayan word “lúngsod” which means “town” or “citizenry”. The
affix “Ca-” forms a noun which means “one’s co-[noun]”. Therefore, “Calungsod” means “one’s townmate” or “one’s fellow town
citizen”. While today the Visayans normally use the word “katagilúngsod” (the “Ca-” is substituted with “ka-” plus the affix “tagi-”
functioning as an indicative of a place of origin) to refer to one’s townmate, the surname remains to be “Calungsod”. The Spaniards
may have written the surname according to how they could pronounce it, that is, perhaps with some difficulty in enunciating the
“ng” and the terminal “d” – Calonsor – or it may have been the old version of the surname. In that case, the real surname of Pedro is
“Calongsor”. Even today, when “lungsod” is inflected, the terminal “d” is alternated with an “r”; for example, “kalungsóran” (towns);
“lungsoránon” (town citizen[s]). The same is true with other Visayan words that end in “d”, like for instance: “búkid” (mountain)
® “kabukíran” (mountains); “tubúd” (spring) ® “tuburán” (source, springs); “tíkad” (cultivate) ® “tikáron” (will cultivate; will be
cultivated).
2. Who was Pedro Calungsod? Pedro Calungsod was a teenage native of the Visayas region of the Philippines. Very little is
known about him. We do not even know where exactly in the Visayas he came from or who his parents were. He was just one of the
boy catechists who went with some Spanish Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines, headed by Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores, S.J.,
to the Ladrones Islands in the western North Pacific Ocean in 1668 to evangelize the Chamorros. In that century, the Jesuits in the
Philippines used to train and employ young boys as competent catechists and versatile assistants in their missions. The Ladrones at
that time was part of the old Diocese of Cebu. Pedro worked with Fr. Diego in those islands from June 15, 1668 until April 2, 1672
when they were both killed by two natives on account of the Christian Faith.
3. What are our sources of information about Pedro? Our sources of information about Pedro are the manuscripts of his
companion missionaries and contemporaries that report about the first mission in the Ladrones Islands which were used during
the process for the beatification of Fr. Diego. These documents are kept in different archives in Spain, Mexico, France and Rome.
4. Why can we not be certain of Pedro’s exact provenance in the Visayas? The Visayas is the group of several islands
in the central Philippines, the largest of which are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. There are no existing pertinent
documents, like a baptismal record, that could serve as solid bases for identifying which island the birthplace of Pedro in the Visayas
is. The documents written by his companion missionaries simply identify him as an “indio bisaya”, that is, a Visayan native.
5. Would Pedro’s surname help us make an inference about his birthplace in the Visayas? There are three Visayan
languages: Cebuano, which is spoken in Cebu, Bohol, southern Leyte and eastern Negros; Hiligaynon, which is spoken in Panay
and western Negros; and Waray which is spoken in Samar and northern Leyte. The term “lungsod” for “town” is Cebuano, while in
Hiligaynon it is rendered as “banwa” and in Waray “bongto”. Nevertheless, we cannot surely say that Pedro was a Cebuano since
there are Calungsod families in the Visayan islands of Panay and Leyte. At the same time, we cannot verify if the Calungsod families
had already migrated to Panay or Leyte during the time of Pedro.
6. Where in the Visayas are the Calungsod families densely found? The Calungsod families are densely found in the
Visayan towns of Ginatilan in Cebu, Hinunangan and Hinundayan in southern Leyte, and in Molo district of Iloilo City in Panay.
7. Could Pedro be from Molo, Panay? There are Calunsod/Calonsod [sic] families in Molo district of Iloilo City. Basing on the
argument of the Cebuano-Visayan origin of the surname “Calungsod”, one may easily conclude that the Calungsod clan cannot have
originated in Panay where the language is Hiligaynon. But this does not mean that Pedro Calungsod must not be from there. Who
knows, the Calunsod clan may have already migrated there in the 1600’s. Besides, there was a Jesuit residence in Arévalo in Panay
where Pedro could have been recruited for the mission. However, on November 30, 1676 – just four years after the martyrdom of
Pedro – when his immediate relatives or acquaintances would still be alive, a “Subrogatorial” process for the beatification of Fr.
Diego Luís de San Vitores was conducted in Iloilo, Panay. It lasted until the following December 9. We know for a fact that the
accounts of the martyrdom of Fr. Diego always carry the name of Pedro who was his lone companion. Nevertheless, during the
process in Iloilo, there was no claim whatsoever that Pedro hailed from Panay. It was as if he was totally unknown there at that time.
Or was it because the process was for Fr. Diego alone that is why Pedro was totally ignored? That would be strange especially on the
part of his family, friends and the parish priest of Arévalo and Vicar Forane of the Province of Oton, Fr. Mateo Cuenca de Escobar,
who was among the witnesses of the process.
8. Could Pedro be from Ginatilan, Cebu? By the fact that his surname is Cebuano, Pedro may well be from Ginatilan, Cebu.
Ginatilan was a very remote place in south-western Cebu during the time of Pedro. If he came from there, it is not surprising that
his exact provenance in the Visayas was somehow unknown especially to the Jesuits who had no mission station there. But how did
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APPENDICES
a boy from such a remote place come in contact with the Jesuit
missionaries when there was no Jesuit mission station in that
part of Cebu? The nearest Jesuit mission station was in Tanay in
eastern Negros, though just across the channel from Ginatilan.
It is interesting to note, however, that the first account we have
about Pedro was written twenty-four days after his martyrdom
by his companion missionary in Guam, Fr. Francisco Solano,
who had worked in Negros since 1665 when Pedro would have
been about ten years old. Moreover, on August 8, 1676 – four
years after the death of Pedro – a “Rogatorial” process for
the beatification of Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores was opened
in Cebu where two Jesuit priests made mention of Pedro: Fr.
Jaime Bestart and Fr. Pedro de Casanova who was a companion
missionary of Pedro in Guam for three years. Both priests were
the only ones in the documentations who made a more specific
indication of Pedro’s age by saying that Pedro was only a niño
– more or less 16 to 17 years old – when he was martyred.
Nevertheless, both witnesses did not explicitly say that Pedro
was from Cebu.
9. Could Pedro be from Hinunangan or Hinundayan,
Leyte? During the time of Pedro, Hinunangan and Hinundayan
in Leyte were part of the Jesuit mission station of Abuyog. If he
were from one of these towns, it may easily be explained why
he got in contact with the Jesuits. Leyte was entirely a Jesuit
mission territory at that time. It may just be strange why his
companion missionaries could not exactly identify which island
in the Visayas he came from if indeed he was from the Jesuit
mission in Leyte. Meanwhile, the same missionaries identified
the exact provenance of their other Visayan companions
like Pedro Basijan, saying that he was from Salug [Salong in
Negros?] or like Francisco Maunahun, saying that he was from
Indan [Hindang in Leyte or Jamindan in Panay?]. Nevertheless,
this fact alone cannot make us conclude that Pedro cannot be
from Leyte.
10. What is meant by “mission” and “evangelization”?
The term “mission” comes from the Latin word “missio” which
means “sending off”, “sending away”. The word “mission” in
its modern sense apparently goes back to St. Ignatius of Loyola
in the 16th century. By the fourth “vow of the mission”, certain
Jesuits were sent to non-Christian lands (or to countries lost
to Catholicism during the Protestant Reformation) as agents
vested with the authority of the pope to propagate the Catholic
faith. Those sent soon came to be called “missionaries” and the
places they were sent, “missions”. The task of the missionaries is
itself called “mission”. “Evangelization” on the other hand comes
from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον “euanggelion” (εὔ = “good”,
ἀγγέλλω = “I bring a message”; the word “angel” [messenger]
is of the same root). It originally meant a reward for good news
given to the messenger and later "good news", thus, “Gospel”
from “good” and “spell” meaning “words” or “speech”. In its
precise sense, evangelization is the mission directed to those
who do not know Christ. In a wider sense, it is used to describe
ordinary pastoral work, while the phrase “new evangelization”
designates pastoral outreach to those who no longer practice the
Christian faith.
11. How did Pedro become part of the Jesuit Mission
in the Ladrones? It was the strategy of the Jesuits who were
evangelizing the Visayas in the 1600’s to train young boys as
assistants or catechists to help them in their missions. The
training was done in Jesuit-run boarding schools for boys. Pedro
may have attended one of the Jesuit boarding schools for boys
and thus was among those brought by the Jesuit priest Fr. Diego
Luís de San Vitores to start the Mission at the Ladrones Islands
together with other Jesuits.
12. Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores was assigned in
Antipolo. How could he have recruited boys from the
Visayas? It is known that Fray Juan Lopez, OP, the bishop of
Cebu at that time, manifested his willing support to the Mission
organized by Fr. Diego since the Ladrones were then part of
the ecclesiastical territory of the Diocese of Cebu. It is possible
that the bishop himself may have sent boys from the Visayas to
support the Mission. Another possibility is that the Jesuits in
the Visayas themselves may have sent the boys to their confrere
Fr. Diego.
13. How did the missionaries arrive in the Ladrones?
Overcoming all difficulties, the missionaries left with the ship
named “San Diego” from the port of Cavite on August 7, 1667.
They sailed first to Acapulco in Mexico to get some provisions
for the Mission. They arrived in Acapulco on January 6, 1668
and stayed there until March 23, 1668 when they left for the
Ladrones. They reached the island of Guam in the Ladrones on
June 15, 1668.
14. How was life in the Ladrones Mission? Life in the
Ladrones was hard. The provisions for the Mission did not arrive
regularly; the jungles were too thick to cross; the cliffs were
very steep to climb, and the islands were frequently visited by
devastating typhoons. Despite the hardships, the missionaries
persevered, and the Mission was blessed with many conversions.
The first mission residence and church were built in the town of
Hagåtña [Agadña; Agaña; Agana] in the island of Guam and was
dedicated to the Dulce Nombre de Maria, the Sweet Name of
Mary. Subsequently, the islands were renamed “Marianas” by
the missionaries in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the
then queen regent of Spain, Maria Ana, who was the benefactress
of that Mission.
15. How did the persecution against the missionaries in
the Marianas begin? A Chinese quack, named Choco, envious
of the prestige that the missionaries were gaining among the
Chamorros, started to spread the talk that the baptismal water of
the missionaries was poisonous. And since some sickly Chamorro
infants who were baptized died, many believed the calumniator
and eventually apostatized. The evil campaign of Choco was
readily supported by the Macanjas who were superstitious local
herbal medicine men, and by the Urritaos, the young native men
who were given into some immoral practices. These, along with
the apostates, began to persecute the missionaries, many of
whom were killed.
16. What sustained the perseverance of the missionaries
in the Marianas? The missionaries were able to persevere in
the Mariana Mission because of their firm spiritual life. They
were fervent in their prayers and sacrifices for the salvation of
souls. They were faithful to the daily celebration of the Holy
Eucharist. They regularly and frequently received the Sacrament
of Confession, thus keeping themselves always at peace with God
and always prepared for death. Moreover, they were so devoted
to the Blessed Virgin Mary as their inspiration and protector.
17. What were the circumstances of the martyrdom
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APPENDICES
of Pedro? The most unforgettable assault happened on April
2, 1672, the Saturday just before the Passion Sunday of that
year. At around seven o’clock in the morning, Pedro – by then
already about seventeen years old, as can be gleaned from the
written testimonies of his companion missionaries – and the
superior of the Mission, Padre Diego, came to the village of
Tomhom [Tumhon; Tumon], in Guam. There, they were told
that a baby girl was recently born in the village; so they went
to ask the child’s father, named Matapang, to bring out the
infant for baptism. Matapang was a Christian and a friend of the
missionaries, but having apostatized, he angrily refused to have
his baby christened.
18. What did Padre Diego and Pedro do to show that
they were missionaries of peace? To give Matapang some
time to cool down, Padre Diego and Pedro gathered the children
and some adults of the village at the nearby shore and started
chanting with them the truths of the Catholic Faith. They invited
Matapang to join them.
19. What was the response of Matapang to the friendly
gesture of Padre Diego and Pedro? Matapang shouted
back that he was angry with God and was already fed up with
the Christian teachings. Determined to kill the missionaries,
Matapang went away and tried to enlist in his cause another
villager, named Hirao, who was not a Christian. At first, Hirao
refused, mindful of the kindness of the missionaries towards
the natives; but, when Matapang branded him a coward, he got
piqued and so he consented.
20. How were Padre Diego and Pedro able to baptize
the child of Matapang? During that brief absence of
Matapang from his hut, Padre Diego and Pedro took the chance
of baptizing the infant with the consent of the Christian mother.
21. How did Padre Diego and Pedro die? When Matapang
learned of the baptism, he became even more furious. He
violently hurled spears first at Pedro. The lad skirted the darting
spears with remarkable dexterity. Witnesses said that Pedro had
all the chances to escape because he was very agile, but he did
not want to leave Padre Diego alone. Those who personally knew
Pedro believed that he would have defeated his fierce aggressors
and would have freed both himself and Padre Diego if only he
had some weapon because he was a valiant boy; but Padre Diego
never allowed his companions to carry arms because they were
missionaries of peace. Finally, Pedro got hit by a spear at the
chest and he fell to the ground. Hirao immediately charged
towards him and finished him off with a blow of a cutlass on
the head. Padre Diego could not do anything except to raise a
crucifix and give Pedro the final sacramental absolution. After
that, the assassins also killed Padre Diego. Matapang took
the crucifix of Padre Diego and pounded it with a stone while
blaspheming God.
22. What did the assassins do to the remains of Padre
Diego and Pedro? Both assassins denuded the bodies of
Pedro and Padre Diego, dragged them to the edge of the shore,
tied large stones to their feet, brought them on a proa to sea and
threw them into the deep. Those remains of the martyrs were
never to be found again.
23. What did the other Mariana missionaries say about
Pedro? When the fellow missionaries of Pedro learned of his
110
death, they exclaimed, “Fortunate youth! How well rewarded his
four years of persevering service to God in the difficult Mission
are; he has become the precursor of our superior, Padre Diego,
in Heaven!” They remembered Pedro to be a boy with a very
good disposition, a virtuous catechist, a faithful assistant, a good
Catholic whose perseverance in the Faith even to the point of
martyrdom proved him to be a good soldier of Christ. We may
lament the “failure” of the companions and contemporaries
of Pedro in indicating his place of origin in their manuscripts.
However, “bissaya” may be just the perfect description of who
Pedro was and who he should be to us today. For according to Fr.
Ignacio Francisco Alcina, SJ, who worked in the Visayas during
the time of Pedro, “bissaya” means “a happy man”, “a man of fine
and pleasant disposition”. And this is how Pedro is described by
his companions in their accounts of his martyrdom: that he was
a lad of “very good disposition”, and that he was a “fortunate
[happy] youth” because he lived and died for the Christian Faith.
24. What did the other Mariana missionaries do after
the death of Padre Diego and Pedro? The Mariana Mission
continued amid turmoil. Meanwhile, the surviving Jesuit
missionaries managed to start the process for the beatification
of their Mission superior Padre Diego on January 9, 1673.
25. What is meant by “beatification”? Beatification is
the act by which the Church, through papal decree, permits a
specified diocese, region, nation, or religious institute to honor
with public cult under the title “Blessed” a Christian person who
has died with a reputation for holiness. The cult usually consists
of a Mass and Divine Office (liturgical prayers) in the person’s
honor. Formal beatification is a positive declaration, following
a canonical process, that a person did practice heroic Christian
virtue, or suffered a true martyrdom, and after death worked
authentic miracles upon being invoked in prayer. Besides
witnesses’ testimony to his virtues, evidence of one first-class
miracle is required, though this requirement may be waived in
the case of a martyr, the martyrdom being itself the miracle. In
proclaiming a person “Blessed”, the Pope does not exercise his
infallibility but his magisterial authority, for he does not declare
definitively that the person is in glory. Beatification, then, does
not demand faith yet gives moral certainty of its truth, and to
deny it would be temerarious.
26. What became of the beatification process of Padre
Diego? Written testimonies of the missionaries and of the
Mariana natives were gathered to document the martyrdom
of Padre Diego. Naturally, the documentation could not but
mention also his lone companion in martyrdom, the boy from
the Visayas, Pedro Calungsod. However, due to the difficult
situation at that time and the eventual suppression of the
Jesuits in the 18th century, the cause for the beatification of
Padre Diego fell into oblivion and, together with it, the memory
of Pedro which went hidden for centuries in the long-forgotten
manuscripts of his companion missionaries.
27. What happened to the Mariana Mission? The Faith
that was planted in the Marianas in 1668 did not die with Padre
Diego, Pedro and the first missionaries. It remained. It survived.
It grew, thanks to the blood of the martyrs and the perseverance
of the succeeding missionaries. On September 17, 1902, the
Marianas became an Apostolic Prefecture and was separated
from the old Diocese of Cebu. On October 14, 1965, Guam
became a diocese by the name of “Diocese of Agaña”. On March
APPENDICES
8, 1984, Agaña became an archdiocese.
28. What brought the memory of Pedro to our day? In
1981, when Agaña was preparing for its 20th anniversary as a
diocese, the 1673 beatification cause of Padre Diego Luís de San
Vitores was rediscovered in the old manuscripts and taken up
anew until Padre Diego was finally beatified on October 6, 1985.
It was his beatification that brought the memory of Pedro to our
day.
29. What were the important moments of the cause
for the beatification of Pedro? The Archdiocese of Cebu,
where Pedro belonged by ecclesiastical jurisdiction, also
started to process his beatification cause, inquiring about the
authenticity of the documents pertinent to the martyrdom
of Pedro and establishing the fact that he gave his life for the
Christian Faith and that he was killed on account of the same
Faith. The Diocesan process was opened on November 21, 1994
and concluded on December 28, 1994. The Vatican recognized
the validity of the diocesan process on March 21, 1997. On June
25, 1998, Pedro’s Positio Super Martyrio was submitted to the
Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On October 5,
1999, the Vatican Historians gave a unanimous affirmative vote
on the authenticity of the historical documents about Pedro
while the Vatican Theologians gave a unanimous affirmative
vote on the authenticity of the martyrdom of Pedro on January
4, 2000. Immediately, on January 11, 2000, Vatican Cardinals,
Archbishops and Bishops gave a unanimous affirmative vote for
the beatification of Pedro. On January 27, 2000, Pope John Paul
II promulgated the Decree on the Martyrdom of Pedro.
30. When was Pedro beatified? The beatification endeavor
was rewarded when, on 5 March 2000, Pedro Calungsod was
beatified by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.
31. What did Pope John Paul II say about Pedro? In his
homily during the beatification, Pope John Paul said, “From
his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly
for Christ and responded generously to his call. Young people
today can draw encouragement and strength from the example
of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage
years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist. Leaving family and
friends behind, Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him
by Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores to join him on the Mission to the
Chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and
Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked
of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he
met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake
Fr. Diego but, as a ‘good soldier of Christ’, preferred to die at the
missionary’s side. Today, Blessed Pedro Calungsod intercedes
for the young, in particular those of his native Philippines, and
he challenges them. Young friends, do not hesitate to follow the
example of Pedro, who ‘pleased God and was loved by him’ and
who, having come to perfection in so short a time, lived a full
life.”
32. When is the feast of Blessed Pedro? The feast of
Blessed Pedro is celebrated every April 2, the anniversary of his
martyrdom and it will remain as is after the canonization. If the
date falls within Holy Week or Easter Week, the feast is observed
on the Saturday before Passion Sunday. If the date falls on a
Sunday of Lent or on a Sunday of Easter, the feast is observed
on April 1.
33. Why can we not celebrate the feast during Holy
Week, Easter Week or on Sundays of Lent or of Easter?
We do not celebrate the feast of Blessed Pedro in Holy Week or
Easter Week, or on a Sunday of Lent or of Easter because on
these days we have a more important celebration – the passion,
death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, otherwise
known as the Paschal Mystery, which is at the heart of our
Christian Faith. Instead, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Pedro
on the Saturday before Passion/Palm Sunday because of its
significance: Blessed Pedro was martyred on April 2, 1672 which
was the Saturday before Passion/Palm Sunday of that year. In
the case of April 2 falling on a Sunday of Lent or of Easter, the
nearest Saturday is April 1. The proximity or coincidence of the
feast of Blessed Pedro with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery
helps us to remember that the life, martyrdom, beatification and
canonization of Blessed Pedro can find its meaning only in the
life, passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Blessed Pedro, we find a concrete response to the words from
the First Letter of John 3:16, “It is by this that we know what love
is: that Christ laid down his life for us. We in turn are bound to
lay down our lives for our brothers.”
34. What day of the week do we observe the weekly
devotion to Blessed Pedro? The weekly devotion to Blessed
Pedro is observed every Saturday because of its significance in
his life: he set foot in Guam to begin his mission on Saturday
June 16, 1668 and ended his mission with his martyrdom on
Saturday April 2, 1672.
35. What is meant by “canonization of Blessed Pedro
Calungsod”? The Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod
is the solemn act by which the Pope, with definitive sentence,
inscribes in the catalogue (canon) of saints Blessed Pedro. By
this act, the Pope declares that Blessed Pedro now reigns in
eternal glory and decrees that the Universal Church show him
the honor due to a saint. Thus, Blessed Pedro will henceforth be
addressed as Saint Pedro Calungsod or San Pedro Calungsod.
The solemn canonization is an infallible and irrevocable
decision of the Pope. “By canonizing some of the faithful, that
is, by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue
and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church recognizes the
power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope
of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and
intercessors. The saints have always been the source and origin
of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.
Indeed, holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of
her apostolic activity and missionary zeal.” – Catechism of the
Catholic Church 828.
36. What was required for the canonization process of
Blessed Pedro? For the Pope to decide for the canonization,
he needs a divine sign of approval which we call a miracle. A
miracle may be defined as an extraordinary religious occurrence
that came about through a special and gratuitous intervention
of God. It is contemporaneously a sign or a manifestation of
a divine message to man and a call to conversion. A miracle
is a supernatural occurrence, and so, it cannot be explained
naturally or scientifically. A major miracle is required for the
canonization.
37. Were there supernatural occurrences upon the invocation of
Blessed Pedro’s help? After the beatification of Pedro Calungsod
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on March 5, 2000, many different divine favors were reported
by people who asked for his intercessory aid. Choosing a major
miracle from among these favors was not an easy task. There
had to be sufficient objective documentation. Such a criterion
was met in a medical case that happened on March 26, 2003
at a hospital in Cebu City. The supernatural occurrence was
reported by the doctor himself who was the one who invoked
Blessed Pedro.
38. What was the major miracle that God performed
through the intercession of Blessed Pedro? The presumed
miracle is about the rapid recovery of a 49-year-old patient from
Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 and the absence of motor and
sensory deficits thereof.
39. What is meant by “coma”? Coma (from Greek “koma”
= deep sleep) is a deep state of unconsciousness in which
individuals do not consciously respond to stimuli in their
environment. The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to measure the
depth of coma based upon observations of eye opening, speech,
and movement. When we say that the Glasgow Coma Scale score
is 3, it means that the patient is in the deepest level of coma. The
patient does not respond with any body movement to pain, does
not have any speech, and does not open his eyes.
40. What caused the coma of the patient concerned?
It was caused by hypoxic encephalopathy which means a lack
of oxygen supply to the brain (hypo = less + oxia = oxygen;
encephalo = brain + pathy = disorder). In turn, the patient’s
hypoxic encephalopathy was caused by a cardiac arrest which
happened on March 24. The heart stopped pumping blood
that carries oxygen to the brain. Three days earlier, on March
21, the patient underwent a heart surgery which was a mitral
valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. Both
procedures went remarkably well. But, three days later the
patient became so restless and had a hard time breathing that led
to the cardiac arrest and, eventually, to hypoxic encephalopathy.
41. How serious was the situation of the patient? Brain
cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Some brain
cells actually start dying less than five minutes after their
oxygen supply disappears. As a result, hypoxic encephalopathy
can rapidly cause death or severe brain damage. The longer the
patient is unconscious, the higher risk for death or brain death,
and the lower chances for a meaningful recovery. Complications
of hypoxic encephalopathy include prolonged vegetative state
– basic life functions such as breathing, blood pressure, sleepwake cycle, and eye opening may be preserved, but the patient
is not alert and does not respond to his surroundings. Such a
patient usually dies within a year, although some may survive
longer while having neurological deficits.
42. How was the intercession of Blessed Pedro invoked?
On March 26, knowing that the patient could die any moment,
the attending physician, who is an internist and cardiologist at
the same time, invoked the aid of the Visayan teenage martyr
saying, “Blessed Pedro Calungsod, please save the life of this
patient! Perform a miracle!”
43. What happened after Blessed Pedro was invoked?
At 2:00 PM of the same day, the patient was subjected to an
electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that measures and records
brain waves representing electrical activity in the brain. It was
112
done to find out if the patient in coma was brain dead or not.
The EEG result was bad. Nevertheless, at around 6:00 PM,
just four hours after the EEG test, the patient started to gain
consciousness. In his testimony, the attending physician said, “It
was rather a rapid recovery. Patients in such a situation would
normally recover only after some weeks, if they ever recover;
but, in the case of this patient, it was in less than 48 hours. It
was a definitive recovery from Glasgow Coma score 3 to normal
mental status and no motor and sensory deficits upon discharge.
The patient survived and is still alive today.”
44. What was done to verify the supernatural incident?
Finding out that there could have been a supernatural
occurrence, the attending physician reported the case to the
postulator of the Cause for the Canonization of Blessed Pedro
in Cebu. Subsequently, an Archdiocesan Canonical Process
which involved physicians was instituted in Cebu to verify the
presumed supernatural occurrence. The Process went through
nine sessions from December 15, 2004 until June 6, 2005.
Its positive result was presented to the Vatican which in turn
recognized the validity of the Process on November 25, 2005.
The Positio Super Miro which is a systematic presentation of
documents and arguments on the presumed miracle was then
prepared and submitted to the Vatican on May 18, 2006.
45. What was the process done at the Vatican regarding
the reported supernatural occurrence? During the
following years, the Vatican made a series of clarifications to
which the postulator in Cebu also made precise and exhaustive
responses. Six Vatican consultor physicians had to gather three
times to discuss and clarify some details of the reported case,
first on May 29, 2008, then, on September 30, 2010, and finally
on March 24, 2011 when they unanimously pronounced that the
reported case was beyond natural or scientific explanation. On
July 2, 2011, six Vatican consultor theologians authenticated
that the supernatural healing was due solely to the intercession
of Blessed Pedro. Then, on the following October 11, fifteen
Vatican consultors, among which were 7 cardinals, 5 archbishops
and 3 bishops, unanimously affirmed that what the consultor
physicians and theologians declared could point to an authentic
major miracle and that it is opportune to declare Blessed Pedro
a saint. A Decree on the authentic major miracle was then drawn
up by the Vatican. On December 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI
received in audience His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Amato,
the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and
authorized the promulgation of the Decree concerning the
miracle attributed to Blessed Pedro. By that decree, the Pope has
made known to everyone that there is indeed an authentic major
miracle performed by God through the intercession of Blessed
Pedro. On February 18, during the Ordinary Public Consistory,
the Pope received the unanimous vote of all the cardinals for the
canonization of Blessed Pedro and indicated October 21, 2012 as
the date of the canonization.
46. Is there any significance of the date of the
canonization in the life of Blessed Pedro? The “Great
War” in Guam, which started on September 11, 1671 (9/11!)
between the missionaries and the pagan natives who wanted
to stop the mission, ended with the victory of the missionaries,
the establishment of peace and the resumption of the mission
on October 21, 1671. Blessed Pedro was martyred and his body
was thrown into the ocean in 1672 to stop his mission and to
erase any trace of him on this earth; but his 340 long years of
APPENDICES
oblivion will now be ended by his triumphant canonization on
October 21, 2012 when the whole Universal Church – including
the inhabitants of Guam – will begin to invoke him as a saint.
47. What is the official title given by the Vatican by
which we may call Blessed Pedro when he will have
been declared a saint? He will be called Saint Pedro
Calungsod, Lay Catechist and Martyr (in English); San Pedro
Calungsod, Katekistang Layko ug Martir (in Cebuano); San
Pedro Calungsod, Katekistang Layko at Martir.
48. What is a lay catechist? A lay person is a baptized member
of the people of God who has neither received the Sacrament
of Holy Orders nor become a member of a religious order. A
catechist is one who engages in the instruction and formation
in the Catholic Faith, both for those who are preparing to be
baptized and for those who are already baptized but in need of
continuing instruction and formation in the Christian life. The
catechist uses the catechism which is a summary or manual
containing the basics of Christian doctrine. The work of the
catechist is called catechesis, a term derived from Ancient Greek:
κατηχισμός from kata = "down" + echein = "to sound", literally
"to sound down" (into the ears), that is, to indoctrinate. True
catechesis is much more than merely instruction about Catholic
Christian beliefs, values and practices. It is instruction of others
plus a personal sharing of faith by committed Christians so
that the entire people of God may be continually converted to
a fully Christian life, that is, a life turned away from sinfulness,
centered on the risen Jesus and living in hope for the everlasting
reign of God.
49. What is a martyr? The term “martyr” comes from the
Greek μάρτυς, mártys, meaning “witness”. The stem of the word
is μάρτυρ-, mártyr-. A martyr is somebody who voluntarily
suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept,
a belief or cause, usually religious. In its original meaning, the
word “martyr” was used in the secular sphere as well as in the
New Testament of the Bible. The process of bearing witness
was not intended to lead to the death of the witness, although
it is known from ancient writers (e.g. Josephus) and from the
New Testament that witnesses often died for their testimonies.
During the early Christian centuries, the term acquired the
extended meaning of a believer who is called to witness for
their religious belief, and on account of this witness, endures
suffering and/or death. The term, in this latter sense, entered
the English language as a loanword. The death of a martyr or the
value attributed to it is called “martyrdom”. Martyrdom is the
supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing
witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who
died and rose, to whom he is united by charity. He bears witness
to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures
death through an act of fortitude. The early Christians who first
began to use the term “martyr” in its new sense saw Jesus as the
first and greatest martyr, on account of his crucifixion. The early
Christians appear to have seen Jesus as the archetypical martyr.
50. Why was Blessed Pedro a good catechist? There
are four main reasons why Blessed Pedro proved to be a good
catechist. First, he knew very well at least the basic teachings
of the Catholic Faith. As Saint Peter the Apostle admonishes all
Christians, “always have your answers ready for people who ask
you the reason for the hope that you all have.” (1 Peter 3:15).
Second, he lived the Faith. “It is by doing something good, and
not only by believing, that a man is justified.” (James 2:24).
Third, he shared the Faith to others. This is the mandate of
Christ to his disciples: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the
Good News to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). Fourth, he died for
the Faith. As Jesus says, “Happy are you when people abuse you
and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on
my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great
in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12) “The souls of the virtuous are in
the hands of God […] In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear
to die […] but they are in peace.” (Wisdom 3:1-3). Blessed John
Paul II himself said in his homily to catechists on December 10,
2000, “Your work, dear catechists and religion teachers, is more
necessary than ever and requires on your part constant fidelity
to Christ and to the Church. For all the faithful have a right to
receive from those who, by office or mandate, are responsible
for catechesis and preaching answers that are not subjective,
but correspond with the Church's constant Magisterium, with
the faith that has always been taught authoritatively by those
appointed teachers and lived exemplarily by the saints. […] An
intellectual knowledge of Christ and his Gospel is not enough.
For believing in him means following him. Therefore we must
learn from the Apostles, from the confessors of the faith, from
the saints of every age who helped to spread Christ's name and
to make it loved by the witness of a life generously and joyously
spent for him and for their brethren.” Pope Benedict XVI says
that “the secret of a good catechist is to live what you preach.
[…] Unite the transmission of right doctrine with personal
testimony, with the firm commitment to live according to the
commandments of the Lord and with the lived experience of
being faithful and active members of the Church. This example
of life is necessary so that your instruction does not stay in a
mere transmission of theoretical knowledge about the mysteries
of God, but that it leads to embracing a Christian way of life."
(Benedict XVI, To the Bishops of Costa Rica, February 8, 2008)
51. Why is Blessed Pedro a martyr? Blessed Pedro is a
martyr because he gave witness to the Christian faith in word
and deed as a teenage lay catechist in the Mariana Mission. He
gave his life over to a cruel death because of his faith and the
reason why he was killed was because he was a Christian and a
catechist.
52. What is the official portrait of Blessed Pedro
approved by the Vatican? The official portrait of Blessed
Pedro is the one painted by Rafael del Casal in 1999 and which
is venerated at the main altar of the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine
of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in the Archbishop’s Compound. An
enlarged photograph version of it was unveiled at Saint Peter’s
Square in Rome during Blessed Pedro’s beatification on March
5, 2000. According to the painter, he made the portrait out of
inspiration and that he did not use a model for the work.
53. Why is Blessed Pedro depicted in the portrait
wearing white and holding a palm branch? The white
vesture and the palm branch is the biblical symbol of martyrs.
“I saw a huge number of people […] dressed in white robes and
holding palms in their hands. […] These are the people who have
been through the great persecution […] they have washed their
robes white again in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9, 14).
It is also the symbol of victory. “Those who prove victorious will
be dressed in white robes.” (Revelation 3:5)
54. Are there other symbols that may be depicted in the
113
APPENDICES
image of Blessed Pedro? The image of Blessed Pedro may also hold a copy of the catechism because he was a catechist, and
rosary beads because of the strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary among the Mariana missionaries.
55. Is there a comprehensive manual about Blessed Pedro? A more detailed account on Blessed Pedro Calungsod is
provided in the manual I. Leyson, Pedro Calonsor Bissaya: Prospects of a Teenage Filipino, The Archdiocese of Cebu, 2000.
56. Let us now ponder on the virtues of Blessed Pedro and ask for his help so that we may also be able to live
such virtues and be counted among the blessed ones in heaven. Striving to live the virtues of Blessed Pedro is how we can
prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming Canonization and the best way of celebrating that great event.
Petitions to Blessed Pedro Calungsod
We, your fellow citizens of this earth, call upon you: O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may learn to love God and our neighbor, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be eager to know and defend the truths of our Catholic Faith taught to us by Holy
Mother Church, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also strive to faithfully live the faith we have received at Baptism: O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be zealous to share our Christian Faith to others, O Blessed Pedro help us!
That, like you, we may also be willing to offer our lives and talents in loving service to the Church, O Blessed
Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also endeavor to develop our abilities so as to serve our society better, O Blessed Pedro,
help us!
That, like you, we may also be poor in spirit by overcoming our attachment to worldly things and by being generous
to others, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also gladly endure the daily trials of life for the love of God, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be constant in prayer in order not to be overcome by temptation, O Blessed Pedro,
help us!
That, like you, we may also keep our hearts and bodies chaste to be worthy temples of the Holy Spirit, O Blessed
Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be truly sorry for our sins and receive the Sacrament of Confession regularly and
frequently, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also learn to forgive those who have hurt us, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also become instruments of God's peace among people, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be true to our friends, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be deeply devoted to Our Blessed Mother Mary, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also love and adore our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also learn to accept and do the will of God our Father, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also be ready to die for our Christian Faith, O Blessed Pedro, help us!
That, like you, we may also become fellow citizens of the Saints in heaven. O Blessed Pedro, help us!
Pray for us, O Blessed Pedro Calungsod, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!
Let us pray:
Almighty and ever-living God, * you are glorified in your saints. * Graciously hear the prayers we offer * through
the intercession of your holy martyr * Blessed Pedro Calungsod. * Guide and protect your pilgrim Church on
earth. * Grant your peace to our nation * and to the whole world. * Fill all our families with your grace. * Preserve
us in love and unity. * Bless and guide our young people * so that they will not be led astray. * Help them to grow
in faith, * hope * and charity. * Convert those whose hearts are far from you. *Comfort the sick and the lonely.
* Protect the poor and the oppressed. * Welcome into your Kingdom * our departed brothers and sisters.* We
thank you for the graces you have granted us * through the intercession of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. * We hope *
that after our mortal bodies will have slept in death, * you will raise us up to new life on the last day as your saints
* and join Blessed Pedro * in praising your Name forever in heaven. * Amen.
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APPENDICES
3
SOCIAL DOCTRINE
AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL
541. The essential characteristic of the lay faithful who work in the Lord's vineyard (cf. Mt20:1-16) is the secular nature of their
Christian discipleship, which is carried out precisely in the world. “It belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging
in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will”[1139]. By Baptism, the laity are incorporated into Christ and are
made participants in his life and mission according to their specific identity. “The term ‘laity' is here understood to mean all the
faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state approved by the Church. That is, the faithful who,
by Baptism are incorporated into Christ, are placed in the People of God and in their own way share the priestly, prophetic and
kingly office of Christ, and to the best of their ability carry on the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the
world”[1140].
(cf. COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH:
SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL, The lay
Faithful
542. The identity of the lay faithful is born in and nourished by the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Baptism conforms the person to Christ, Son of the Father, first-born of every creature, sent to all as Teacher and Redeemer.
Confirmation configures the individual to Christ, sent to give new life to creation and to every being through the outpouring of his
Spirit. The Eucharist makes the believer a participant in the unique and perfect sacrifice that Christ offered to the Father, in his
own flesh, for the salvation of the world.
Lay Catholics are disciples of Christ starting with the sacraments, that is, by virtue of what God has wrought in them, marking
them with the very image of his Son Jesus Christ. It is from this divine gift of grace, and not from human concession, that is born
the threefold “munus” (gift and duty) that characterizes the lay person as prophet, priest and king, according to his secular nature.
Faithful
543. It is the proper duty of the lay faithful to proclaim the Gospel with an exemplary witness of life rooted in Christ and lived in
temporal realities: the family; professional commitment in the world of work, culture, science and research; the exercise of social,
economic and political responsibilities. All secular human realities — both personal and social, including various environments
and historical situations, as well as structures and institutions — are the context in which the lay Christian lives and works.
These realities are places where God's love is received; the commitment of the lay faithful must correspond to this vision and
is to be considered an expression of evangelical charity; “for the lay faithful to be present and active in the world is not only an
anthropological and sociological reality, but in a specific way, a theological and ecclesiological reality as well”[1141].
Faithful
544. The witness of the lay faithful is born from the gift of grace, recognized, nurtured and brought to maturity[1142]. This
motivation makes their commitment in the world significant and is opposed to the characteristics of action that are proper
to atheistic humanism, which lack an ultimate basis and are circumscribed within purely temporal limits. The eschatological
perspective is the key that allows a correct understanding of human realities. From the standpoint of definitive goods, the lay
faithful are able to engage in earthly activity according to the criteria of authenticity. Standards of living and greater economic
productivity are not the only valid indicators for measuring the total fulfilment of the human person in this life, and they are of
even less value when considering the life to come, “for man's horizons are not bounded only by the temporal order; living on the
level of human history, he preserves the integrity of his eternal destiny”[1143].
Faithful
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APPENDICES
545. The lay faithful are called to cultivate an authentic lay spirituality by which they are reborn as new men and women,
both sanctified and sanctifiers, immersed in the mystery of God and inserted in society. Such a spirituality will build up the
world according to Jesus' Spirit. It will make people capable of looking beyond history, without separating themselves from it,
of cultivating a passionate love for God without looking away from their bothers and sisters, whom they are able to see as the
Lord sees them and love as the Lord loves them. This spirituality precludes both an intimist spiritualism and a social activism,
expressing itself instead in a life- giving synthesis that bestows unity, meaning and hope on an existence that for so many
different reasons is contradictory and fragmented. Prompted by such a spirituality, the lay faithful are able to contribute “to the
sanctification of the world, as from within like leaven, by fulfilling their own particular duties. Thus, especially by the witness of
their own life ... they must manifest Christ to others”[1144].
SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL,
Spirituality of the lay faithful
546. The lay faithful must strengthen their spiritual and moral lives, becoming ever more competent in carrying out their social
duties. A deepening of interior motivations and the acquisition of a style appropriate for their work in the social and political
spheres are the results of a dynamic and ongoing formation directed above all to the attainment of harmony between life, in all its
complexity, and faith. In the experience of believers, in fact, “there cannot be two parallel lives in their existence: on the one hand,
the so-called ‘spiritual' life, with its values and demands; and on the other, the so-called ‘secular' life, that is, life in a family, at
work, in social relationships, in the responsibilities of public life and in culture”[1145].
Bringing faith and life together requires following the path judiciously indicated by the characteristic elements of Christian
living: the Word of God as a reference point; the liturgical celebration of the Christian Mystery; personal prayer; the authentic
experience of Church enhanced by the particular formational services of discerning spiritual guides; the exercise of the social
virtues and a persevering commitment to cultural and professional formation.
547. The lay faithful should act according to the dictates of prudence, the virtue that makes it possible to discern the true good
in every circumstance and to choose the right means for achieving it. Thanks to this virtue, moral principles are applied correctly
to particular cases. We can identify three distinct moments as prudence is exercised to clarify and evaluate situations, to inspire
decisions and to prompt action. The first moment is seen in the reflection and consultation by which the question is studied and
the necessary opinions sought. The second moment is that of evaluation, as the reality is analyzed and judged in the light of God's
plan. The third moment, that of decision, is based on the preceding steps and makes it possible to choose between the different
actions that may be taken.
(cf. COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH:SOCIAL DOCTRINE
AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL, �Acting with prudence
548. Prudence makes it possible to make decisions that are consistent, and to make them with realism and a sense of
responsibility for the consequences of one's action. The rather widespread opinion that equates prudence with shrewdness, with
utilitarian calculations, with diffidence or with timidity or indecision, is far from the correct understanding of this virtue. It is a
characteristic of practical reason and offers assistance in deciding with wisdom and courage the course of action that should be
followed, becoming the measure of the other virtues. Prudence affirms the good as a duty and shows in what manner the person
should accomplish it[1146]. In the final analysis, it is a virtue that requires the mature exercise of thought and responsibility in an
objective understanding of a specific situation and in making decisions according to a correct will[1147].
(cf. COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH:SOCIAL DOCTRINE
AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL, Acting with prudence
549. The Church's social doctrine must become an integral part of the ongoing formation of the lay faithful. Experience shows
that this formative work is usually possible within lay ecclesial associations that respond to precise “criteria of ecclesiality”.
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APPENDICES
[1148] “Groups, associations and movements also have their place in the formation of the lay faithful. In fact they have the
possibility, each with its own method, of offering a formation through a deeply shared experience in the apostolic life, as well as
having the opportunity to integrate, to make concrete and specific the formation that their members receive from other persons
and communities”.[1149] The Church's social doctrine sustains and sheds light on the role of associations, movements and lay
groups that are committed to the Christian renewal of the various sectors of the temporal order[1150]. “Church communion,
already present and at work in the activities of the individual, finds its specific expression in the lay faithful working together
in groups, that is, in activities done with others in the course of their responsible participation in the life and mission of the
Church”[1151].
�Social doctrine and lay associations
550. The Church's social doctrine is extremely important for ecclesial associations that have pastoral action within society as their
objective. These associations represent a privileged point of reference in that their presence in the life of society is characterized
by their nature as ecclesial bodies; this shows the importance and value of prayer, reflection and dialogue for addressing and
improving social realities. One must keep in mind the distinction, in each case, “between the activities of Christians, acting
individually or collectively in their own name as citizens guided by the dictates of a Christian conscience, and their activity acting
along with their pastors in the name of the Church”[1152].
Social doctrine and lay associations
The various specialized associations that gather people together in the name of their Christian vocation and mission within
a particular professional or cultural field have a precious role to play in forming mature Christians. For example, a Catholic
association of doctors forms those who belong to it through the exercise of discernment with regard to the many problems that
medical science, biology and other sciences place before the professional competence of doctors, as well as before their personal
conscience and faith. The same could be also said of Catholic associations of teachers, legal professionals, businessmen and
women, workers, as well as Catholic sports associations and ecological associations and so forth. In this context, the Church's
social doctrine shows that it is an effective means for forming individual consciences and a country's culture.
Social doctrine and lay associations
551. The presence of the laity in social life is characterized by service, the sign and expression of love, which is seen in the areas
of the family, culture, work, economics and politics according to specific aspects. Complying with the different demands of their
particular area of work, lay men and women express the truth of their faith and, at the same time, the truth of the Church's social
doctrine, which fully becomes a reality when it is lived concretely in order to resolve social problems. In fact, the credibility of this
social doctrine comes more immediately from the witness of action than from its internal consistency or logic[1153].
SOCIAL DOCTRINE AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LAY FAITHFUL,�
Service in the various sectors of social life
Having entered into The Third Millennium of the Christian era, the lay faithful will open themselves, through their witness, to all
people with whom they will take on the burden of the most pressing calls of our time. “Drawn from the treasures of the teaching
of the Church, the proposals of this Council are intended for all men, whether they believe in God or whether they do not explicitly
acknowledge him; they are intended to help them to a keener awareness of their own destiny, to make the work conform better to
the surpassing dignity of man, to strive for a more deeply rooted sense of universal brotherhood and to meet the pressing appeals
of our times with a generous and common effort of love”[1154].
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APPENDICES
1. �Service to the human person
552. Among the areas of the social commitment of the laity, service to the human person emerges as a priority. Promoting the
dignity of every person, the most precious possession of men and women, is the “essential task, in a certain sense, the central and
unifying task of the service which the Church, and the lay faithful in her, are called to render to the human family”[1155].
The first form in which this task is undertaken consists in the commitment and efforts to renew oneself interiorly, because
human history is not governed by an impersonal determinism but by a plurality of subjects whose free acts shape the social order.
Social institutions do not of themselves guarantee, as if automatically, the common good; the internal “renewal of the Christian
spirit” [1156] must precede the commitment to improve society “according to the mind of the Church on the firmly established
basis of social justice and social charity”[1157].
It is from the conversion of hearts that there arises concern for others, loved as brothers or sisters. This concern helps us to
understand the obligation and commitment to heal institutions, structures and conditions of life that are contrary to human
dignity. The laity must therefore work at the same time for the conversion of hearts and the improvement of structures, taking
historical situations into account and using legitimate means so that the dignity of every man and woman will be truly respected
and promoted within institutions.
553. Promoting human dignity implies above all affirming the inviolability of the right to life, from conception to natural
death, the first among all rights and the condition for all other rights of the person[1158]. Respect for personal dignity requires,
moreover, that the religious dimension of the person be recognized. “This is not simply a requirement ‘concerning matters
of faith', but a requirement that finds itself inextricably bound up with the very reality of the individual”.[1159] The effective
recognition of the right to freedom of conscience and religious freedom is one of the highest goods and one of the most serious
duties of every people that truly wishes to ensure the good of the individual and of society[1160]. In the present cultural context,
there is a particularly urgent need to defend marriage and the family, which can be adequately met only if one is convinced of the
unique and singular value of these two realities for an authentic development of human society[1161].
554. Culture must represent a privileged area for the presence and commitment of the Church and individual Christians. The
Second Vatican Council sees the separation of Christian faith and daily life as one of the most serious errors of our day[1162].
Without a metaphysical perspective, the loss of a longing for God in self-serving narcissism and the varied means found in a
consumeristic lifestyle; the primacy given to technology and scientific research as ends in themselves; the emphasis placed on
appearance, the quest for an image, communication techniques: all of these phenomena must be understood in their cultural
aspects and placed in relation to the central issue of the human person, of integral human growth, of the human capacity to
communicate and relate with other people, and of the constant human search for an answer to the great questions that run
throughout life. It must be kept in mind that “culture is that through which man, as man, becomes more man, ‘is' more, has more
access to ‘being'”[1163].
�
Service in culture
555. Fostering a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel must be an area of particular importance for the lay faithful.
Recent history has shown the weakness and radical failure of commonly held cultural perspectives that prevailed for a long time,
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APPENDICES
especially on the social and political levels. In this area, particularly in the decades following the Second World War, Catholics
in different countries have been involved at high levels, which shows with ever greater clarity today the consistency of their
inspiration and of their heritage of values. The social and political involvement of Catholics, in fact, has never been limited to the
mere transformation of structures, because this involvement takes place at the foundations of a culture that receives and listens
to the reasoning made by faith and morality, including them as the basis and goal of concrete planning. When this awareness is
lacking, Catholics themselves are condemned to cultural dispersion and their proposals are rendered insufficient and limited.
An urgent priority today is also found in the need to present the patrimony of Catholic tradition, its values and content, and the
entire spiritual, intellectual and moral heritage of Catholicism, in culturally up-to-date terms. Faith in Jesus Christ, who described
himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6), prompts Christians to commit themselves with firm and ever new resolve
to building a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel[1164].
Service in culture
556. The integral perfection of the person and the good of the whole of society are the essential ends of culture[1165]; the ethical
dimension of culture is therefore a priority in the social action of the laity. Failure to pay attention to this dimension easily
transforms culture into an instrument that impoverishes humanity. A culture can become sterile and headed for decadence when
it “becomes inward looking, and tries to perpetuate obsolete ways of living by rejecting any exchange or debate with regard to the
truth about man”[1166]. The formation of a culture capable of enriching men and women requires on the contrary the involvement
of the whole person, who, in the cultural sphere, expresses his creativity, his intelligence, his knowledge of the world and of human
persons; someone moreover who puts to good use his capacity for self-control, personal sacrifice, solidarity and readiness to
promote the common good[1167].
Service in culture
557. The social and political involvement of the lay faithful in the area of culture moves today in specific directions. The first
is that of seeking to guarantee the right of each person to a human and civil culture “in harmony with the dignity of the human
person, without distinction of race, sex, nation, religion, or social circumstances”[1168]. This right implies the right of families and
persons to free and open schools; freedom of access to the means of social communication together with the avoidance of all forms
of monopolies and ideological control of this field; freedom of research, sharing one's thoughts, debate and discussion. At the root
of the poverty of so many peoples are also various forms of cultural deprivation and the failure to recognize cultural rights. The
commitment to the education and formation of the person has always represented the first concern of Christian social action.
Service in culture
558. The second challenge for Christian commitment concerns the content of culture, that is, truth. The question of truth is
essential for culture because “it remains each man's duty to retain an understanding of the whole human person in which the
values of intellect, will, conscience and fraternity are pre-eminent”.[1169] A correct anthropology is the criterion for shedding light
on and verifying every historical form of culture. The Christian commitment in the field of culture is opposed to all reductionistic
and ideological perspectives of man and life. The dynamism of openness to the truth is guaranteed above all by the fact that
“different cultures are basically different ways of facing the question of the meaning of personal existence”[1170].
Service in culture
559. Christians must work so that the full value of the religious dimension of culture is seen. This is a very important and
urgent task for the quality of human life, at both the individual and social levels. The question arising from the mystery of life
and referring to the greater mystery of God is in fact at the centre of every culture; when it is eliminated, culture and the moral
life of nations are corrupted[1171]. The authentic religious dimension is an essential part of man and allows him to open his
diverse activities to the horizon in which they find meaning and direction. Human religiosity or spirituality is manifested in the
forms taken on by a culture, to which it gives vitality and inspiration. The countless works of art of every period bear witness to
this. When the religious dimension of the person or of a people is denied, culture itself starts to die off, sometimes disappearing
completely.
119
APPENDICES
Service in culture
560. In the promotion of an authentic culture, the laity will place great importance on mass media, examining above all the
contents of the countless choices that people make. These choices, while varying from group to group and from individual to
individual, all have a moral weight and should be evaluated in this light. In order to choose correctly, one must know the norms
of the moral order and apply them faithfully.[1172] The Church offers a long tradition of wisdom, rooted in divine Revelation and
human reflection,[1173] the theological orientation of which provides an important corrective function to both “the ‘atheistic'
solution which deprives man of one of his basic dimensions, namely the spiritual one, and to permissive and consumerist
solutions, which under various pretexts seek to convince man that he is free from every law and from God himself”[1174]. Rather
than judging the means of social communication, this tradition is placed at their service: “The Church's culture of wisdom can save
the media culture of information from becoming a meaningless accumulation of facts”[1175].
Service in culture
561. The lay faithful will look upon the media as possible and powerful instruments of solidarity: “Solidarity is a consequence
of genuine and right communication and the free circulation of ideas that further knowledge and respect for others”[1176].
This is not the case if the media are used to build and sustain economic systems that serve greed and covetousness.
Faced with grave injustices, the decision to ignore completely certain aspects of human suffering reflects an indefensible
selectivity[1177]. Communication structures and policies, and the distribution of technology are factors that help to make
some people “information rich” and others “information poor” at a time when prosperity, and even survival, depend on
information. In this way, the media often contribute to the injustices and imbalances that give rise to the very suffering that they
report. Communications and information technology, along with training in its use, must aim at eliminating such injustices and
imbalances.
Service in culture
562. Professionals in the field of media are not the only people with ethical duties. Those who make use of the media also
have obligations. Media operators who try to meet their responsibilities deserve audiences who are aware of their own
responsibilities. The first duty of media users is to be discerning and selective. Parents, families and the Church have precise
responsibilities they cannot renounce. For those who work, in various capacities, in the area of social communications, the
warning of St. Paul rings out loud and clear: “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbour,
for we are members one of another ... Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the
occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:25, 29). Serving the human person through the building up of a
human community based on solidarity, justice and love, and spreading the truth about human life and its final fulfilment in God
remain at the heart of ethics in the media[1178]. In the light of faith, human communication can be seen as a journey from Babel to
Pentecost, or rather, as the personal and social commitment to overcome the collapse of communication (cf. Gen 11:4-8), opening
people to the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:5-11), to communication as restored by the power of the Spirit sent by the Son.
563. Faced with the complexity of today's economic context, the laity will be guided in their action by the principles of the social
Magisterium. It is necessary that these principles be known and accepted in the area of economic activity itself; when they are
ignored, above all the principle of the centrality of the human person, the quality of this activity is compromised[1179].
�
Service in the economy
The commitment of Christians will also be translated into an effort of cultural reflection aimed at a discernment of the current
models of economic and social development. Reducing the question of development to an exclusively technical problem would
deprive it of its true content, which instead concerns “the dignity of individuals and peoples”[1180].
120
APPENDICES
564. Economists, those working in this field and political leaders must sense the urgency of rethinking the economy, considering,
on the one hand, the dramatic material poverty of billions of people and, on the other, the fact that “present economic, social and
cultural structures are ill-equipped to meet the demands of genuine development”[1181]. The legitimate requirements of economic
efficiency need to be better harmonized with those of political participation and social justice. Concretely, this means that
solidarity must be made an integral part of the networks of economic, political and social interdependence that the current process
of globalization tends to consolidate.[1182] In this effort of rethinking, well organized and destined to have an effect on the way
economic realities are seen, associations of a Christian inspiration active in the economic field
— organizations of workers, business leaders and economists — have a precious role to play.
565. For the lay faithful, political involvement is a worthy and demanding expression of the Christian commitment of service
to others[1183]. The pursuit of the common good in a spirit of service, the development of justice with particular attention to
situations of poverty and suffering, respect for the autonomy of earthly realities, the principle of subsidiarity, the promotion of
dialogue and peace in the context of solidarity: these are the criteria that must inspire the Christian laity in their political activity.
All believers, insofar as they possess rights and duties as citizens, are obligated to respect these guiding principles. Special
attention must be paid to their observance by those who occupy institutional positions dealing with the complex problems of the
public domain, whether in local administrations or national and international institutions.
�Service in politics
566. The tasks accompanying responsibilities in social and political institutions demand a strict and articulated commitment
that is able to demonstrate clearly the absolute necessity of the moral dimension in social and political life through thoughtful
contributions to the political debate, planning and the chosen actions. Inadequate attention to the moral dimension leads to the
dehumanization of life in society and of social and political institutions, thereby consolidating “structures of sin”[1184]: “Living
and acting in conformity with one's own conscience on questions of politics is not slavish acceptance of positions alien to politics
or some kind of confessionalism, but rather the way in which Christians offer their concrete contribution so that, through political
life, society will become more just and more consistent with the dignity of the human person”[1185].
Service in politics
567. In the context of the laity's political commitment, particular attention must be given to preparing believers to exercise the
power that will be theirs, especially when they are entrusted with such duties by their fellow citizens in accordance with democratic
rules. They must show appreciation for the democratic system “inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making
political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and
of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate”[1186]. They must also reject all secret organizations that seek to
influence or subvert the functioning of legitimate institutions. The exercise of authority must take on the character of service to be
carried out always in the context of moral law for the attainment of the common good[1187]. Those who exercise political authority
must see to it that the energies of all citizens are directed towards the common good; and they are to do so not in an authoritarian
style but by making use of moral power sustained in freedom.
Service in politics
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APPENDICES
568. The lay faithful are called to identify steps that can be taken in concrete political situations in order to put into practice the
principles and values proper to life in society. This calls for a method of discernment[1188], at both the personal and community
levels, structured around certain key elements: knowledge of the situations, analyzed with the help of the social sciences and other
appropriate tools; systematic reflection on these realities in the light of the unchanging message of the Gospel and the Church's
social teaching; identification of choices aimed at assuring that the situation will evolve positively. When reality is the subject of
careful attention and proper interpretation, concrete and effective choices can be made. However, an absolute value must never
be attributed to these choices because no problem can be solved once and for all. “Christian faith has never presumed to impose
a rigid framework on social and political questions, conscious that the historical dimension requires men and women to live in
imperfect situations, which are also susceptible to rapid change”[1189].
Service in politics
569. A characteristic context for the exercise of discernment can be found in the functioning of the democratic system,
understood by many today in agnostic and relativistic terms that lead to the belief that truth is something determined by the
majority and conditioned by political considerations[1190]. In such circumstances, discernment is particularly demanding when
it is exercised with regard to the objectivity and accuracy of information, scientific research and economic decisions that affect the
life of the poorest people. It is likewise demanding when dealing with realities that involve fundamental and unavoidable moral
duties, such as the sacredness of life, the indissolubility of marriage, the promotion of the family founded on marriage between a
man and a woman.
In such situations certain fundamental criteria are useful: the distinction and, simultaneously, the connection between the legal
order and the moral order; fidelity to one's own identity and, at the same time, the willingness to engage in dialogue with all
people; the need, in the social judgment and activity of Christians, to refer to the observance of three inseparable values — natural
values, with respect for the legitimate autonomy of temporal realities; moral values, promoting an awareness of the intrinsic
ethical dimension of every social and political issue; supernatural values, in order to fulfil one's duty in the spirit of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Service in politics
570. When — concerning areas or realities that involve fundamental ethical duties — legislative or political choices contrary to
Christian principles and values are proposed or made, the Magisterium teaches that “a well-formed Christian conscience does
not permit one to vote for a political programme or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and
morals”[1191]. In cases where it is not possible to avoid the implementation of such political programmes or to block or abrogate
such laws, the Magisterium teaches that a parliamentary representative, whose personal absolute opposition to these programmes
or laws is clear and known to all, may legitimately support proposals aimed at limiting the damage caused by such programmes or
laws and at diminishing their negative effects on the level of culture and public morality. In this regard, a typical example of such a
case would be a law permitting abortion[1192]. The representative's vote, in any case, cannot be interpreted as support of an unjust
law but only as a contribution to reducing the negative consequences of a legislative provision, the responsibility for which lies
entirely with those who have brought it into being.
Service in politics
Faced with the many situations involving fundamental and indispensable moral duties, it must be remembered that Christian
witness is to be considered a fundamental obligation that can even lead to the sacrificing of one's life, to martyrdom in the name
of love and human dignity[1193]. The history of the past twenty centuries, as well as that of the last century, is filled with martyrs
for Christian truth, witnesses to the faith, hope and love founded on the Gospel. Martyrdom is the witness of one who has been
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APPENDICES
personally conformed to Jesus crucified, expressed in the supreme form of shedding one's blood according to the teaching of the
Gospel: if “a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies ... it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:24).
Service in politics
571. The political commitment of Catholics is often placed in the context of the “autonomy” of the State, that is, the distinction
between the political and religious spheres[1194]. This distinction “is a value that has been attained and recognized by the Catholic
Church and belongs to the inheritance of contemporary civilization”[1195]. Catholic moral doctrine, however, clearly rejects
the prospects of an autonomy that is understood as independence from the moral law: “Such ‘autonomy' refers first of all to the
attitude of the person who respects the truths that derive from natural knowledge regarding man's life in society, even if such
truths may also be taught by a specific religion, because truth is one”[1196]. A sincere quest for the truth, using legitimate means
to promote and defend the moral truths concerning social life — justice, freedom, respect for life and for other human rights — is a
right and duty of all members of a social and political community.
When the Church's Magisterium intervenes in issues concerning social and political life, it does not fail to observe the
requirements of a correctly understood autonomy, for “the ChuWrch's Magisterium does not wish to exercise political power or
eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions. Instead, it intends — as is its proper function — to
instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always
serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good. The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion
into the government of individual countries. It is a question of the lay Catholic's duty to be morally coherent, found within one's
conscience, which is one and indivisible”[1197].
Service in politics
572. The principle of autonomy involves respect for every religious confession on the part of the State, which “assures the free
exercise of ritual, spiritual, cultural and charitable activities by communities of believers. In a pluralistic society, secularity is
a place for communication between the different spiritual traditions and the nation”.[1198] Unfortunately, even in democratic
societies, there still remain expressions of secular intolerance that are hostile to granting any kind of political or cultural relevance
to religious faiths. Such intolerance seeks to exclude the activity of Christians from the social and political spheres because
Christians strive to uphold the truths taught by the Church and are obedient to the moral duty to act in accordance with their
conscience. These attitudes even go so far, and radically so, as to deny the basis of a natural morality. This denial, which is the
harbinger of a moral anarchy with the obvious consequence of the stronger prevailing over the weaker, cannot be accepted in any
form by legitimate pluralism, since it undermines the very foundations of human society. In the light of this state of affairs, “the
marginalization of Christianity ... would not bode well for the future of society or for consensus among peoples; indeed, it would
threaten the very spiritual and cultural foundations of civilization”[1199].
Service in politics
573. A particular area for discernment on the part of the lay faithful concerns the choice of political instruments, that is,
membership in a party or in other types of political participation. A choice must be made that is consistent with values,
taking into account actual circumstances. In every case, whatever choice is made must be rooted in charity and tend towards
the attainment of the common good[1200]. It is difficult for the concerns of the Christian faith to be adequately met in one sole
political entity; to claim that one party or political coalition responds completely to the demands of faith or of Christian life would
give rise to dangerous errors. Christians cannot find one party that fully corresponds to the ethical demands arising from faith and
from membership in the Church. Their adherence to a political alliance will never be ideological but always critical; in this way the
party and its political platform will be prompted to be ever more conscientious in attaining the true common good, including the
spiritual end of the human person[1201].
Service in politics
123
APPENDICES
4
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
BAPTISM in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
ARTICLE 1
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the
whole Christian life, the gateway to life
in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and
the door which gives access to the other
sacraments. Through Baptism we are
freed from sin and reborn as sons of
God; we become members of Christ, are
incorporated into the Church and made
sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the
sacrament of regeneration through water
in the word."
WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?
1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the
central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize
(Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse";
the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the
catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which
he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new
creature."
1215 This sacrament is also called "the washing of
regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it
signifies and actually brings about the birth of water
and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the
kingdom of God."
1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because
those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are
enlightened in their understanding . . . ." Having
received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that
enlightens every man," the person baptized has been
"enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he
becomes "light" himself:
Baptism is God's most beautiful and
magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace,
anointing, enlightenment, garment of
immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and
most precious gift. It is called gift because
it is conferred on those who bring nothing
of their own; grace since it is given
even to the guilty; Baptism because sin
is buried in the water; anointing for it
is priestly and royal as are those who
are anointed; enlightenment because it
124
radiates light; clothing since it veils
our shame; bath because it washes;
and seal as it is our guard and the sign of
God's Lordship.
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF
SALVATION
Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old
Covenant
1217 In the liturgy of the Easter
Vigil, during the blessing of the
baptismal water, the Church solemnly
commemorates the great events in salvation history
that already prefigured the mystery of Baptism:
Father, you give us grace through
sacramental signs, which tell us of the
wonders of your unseen power.
In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament.
1218 Since the beginning of the world, water, so
humble and wonderful a creature, has been the
source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it
as "overshadowed" by the Spirit of God:
At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness.
1219 The Church has seen in Noah's ark a
prefiguring of salvation by Baptism, for by it "a few,
that is, eight persons, were saved through water":
The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning
of goodness.
1220 If water springing up from the earth
symbolizes life, the water of the sea is a symbol of
death and so can represent the mystery of the cross.
By this symbolism Baptism signifies communion with
Christ's death.
1221 But above all, the crossing of the Red Sea,
literally the liberation of Israel from the slavery
APPENDICES
of Egypt, announces the liberation wrought by
Baptism:
You freed the children of Abraham from the
slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod through the waters
of the Red Sea, to be an image of the people set free in
Baptism.
1222 Finally, Baptism is prefigured in the crossing
of the Jordan River by which the People of God
received the gift of the land promised to Abraham's
descendants, an image of eternal life. The promise
of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New
Covenant.
Christ's Baptism
1223 All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their
fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life
after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist
in the Jordan. After his resurrection Christ gives
this mission to his apostles: "Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you."
1224 Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to
the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in
order to "fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' gesture is
a manifestation of his self-emptying. The Spirit who
had hovered over the waters of the first creation
descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the
new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his
"beloved Son."
1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the
fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his
Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem,
as a "Baptism" with which he had to be baptized. The
blood and water that flowed from the pierced side
of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the
Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. From then on,
it is possible "to be born of water and the Spirit" in
order to enter the Kingdom of God.
See where you are baptized, see where
Baptism comes from, if not from the cross
of Christ, from his death. There is the whole
mystery: he died for you. In him you are
redeemed, in him you are saved.
Baptism in the Church
1226 From the very day of Pentecost the Church has
celebrated and administered holy Baptism. Indeed
St. Peter declares to the crowd astounded by his
preaching: "Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit." The apostles and their collaborators offer
Baptism to anyone who believed in Jesus: Jews, the
God-fearing, pagans. Always, Baptism is seen as
connected with faith: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and
you will be saved, you and your household," St. Paul
declared to his jailer in Philippi. And the narrative
continues, the jailer "was baptized at once, with all
his family."
1227 According to the Apostle Paul, the believer
enters through Baptism into communion with
Christ's death, is buried with him, and rises with him:
Do you not know that all of us who have been
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
his death? We were buried therefore with
him by baptism into death, so that as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
The baptized have "put on Christ."Through
the Holy Spirit, Baptism is a bath that
purifies, justifies, and sanctifies.
1228 Hence Baptism is a bath of water in which the
"imperishable seed" of the Word of God produces
its life-giving effect. St. Augustine says of Baptism:
"The word is brought to the material element, and it
becomes a sacrament.
HOW IS THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
CELEBRATED?
Christian Initiation
1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a
Christian has been accomplished by a journey
and initiation in several stages. This journey
can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain
essential elements will always have to be present:
proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel
entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism
itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and
admission to Eucharistic communion.
1230 This initiation has varied greatly through
the centuries according to circumstances. In the
125
APPENDICES
first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation
saw considerable development. A long period
of catechumenate included a series of preparatory
rites, which were liturgical landmarks along the path
of catechumenal preparation and culminated in the
celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
1236 The proclamation of the Word of God
enlightens the candidates and the assembly with the
revealed truth and elicits the response of faith, which
is inseparable from Baptism. Indeed Baptism is "the
sacrament of faith" in a particular way, since it is the
sacramental entry into the life of faith.
1231 Where infant Baptism has become the form in
which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has
become a single act encapsulating the preparatory
stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged
way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires
a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a
need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the
necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal
growth. The catechism has its proper place here.
1237 Since Baptism signifies liberation from
sin and from its instigator the devil, one or
more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate.
The celebrant then anoints him with the oil of
catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he
explicitly renounces Satan. Thus prepared, he is able
to confess the faith of the Church, to which he will be
"entrusted" by Baptism.
1232 The second Vatican Council restored for
the Latin Church "the catechumenate for adults,
comprising several distinct steps." The rites for
these stages are to be found in the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The Council also gives
permission that: "In mission countries, in addition
to what is furnished by the Christian tradition, those
elements of initiation rites may be admitted which
are already in use among some peoples insofar as
they can be adapted to the Christian ritual."
1233 Today in all the rites, Latin and Eastern, the
Christian initiation of adults begins with their entry
into the catechumenate and reaches its culmination
in a single celebration of the three sacraments of
initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
In the Eastern rites the Christian initiation of infants
also begins with Baptism followed immediately by
Confirmation and the Eucharist, while in the Roman
rite it is followed by years of catechesis before being
completed later by Confirmation and the Eucharist,
the summit of their Christian initiation.
The mystagogy of the celebration
1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of
Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration.
By following the gestures and words of this
celebration with attentive participation, the faithful
are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies
and actually brings about in each newly baptized
person.
1235 The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the
celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one
who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace
of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross.
126
1238 The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer
of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter
Vigil). The Church asks God that through his Son the
power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water,
so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born
of water and the Spirit."
1239 The essential rite of the sacrament
follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and
actually brings about death to sin and entry into the
life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to
the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed
in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the
baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has
also been able to be conferred by pouring the water
three times over the candidate's head.
1240 In the Latin Church this triple infusion is
accompanied by the minister's words: "N., I baptize
you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern liturgies the
catechumen turns toward the East and the priest
says: "The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy
Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the
water and raises him up again.
1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed
oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the
Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a
Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit,
incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest,
prophet, and king.
1242 In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the postbaptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation
(Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the postbaptismal anointing announces a second anointing
APPENDICES
with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the
bishop Confirmation, which will as it were "confirm"
and complete the baptismal anointing.
1243 The white garment symbolizes that the person
baptized has "put on Christ," has risen with Christ.
The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that
Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the
baptized are "the light of the world."
The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of
God entitled to say the prayer of the children of God:
"Our Father."
1244 First Holy Communion. Having become a
child of God clothed with the wedding garment, the
neophyte is admitted "to the marriage supper of the
Lamb" and receives the food of the new life, the body
and blood of Christ. The Eastern Churches maintain
a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation
by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized
and confirmed, even little children, recalling the
Lord's words: "Let the children come to me, do not
hinder them." The Latin Church, which reserves
admission to Holy Communion to those who have
attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation
of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly
baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of
the Our Father.
1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration
of Baptism. At the Baptism of newborns the blessing
of the mother occupies a special place.
WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM?
1246 "Every person not yet baptized and only such a
person is able to be baptized."
The Baptism of adults
1247 Since the beginning of the Church, adult
Baptism is the common practice where the
proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The
catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore
occupies an important place. This initiation
into Christian faith and life should dispose the
catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism,
Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
1248 The catechumenate, or formation of
catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and
faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative
and in union with an ecclesial community. The
catechumenate is to be "a formation in the whole
Christian life . . . during which the disciples will
be joined to Christ their teacher. The catechumens
should be properly initiated into the mystery
of salvation and the practice of the evangelical
virtues, and they should be introduced into the life
of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People of God by
successive sacred rites."
1249 Catechumens "are already joined to the
Church, they are already of the household of Christ,
and are quite frequently already living a life of faith,
hope, and charity." "With love and solicitude mother
Church already embraces them as her own."
The Baptism of infants
1250 Born with a fallen human nature and tainted
by original sin, children also have need of the
new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power
of darkness and brought into the realm of the
freedom of the children of God, to which all men
are called. The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of
salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism.
The Church and the parents would deny a child the
priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they
not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.
1251 Christian parents will recognize that this
practice also accords with their role as nurturers of
the life that God has entrusted to them.
1252 The practice of infant Baptism is an
immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit
testimony to this practice from the second century
on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning
of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households"
received baptism, infants may also have been
baptized.
Faith and Baptism
1253 Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith
needs the community of believers. It is only within
the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can
believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a
perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is
called to develop. The catechumen or the godparent
is asked: "What do you ask of God's Church?" The
response is: "Faith!"
1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith
must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church
celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal
127
APPENDICES
of baptismal promises. Preparation for Baptism
leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the
source of that new life in Christ from which the entire
Christian life springs forth.
1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the
parents' help is important. So too is the role of
the godfather and godmother, who must be firm
believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized
- child or adult on the road of Christian life. Their
task is a truly ecclesial function (officium). The whole
ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the
development and safeguarding of the grace given at
Baptism.
WHO CAN BAPTIZE?
1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the
bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the
deacon. In case of necessity, anyone, even a nonbaptized person, with the required intention, can
baptize , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula.
The intention required is to will to do what the
Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the
reason for this possibility in the universal saving will
of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.
THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM
1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is
necessary for salvation. He also commands his
disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and
to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation
for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed
and who have had the possibility of asking for this
sacrament. The Church does not know of any means
other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal
beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect
the mission she has received from the Lord to see that
all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the
Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament
of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his
sacraments.
1258 The Church has always held the firm conviction
that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith
without having received Baptism are baptized by
their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of
blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the
fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
128
1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism,
their explicit desire to receive it, together with
repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them
the salvation that they were not able to receive
through the sacrament.
1260 "Since Christ died for all, and since all men
are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which
is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to
all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way
known to God, of the Paschal mystery." Every man
who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his
Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God
in accordance with his understanding of it, can be
saved. It may be supposed that such persons would
have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its
necessity.
1261 As regards children who have died without
Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the
mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for
them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires
that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness
toward children which caused him to say: "Let the
children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to
hope that there is a way of salvation for children who
have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the
Church's call not to prevent little children coming to
Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.
THE GRACE OF BAPTISM
1262 The different effects of Baptism are signified
by the perceptible elements of the sacramental rite.
Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and
purification, but also regeneration and renewal. Thus
the two principal effects are purification from sins
and new birth in the Holy Spirit.
For the forgiveness of sins . . .
1263 By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin
and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for
sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains
that would impede their entry into the Kingdom
of God, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor
the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is
separation from God.
1264 Yet certain temporal consequences of
sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering,
illness, death, and such frailties inherent in life as
weaknesses of character, and so on, as well as an
inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence,
APPENDICES
or metaphorically, "the tinder for sin" (fomes peccati); since concupiscence "is left for us to wrestle with, it
cannot harm those who do not consent but manfully resist it by the grace of Jesus Christ." Indeed, "an athlete
is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."
"A new creature"
1265 Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of
God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature," member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple
of the Holy Spirit.
1266 The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification enabling them to
believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues; - giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the
Holy Spirit; - allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues. Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.
Incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ
1267 Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one of
another." Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God
of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes:
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body."
1268 The baptized have become "living stones" to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood." By
Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are "a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who
called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light." Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all
believers.
1269 Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him
who died and rose for us. From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of
the Church, and to "obey and submit" to the Church's leaders, holding them in respect and affection. Just as
Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church:
to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual
helps of the Church.
1270 "Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God
through the Church" and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.
The sacramental bond of the unity of Christians
1271 Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet
in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized
are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they]
are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are
accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church." "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental
bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."
An indelible spiritual mark . . .
1272 Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the
Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark,
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APPENDICES
even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be
repeated.
1273 Incorporated into the Church by Baptism, the faithful have received the sacramental character that
consecrates them for Christian religious worship. The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve
God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the
witness of holy lives and practical charity.
1274 The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of
redemption." "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the
end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of
faith," with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in
the hope of resurrection.
IN BRIEF
1275 Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of
new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's
Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.
1276 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).
1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for
salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.
1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head,
while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
1279 The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all
personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ
and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body
of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.
1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized
person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS
1624).
1281 Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the
Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved
even if they have not been baptized (cf. LG 16).
1282 Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God
that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into
Christian life gives access to true freedom.
1283 With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in
God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.
1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the
Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
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APPENDICES
CHRISTIAN TEACHING
CONFIRMATION in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
ARTICLE 2
THE SACRAMENT OF
CONFIRMATION
the sacrament of Confirmation, which in
a certain way perpetuates the grace of
Pentecost in the Church."
1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the
sacrament of Confirmation together
constitute the "sacraments of Christian
initiation," whose unity must be
safeguarded. It must be explained to the
faithful that the reception of the sacrament
of Confirmation is necessary for the
completion of baptismal grace. For "by the
sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized]
are more perfectly bound to the Church and
are enriched with a special strength of the
Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ,
more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by
word and deed."
1289 Very early, the better to signify
the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing
with perfumed oil (chrism) was added
to the laying on of hands. This anointing
highlights the name "Christian," which
means "anointed" and derives from that of
Christ himself whom God "anointed with
the Holy Spirit." This rite of anointing has
continued ever since, in both East and West.
For this reason the Eastern Churches call
this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with
chrism, or myron which means "chrism." In the West,
the term Confirmation suggests that this sacrament
both confirms and strengthens baptismal grace.
CONFIRMATION IN THE ECONOMY OF
SALVATION
Two traditions: East and West
1286 In the Old Testament the prophets announced
that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for
Messiah for his saving mission. The descent of the Holy
Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign
that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the
Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his
whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total
communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives
him "without measure."
1287 This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain
uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated
to the whole messianic people. On several occasions
Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise
which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more
strikingly at Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit the
apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God,"
and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be
the sign of the messianic age. Those who believed in the
apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift
of the Holy Spirit in their turn.
1288 "From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment
of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the
laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes
the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to
the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the
laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of
Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly
recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of
1290 In the first centuries Confirmation generally
comprised one single celebration with Baptism,
forming with it a "double sacrament," according to
the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons,
the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the
year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of
dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present
at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to
reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused
the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The
East has kep t them united, so that Confirmation is
conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so
only with the "myron" consecrated by a bishop.
1291 A custom of the Roman Church facilitated
the development of the Western practice: a double
anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The
first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the
baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was
completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the
newly baptized by the bishop. The first anointing with
sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached
to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of
the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly
offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult,
there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of
Confirmation.
1292 The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater
emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the
Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion
131
APPENDICES
of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and
servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his
Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic
origins of Christ's Church.
THE SIGNS AND THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION
1293 In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to
consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and
imprints: a spiritual seal.
Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is
rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it
cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers
(the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of
healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and
it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.
1294 Anointing with oil has all these meanings in
the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing
with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and
strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses
healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with
sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the
sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that
is, those who are anointed, share more completely in
the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy
Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give
off "the aroma of Christ."
1295 By this anointing the confirmand receives
the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a
symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or
ownership of an object. Hence soldiers were marked
with their leader's seal and slaves with their master's.
A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and
occasionally makes it secret.
1296 Christ himself declared that he was marked with
his Father's seal. Christians are also marked with a
seal: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ
and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and
given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." This
seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging
to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as
well as the promise of divine protection in the great
eschatological trial.
The celebration of Confirmation
1297 The consecration of the sacred chrism is an
important action that precedes the celebration of
Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It
is the bishop who, in the course of the Chrism Mass
of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism for
his whole diocese. In some Eastern Churches this
consecration is even reserved to the patriarch:
132
The liturgy of Antioch expresses the epiclesis
for the consecration of the sacred chrism
(myron) in this way: "[Father . . . send your
Holy Spirit] on us and on this oil which is before
us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all
who are anointed and marked with it holy
myron, priestly myron, royal myron, anointing
with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of
salvation, a spiritual gift, the sanctification of
souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the
indelible seal, a buckler of faith, and a fearsome
helmet against all the works of the adversary."
1298 When Confirmation is celebrated separately from
Baptism, as is the case in the Roman Rite, the Liturgy
of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal
promises and the profession of faith by the confirmands.
This clearly shows that Confirmation follows
Baptism. When adults are baptized, they immediately
receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.
1299 In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands
over the whole group of the confirmands. Since the time
of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the
Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in
these words:
All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in
your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
1300 The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the
Latin rite, "the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred
through the anointing with chrism on the forehead,
which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through
the words:'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be
sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.]." In the Eastern
Churches of Byzantine rite, after a prayer of epiclesis,
the more significant parts of the body are anointed
with myron: forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest,
back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied
by the formula SfragiV dwreaV PneumatoV
¢Agiou (Signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti): "the seal of
the gift of the Holy Spirit."
APPENDICES
1301 The sign of peace that concludes the rite of
the sacrament signifies and demonstrates ecclesial
communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.
THE EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION
1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of
the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring
of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the
day of Pentecost.
1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase
and deepening of baptismal grace: - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which
makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
- it unites us more firmly to Christ; - it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; - it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to
spread and defend the faith by word and action as true
witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly,
and never to be ashamed of the Cross:
Recall then that you have received the spiritual
seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage, the
spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of
holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you
have received. God the Father has marked you
with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you
and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your
hearts.
1304 Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation
is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul
an indelible spiritual mark, the "character," which is the
sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the
seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on
high so that he may be his witness.
1305 This "character" perfects the common priesthood
of the faithful, received in Baptism, and "the confirmed
person receives the power to profess faith in Christ
publicly and as it were officially (quasi Ex officio)."
WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?
1306 Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and
should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity,
it follows that "the faithful are obliged to receive
this sacrament at the appropriate time," for without
Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly
valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains
incomplete.
1307 For centuries, Latin custom has indicated "the
age of discretion" as the reference point for receiving
Confirmation. But in danger of death children should be
confirmed even if they have not yet attained the age of
discretion.
1308 Although Confirmation is sometimes called the
"sacrament of Christian maturity," we must not confuse
adult faith with the adult age of natural growth, nor
forget that the baptismal grace is a grace of free,
unmerited election and does not need "ratification" to
become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of this:
Age of body does not determine age of soul.
Even in childhood man can attain spiritual
maturity: as the book of Wisdom says: "For
old age is not honored for length of time, or
measured by number of years. "Many children,
through the strength of the Holy Spirit they
have received, have bravely fought for Christ
even to the shedding of their blood.
1309 Preparation for Confirmation should aim at
leading the Christian toward a more intimate union
with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy
Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic
responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis
for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of
belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal
Church as well as the parish community. The latter
bears special responsibility for the preparation of
confirmands.
1310 To receive Confirmation one must be in a state
of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance
in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the
strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and
readiness to act.
1311 Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism,
fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To
emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it
is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal
godparents.
THE MINISTER OF CONFIRMATION
1312 The original minister of Confirmation is the
bishop.
In the East, ordinarily the priest who baptizes also
immediately confers Confirmation in one and the
same celebration. But he does so with sacred chrism
consecrated by the patriarch or the bishop, thus
expressing the apostolic unity of the Church whose
133
APPENDICES
bonds are strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation. In the Latin Church, the same discipline applies to the
Baptism of adults or to the reception into full communion with the Church of a person baptized in another Christian
community that does not have valid Confirmation.
1313 In the Latin Rite, the ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop. If the need arises, the bishop may
grant the faculty of administering Confirmation to priests, although it is fitting that he confer it himself, mindful
that the celebration of Confirmation has been temporally separated from Baptism for this reason. Bishops are the
successors of the apostles. They have received the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. The administration
of this sacrament by them demonstrates clearly that its effect is to unite those who receive it more closely to the
Church, to her apostolic origins, and to her mission of bearing witness to Christ.
1314 If a Christian is in danger of death, any priest can give him Confirmation. Indeed the Church desires that none
of her children, even the youngest, should depart this world without having been perfected by the Holy Spirit with
the gift of Christ's fullness.
IN BRIEF
1315 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them
Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet
fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on
them and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-17).
1316 Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us
more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church,
associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by
deeds.
1317 Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this
reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life.
1318 In the East this sacrament is administered immediately after Baptism and is followed by participation in the
Eucharist; this tradition highlights the unity of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. In the Latin Church this
sacrament is administered when the age of reason has been reached, and its celebration is ordinarily reserved to
the bishop, thus signifying that this sacrament strengthens the ecclesial bond.
1319 A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of
grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to
Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.
1320 The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism (in the East
other sense-organs as well), together with the laying on of the minister's hand and the words: "Accipe signaculum
doni Spiritus Sancti" (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.) in the Roman rite, or: Signaculum doni Spiritus
Sancti [the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit] in the Byzantine rite.
1321 When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, its connection with Baptism is expressed, among
other ways, by the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of Confirmation during the Eucharist helps
underline the unity of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
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APPENDICES
CHRISTIAN TEACHING
MARY in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
Paragraph 6. Mary - Mother of Christ, Mother
of the Church
963 Since the Virgin Mary's role in the mystery of
Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now
to consider her place in the mystery of the Church. "The
Virgin Mary . . . is acknowledged and honored as being
truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. . . . She is
'clearly the mother of the members of Christ' . . . since
she has by her charity joined in bringing about the
birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its
head." "Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church."
MARY'S MOTHERHOOD WITH REGARD TO
THE CHURCH
Wholly united with her Son . . .
964 Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her
union with Christ and flows directly from it. "This union
of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation
is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal
conception up to his death"; it is made manifest above
all at the hour of his Passion:
Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her
pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in
her union with her Son unto the cross. There she
stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring
with her only begotten Son the intensity of his
suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in
her mother's heart, and lovingly consenting
to the immolation of this victim, born of her:
to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on
the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these
words: "Woman, behold your son."
965 After her Son's Ascension, Mary "aided the
beginnings of the Church by her prayers." In her
association with the apostles and several women, "we
also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of
the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the
Annunciation."
. . . also in her Assumption
966 "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free
from all stain of original sin, when the course of her
earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul
into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen
over all things, so that she might be the more fully
conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror
of sin and death." The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and
an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:
In giving birth you kept your virginity; in
your Dormition you did not leave the world, O
Mother of God, but were joined to the source of
Life. You conceived the living God and, by your
prayers, will deliver our souls from death.
. . . she is our Mother in the order of grace
967 By her complete adherence to the Father's will, to
his Son's redemptive work, and to every prompting of
the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model
of faith and charity. Thus she is a "preeminent and . . .
wholly unique member of the Church"; indeed, she is the
"exemplary realization" (typus) of the Church.
968 Her role in relation to the Church and to all
humanity goes still further. "In a wholly singular
way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope,
and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring
supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a
mother to us in the order of grace."
969 "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace
continues uninterruptedly from the consent which
she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she
sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until
the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to
heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by
her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts
of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin
is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate,
Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix."
970 "Mary's function as mother of men in no way
obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ,
but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin's
salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the
superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his
mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its
power from it." "No creature could ever be counted
along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just
as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways
both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one
goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his
creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer
does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold
135
APPENDICES
cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.
DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
971 "All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian
worship." The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the
Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their
dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the
incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical
feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel,"
express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
MARY - ESCHATOLOGICAL ICON OF THE CHURCH
972 After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny, we can find no better way to conclude than
by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery on her own "pilgrimage of
faith," and what she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey. There, "in the glory of the Most Holy and
Undivided Trinity," "in the communion of all the saints," the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother
of her Lord and as her own mother.
In the meantime the Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the
image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she shines forth on
earth until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.
IN BRIEF
973 By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already
collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the
Mystical Body.
974 The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and
soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the
resurrection of all members of his Body.
975 "We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise
her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (Paul VI, CPG § 15).
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APPENDICES
5
LEADING WITH HEART AND SOUL
Fostering Workplace Spirituality
By Dulce Jesus Lesigues –Baricuatro
Dr. Baricuatro offers us ways and examples of how we can live a spiritual lie in a workplace. This is a glimpse of
the richness of her work contained in a handbook launched on September 9, 2013 at St. Theresa’s College , Cebu City.
The following are excerpts of her precious contribution to the people of God. She is one of the “Holy-Heroes” of our
times.
FOREWORD
By Fr. Felino B. Javines, SVD
What makes this book “Leading with Heart and Soul” so special and its release and message so timely cqn be described
in this short story:
Four royal sons were questioning what especially thy should master. They said to one another. “Let us search the earth
and learn a special science.” So they decided and after they had agreed on a place where they would meet again, the
four brothers started off, ech in different direction. Time went by, and the brothers met again at the appointed meeting
place and they asked one another what they had learned. “I have mastered a science,” said the first, “which makes it
possible for me , if I have nothing but a piece of bone of some creature , to create straightway the flesh that goes with
it.” “I,” said the second, “know how to grow that creature’s skin and hair if there is flesh on its bones.” The third said,
“I am able to create its limbs, if I have the flesh the skin and the hair.” And I”, concluded the fourth, “know how to give
life to that creature if its form is complete with limbs. “ There upon the four brothers went into the jungle to find a
piece of bone so that they could demonstrate their specialties. As fate, would have it, the bone they found was lion’s, but
they did not know that and picked up the bone. One added flesh to the bone, the second grew hide and hair, the third
completed it with matching limbs and the fourth gave the lion life. Shaking its heavy mane, the ferocious beast arose
with its menacing mouth, sharp teeth and merciless claws and jumped on his creators. He killed them alland vanished
contentedly in the jungle. (Tales of Ancient India, pp. 50-51).
In a knowledge based society, it is easy to identify ourselves in any of the four brothers given our drive to flourish in our
respective career and field of endeavour and sometimes we fall into that trap that paves the way to self and collective
destruction.
Fostering workplace spirituality is what we need today where success is defined by popularity , image, prestige, economic
gain, influence and the like that in the process, we lose the very purpose of our “being” because we learn more on the
“doing”. The story and the book come to life when it confronts all of us with one of the fundamental theme’s one’s
spiritual worth at work.
Excerpts from the handbook:
Why workplace spirituality? What is the relationship between spirituality and work life? What is the role of leadership
in promoting spirituality in the organization?
How do we lead with heart and soul?
Outline:
1. SHEPHERDING
- Value of the person
- Get close and Personal
- Build bridges not walls
2. TRANSFORMING AND SERVING
- Bring out the best
- Listen to learn
- Empathize
3. KINDLING THE FIRE
- Convey faith
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APPENDICES
-
-
-
Cast Mend, Reconnect
Correct others in Love
Encourage the Heart
1. SHEPHERDING
“I am the good Shepherd, and I know mine, and mine know me.”
(John 10:14)
- VALUE THE PERSON
WHO IS THE PERSON IN FRON T OF US? We meet a lot of people everyday as we see them often
in the workplace. In the neighborhood, in malls , in churches, in groceries, in the streets, and most
often in our very own homes where some of them serve to meet our needs. Immersed with the daily
tasks and goals we set for ourselves, we miss opportunities to pause and look at the beauty and
uniqueness of every person working with us. Learning to notice the obvious – the looks on the faces
of those who stand before us, the sound of their voices when they talk to us, and even the colors and
shapes that they carry as they vie for our attention—Is the beginning of the awareness that persons
are important.
-
GET CLOSE AND PERSONAL
DO YOU TAKE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN EACH OF THE PERSON’S WHO REPORT DIRECTLY
TO YOU? To shepherd all the members of your flock is to know their condition. It is not enough
to know the status of their work but their personal status – what are they preoccupied with?
What motivates them when they walk through the door in the morning, what their career
ambitions and frustrations are, and what are impacting them at the moment, and what their
skills, interests, goals and dreams are. Many leaders agree to the idea of the need to get personal
only to lip service.
-
BUILD BRIDGES NOT WALLS
LEARNING TO OPEN THE HEART REQUIRES THAT WE OPEN OUR LIVES. To close ourselves
from the wisdom of the world around us is a kind of prison where thought is chained and vision is
condemned (Chittister)
It has been said that people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. It is easy enough
to get caught up in our own lives, needs, and desires before the needs of others. At times our own
problems close ourselves off to many wonderful things in life. When people get stuck in the “mefirst” mentality and build nothing but walls, the world would be terribly a lonely place. As we walk
through minefields of personal selfishness, we fall to see the face of God or hear His voice in the
other person.
To claim full human development, total spiritual maturity,
outside the realm of the human community is to claim the impossible.
(Joan Chittister)
2. TRANSFORMING and SERVING
-
BRING OUT THE BEST
IT TAKES FAITH AND OPTISM TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE GOOD IN THE OTHER. Forrest
Gump says, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never quite know what you are going get when
you open it.”
Every person has inner beauty and lots of possibilities yearning to come out to the open. Just
because we do not see them at first glance doe not mean they are not there. Wherever we are and
whoever we are,there are treasures in front of us. Do not be fooled by appearances.
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APPENDICES
-
LISTEN TO LEARN
OPENNESS IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WISDOM TRAVELS AND UNDERSTANDING
BEGINS. It is the height from which we learn that the world is much bigger, much broader than
ourselves, that there is truth out there that is different from our own. The voice of God within us is
not the only voice of God (Chittister).
Do you welcome suggestions from others? Are you open to learning and trying new things Are you
willing to change things if someone else finds a better way?
Change takes time and effort,
but good changes are worth it in the long run
-
EMPATHIZE
EVERYONE WANTS TOBE UNDERSTOOD, TO BE ACCEPTED, AND TO BE LOVED FOR SHE
OR HE IS. Love has creative power, and in a God-centered environment, love does its magic by
engendering unselfish acts of helping each member to see the others in a positive light.
A key to understanding people and treating them right is to put oneself in their place. This is a key
to relating well with others. For example, before we ask someone to do something that may seem
simple to us, consider first whether that person will feel the same. If someone is out of sorts or is
not being productive as usual, think about what might be causing that person to act that way to
operate than to assume that the other person sees and feels the same way about things as we do.
3. KINDLING THE FIRE
-
CONVEY THE FAITH
FAITH IS THE GATE AND THE BEDROCK OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. With Faith in
everyone, hope is alive.
Organizations form their vision statements and leaders inspire everyone to work together in the
shared vision. In this globally competitive world, goals are aligned to the global objective setting.
The natural tendency is to work harder and faster to keep up.
Many responsibilities and heavy workload seem overwhelming. When this happens, our busy lives
come to the fore and block the Spirit of love, peace, and faith from coming through. The spirit is
overburdened and worn out including those around us. When we fret, worry, and show ourselves
under pressure, we do not convey faith and trust to others. We convey pressure, concern and
overload. No one needs that!
Faith trusts today and accepts tomorrow because faith knows that whatever the day,
God is in it.
(Joan Chittister)
-
CAST , MEND AND RECONNECT
LIFE IS MORE THAN JUST WORK. “ On the seventh day, Scripture says “God rested.”
What was the one thing that kept Jesus burning with vitality an dlife in his mission? “rising very
early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place where he prayed.’ (Mark 1:35) In another
occasion, “and when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain and pray.” (Mk 7:4546). Jesus was always connected with the Source. This was his “secret success.”
-
CORRECT OTHERS IN LOVE
THE POWER TO FORGIVE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST POWERS GIVEN TO HUMANS. IT
IS PART OF THE NATURE AND ESSENCE OF GOD. When we exercise it, we assume godlike
stature and rise above the pettiness of egoism.
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APPENDICES
Before passing judgment, it is important to remain impartial and get all sides of the story. The
better informed we are, the better chance we will have of judging correctly. As we go about whatever
it is at work, let us always keep in mind the question, “How can I love God and others today?”
PUT YOURSELF IN OTHER PERSON’S SHOES
-
ENCOURAGE THE HEART
WHAT FORMS OF RECOGNITION DO YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHOWORK HARD FOR YOU
AND THE ORGANIZATION?
There is no one person on earth who doesn’t need to feel appreciated. When we give appreciation
freely, we become a channel of God’s love to the other person. Another wonderful thing about
showing appreciation is that the more you do it, the happier you become. because part of being
appreciative is recognizing your blessings.
One simple way to show appreciation and recognition for what our team members have done is
praise. Praise is an actual spiritual power that uplifts and strengthens (Maria Fontaine). When
we praise others, we encourage and strengthen them in spirit. Praise does wonders! Giving that
compliment or parise for the good job, even if it is said lots of times before, will not tire anyone
hearing it --- hardly anyone ever does.
Give and it will be given to you; For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back
to you.
(Luke 6:38)
Note about the author and the handbook write-up: Dulce Jesus Lesigues-Baricuatro, PhD is a professor
of Theology and Gender Studies and Leadership Formation at Saint Theresa’s College (STC)-Cebu. In one of the
recollection of a group of STC students, August 22, 2013, Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ was invited to facilitate , she met
Dr. Baricuatro, where she mentioned about the production of her handbook then about to be launched on Sept. 9,
2013. Sr. Lydia, in admiration for a woman, a lay person like her producing a handbook on “spirituality” asked her if it
is alright to include a summary of her work in the modules of the Year of the Laity so that other people will know about
it, and use it as well. She gladly affirmed the suggestion. Sr. Lydia went back to Cebu last Sept. 27 and received a copy
of Dr. Baricuatro’s handbook, the one used to share the above summary/excerpts.
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APPENDICES
6. ALTERNATI VE RESOURCES
18 Steps to Holiness
By: Connie M Giordano
"I find nothing in the Bible but holiness, and nothing in
the world but worldliness. Therefore, if I live in the world,
I will become worldly; on the other hand, if I live in the
Bible, I will become holy." - Smith Wigglesworth
The Apostle Peter admonished the Body of Christ in 1
Peter 1:14-16 in this manner - "As obedient children, not
fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in
your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy,
so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is
written, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY."
Is it possible nowadays for people, in the midst of this
"adulterous and sinful generation," to actually "be...holy"
in their behavior, ways, or manner of life?
What about all the teachings in the Church at this present
hour that say that we cannot help but sin in thought, word,
or deed? Surely, these "Teachers" and "Preachers" don't
agree with Peter's inspired words here. They actually do
not believe that it is possible for anyone to live "holy."
After all, they openly and boldly emphasize that we are still
"sinners" saved by grace.
We may have been "sinners" at one time, but does the
Bible still called the "Redeemed of the Lord" "sinners"?
Or does it now refer to us as "saints" - sanctified ones "vessels of honor for God" - holy, separate, and set apart
from this world for God's use?
Would God be so oppressive and ironhanded as to
command us to be "holy" and not give us the means to be
so?
What Father would bid his children to do a task that is
beyond their capability without giving them the tools in
order to get the job done?
Matthew 7:11 - If we, "being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto our children, how much more
shall our Father in Heaven give us the means to
obey His command to "be holy"?
In Psalm 119:9, the Psalmist asked a very
relevant question - one that many are asking
even in our day and time - "Wherewithal shall a
young man cleanse his way?"
pure and holy life? Where can I find the power to resist
temptation or to put to death the affections and lusts of my
flesh?
The Word of God has the answer. In fact, the Word of God
is the answer.
In this message, we will examine 18 Steps To Holiness.
They are in no way exhaustive, but they will surely help to
set and keep you on the right track.
They are as follows:
1. Make The Word Of God Your Rule
Psalm 119:9 - "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse
his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word."
The #1 way to holiness is to make God's Word your rule
for your life and conduct, govern yourself accordingly, and
resolve to conform to it in every measure.
2. Seek God With Your Whole Heart
Psalm 119:10 - "With my whole heart have I sought
Thee..."
With every affection of your heart - reserving none for any
possible idols - follow hard after God. Continuously cry out
to Him for more wisdom, strength, and a tender spirit.
3. Realize Your Weaknesses
Psalm 119:10 - "...O let me not wander from Thy
commandments." Psalm 119:25 - "My soul cleaveth unto
the dust: quicken Thou me according to Thy word."
In order to stay in the path of duty, you have to realize
your constant need for self-denial and restraint. You are
prone to wander and err except for the Lord's intervention.
Your life is generally glued to or adheres firmly to that
which is of this world - "dust." Earthly things and desires
are unfailingly contesting to pull you away from your
allegiance to Jesus.
It takes God's Word to strengthen and empower you to
break away from these evil and worldly propensities.
In other words, where can I go to get help in leading a
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APPENDICES
4. Hide God's Word In Your Heart
Psalm 119:11 - "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against Thee."
Like a secret power in operation at all times, the Word of
God is constituted to act as a deterrent against all evil in
your life. In order to do so, however, it must be layed up,
treasured, or hoarded in your heart so that, at a moment's
notice, it is available to respond to life's situation.
and bring about self-examination and reflection to your
path.
10. Don't Allow Anything Of This World To Crowd
Out The Word
5. Magnify God As Your Source Of Strength
Psalm 119:15 - "I will...have respect unto Thy
ways." Psalm 119:16 - "...I will not forget Thy word."
Have a constant regard for what the Word says and make
your decisions accordingly, not allowing any "ungodly
counsel" to steer you in the wrong direction.
Psalm 119:12 - "Blessed art Thou, O LORD..."
11. Plead For God's Enabling Grace
God is to be praised as your One and Only Preserver from
evil. Through His Word, He keeps you from falling.
Psalm 119:17 - "Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I
may live, and keep Thy Word."
6. Cry Out For Instruction
The only way you can possibly live for God in this ungodly
world is by God's Grace. As one in desperate straits, beg
God to show His favor upon you so that you will "live" and
not die.
Psalm 119:12 - "...teach me Thy statutes." Psalm 119:26
- "...teach me Thy statutes." Psalm 119:27 - "Make me to
understand the way of Thy precepts..." Psalm 119:19 - "...
hide not Thy commandments from me."
12. Pray For A Special Illumination Of The Word
Become more and more acquainted with Jesus' ways so
that you can walk accordingly.
Psalm 119:18 - "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law."
7. Tell Others What You Have Learned
All the answers that you will ever need for life's problems
or dilemmas are found in the Scriptures.
Psalm 119:13 - "With my lips have I declared all the
judgments of Thy mouth." Psalm 119:27 - "...so shall I talk
of Thy wondrous works."
Once you learn a principle, you are then responsible to
share it with others so that they, in turn, will be able to
walk uprightly. This practice will reinforce the teaching in
your own heart.
8. Consider God's Word As Your Chief Joy In Life
Psalm 119: 14 - "I have rejoiced in the way of Thy
testimonies, as much as in all riches." Psalm 119:16 - "I
will delight myself in Thy statutes..." Psalm 119:24 - "Thy
testimonies also are my delight..."
Nothing - not even possessions, positions, or great wealth
- can replace the Word as being the principal source of
happiness and rejoicing in your heart.
Don't be satisfied with a surface knowledge of the
Word. Be a diligent miner who digs deeply into God's
inexhaustible resources. Be like Jacob and wrestle with the
Lord for the answers that you so desperately need.
Each time that you open up the Word, ask God to
remove the scales from your spiritual eyes that may have
developed through Sin, compromise, or worldliness. Plead
with Him to remove any veil of unbelief, doubt, fear, or
hardness of heart that would prevent a clear vision of His
mind. Implore Him to reveal, uncover, and make bare any
and all spiritual Truths that are needful for your life at the
moment.
13. Recognize Your Status In This World As A
Christian
Psalm 119:19 - "I am a stranger in the earth..."
The word "delight" used in the above Scripture actually
means to skip about and jump for joy. With such
exuberance, the Word is to have First Place in your life.
Never forget that this world is not your home. As a pilgrim
who belongs to another country, you are just simply
passing through. Hence, nothing is permanent or forever.
9. Allow God's Word To Rule Your Thoughts
14. Hunger For More Of God
Psalm 119:15 - "I will meditate in Thy precepts..."
Psalm 119:20 - "My soul breaketh for the longing that it
hath unto Thy judgments at all times."
You are instructed here to meditate frequently on God's
words, works, and ways. They are to govern your thoughts
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Let your soul become desperate for God to the point of
APPENDICES
breaking. Long for His righteousness. Intensely desire to hear from Him.
15. Stay Humble
Psalm 119:21 - "Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from Thy commandments."
Recognize that pride in your heart will cause you to err from the Truth and reap the awful displeasure of God on your life.
Stay away from it at all costs.
16. Watch Out For The Accusations
Psalm 119:22 - "Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies." Psalm 119:23 - "Princes also
did sit and speak against me..."
As soon as you determine in your heart that you are going to "go all the way" with Jesus, the devil will be sure to raise up
the "Princes" to send "reproach and contempt" your way. There will be those - even in authority - who will try to tear you
down from your place of excellence.
Because these "Princes" are not where they should be in the Lord, your testimony and life will be a direct affront to their
lukewarmness, compromise, or deadness of soul and spirit. They will charge you with being self-righteous, hypocritical,
insincere, fanatical, extreme, and overboard. Whatever you do, don't allow anyone to throw their "wet blankets" on your
fire. Keep on keeping on for the Lord.
17. Recognize The Word As Your Only Counselor
Psalm 119:24 - "Thy testimonies also are my...counselors."
In this day of "anything goes," so many are running to man for answers because they simply do not know the difference
between right and wrong.
The Scriptures are to be your One and Only "counselors" - "men of my counsel." You are to consider them as your closest
Friends to whom you seek for godly advice, insight, or direction. Any "words" given to you that are not in keeping with
the Word of God are to be trashed and treated with utmost contempt as something wicked, evil, and deadly.
18. Surrender All To Jesus
Psalm 119:26 - "I have declared my ways, and Thou heardest me..."
Don't allow any cares, troubles, anxieties, or plans to snuff out the Word in your heart and mind. Lay them at the feet of
Jesus and leave them there. He can handle them - He's God.
Once again, we refer to the opening quote by Smith Wigglesworth - "I find nothing in the Bible but holiness, and nothing
in the world but worldliness. Therefore, if I live in the world, I will become worldly; on the other hand, if I live in the
Bible, I will become holy."
It all narrows down to one question - Are you living in the world or in the Bible?
That will determine whether you are worldly or holy - whether you are living in defeat or victory over Sin every day as
God ordained. It's not God's fault that you are not holy. He has given you every means to live a life that is pleasing in His
sight. This message outlines some possible steps to help you on your journey.
In looking over the 18 steps, how many are you already practicing? Which ones need to be developed or applied to your
everyday life? Why not take the time now to ask God for His Abundant Grace to make all 18 a part of your life?
May God Bless His Word.
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APPENDICES
INTRODUCTION
The Sacrament of Confirmation calls
us to be authentic Christians...
to Serve and be a Hero
"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at
whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." – Arthur Ashe
What Is Heroism?
According to Heroic Imagination Project, Heroism
involves a behavior action on behalf of another
person or for a moral cause.
They identify four key elements of
heroism:
•
•
•
•
It's voluntary
It is done in the service of
people or communities in
need
It involves some type of risk,
either physical, social, or in
terms of quality of life
It is done without the need
for recompense or material
gain
a number of people, we discovered that
heroes tend to have eight traits, which
we call The Great Eight. These traits
are smart, strong, resilient, selfless, caring,
charismatic, reliable, and inspiring.
It’s unusual for a hero to possess all
eight of these characteristics, but most
heroes have a majority of them." (Scott
T. Allison & George R. Goethals, "Our
Definition of 'Hero,'" 2011)
•"Heroism consists of actions undertaken
to help others, despite the possibility that
they may result in the helper's death or
injury." (Selwyn W. Becker & Alice H.
Eagly, " The Heroism of Women and
Men," 2004)
Other definitions often break heroism
down by types or degrees of the personal
Some psychologists and other
risk and sacrifice involved. Some involve
heroism researchers define heroism?
grand acts such as endangering one's life
NEAR TO CROSS BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
Some few suggested definition were
in order to save another person, while
put forth by various experts as follows:
others are smaller, everyday acts designed to help
another human being in need.
• "Simply put, then, the key to heroism is a
concern for other people in need—a concern
to defend a moral cause, knowing there is a
Big H and small h heroism
personal risk, done without expectation of
reward." (Philip Zimbardo, "What Makes a
Psychologist Frank Farley in a piece published
Hero?," 2011)
in Psychology Today made a distinction between
what he calls "big H" heroism and "small h heroism."
• "Although we find it true that heroism is in
Big H heroism "involves significant risk, which could
the eye of the beholder, we do acknowledge
include death, injury, imprisonment, or other serious
that people’s beliefs about heroes tend to
or significant consequences," he explains. Small h
follow a systematic pattern. After polling
heroism, on the other hand, "is everyday heroism,
144
APPENDICES
helping others, doing good deeds, showing kindness,
etc., where serious harm or major consequences are
not usually a result."
What Makes a Person a Hero?
So now that we know a bit more about what heroism
is, the question shifts to exactly why people become
heroes? Are there any characteristics of heroism that
these individuals seem to share? Farley suggests that
there are two key factors underlying the grand acts
of heroism that involve a risk of personal harm: risktaking behavior and generosity. People who risk their
lives in the service of another are naturally more
likely to take greater risks and they also possess
a great deal of compassion, kindness, empathy,
and altruism.
In an article that appeared in a 2004 issues
of American Psychologist,
researchers Selwyn Becker
and Alice Eagly suggested that
heroism might also have a more
self-serving purpose as a means
to ensure status. In other words,
sometimes engaging in selfsacrificing behavior can lead to
long-term rewards.
simply doing what anyone in that situation would
have done. In the face of immediate life and death
situations, the power and immediacy of the situation
can inspire some people to take action.
These same situational forces that galvanize some
individuals to heroic acts can actually impede others
from helping. When a crisis arises in the presence of
many people, we often fall into a trap of inaction by
assuming that someone else will offer assistance, a
phenomenon known as the bystander effect. Because
personal responsibility is diffused by the presence of
others, we believe that someone else will take on the
role of the hero.
Some people may also have personality traits that
predispose them to behave in altruistic and heroic
ways. Researchers have suggested that those who
have a particular mind-set that leads them to behave
confidently and morally in difficult
situations tend to act immediately
and unconsciously when an
emergency occurs.
Are Heroes Born or Are They
Made?
One of the biggest questions
researchers face comes down to the
In one small study conducted
age-old debate over nature versus
with 78 participants, researchers
nurture. Is heroism something
KING BY MARCELLO SILVESTRI
found that people who were
we are born with, or is heroism
willing to endure the pain of holding their hands
something that can be learned?
in a tub of ice or being dunked in a tank of water
were more likely to be judged as likable by the other
"Some people argue humans are born good or
participants. Not only did the others view these
born bad; I think that’s nonsense," explains Philip
individuals more favorably, they also rewarded
Zimbardo. "We are all born with this tremendous
them by giving them much more of a pot of money
capacity to be anything, and we get shaped by our
amounting to $1,170 that the participants were
circumstances—by the family or the culture or the
allowed to divvy up in any way they wished.
time period in which we happen to grow up, which
are accidents of birth; whether we grow up in a war
Researchers have long known that both people
zone versus peace; if we grow up in poverty rather
and animals are more likely to help those to whom
than prosperity."
they are genetically related, a concept known as kin
selection. By helping those who share our genes, we
So if heroism is something that can be cultivated,
help ensure the likelihood that those genes will be
how exactly do we go about encouraging people to
passed on to future generations. In other cases, we
behave in heroic ways? In the second part of this
help others with the expectation that someday they
article, we'll learn more about one program designed
might help us in return, an idea known as reciprocal
to foster altruism and heroism in young people.
altruism.
But what about the kinds of altruism that don't
hinge on helping relatives or expecting some type
of payback? In such cases, situational, cultural, and
personality variables can play pivotal roles. After
people take heroic actions, they often claim that
they don't see themselves as heroes; that they were
cf. Psychology of Heroism
http://psychology.about.com/od/socialpsychology/a/the-psychology-ofheroism.htm
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APPENDICES
Values Exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal
RIZAL’S HEART WAS ON EDUCATION
(Taken from Ambeth Ocampo’s book, Rizal
Without the Overcoat: pp 195-196)
Vandalism is one of the traits you would associate
with the national hero, but when Rizal visited
Niagara falls, he strolled through the woods, pulled
out his pocket knife and carved his initials on a tree.
The impulse to write “Kilroy was here” on an empty
wall is natural to all of us. I often restrain myself
from carving my name on wet cement floors. This
mentality led me to something exciting in the Rizal
shrine in Dapitan.
My good friend, Horacio Cabilin, has retired as
curator of the Rizal Shrine, but he took time out
as member of the Dapitan Sangguniang Bayan to
show me around. Although Cabilin has gone up in
the world, he still maintains an interest in Rizal and
finds time to answer impertinent questions on Rizal
from tourists like me. Since all the nipa houses
standing on Rizal’s estate in Talisay are mere
replicas, I insisted on seeing whatever was original
in the famous Talisay estate.
Cabilin bought me to a small dam behind the Rizal
house that was described in a letter to Blumentrit in
January, 1895.
We are now going to build a water-tank on my
land. I have 14 boys whom I teach languages,
mathematics, and how to work. Since we have no
146
work, I have decided to construct a dike of stone,
brick, and mortar so that they may learn.
By March of the same year he informed Blumentrit
of his progress:
I am constructing a dike in order to have a water
depository for the dry season. The water is now
more than three meters deep; the wall has a base
to meter wide. It is also made to live rocks, sand,
lime and cement and constructed by boys of 13 to
14 years of age under the direction of one 20 years.
They did it as play.
Rizal’s playful attitude can be seen concretely on
the side of the original dam. Cabilin pulled out
a handful of moss to show me that there were
forgotten inscriptions on the wall. My curiosity was
fired up and I started to pull out more moss. Then
I asked for a cup and started pouring water over
the wall while Dr. Nestor Pagulayan cleaned the
area around the inscriptions with his hands. The
writing was difficult to read so we bought chalk
from the town sari-sari store and used it to trace the
letters on the walls. These came out: “Tam, Lucas,
Leo, Marcel, Anis, Edjawan, Dagpin, Joe Asenerio,
Elum, Adolfo, Tom, Anicero.”
One did not need as IQ as high as Rizal’s to
realize that the above were the (nick) names of
Rizal’s students: (Lucas), Adasa, Melecio (Leo)
Taladua; Marcial (Marcel) Borromeo; Aniceto
APPENDICES
(Anis?) Benjamino; Roman and Mateo(Edjawan);
Ubaldso(Dagpin); Jose (Joe) Asenerio; Jose (Elum)
Elumbering; (Adolfo) Tantico, Only “TAM” and
“TPM” are difficult to identify , Could “TAM” be
“TAN” Rizal’s nephew, Estanislao herbosa? Could
“TAM” be Mateo-Mat spelled backwards? Could
Tam be Rizal’s word-play on lazy student – Tam for
tamad?
I only deciphered 13 names out of the 16 students
who worked on the dam. What happened to the
other names? Three more from this list; Jose
Dolman, Filomeno Acopia, Pedro Agapay, Romulo
Hamac, Fernando, Gregorio Lumasag, Edjawan
(there were two students with the same surname),
Josse Chang0, Marcelino Galleposo, Jose Bael,
Catal Gallemit and Francisco Inerio. There was
a triangle with a dot in the center that could be
a Masonic symbol. Perhaps an anting-anting.
Maybe Rizal was just teaching the boys geometric
shapes. I have a feeling that the missing name as
well as Rizal’s signature were covered when some
well-meaning-ignorant?- person patched up a leak
on the wall with cement. There was no attempt to
preserve the handwriting on the wall. What could
I do but shrug my shoulders, shake my head, and
sigh, Sayang!
In the same letter that talks about the dam behind
the house, Rizal told Blumentritt:
I now have 16 boys studying with me, paying me
with their labor. They all belong to the best families
in the town and one can see their eagerness to learn
even if they have to work for me in order to study.
If I would ask them for money, I am sure they
would pay with pleasures and more would come.
Ah what a lack there is of good school with good
teachers who teach so that the children may learn
and not that they may waste their time as generally
happens.
Apart from both Spanish and French they were
given lessons in algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.
They had swimming, gymnastics, and other sports.
They had time for work; cleaning the estate,
harvesting fruits, or helping in Rizal’s clinic. Rizal’s
Himno al Trabajo or Hymn to Labor was even sung
at work to the tune of “Sampaguita’s. Rizal was
basically a teacher at heart, and I would say that the
boys who lived in the estate as internos or boarders
had a holistic education.
GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
1. Dr. Jose Rizal was not trained as a teacher,
yet he knew that intellectual greatness
can only be achieved by discipline. Is this
value (like “making use of time”) seen and
applicable to our students of today?
2. Our National Hero placed a great
importance on acquiring a good educational
foundation. Is this value still accepted by
many Filipinos up to this time?
3. Jose Rizal was a man of many interests, of
many talents, of many ideals. What similar
talents do you think you should develop in
yourself?
RIZAL'S TOUGH TIMES & SACRIFICES
(Taken from Ambeth Ocampo’s book, Rizal
Without the Overcoat: pp 67-69)
There are two incidents in Rizal’s life regarding
money from which I have never recovered: one
was his being kuripot, the other was the pride and
seriousness with which he took to his stinginess.
Rizal was once invited to a New Year’s party or
something. Of course, it was a potluck affair, and
to make a long story short, Rizal was supposed
to bring the champagne. Well, aside from his
sermons about taking your studies seriously and
his unsolicited advice on drinking, gambling, and
womanizing- three things the Filipinos were famous
for – Rizal did not like the idea of supplying the
drinks for this party. So, he stood up and in typical
killjoy fashion told everyone that he was not paying
for the drinks, inabonohan lang niya; so, before
he leaves, will everyone please pay their share?
Everyone was stunned and they probably thought
he was joking, but then he passed his hat around;
then they knew he was serious. Much later Rizal
would wonder why he was not popular with the
Filipino community and could not get neglected
unanimously to their association. This is being a bit
dense, don’t you think?
The second incident was the time his allowance was
delayed. He didn’t want to let his German landlady
know he was missing his meals, so, he would leave
his apartment during lunch and dinner time and
walk around the city, peeking and salivating while
147
APPENDICES
watching people in restaurants and bars. When
he had walked for about an hour or two, he would
return to his apartment to give the impression to
his landlady that he had gone out to eat. Kawawa
naman
Today, I want to show you Rizal’s expenses
for January, 1884, when he was a student in
Madrid. His diaries and notebooks are filled
with expense accounts, which gives us a glimpse
into the character of our national here. You will
have to browse through all these lists to
discern his lifestyle, but because of
space limitations, his month’s
expenditures should be enough to
give you an idea.
Jan 4 For the barbershop
and
the cursed Christmas present 1.10
A newspaper and refreshment .35
Jan 15 One penknife .30
Jan 16 Postage stamps 1.30
Penknife
1.50
Ball of yarn .50
Jan 20 one tenth of a
lottery ticket 3.00 (Every
week Rizal bought what we
know today as “Sweepstakes”.
He never won in Spain, but
when he was in exile in Dapitan,
he won enough to buy himself
an 18-hectare estate called
Talisay.)
Laundry woman 3000
( I thought he washed
his own clothes)
(Even in Spain during the
nineteenth century, they
had people greeting you
with “Merry Christmas, Sir!’ and
open palms, Rizal like
all of us today, was not
spared.)
Domestic postage
stamp .10
Jan 27 Today, I had my picture taken
at Otero 10.00 (Rizal loved having his
picture taken, which is why we have a
full documentation on him).
Jan 5 Los Cuatro Reynos de la
Naturaleza subscription 14.20
Jan 6 Wandering Jew 10.0
Half dozen postcards with cover 3.00
Works of Horace and Dumas 2.50 (Rizal spent a
great deal on books).
Supper with friend 32.00
Jan 9 Withour spending a cent (Hooray!)
One-tenth of lottery tickets 3.00
A box of matches .10
Jan 12 Bath 2.00 (Rizal’s room was probably
without a toilet and bath. It’s cheaper. So he will
have to pay for each bath he takes or he pays a
monthly fee. I do hope he took a daily shower. In
Spain, Filipinos are sometimes scolded for bathing
daily. They say it is an unhealthy practice.)
Teatro de a Comedia 2.10
A dish .30
148
Jan 29 Candles ( one pound, 6) 1.25 (Before he used
an alcohol burner, he used candles in his room,
which means his apartment must have really been
cheap with no gaslight.)
Tickets for the dance 1.00 (In his Diary,
he mentions regularly attending theatre
and balls and writes, “Today, I was at he
masquerade ball which I enjoyed fairly
well. I danced almost all the numbers. Two
masked persons were teasing me, yet no
matter how hard I tried to find out who they
were I couldn’t...” Can you imagine Rizal
dancing?)
APPENDICES
Coffee, refreshments and tip ( Nightwatchman) 1.70
Jan 30 for review for the degree 30.00
Postage stamps for letters and periodicals 2.80
A handkerchief .45
Streetcar .30
Excelsior Ball 2.5p
Jan 31 One book 1.00
Arte de Estudiar 2.50
“ Money spent 257.88. Food for this month 71.75. Total 329.63. This expense which for me is large, is due
to the review, the mat, and the dinner which I gave. The books I bought also contributed to it..”
If only all our heroes left such detailed lists, we would not have a hard time figuring out what they were like
as ordinary people.
1. Our national Hero’s stinginess may be seen as “ kakuriputan” but really as “pagiging
masinop”. How can you apply this value to your daily life?
2. If Dr. Rizal incurred many expenses, it was because he had so many interests. These interests
include: books, going to museums, theatres and dancing! Have you also other interests and
have developed them lately?
3. Jose Rizal was prepared to make great sacrifices (example: skipping meals) so he could
pursue his goals and ideals. What sacrifices are you willing to make so that you can reach
your own goals?
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APPENDICES
Talents of Dr. Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal, The Renaissance Man
A “ Renaissance man” is a term used to describe
a person with numerous interest and talents.
Our National hero is an example of this. Here is
a shortened list ( the article originally listed 62
talents ) of Dr. Jose Rizal’s multi faceted talents.
Ascetic
Rizal always practiced self-discipline wherever he
went.
Book lover
He had a big library and brought many books
abroad.
Actor
Rizal acted as a character in one of Juan Luna’s
paintings and acted in school dramas.
Botanist
Rizal maintained a garden in Dapitan where he
planted and experimented on plants of all kinds
Agriculturist
Rizal had farms in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte
(1892-1896) where he planted
lanzones, coconuts and other
fruit-bearing trees.
Businessman
He had a partner in Dapitan in the Abaca business
there (1892-1896).
Ambassador Of Good Will
His friendliness, goodwill
and cultural associations with
friends entitled him as one.
Animal Lover
As a small boy, Rizal loved
animals including birds, fish,
insects, and other specimens of
animal life. Fowls, rabbits, dogs,
horses, and cats constituted his
favorites. As much as possible,
he did not wish fowls to be
killed even for food, and showed
displeasure in being asked to eat
the cooked animal. The family
garden in Calamba abounded
with insects galore and birds
native to the Calamba environs.
He wrote about and sketched animals of the places
he had toured.
Anthropologist
He made researches on the physical and social
make up of man.
Archeologist
Rizal studied monuments and antique currency
everywhere he went. He drew most of the
monuments he saw.
150
Japanophile
His admiration of Japanese
traits and his knowledge of her
language proved he was one.
Journalist
He authored and published
many articles in Spanish and
English and London.
Laboratory worker
He was employed in the clinic of
Dr. L. Wecker in Paris.
Linguist
He spoke over 20 foreign
languages.
Lover of truth
He chided Spanish writers for
not writing the truth about the
Filipinos. He was always truthful since boyhood.
Musicians
He played the flute and composed pieces of music
and cultivated music appreciation.
Mythologist
Rizal used mythology in his Noli and Fili.
APPENDICES
Nationalist
He gave full expression of the native spirit strengthened by world civilization and loved and defended
everything Filipino.
Newspaperman
He wrote and published articles in many publications and was one of the organizers of the La Solidaridad.
Pharmacologist
Rizal treasured and popularized the usefulness and preparation of cures for treatment of his patients.
Philologist
Rizal love of learning and literature are unequalled.
Philosopher
Rizal not only loved wisdom but also regulated his life and enjoyed calmness of the life at all time Physicians
He treated several patients afflicted not only with eye diseases.
Plant lover
As a child, Rizal spend most of his time in the family garden which was planted with fruit trees, shrubs and
decorative trees. His diaries contained detailed description and sketches of plants, flowers and fruits he
saw in the places he visited. He wrote poems on flowers he like very much as his poem "To the Flowers of
Heidelberg."
Poet
Rizal wrote over 35 poems including his famous "Mi Ultimo Adios."
Politician
Although Rizal did not engage in Politics, he exposed the evils of the political activities of the Spaniards in
the Philippines through his writing. Polyglot
Rizal spoke and wrote in 20 languages.
Proofreader
In Germany, he worked as a part-time proofreader as his livelihood.
Propagandist
As a reformer, Rizal encouraged the recommendation of improving the government entities and
discouraged abuses in publishing articles.
Public relation man
He worked for better cooperation of rulers and subjects in his country.
Reformer
He published the modern methods of government administration, so changes could be made.
Researcher
Being a wide reader, he compared the old and new practices in life.
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APPENDICES
Revolutionist
Rizal encouraged reforms, discouraged old, impractical usage, and desired new and useful laws to benefit
his countrymen. He desired changes for the better.
Sanitary engineer
His construction of a water system in Dapitan exemplified this practice by Rizal.
Scientist
Rizal’s practice of many sciences here and abroad made him a noted scientist.
Sculptor
His works of his father and of Father Guerrico, S. J. typified his sculptural ability.
Sharp shooter
He could hit a target 20 meters away.
Sinologist
Rizal’s ancestry and his ability to speak Chinese made him one.
Sociologist
In Rizal’s study of Philippines social problems, he always encouraged and introduced solutions.
Sodalist
He always joined fraternities, associations and brotherhood, for self-improvement.
Sportsman
He was engaged in the sport of fencing.
Tourist
He was considered the foremost tourist due to his extensive travels.
Traveler
He traveled around the world three times.
Tuberculosis expert
For having cured himself of this disease, he became and was recognized as an expert.
Youth leader
He considered the youth as "the hope of his Fatherland."
Zoologist
He was fond of pets. He researched later on their physiology, classification and habits.
GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTIONS:
1. Do you have any talent/s similar to Dr. Rizal? How have you tried to develop your talent/s?
2. Is there any talent that you see in Dr. Rizal that you wish to develop in yourself? Why?
3. If Rizal offered his life to free us from the Colonial Exploitation of the Spaniards, what
is it that we need to free ourselves from in the present situation of our country? What is
oppressing and destroying our country today? What can you offer for that freedom?
152
APPENDICES
SMALL ACTS OF PATRIOTISM
The 12 Little Things We Can Do For Our Country
1st : Follow traffic rules. Follow the law
* Traffic rules are the most basic of our
country’s laws. If we learn to follow them, it
could be the lowest form of national discipline
we can develop as a people. A culture of
discipline is crucial to our destiny as a nation.
* Whenever we follow traffic rules, we show
our love for our neighbor, our love for the
Filipino.
2nd : Always ask for an official receipt
* Asking for ORs leads to higher tax
collections, which means more funds for our
government, which could strengthen our
economy and lead us to progress.
* Whenever we help our government in
helping our people, we show our love for our
neighbor.
3rd : Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy
Local. Buy Filipino
* Our money should support our economy,
not the economy of other countries. Buying
Pilipino means supporting the Filipino.
* Whenever we support one another as
Filipinos, we show our love for our neighbors.
4th : Speak positively about us and our
country
* Every Filipino is an ambassador of our
country. Each one of us, wherever we maybe,
is a salesman of our country.
* Whenever we speak positively of our
people, we show our love for our neighbors.
5th : Respect your traffic officer,
policeman & other public servants
* Respect honors and dignifies a man. It
compels him to do his job right.
* There is love of neighbor whenever we
respect those in authority.
6th : Throw your garbage properly.
Segregate. Recycle. Conserve
* Philippines is the country given to us as
a people. It is the birthplace of our race. It is
the home of the Filipino. We should keep it
beautiful.
* When we keep our environment and
our country clean, we show our love for our
people.
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APPENDICES
7th : Support your Church
11th : Adopt a scholar or a poor child
* When we help our church, we help our
Creator in His works on earth.
* Investing on our youth is investing on our
country’s future. Every family who can afford,
should adopt one poor child as a scholar.
* Whenever we help our church, we show
love for our neighbor.
8th : During elections, do your solemn
duty
* When we fight for our votes, we fight for
our right to make our own destiny, as a people
and as a nation.
* There is love of neighbor when we elect
good leaders for our country and people.
* There is love of neighbor whenever we help
a child get an education.
12th : Be a good parent. Teach your
kids to love our country
* If we start planting seeds of patriotism in
the hearts and minds of our youth today, they
would become giant patriots of our country
someday.
9th : Pay your employees well
* There is love of neighbor whenever we
teach and raise our children as patriots, by
loving our country through loving our people.
* A company must bring prosperity not
only to its owners but also to its employees.
Blessings must be shared. It builds families. It
builds our nation. « Love of neighbor, God’s Second Highest
Commandment, is contained in each of these
12 Little Things. »
* There is love of neighbor when we value
and pay our employees appropriately.
Based on the Book
12 Little Things Filipinos Can Do To Help Our Country
by Alexander Lacson
10th : Pay your taxes
* Taxes are the lifeblood of our government.
It is what builds our public schools, hospitals
and roads. It is what pays our teachers, soldiers and other public servants.
* There is love of neighbor whenever we pay
our taxes properly so our government can help
more people.
154
APPENDICES
READING ON VALUES
I.
Some
Value definitions
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French,
feminine past participle of valoir'be
worth', from Latin valere
[14th century. < Old French < valoir "be
worth" < Latin valere "be powerful"]
1. noun
• the regard that something is
held to deserve; the importance,
worth, or usefulness of
something: your support is of
great value
• a person’s principles or
standards of behavior; one’s
judgment of what is important
in life: they internalize their
parents' rules and values
II.
Other Value definition and
Premises
(Source: Spirituality and Service
Seminar, selected input of Speakers, Dr.
Earnest Tan, etc., Ministry for Youth
Affairs 2003)
1. Premise:
“For a (value) concept to be turned into
action, it must first find its way into our
value system.” – Lourdes Quisumbing
“ It is not what we know that we do.
It is what we want that we do.” L.
Quisumbing
“Values are ideas that are emotionally
fired.” – Antonio V. Ulgado
2. Values defined:
Values are what a person considers
to be essential and important and,
as such, would deeply motivate one’s
behavior.”
These may be:
- Of a physiological nature, i.e.
pleasure, security, survival
- Of physiological nature, i.e.
ACCEPTANCE, BELONGNG
- Of socio-cultural nature, i.e. SIR,
utang na loob, hiya
Of religious, moral or spiritual
nature (values=virtues)
i.e. service, vocation, honesty,
peace, justice
‘Values are like guiding stars by which we
navigate our lives”
3. Valuing Process
Our valuing process needs discernment.
We need to educate our hearts on the
processes of our:
a. Affective life: How do I cherish and
prize the choices I made?
- Do I feel good and happy with
the choices?
- Do I publicly affirm my choices?
b. Cognitive structure: How do I give
meaning to the choices I have made?
- Did I choose them freely from
alternatives?
- Did I choose them after
considering all the consequences?
c. Behavioral patterns: To what extent
do I act upon the choices I have
made in my daily life?
- What the choices that I
concretely acted on?
- What are the choices/values that
I repeatedly and consistently act
on in my life?
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APPENDICES
TWO
C ontent & T al k in g P oints
TOPIC
Lay the foundation of the Holy Heroes
INTRODUCTION
The Call to Imitate and Learn
from the Love and Faith of our Mother Mary
PUSO NI MARIA ISANG BABAE, INA…
ALAGAD NG DIYOS
HEART OF MARY – HEART OF A WOMAN,
MOTHER, DISCIPLE
--- ONE HEART WITH GOD, ONE HEART
WITH JESUS, ONE HEART
WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE
WORLD
"Let us encourage the generosity
which is typical of the young
and help them to work actively
in building a better world," he
(Pope) said.
have to ask the people. In turn, Mary loved Jesus
with the heart of the people, as we read in the
Magnificat. We should not even think, therefore,
that ‘thinking with the church’ means only thinking
with the hierarchy of the church.” –Pope Francis
“I see the sanctity of God’s
people, this daily sanctity,”
the Pope continues. “There is
a ‘holy middle class,’ which we
can all be part of, the holiness
Malègue wrote about.” The Pope
is referring to Joseph Malègue,
a French writer (1876–1940),
"Young people are a powerful
engine for the church and for
particularly to the unfinished
society," the pope said. "They do
trilogy Black Stones: The Middle
not need material things alone;
Classes of Salvation.
also and above all, they need to
have held up to them those nonmaterial values
which are the spiritual heart of a people, the
“I see the holiness,” the Pope continues, “in the
memory of a people."
patience of the people of God: a woman who is
“The values they need to see and learn,” he
said, are "spirituality, generosity, solidarity,
perseverance, fraternity (and) joy.” POPEAPARECIDA, Jul-24-2013
raising children, a man who works to bring home
“This is how it is with Mary: If you want
to know who she is, you ask theologians;
if you want to know how to love her, you
hard and live a hidden sanctity. This is for me the
156
the bread, the sick, the elderly priests who have
so many wounds but have a smile on their faces
because they served the Lord, the sisters who work
common sanctity. I often associate sanctity with
APPENDICES
patience: not only patience as hypomoné [the New Testament Greek word], taking charge of the events
and circumstances of life, but also as a constancy in going forward, day by day. This is the sanctity of the
militant church also mentioned by St. Ignatius. This was the sanctity of my parents: my dad, my mom,
my grandmother Rosa who loved me so much. In my breviary I have the last will of my grandmother
Rosa, and I read it often. For me it is like a prayer. She is a saint who has suffered so much, also
spiritually, and yet always went forward with courage.”
“This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold only a
small group of selected people. We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest protecting
our mediocrity. And the church is Mother; the church is fruitful. It must be. You see, when I perceive
negative behavior in ministers of the church or in consecrated men or women, the first thing that comes
to mind is: ‘Here’s an unfruitful bachelor’ or ‘Here’s a spinster.’ They are neither fathers nor mothers, in
the sense that they have not been able to give spiritual life. Instead, for example, when I read the life of
the Salesian missionaries who went to Patagonia, I read a story of the fullness of life, of fruitfulness.”
“Another example from recent days that I saw got the attention of newspapers: the phone call I made to
a young man who wrote me a letter. I called him because that letter was so beautiful, so simple. For me
this was an act of generativity. I realized that he was a young man who is growing, that he saw in me a
father, and that the letter tells something of his life to that father. The father cannot say, ‘I do not care.’
This type of fruitfulness is so good for me.”
A Religious Order Pope
Pope Francis is the first pontiff from a religious order since the Camaldolese monk Gregory XVI, who was
elected in 1831. I ask: “What is the specific place of religious men and women in the church of today?”
“Religious men and women are prophets,” says the Pope. “They are those who have chosen a following
of Jesus that imitates his life in obedience to the Father, poverty, community life and chastity. In this
sense, the vows cannot end up being caricatures; otherwise, for example, community life becomes
hell, and chastity becomes a way of life for unfruitful bachelors. The vow of chastity must be a vow of
fruitfulness. In the church, the religious are called to be prophets in particular by demonstrating how
Jesus lived on this earth, and to proclaim how the kingdom of God will be in its perfection. A religious
must never give up prophecy. This does not mean opposing the hierarchical part of the church, although
the prophetic function and the hierarchical structure do not coincide. I am talking about a proposal that
is always positive, but it should not cause timidity. Let us think about what so many great saints, monks
and religious men and women have done, from St. Anthony the Abbot onward. Being prophets may
sometimes imply making waves. I do not know how to put it.... Prophecy makes noise, uproar, some say
‘a mess.’ But in reality, the charism of religious people is like yeast: prophecy announces the spirit of the
Gospel.”
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APPENDICES
Prayer
I ask Pope Francis about his preferred way to pray.
“I pray the breviary every morning. I like to pray with the psalms. Then, later, I celebrate Mass. I pray
the Rosary. What I really prefer is adoration in the evening, even when I get distracted and think of
other things, or even fall asleep praying. In the evening then, between seven and eight o’clock, I stay in
front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour in adoration. But I pray mentally even when I am waiting at
the dentist or at other times of the day.”
“Prayer for me is always a prayer full of memory, of recollection, even the memory of my own history
or what the Lord has done in his church or in a particular parish. For me it is the memory of which St.
Ignatius speaks in the First Week of the Exercises in the encounter with the merciful Christ crucified. And
I ask myself: ‘What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What should I do for Christ?’ It
is the memory of which Ignatius speaks in the ‘Contemplation for Experiencing Divine Love,’ when he
asks us to recall the gifts we have received. But above all, I also know that the Lord remembers me. I
can forget about him, but I know that he never, ever forgets me. Memory has a fundamental role for the
heart of a Jesuit: memory of grace, the memory mentioned in Deuteronomy, the memory of God’s works
that are the basis of the covenant between God and the people. It is this memory that makes me his son
and that makes me a father, too.”
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APPENDICES
OPENING ACTIVITY
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
Introduce the Road Map
of Faith, you may use your
own Road Map of Faith as
an example.
EXERCISE
Roadmap of Faith
Give 5-10 minutes for
individual reflection.
Make a drawing of your journey in
faith through a roadmap, starting
from childhood until today.
1
Let them share in small
groups.
On the UPPER part of the road, draw two journey lines...
on the first line, recall and write the people and events
who served as a HERO or as God's HOLY one who gave
consolations in your journey in faith.
2
On the second line, write the
corresponding events that went
with the people who brought you
consolations on the first line.
3
0
31-5
21-3
16-2
8-
4
d
. ol
d
. ol
rs
-7 y
0
d
. ol
s
0 yr
rs
15 y
DESOLATION - what
draws you or brings
you away from God,
whether painful or
joyful experience or
event.
d
. ol
s
0 yr
CONSOLATION what draws you or
brings you closer to
God, whether painful
of joyful experience or
event.
yrs
)
etc.
d(
. ol
5
6
Make another two journey
line on the LOWER part of
the road.
On the first line, recall and write the
people and events who served as a
HERO or as God's HOLY one who gave
desolations in your journey in faith.
On the second line, write the corresponding
events that went with the people who brought you
desolations on the first line.
Remember, desolations do not necessarily mean a painful experience. A seeming
joyful or successful experience can also bring you away from God and away from the
Church or God's people...
159
APPENDICES
Mary of the Gospels
Source: In Search of the Real Mary
by Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J.
We know very little about Miriam of Nazareth as an actual historical person.
In this she is in solidarity with the multitudes of women through the centuries,
especially poor women and poor men, whose lives are considered not worth
recording. We must also be respectful of her historical difference from us in
time and place. She is a first-century Jewish woman; she is not a 21st-century
American. And that difference must be respected.
It seems that the image of Mary has allowed the Christian imagination to think
very creatively and very differently about understanding Mary. But now it's our
turn, we the generation alive today. How should we consider Mary (or Miriam,
as she would be known in Hebrew) in the 21st century?
The four Gospels portray her in very different ways, reflecting their very different theologies.
MARK
MATTHEW
LUKE
At first glance, Mark
comes across as
having a negative
view of Jesus'
mother. She arrives
with other members
of the family as
Jesus is preaching
and they call to him.
When the crowd tells
Jesus his mother
is asking for him,
he replies, "Who
is my mother and
brother and sister?
Those who do the
will of my father are
mother and brother
and sister to me"
(see Mark 3:31-35).
And Mary remains
outside. Mark does
not seem to have a
positive view, at that
point, of Mary as a
disciple.
Matthew's
view of Mary is
rather neutral by
comparison. He
places her in the
genealogy of the
Messiah, in line with
four other women
who act outside
the patriarchal
marriage structure,
thereby becoming
unexpectedly
God's partners in
a promise-andfulfillment schema.
In Matthew's Gospel,
though, Mary
doesn't speak, and
all the focus on the
birth story is around
Joseph.
Luke describes Mary
as a woman of faith,
overshadowed by
the Spirit at Jesus'
conception and at
the beginning of the
Church at Pentecost.
She is the first to
respond to the glad
tidings to hear the
word of God and
keep it. This is a
pictorial example of
Luke's theology of
discipleship. It's a
very positive view
of Mary from which
we have mostly
gotten our tradition.
160
JOHN
Finally, John has
a highly stylized
portrayal of the
mother of Jesus,
and that's all he
ever calls her. He
never names her.
She is pierced twice
in John's Gospel, at
the beginning and
at the end, at Cana
and at the cross.
And again she is
there embodying
responsive
discipleship to the
word made flesh.
APPENDICES
Miriam of Nazareth
To glimpse the actual
woman behind these
texts is difficult. Now
we get help from new
studies of the political,
economic, social and
cultural fabric of firstcentury Palestine. New
studies are enabling us
to fill in her life in broad
strokes.
Much of this knowledge
of the circumstances
in which she lived has
resulted from the contemporary quest for
the historical Jesus. But it serves us as well
for a quest for the historical Mary. So let's
go questing for Miriam of Nazareth—as a
Jewish village woman of faith
1. Mary as Jewish
As a member of the people of Israel, Mary
inherited the Jewish faith in one living God,
stemming from Abraham and Sarah onwards.
She prays to a God who hears the cry of the
poor, frees the enslaved Hebrews and brings
them into their covenant relationship. Given
Jesus' clear knowledge and practice of the
Jewish faith in his adult life, as reflected in
the Gospels, it is reasonable to assume that
Mary, with her husband, Joseph, practiced this
Jewish religion in their home, following Torah,
observing Sabbath and the festivals, reciting
prayers, lighting candles and going to synagogue,
according to the custom in Galilee.
Later at the end of Jesus' life, Luke depicts Mary
in her older years as a member of the early
Jerusalem community, praying with 100 other
women and men in the upper room before the
coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. What we see
from this—and most scholars think that that's
a historical glimpse—is that Mary participated
in the early Christian community in Jerusalem.
Now in the light of the death and resurrection of
Jesus, this gathering of disciples believed that
the Messiah had come. But in no way did they
think that this was a cause to
leave their religion; they kept
going to the Temple, and so
forth.
For many years, they preached
the good news to their fellow
Jews trying to get them to
understand the promise of
God has been fulfilled, before
finally being persuaded
by Paul and others that
the gospel was meant for
gentiles too. To use a term
coined in scholarship, Mary
was a Jewish Christian—the earliest kind of
Christian there was. This was before Christianity
split off from the synagogue. She was never a
Roman Christian, never a gentile at all. So it
does no honor to her memory to bleach her of
her Jewishness. We've done this ethnically by
turning her swarthy Jewish complexion into fair
skin and blonde hair and blue eyes. But we've
also done this religiously by turning her deeply
rooted Jewish piety into that of a latter-day
Catholic. She wasn't.
2. Mary, a Peasant Woman
Mary lived in a Mediterranean rural village,
Nazareth, whose population consisted largely of
peasants working the land and craftsmen who
served their basic needs. Married to the local
carpenter, she took care of the household. Now
how many children were in that household?
Well, her firstborn son, Jesus, obviously lived
there, but we also read in Mark's Gospel that the
mother and the brothers and the sisters lived
together in Nazareth. And these brothers are
named in Chapter Six: James, Joses, Judas and
Simon. His sisters Mark leaves unnamed, as
typically happened with groups of women in the
New Testament.
The apocryphal gospels explain that these
are Joseph's children by previous marriage.
But however many were in the household,
we would know that in her setting, her days
would ordinarily be taken up with the hard,
161
APPENDICES
unrecompensed work of women of all ages:
to feed and clothe and nurture her growing
household. Like other village women of her day,
she was probably unlettered, illiterate.
The economic status of this family is a matter
of some dispute. Scholars like John Meier place
them in a blue-collar working-class arrangement,
while others such as John Dominic Crossan
assign them to the peasant class, desperately
struggling under the triple taxation of Temple,
Herod and Rome.
Either way the times were tough. This village
was part of an occupied state under the heel of
imperial Rome. Revolution was in the air. The
atmosphere was tense. Violence and poverty
prevailed. We owe a debt to Third-World women
theologians who have noticed the similarities
between Mary's life and the lives of so many poor
women, even today. Notice how the journey to
Bethlehem in order to be counted for a census
accords with the displacement of so many poor
people today separated from their ancestral
homes because of debt and taxation.
Notice how the flight into Egypt parallels the
flight of refugees in our day—women and men
running with their children to escape being killed
by unjust military force. Notice how Mary's
experience of losing her son to death by unjust
state execution compares with so many women
who have had their children and grandchildren
disappear or be murdered by dictatorial regimes.
Mary is a sister, a compa—era, to the suffering
lives of marginalized women in oppressive
situations. It does Mary no honor to rip her
out of her conflictual, dangerous historical
circumstances and transform her into an icon
of a peaceful middle-class life dressed in a royal
blue robe.
3. Woman of Faith
Mary walked by faith, not by sight. As one
theologian once said, "She did not have the
dogma of the Immaculate Conception framed
and hanging on her kitchen wall." Scripture tells
us she asked questions. She pondered things in
her heart. And she went on faithfully believing
even when grief stabbed her to the heart.
She had a relationship with God that was
162
profound. Now in those days, people's hope for
the coming of the Messiah included the hope
that he would liberate the suffering poor from
oppressive rule. Luke's infancy narrative gives a
particular twist to our memory of Mary's faith by
placing her in a key position of partnership with
God to bring about this historic occurrence. The
Annunciation scene, as biblically analyzed today,
depicts her being called to the vocation of being
God's partner in the work of redemption on the
model of the call to Moses at the burning bush.
It's a prophetic call, a call of vocation to be a
partner with God in this great work. Mary gives
her free assent, thus launching her life on an
adventure whose outcome she does not know.
She walks by faith, not by sight. Indeed her very
pregnancy takes place through the power of the
Spirit.
Mary's virginity has been used to disparage
women who are sexually active, as if they aren't
as perfect as Mary the virgin. But again this
event actually sounds a powerful theme for
women. Sojourner Truth, the 19th-century
freed slave, was speaking once in a hall where a
group of black-clad clerics were arguing that she
should not even have the right to be on the stage.
She noticed their mumbling and said to them,
"Where your Christ come from, honey? Where
your Christ come from? He come from God and a
woman. Man had nothin' to do with it."
Business as usual, including patriarchal
marriages, is superseded. And God stands with
the young woman pregnant outside of wedlock,
in danger of her own life. God stands with her to
begin fulfilling the divine promise. Now Mary's
faith-filled partnership with God in the work of
liberation is sung out in Luke's Gospel in her
magnificent prayer, the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55).
It's the longest set of words placed on the lips of
any woman in the New Testament.
Oddly enough, it is a prayer omitted from most
traditional Mariology. Here's the scene: Mary is
newly pregnant; Elizabeth her cousin, an older
woman, is six months pregnant; Zechariah,
Elizabeth's husband, has been struck dumb for
his lack of faith; and so there's no male voice to
inject itself into this scene. The house is quiet
of men. Mary arrives. Elizabeth, filled with the
Spirit, embraces her and sings out, "Blessed art
APPENDICES
thou among women." And also filled with the Spirit, Mary breaks into a new prophetic language of faith.
She sings a song in the pattern of Miriam, Deborah, Huldah and Hannah, other great hymn-singers in
the Old Testament, and she launches into divine praise. Her spirit greatly rejoices in God her savior.
4. Mary of the Magnificat
Though Mary is poor and lowly, and a culturally insignificant woman, the powerful living holy God
is doing great things to her. And God does this not only to her but to all the poor: bringing down the
mighty from their thrones; exalting the lowly; filling the hungry with good things and sending the
unrepentant rich away empty. And all of this is happening in fulfillment of the ancient promise—and in
her very being. For she embodies the nobodies of this world, on whom God is lavishing rescue.
In this song she sings of the future too, when finally, peaceful justice will take root in the land among
all people. This is a great prayer; it is a revolutionary song of salvation. As writer Bill Cleary once
commented, "It reveals that Mary was not only full of grace but full of political opinions."
Miriam's song has political implications—socially radical ones at that. With a mother like this, it's no
wonder that Jesus' first words in Luke proclaim that he has come to free the captives and bring good
news to the poor. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
So Mary lived in solidarity with the project of the coming Reign of God, whose intent was to heal,
redeem and liberate. It does no honor to reduce her faith to a privatized piety. Worse yet, which
sometimes happens in traditional Mariology, is to reduce her faith to a doting mother-son relationship.
She hears the word of God and keeps it. What I'm suggesting is that before Jesus was born she had her
own relationship to God that wasn't focused on Jesus. Even after his death and resurrection, when she
is now part of the community proclaiming him as the Messiah, her pattern of faith is still that of Jewish
hope: God's Messiah who now has come will come again soon and bring this justice to the land as a
whole.
She hears the word of God and keeps it. And in this too she is, as Paul VI called her in Marialis Cultus,
our sister in faith. We can begin to see the potential in other Gospel scenes. As we remember her and
keep foremost the idea that she is a Jewish peasant woman of faith, then we can interpret the other
scenes in the Gospels where Mary shows up and where we are presented with the dangerous memory
of this very inconsequential woman in her own culture and historical context. With a heart full of love
for God and for her neighbor, Mary of Nazareth gives us this tremendous example of walking by faith
through a difficult life.
5. Our partner in hope
We began by asking, what would be a theologically sound, spiritually empowering and ethically
challenging view of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, for the 21st century? My answer has been to suggest
that we remember Mary as a friend of God and prophet in the communion of saints. Let her dangerous
memory inspire and encourage our own witness.
We ought to relate to Miriam of Nazareth as a partner in hope, in the company of all the holy women
and men who have gone before us. This can help us reclaim the power of her memory for the flourishing
of women, for the poor and all suffering people. It can help us to draw on the energy of her example for
a deeper relationship with the living God and stronger care for the world.
When the Christian community does Marian theology this way, our eyes are opened to sacred visions for
a different future. We become empowered to be voices of hope in this difficult world. Like Mary, we will
be rejoicing in God our savior and announcing the justice that is to come.
Source: In Search of the Real Mary by Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J.
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APPENDICES
The 4 Marian Dogmas
There are four dogmas stating Mary's personal
relationship with God and her role in human salvation .
1) Divine Motherhood
Mary's divine motherhood was proclaimed at the
Council of Ephesus in 431.
Various names are used
to describe Mary's role
as mother of Jesus. She
is called "Mother of God"
which translates the more
accurately stated greek
term "Theotokos" or
"Birthgiver of God."
The Council of Ephesus
(431) attributed to Mary
the title, Mother of God.
This needs to be read
against the Council's
declaration that in Christ
there are two natures, one
divine and one human,
but only one person.
Indeed, according to the
Council the holy virgin is the Mother of God
since she begot according to the flesh the
Word of God made flesh. This decision was
further explained by the Council of Chalcedon
(451) which says with regard to Mary's divine
motherhood:
"...begotten from the Father before the ages
as regards his godhead, and in the last days,
the same, because of us and because of our
salvation begotten from the Virgin Mary, the
Theotokos, as regards his manhood; one and
the same Christ, Son, Lord, only-begotten..."
Mary's Divine Motherhood was not the object
of an independent or exclusive dogmatic
declaration. The statement is embedded in
texts defining the person and natures of Jesus
Christ. Thus, the dogma of Divine Motherhood
becomes an integral part of the christological
dogma. This does not diminish its definitive
and binding character. The dogma of Divine
164
Motherhood is generally accepted by all
Christian denominations.
2) Perpetual Virginity
The expression perpetual virginity,
ever-virgin, or simply "Mary the
Virgin" refers primarily to the
conception and birth of Jesus.
From the first formulations of faith,
especially in baptismal formulas
or professions of faith, the Church
professed that Jesus Christ was
conceived without human seed by
the power of the Holy Spirit only.
Here lies the decisive meaning of
expressions such as "conceived
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,"
"Mary's virginal conception," or
"virgin birth." The early baptismal
formula (since the 3rd century)
state Mary's virginity without
further explaining it, but there is no
doubt about its physical meaning.
Later statements are more explicit.
Mary conceived "without any
detriment to her virginity, which
remained inviolate even after his birth"
(Council of the Lateran, 649).
Although never explicated in detail, the
Catholic Church holds as dogma that Mary
was and is Virgin before, in and after Christ's
birth. It stresses thus the radical novelty of
the Incarnation and Mary's no less radical and
exclusive dedication to her mission as mother
of her Son, Jesus Christ. Vatican II reiterated
the teaching about Mary, the Ever-Virgin, by
stating that Christ's birth did not diminish
Mary's virginal integrity but sanctified it . The
Catechism of the Catholic Church ponders
the deeper meaning of the virgin bride and
perpetual virginity (499-507). It also maintains
that Jesus Christ was Mary's only child. The socalled "brothers and sisters" are close relations.
3) Immaculate Conception
The solemn definition of Mary's Immaculate
Conception is like Divine Motherhood and
APPENDICES
Perpetual Virginity part of the christological
doctrine, but it was proclaimed as an
independent dogma by Pope Pius IX in his
Apostolic Constitution "Ineffabilis Deus"
(December 8, 1854). Though highlighting a
privilege of Mary it in fact stresses the dignity
and holiness required to become "Mother
of God." The privilege of the Immaculate
Conception is the source and basis for Mary's
all-holiness as Mother of God.
More specifically, the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception states "that the most Blessed Virgin
Mary, from the first moment of her conception,
by a singular grace and privilege from Almighty
God and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ,
was kept free of every stain of original sin."
This dogma has both a "negative" and a
"positive" meaning which complement each
other. The "negative" meaning stresses
Mary's freedom from original sin thanks to
the anticipated or retroactive (here called
preventive) grace of Christ's redemptive act.
By the same token, the dogma suggests Mary's
all-holiness. This "positive" meaning is the
consequence of the absence of original sin.
Mary's life is permanently and intimately
related to God, and thus she is the all-holy.
Although difficult to explain, original sin
provokes disorderliness in thought and
behavior, especially with regard to the primacy
of God's presence in our life. Consequently, in
declaring Mary immaculately conceived, the
Church sees in Mary one who never denied
God the least sign of love. Thus, the dogma
declares that from her beginning Mary was
exceptionally holy and in constant union with
the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit.
4) The Assumption
This marian dogma was proclaimed by Pope
Pius XII on November 1, 1950 on his Encyclical
Munificentissimus Deus.
A distinction needs to be made between
Ascension and Assumption. Jesus Christ, Son
of God and Risen Lord, ascended into heaven,
a sign of divine power. Mary, on the contrary,
was elevated or assumed into heaven by the
power and grace of God.
The dogma states that "Mary, Immaculate
Mother of God ever Virgin, after finishing the
course of her life on earth, was taken up in body
and soul to heavenly glory." This definition
as well as that of the Immaculate Conception
makes not only reference to the universal,
certain and firm consent of the Magisterium
but makes allusion to the concordant belief of
the faithful. The Assumption had been a part of
the Church's spiritual and doctrinal patrimony
for centuries. It had been part of theological
reflection but also of the liturgy and was part of
the sense of the faithful.
This dogma has no direct basis in scripture. It
was nonetheless declared "divinely revealed,"
meaning that it is contained implicitly in
divine Revelation. It may be understood as the
logical conclusion of Mary's vocation on earth,
and the way she lived her life in union with
God and her mission. The assumption may be
seen as a consequence of Divine Motherhood.
Being through, with, and for her Son on earth,
it would seem fitting for Mary to be through,
with, and for her Son in heaven, too. She was
on earth the generous associate of her Son.
The Assumption tells us that this association
continues in heaven. Mary is indissolubly
linked to her Son on earth and in heaven.
In heaven, Mary's active involvement in
salvation history continues: "Taken up to
heaven, she did not lay aside her salvific duty ...
By her maternal love she cares for the brothers
and sisters of her Son who still journey on
earth" (LG). Mary is the "eschatological icon of
the Church" (CCC 972), meaning the Church
contemplates in Mary her own end of times.
The definition of the dogma does not say how
the transition from Mary's earthly state to
her heavenly state happened. Did Mary die?
Was she assumed to heaven without prior
separation of soul and body? The question
remains open for discussion. However, the
opinion that Mary passed through death as her
Son did, has the stronger support in tradition.
Glorified in body and soul, Mary is already in
the state that will be ours after the resurrection
of the dead.
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APPENDICES
ONE
I ntro d u ction
OPENING ACTIVITY
EXERCISE
Beloved
L
ife has many aspects and facets, may it be on the physical,
psychological or spiritual level. The self is not static and
cannot be pinned down in one state. Love and spiritual
energies flows through our hearts and we are constantly being
transformed and purified by our life experiences at every
moment of our lives. However, there are stages when stages
of growth or processes become more prominent than the other.
It is in this light that the following exercise needs some
identification of the themes that we have been internalizing.
Can you identify what stage of your
life you are in at the moment?
H
O ES
O
R
HE L
Y
TAKEN (Chosen)
BLESSED
BROKEN
GIVEN (Shared)
Describe your experience, what
made you say so, WHY or HOW?
Each moment or state is as important as
the others.
166
APPENDICES
Reflective Reading
Wish you could hear me....
For the first time, allow me to thank you for all the love that you have given me especially when i was a
child, sickly and difficult. I remember you coming from your factory work, dead tired, but you still managed to go to the market, cooked and cared for me. I always saw you because I was just there playing with
my friends. I saw you coming home with vegetables and fish which, when cooked, I ate with a sour face
because I wanted something more delicious.
I don’t remember the day without a single complaint about you or about the life that we lived. But I also
do not remember any word of gratitude from me for all that you were doing for us. My other brothers and
sisters tried their best to help you. They sold things and engaged themselves even in contractual jobs to
help you survive the family. It was hard not having a father around. I could still remember the day when
he left us for another woman. You were trying to be brave, you talked to each one of us with the appeal
to make things work out and do our best to keep the rest of us together. The family became incomplete
without Tatay, but you tried to serve as mother and father. You were there to make a family among us.
You were never bitter, you were never hard on us. But you were so hard on yourself in terms of not having
even a little luxury of buying a new house for you. You always bought things for us first. And there I was,
still complaining because I wanted more expensive things for me. And yet, you did not express any hurt
feelings even if I knew that deep inside you were crying. You encouraged us to go to school, like my other
brothers and sisters who were working students. I refused vehemently. I just wanted to hang around and
have an easy life. I was lazy. Probably, I did not know what goodness was because I did not know how to be
grateful. I wanted a better life but did not like to work for it.
A month ago, you came home chilling with fever from a forced overtime work.
I attended to you for a while but went back across the street where I was playing basketball with friends. I
hardly looked at you when you were there lying in one corner if the house. After four days of sickness, you
got up and prepared for work. I did not even ask you if you were already well. I did not even help you carry
the pail of water for your bath. You went back to work just to come back home in the evening pale and
almost without life. You did not like to go to the doctor. You said that the money that we had was for next
semester, in case I want to enrol for school. You said that you will be alright.
The next day, you did not get up. My older sister cooked breakfast. Afterwards, she asked me to see if you
were already awake. As I approached you, there was a strange feeling. You were sleeping quietly. Very
quiet. I looked at you, but you did not seem to hear. I embraced you but you did not seem to feel. I whispered to you that I wanted to take care of you but no response at all. Deep within me, I knew why you cannot hear, speak or feel me anymore. All I saw was a body, with a face that was calm but still could not hide
the pains and struggles of a woman who tried her best to give us a family in spite of her limitations.
As you lie down in peace before we bring you to your final rest. I would like to tell you, for the first time
how grateful I am to you for being a mother to me, for giving us a taste of a family. Thank you for all the
love that you have given me and us all. For the first and last time, I want to tell you I LOVE YOU and
THANK YOU.
The sad thing is that it does not matter anymore whether it is my first or last time to say those words to
you....Wish you could hear me say those words to you, wish I was able to say them to you a long time ago....
NANAY, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, AND THANK YOU.
Story written for Suhay, Youth Formation Module on Family
Ministry for Youth Affairs, Archdiocese of Manila, 2001, by LMCollado, RSCJ
167
APPENDICES
C
B iblical P assa g es
Jesus' Words and Deeds
HEALING
OF
INDIVIDUALS
Son of government official
MATTHEW
MARK
LUKE
4:46-54
Sick man at a pool
5:1-15
Man in synagouge
Man with skin disease
8:1-4
Roman officer’s servant
8: 5-13
1:21-28
4:31-37
1:40-45
5:12-14
7:1-10
Dead son of widow
7:11-15
Peter’s mother in law
8:14-15
1:29-31
4:38-39
An unconscious man
8:28-34
5:1-20
8:26-39
Paralyzed man
9:1-7
2:1-12
5:17-26
9:20-22
5:25-34
8:43-48
9:18-26
5:21-443
8:40-56
3:1-6
6:6-11
Woman
bleeding
Dead girl
with
JOHN
severe
Dumb man
9:32-34
Man with paralyzed hand
12:9-14
Blind and dumb man
12:22
Canaanite
woman’s
daughter
Deaf and dumb man
15:21-28
11:14
7:24-30
7:31-37
Blind man at Bethsaida
8:22-26
Boy with epilepsy
17:14-18
9:14-29
9:37-43
Blind Bartimeius
20:29-34
10:46-52
18:35-43
Woman with a bad back
13:10-17
Sick man
14:1-6
Man born blind
9:1-41
Dead friend named Lazarus
11:1-44
Slave’s ear
22:47-51
HEALING GROUPS
Crowd in Capernaum
8:16-17
Two blind men
9:27-31
Crowd by Lake Galilee
1:32-34
4:40-41
3:7-12
Crowd on the hillside by
Lake Galilee
Ten men
17:11-19
CONTROL OVER LAWS OF NATURE
Water changed into wine
2:1-11
Catch of fish
5:1-11
Jesus calms a storm
8:23-27
4:35-41
8:22-25
Crowds over 5,000 people
fed
Jesus walks on the water
14:13-21
6:32-44
9:10-17
14:22-33
6:45-52
Crowds : over 4,000 fed
15:32-38
8:1-10
A fish and the payment of
taxes
Fig tree withers away
17:24-27
21:18-22
11:12-14,
20-24
28:1-10
16:1-11
6:16-21
Another catch of fish
Christ conquers death
168
6:1-13
21:1-11
24:1-12
20:1-18
APPENDICES
D
T ai z e P ra y er
Meditative singing
The "songs of Taizé" published in different languages are
simple, but preparation is required to use them in prayer.
This preparation should take place before the prayer itself,
so that once it begins the atmosphere remains meditative.
During the prayer it is better if no one directs the music; in
this way everyone can face the cross, the icons or the altar.
(In a large congregation, however, it may be necessary for
someone to direct, as discreetly as possible, a small group
of instruments or singers who support the rest, always
remembering that they are not giving a performance for
the others.) The person who begins the songs is generally
up front, together with those who will read the psalm, the
reading and the intercessions, not facing the others but
turned like them towards the altar or the icons. If a song
is begun spontaneously, the pitch is generally too low. A
tuning fork or pitch pipe can help, or a musical instrument
give the first note or accompany the melody. Make sure
the tempo does not slow down too much, as this tends to
happen when the singing goes on for some time. As the
number of participants increases, it becomes necessary to
use a microphone, preferably hand-held, to begin and end
the songs (they can be ended by singing "Amen" on the
final note). The person who begins the singing can support
the others by singing into a microphone, being careful not
to drown out the other voices. A good sound-system is
essential if the congregation is large; if necessary check
it before the prayer and try it out with those who will be
using the microphones.
Songs in many different languages are appropriate for
large international gatherings. In a neighboubrhood
prayer with people of all ages present, most of the songs
should be in languages actually understood by some of
the participants, or in Latin. If possible, give each person
a song sheet or booklet. You can also include one or two
well-known local songs or hymns.
Instruments: a guitar or keyboard instrument can support
the harmonic structure of the songs. They are especially
helpful in keeping the correct pitch and tempo. Guitars
should be played in classical, not folk style. A microphone
may be necessary for them to be heard. In addition to
this basic accompaniment, there are parts for other
instruments.
Preparing a welcoming space for a meditative
prayer.
When possible, it is preferable to meet in a church, making
it beautiful and welcoming. The way the space is arranged
is important for the quality of the prayer. Naturally it is
not necessary to do a complete restoration of the church!
Very simple means can be used to create a prayerful
atmosphere. If it is not possible to meet in a church, it
is important to make the prayer-space as harmonious as
you can.
It is preferable for all the participants to face the same
direction during the prayer, as a way of expressing that we
pray not to one another but to Christ.
A place of prayer can be made welcoming with very little:
a cross, an open Bible, some candles, icons, and flowers.
The lighting should be subdued, not glaring. Put a carpet
in the center for those who wish to pray while kneeling or
sitting on the ground; chairs or benches should also be
available around the edges for those who prefer to sit on
them.
It is helpful to welcome people as they enter, giving them
the song-sheet and inviting them to come forward.
Leading the prayer is a service to others. It entails
preparing the prayer and making sure it goes forward
in a way that allows everyone to remain focused on the
essential, with no distractions. Once the prayer has
begun, there should be no technical announcements or
explanations that interrupt the flow.
Prayer Flow
Taize Songs - (one or two songs of praise)
Psalm - Jesus prayed these age-old prayers of his
people. Christians have always found a wellspring
of life in them. The psalms place us in the great
communion of all believers. Our joys and sorrows,
our trust in God, our thirst and even our anguish
find expression in the psalms.
One or two persons can alternate in reading or
singing the verses of a psalm. After each verse,
all respond with an Alleluia or another sung
acclamation. If the verses are sung they should
be short, usually two lines. In some cases, the
congregation can hum the final chord of the
169
APPENDICES
acclamation while the solo verses are being sung.
If the verses are read and not sung, they can
be longer. It is not necessary to read the entire
psalm. Do not hesitate to choose just a few verses,
and always the most accessible ones
Reading - Reading Scripture is a way of going
to “the inexhaustible wellspring by which God
gives himself to thirsting human beings” (Origen,
3rd century). The Bible is a “letter from God to
creatures” that enables them “to discover God’s
heart in God’s words” (Gregory the Great, 6th
century).
Communities who pray regularly customarily
read the books of the Bible in systematic fashion.
But for a weekly or monthly prayer, more
accessible readings should be chosen, as well as
ones that fit the theme of the prayer or the season.
Each reading can be begun by saying “A reading
from...” or “The Gospel according to Saint....” If
there are two readings, the first can be chosen
from the Old Testament, the Epistles, the Acts of
the Apostles or the Book of Revelation; the second
should always be from one of the Gospels. In that
case, a meditative song can be sung between the
readings.
Intercessions - A prayer composed of short
petitions or acclamations, sustained by humming,
with each petition followed by a response sung by
all, can form a kind of “pillar of fire” at the heart of
the prayer. Praying for others widens our prayer
to the dimensions of the entire human family; we
entrust to God the joys and the hopes, the sorrows
and the sufferings of all people, particularly those
who are forgotten. A prayer of praise enables us
to celebrate all that God is for us.
Before or after the reading, it is a good idea to
choose a song celebrating the light of Christ.
While this is being sung, children or young people
can come forward with candles to light an oil lamp
set on a lampstand. This symbol reminds us that
even when the night is very dark, whether in our
own life or in the life of humanity, Christ’s love is
a fire that never goes out.
One or two persons can take turns expressing
the petitions or the acclamations of praise, which
are introduced and followed by a response such
as Kyrie eleison, Gospodi pomiluj (“Lord, have
mercy”), or Praise to you, Lord. After the written
petitions or acclamations are finished, time may
be left for people to pray spontaneously in their
own words, expressing prayers that rise up from
their hearts. These spontaneous prayers should
be brief and be addressed to God; they should not
become an excuse for communicating one’s own
ideas and opinions to other people by formulating
them as a prayer. Each of these spontaneous
prayers should be followed by the same response
sung by all.
Taize Song
Our Father
Silence - When we try to express
communion with God in words, our minds
quickly come up short. But, in the depths of
our being, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is
praying far more than we imagine.
Concluding Prayer
Although God never stops trying to communicate
with us, this is never in order to impose. The voice
of God is often heard only in a whisper, in a breath
of silence. Remaining in silence in God’s presence,
open to the Holy Spirit, is already prayer.
The road to contemplation is not one of achieving
inner silence at all costs by following some
technique that creates a kind of emptiness within.
If, instead, with a childlike trust we let Christ pray
silently within us, then one day we shall discover
that the depths of our being are inhabited by a
Presence.
170
During a time of prayer with others, it is best to
have just one fairly long period of silence (5-10
minutes) rather than several shorter ones. If those
taking part in the prayer are not used to silence,
it can help to explain it briefly beforehand. Or,
after the song immediately preceding the silence,
someone can say, “The prayer will now continue
with a few moments of silence.”
Taize Songs - At the end, the singing can go
on for some time. A small group can remain to
sustain the singing of those who wish to keep on
praying.
Other people can be invited for a time of small
group sharing nearby, for example by reflecting
together on a Bible text, perhaps using the
“Johannine hours.” Each month in the Letter
from Taizé “Johannine hours” are proposed, a
time of silence and sharing around a text from
Scripture.
APPENDICES
E
Q u otations
POPE FRANCIS QUOTES
When the Church looks for Jesus, she always knocks at
his Mother’s door and asks: “Show us Jesus”. It is from
Mary that the Church learns true discipleship. That is why
the Church always goes out on mission in the footsteps of
Mary. – Pope Francis , APARECIDA - 24.07.2013
- 10:30, Basilica, Holy Mass, World Youth Day
Homily
“..three simple attitudes: hopefulness, openness to being
surprised by God, and living in joy.
– Pope Francis , APARECIDA - 24.07.2013 - 10:30,
Basilica, Holy Mass, World Youth Day Homily
On the attitude of “Hopefulness”: In the face of those
moments of discouragement we experience in life, in our
efforts to evangelize or to embody our faith as parents
within the family, I would like to say forcefully: Always
know in your heart that God is by your side; he never
abandons you! Let us never lose hope! Let us never allow
it to die in our hearts! – Pope Francis , APARECIDA
- 24.07.2013 - 10:30, Basilica, Holy Mass, World
Youth Day Homily
On the attitude of “Hopefulness”: Young people are
a powerful engine for the Church and for society. They do
not need material things alone; also and above all, they
need to have held up to them those nonmaterial values
which are the spiritual heart of a people, the memory of a
people. – Pope Francis , APARECIDA - 24.07.2013
- 10:30, Basilica, Holy Mass, World Youth Day
Homily
On the attitude of “Hopefulness”: In this Shrine
(Shrine of Mary, Aparecida), which is part of the memory
of Brazil, we can almost read those values: spirituality,
generosity, solidarity, perseverance, fraternity, joy; they
are values whose deepest root is in the Christian faith. –
Pope Francis , APARECIDA - 24.07.2013 - 10:30,
On the attitude “openness to being surprised
by God”: Anyone who is a man or a woman of hope –
the great hope which faith gives us – knows that even in
the midst of difficulties God acts and he surprises us. –
On the attitude “openness to being surprised by
God”: Let us trust God! Cut off from him, the wine of joy,
the wine of hope, runs out. If we draw near to him, if we
stay with him, what seems to be cold water, difficulty, sin,
is changed into the new wine of friendship with him. –
On the attitude of “living in joy” : Dear friends, we
have come to knock at the door of Mary’s house. She has
opened it for us, she has let us in and she shows us her Son.
Now she asks us to “do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
Yes, dear Mother, we are committed to doing whatever
Jesus tells us! And we will do it with hope, trusting in
God’s surprises and full of joy. Amen. – Pope Francis
, APARECIDA - 24.07.2013 - 10:30, Basilica, Holy
Mass, World Youth Day Homily
“The Apostles and disciples find it harder to believe in the
Risen Christ, not the women however!” Pope Francis,
Homily on “women and the resurrection”, Easter
2013
“This is the mission of women, of mothers and women,
to give witness to their children and grandchildren that
Christ is Risen! Mothers go forward with this witness!
What matters to God is our heart, if we are open to Him,
if we are like trusting children. Pope Francis, Homily
on “women and the resurrection”, Easter 2013
Faith is a flame that grows stronger the more it is shared
and passed on, so that everyone may know, love and
confess Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and history (cf. Rom
10:9). - Pope Francis, Homily at Closing Mass of
World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits:
he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, not
just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to
us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. ).
- Pope Francis, Homily at Closing Mass of World
Youth Day at Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, July 28, 2013 . Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every
area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who
seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all,
he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and
his love. - Pope Francis, Homily at Closing Mass
of World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach Rio de
171
APPENDICES
Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 “Do not be afraid!” When we go to proclaim Christ, it is
he himself who goes before us and guides us. When he
sent his disciples on mission, he promised: “I am with you
always” (Mt 28:20). - Pope Francis, Homily at Closing
Mass of World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 Jesus did not say: “One of you go”, but “All of you go”:
we are sent together. Dear young friends, be aware of
the companionship of the whole Church and also the
communion of the saints on this mission. When we face
challenges together, then we are strong, we discover
resources we did not know we had. ). - Pope Francis,
Homily at Closing Mass of World Youth Day at
Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July
28, 2013 “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 95:1). What is this
new song? It does not consist of words, it is not a melody,
it is the song of your life, it is allowing our life to be
identified with that of Jesus, it is sharing his sentiments,
his thoughts, his actions. And the life of Jesus is a life for
others. It is a life of service. - Pope Francis, Homily at
Closing Mass of World Youth Day at Copacabana
Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2013 Am I really my brother’s keeper? Yes, you are your
brother’s keeper! To be human means to care for one
another! – Pope Francis , Homily at Peace Vigil,
Rome, Sept. 7, 2013
Is it possible to change direction? Can we get out of this
spiral of sorrow and death? Can we learn once again to
walk and live in the ways of peace? Invoking the help of
God, under the maternal gaze of the Salus Populi Romani,
Queen of Peace, I say: Yes, it is possible for everyone!
From every corner of the world tonight, I would like to
hear us cry out: Yes, it is possible for everyone! Or even
better, I would like for each one of us, from the least to
the greatest, including those called to govern nations, to
respond: Yes, we want it! My Christian faith urges me to
look to the Cross. – Pope Francis , Homily at Peace
Vigil, Rome, Sept. 7, 2013
““I want to tell you something. What is it that I expect
as a consequence of World Youth Day? I want a mess.
We knew that in Rio there would be great disorder, but
I want trouble in the dioceses!” he said, speaking off the
cuff in his native Spanish. “I want to see the church get
closer to the people. I want to get rid of clericalism, the
mundane, this closing ourselves off within ourselves, in
our parishes, schools or structures. Because these need
to get out!” – Pope Francis, July 26, 2013 Homil,
reported by Associated Press
172
“Put on faith”: what does this mean? When we prepare
a plate of food and we see that it needs salt, well, we “put
on” salt; when it needs oil, then you “put on” oil. “To put
on”, that is, to place on top of, to pour over. And so it is
in our life, dear young friends: if we want it to have real
meaning and fulfillment, as you want and as you deserve,
I say to each one of you, “Put on faith”, and your life will
take on a new flavour, it will have a compass to show you
the way; “put on hope” and every one of your days will be
enlightened and your horizon will no longer be dark, but
luminous; “put on love”, and your life will be like a house
built on rock, your journey will be joyful, because you will
find many friends to journey with you. Put on faith, put
on hope, put on love! Pope Francis, Homily During
World Youth Day Prayer Service in Copacabana,
26 Sept. 2013
“Put on Christ!” in your life, and you will find a friend in
whom you can always trust; “put on Christ” and you will
see the wings of hope spreading and letting you journey
with joy towards the future; “put on Christ” and your life
will be full of his love; it will be a fruitful life. ! Pope
Francis, Homily During World Youth Day Prayer
Service in Copacabana, 26 Sept. 2013
"Every unborn child, though unjustly condemned to be
aborted, has the face of the Lord, who even before his birth,
and then as soon as he was born, experienced the rejection
of the world," he said. "And every old person, even if
infirm and at the end of his days, carries with him the face
of Christ. They must not be thrown away!" A Big Heart
Open to God - The Exclusive interview with Pope
Francis. Antonio Spadaro, S.J.America 09/30/13:
Faith is linked to hearing. Abraham does not see God,
but hears his voice. Faith thus takes on a personal aspect.
God is not the god of a particular place, or a deity linked
to specific sacred time, but the God of a person, the God
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, capable of interacting with
man and establishing a covenant with him. Faith is our
response to a word which engages us personally, to a
"Thou" who calls us by name. – Pope Francis, Lumen
Fidei #8.
Idols exist, we begin to see, as a pretext for setting
ourselves at the centre of reality and worshiping the work
of our own hands. Once man has lost the fundamental
orientation which unifies his existence, he breaks down
into the multiplicity of his desires; in refusing to await
the time of promise, his life-story disintegrates into a
myriad of unconnected instants. Idolatry, then, is always
polytheism, an aimless passing from one lord to another.
Idolatry does not offer a journey but rather a plethora
of paths leading nowhere and forming a vast labyrinth.
Those who choose not to put their trust in God must hear
the din of countless idols crying out: "Put your trust in
APPENDICES
me!" Faith, tied as it is to conversion, is the opposite of
idolatry; it breaks with idols to turn to the living God in a
personal encounter. Believing means entrusting oneself to
a merciful love which always accepts and pardons, which
sustains and directs our lives, and which shows its power
by its ability to make straight the crooked lines of our
history. Faith consists in the willingness to let ourselves
be constantly transformed and renewed by God’s call.
Herein lies the paradox: by constantly turning towards the
Lord, we discover a sure path which liberates us from the
dissolution imposed upon us by idols. – Pope Francis,
Lumen Fidei #13.
The clearest proof of the reliability of Christ’s love is to be
found in his dying for our sake. If laying down one’s life
for one’s friends is the greatest proof of love (cf. Jn 15:13),
Jesus offered his own life for all, even for his enemies, to
transform their hearts. – Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei
#16.
If love needs truth, truth also needs love. Love and
truth are inseparable. Without love, truth becomes cold,
impersonal and oppressive for people’s day-to-day lives.
The truth we seek, the truth that gives meaning to our
journey through life, enlightens us whenever we are
touched by love. One who loves realizes that love is an
experience of truth, that it opens our eyes to see reality in
a new way, in union with the beloved. – Pope Francis,
Lumen Fidei # 17.
Faith is passed on, we might say, by contact, from one
person to another, just as one candle is lighted from
another. Christians, in their poverty, plant a seed so rich
that it becomes a great tree, capable of filling the world
with its fruit. – Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei # 37.
To appreciate this link between baptism and faith, we can
recall a text of the prophet Isaiah, which was associated
with baptism in early Christian literature: "Their refuge
will be the fortresses of rocks… their water assured"
(Is 33:16). The baptized, rescued from the waters of death,
were now set on a "fortress of rock" because they had
found a firm and reliable foundation. The waters of death
were thus transformed into waters of life. The Greek text,
in speaking of that water which is "assured", uses the
word pistós, "faithful". The waters of baptism are indeed
faithful and trustworthy, for they flow with the power of
Christ’s love, the source of our assurance in the journey of
life. – Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei # 42.
The structure of baptism, its form as a rebirth in which we
receive a new name and a new life, helps us to appreciate
the meaning and importance of infant baptism. Children
are not capable of accepting the faith by a free act, nor are
they yet able to profess that faith on their own; therefore
the faith is professed by their parents and godparents in
their name. – Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei # 43.
Let us turn in prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church and
Mother of our faith.
Mother, help our faith! Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his
voice and call. Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go
forth from our own land and to receive his promise. Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him
in faith. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in
his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow
of the cross, when our faith is called to mature. Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One. Remind us that those who believe are never alone. Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that
he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith
always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day
which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord! - Pope
Francis, Lumen Fidei # 43
"I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today
is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of
the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church
as a field hospital after battle. [...] The church sometimes
has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules.
The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus
Christ has saved you." - Pope Francis
"[A] woman has a different make-up than a man. But what
I hear about the role of women is often inspired by an
ideology of machismo. [...] The church cannot be herself
without the woman and her role. The woman is essential
for the church. Mary, a woman, is more important than
the bishops. I say this because we must not confuse the
function with the dignity. We must therefore investigate
further the role of women in the church. We have to work
harder to develop a profound theology of the woman.
[...] The feminine genius is needed wherever we make
important decisions." –Pope Francis
"I pray the breviary every morning. I like to pray with the
psalms. Then, later, I celebrate Mass. I pray the Rosary.
What I really prefer is adoration in the evening, even
when I get distracted and think of other things, or even
fall asleep praying. In the evening then, between seven
and eight o’clock, I stay in front of the Blessed Sacrament
for an hour in adoration. But I pray mentally even when I
am waiting at the dentist or at other times of the day." Pope Francis
173
APPENDICES
QUOTATIONS OF JOSE RIZAL
"While a people preserves its language; it preserves the
marks of liberty."
― José Rizal
“What said those two souls communicating through
the language of the eyes, more perfect than that of the
lips, the language given to the soul in order that sound
may not mar the ecstasy of feeling? In such moments,
when the thoughts of two happy beings penetrate into
each other’s souls through the eyes, the spoken word is
halting, rude, and weak—it is as the harsh, slow roar of
the thunder compared with the rapidity of the dazzling
lightning flash, expressing feelings already recognized,
ideas already understood, and if words are made use of
it is only because the heart’s desire, dominating all the
being and flooding it with happiness, wills that the whole
human organism with all its physical and psychical
powers give expression to the song of joy that rolls
through the soul. To the questioning glance of love, as it
flashes out and then conceals itself, speech has no reply;
the smile, the kiss, the sigh answer.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
"There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves."
― José Rizal
“How long have you been away from the country?"
Laruja asked Ibarra.
"Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay
hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."
― José Rizal
"Almost seven years."
"He who does not know how to look back at where he
came from will never get to his destination."
― José Rizal
"Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to
have forgotten me, I have always thought about it.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
"The youth is the hope of our future."
― José Rizal
“It is not the criminals who arouse the hatred of others,
but the men who are honest.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“One only dies once, and if one does not die well, a good
opportunity is lost and will not present itself again.” ― José Rizal
“Walang mang-aalipin kung walang paaalipin.” ― José Rizal, El Filibusterismo
“He who does not know how to look back at where he
came from will never get to his destination.” ― José Rizal
“Walang maitutugon ang wika sa tanong ng pag-ibig
buhat sa isang sulyap na kumikislap o palihim. Sa halip,
sumasagot ang ngiti, ang halik, o ang bugtonghininga.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
"Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop
at malansang isda."
― José Rizal
"He who does not love his own language is worse than an
animal and smelly fish."
― José Rizal
"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal.
It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a
part of any edifice."
― José Rizal
“Our liberty will not be secured at the sword's point...
We must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it. And
when the people reaches that height, God will provide a
weapon, the idols will be shattered, tyranny will crumble
like a house of cards, and liberty will shine out like the
first dawn.” ― José Rizal
“I have to believe much in God because I have lost my
faith in man.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Cowardice rightly understood begins with selfishness
and ends with shame.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
174
"Then you have probably forgotten all about it."
“I can concede that the government has no knowledge
of the people, but I believe the people know less of the
government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like,
but there are also good ones, and these are not able to
accomplish anything because they encounter an inert
mass, the population that takes little part in matters that
concern them.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“I don't see why I should bow my head when I could
hold it high, or place it in the hands of my enemies when
I can defeat them.” ― José Rizal
“The people do not complain because they have no
APPENDICES
voice; do not move because they are lethargic, and you
say that they do not suffer because you have not seen
their hearts bleed.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“To be happy does not mean to indulge in foolishness!” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“There are no tyrants if there are no slaves” ― José Rizal
“Tomorrow at 7, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of
the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil
conscience.” ― José Rizal
“I honor the father in his son, not the son in his father.
Each one receives a reward or punishment for his deeds,
but not for the acts of others.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Napakatamis ng tubig at naiinom, bagaman lumulunod
sa alak at serbesa at pumapatay sa apoy. Nagiging singaw
ito kapag pinainitan; kapag naligalig, nagiging karagatan
na minsan nang pumuksa sa sangkatauhan at yumanig
sa dibdib ng mundo.” ― José Rizal, El Filibusterismo
“Let us not ask for miracles, let us not ask for concern
with what is good for the country of him who comes as a
stranger to make his fortune and leave afterwards.”
― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“The example could encourage others who only fear to
start.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“I have observed that the prosperity or misery of
each people is in direct proportion to its liberties or
its prejudices and, accordingly, to the sacrifices or the
selfishness of its forefathers. -Juan Crisostomo Ibarra” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Nalilimot ng bawat isa sa inyo na habang napagiingatan ang isang bayan ang kaniyang wika, napagiingatan din nito ang katibayan ng kaniyang paglaya,
katulad ng pagpapanatili ng isang tao sa kaniyang
kasarinlan, upang mapanatili niya ang kaniyang sariling
paraan ng pag-iisip. Ang wika ang pag-iisip ng bayan.” ― José Rizal, El Filibusterismo
“Dying people don't need medicine, the ones who
remain do.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“For myself I think that one wrong does not right the
other, and forgiveness cannot be won with useless tears
or alms to the Church.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Your enemies hate you more than they hate your ideas.
Should you want a project to be undone propose it. Even
if it were as useful as a bishop's mire it would be rejected.
Once you are defeated let the humblest-looking among
you sponsor it and your enemies to humble you will
approve it.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Countrymen: I have given proofs, as well as the best of
you, of desiring liberty for our country, and I continue
to desire it. But I place as a premise the education of
the people, so that by means of instruction and work
they may have a personality of their own and that they
may make themselves worthy of that same liberty. In
my writings I have recommended the study of the civic
virtues, without which there can be no redemption. I
have also written (and my words have been repeated)
that reforms, to be fruitful, must come from above,
that those which spring from below are uncertain
and insecure movements. Imbued with these ideas, I
cannot do less than condemn, and I do condemn, this
absurd, savage rebellion, planned behind my back,
which dishonors the Filipinos and discredits those who
can speak for us. I abominate all criminal actions and
refuse any kind of participation in them, pitying with all
my heart the dupes who have allowed themselves to be
deceived. Go back, then, to your homes, and may God
forgive those who have acted in bad faith.” ― José Rizal
“I die without seeing dawn's light shining on my
country... You, who will see it, welcome it for me...don't
forget those who fell during the nighttime.” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Kapag may mga uban na po akong tulad ng sa inyo
at ginugunita ang nakaraan at makita kong gumawa
ako alang-alang sa sarili lamang, hindi ginhawa ang
magagawa't nararapat gawin ukol sa bayang nagbigay sa
akin ng lahat, ukol sa mga mamamayang tumutulong sa
aking mabuhay, kapag nagkagayon po, magiging tinik
sa akin ang bawat uban, at sa halip na ikaliwalhati ko'y
dapat kong ikahiya.” ― José Rizal, El Filibusterismo
“But because their ancestors were men of righteousness,
shall we consent to the abuses of their degenerate
descendants? Because they did us a great good, would we
be guilty if we prevented them from doing us evil?” ― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
“Ilang dantaon po mula ngayon, kapag naliwanagan
at natubos na ang sangkatauhan, kapag wala nang
mga lahi, kapag malaya na ang lahat ng mga bayan,
175
APPENDICES
kapag wala nang nang-aalipin at napaaalipin, mga
kolonya at mga metropolis, kapag naghahari na ang
iisang katarungan at ang bawat isa'y mamamayan na
ng daigdig, tanging ang pagsampalataya po sa siyensiya
ang malalabi. Magiging singkahulugan ng bulag na
pagsamba ang patriyotismo at sinumang magmagaling
na nagtataglay ng katangiang ito ay walang alinlangang
ibibilanggo na tulad ng isang may nakahahawang sakit,
isang manliligalig sa kaayusang lipunan.” ― José Rizal, El Filibusterismo
Genius has no country. It blossoms everywhere. Genius
is like the light, the air. It is the heritage of all.
― José Rizal
Today is Christmas Eve. Whether or not Christ was born
exactly on this date is not important. But chronological
accuracy has nothing to do with tonight's event. A grand
genius had been born who preached truth and love; who
suffered because of his mission; and on account of his
sufferings the world has become better, if not saved.
Only it gives me nausea to see how some people abuse
his name to commit numerous crimes. If he is in heaven,
he will certainly protest! ― José Rizal
Ang hindi marunong tumingin sa kanyang
pinanggalingan ay hindi makarating sa kanyang
patutunguan. ― José Rizal
OTHER FAMOUS QUOTES
“Ang pagsusumikap at pagpipilit na kumita ng
ikakabuhay ay nagpapahayag ng tunay na pagmamahal
sa sarili, sa asawa, anak, kapatid, at kababayan.”
- Andres Bonifacio (Kartilya ng Katipunan)
“Ang unang kabanalan ay ang pagsunod sa matuwid,
anuman ang mangyari.” - Jose Rizal (Ang Liham ni Dr.
Jose Rizal sa mga Kadalagahan sa Malolos, Bulakan)
“Kapag totoong nakalat na sa buong kapuluan
ang wikang inglés ay siyang gagawing wicangbayan.” - Apolinario Mabini (Panukala sa
Pagkakana nang Repúblika nangPilipinas)
upang maranasan mo ang kadakilaan nang Dios.”
- Marcelo H. del Pilar (Ang Kadakilaan ng Diyos)
“Linangin mo ang mga sadyang katangiang kaloob sa
iyo ng Diyos, sa paggawa at pag-aaral ayon sa iyong
kakayahan, na di lumalayo sa landas ng kagalingan at
katarungan…” -Apolinario Mabini (Ang Tunay na
Sampung Utos)
“Ang hindi nagmamahal sa sariling wika ay masahol pa
sa malansang isda” – J.P. RIZAL
"...it belongs to no party, nor does it desire to form one;
it stands for nothing save the interest of the fatherland."
–Apolinario Mabini
“The Filipino Is Worth Dying For” – Ninoy Aquino
“I want our people to be like a molave tree, strong and
resilient, standing on the hillsides, unafraid of the rising
tide, lighting and the storm, confident of its strength.” –
Manuel L. Quezon
“My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to the
country begins.” – Manuel L. Quezon
“A strengthen national spirit can provide the motive
power to rise our people from the depths and…pour new
life and vigor in the national system. The reinvigoration
of the national spirit must take place in the grass roots,
in every city, town and barrio in the Philippines, and
it must start among our own people… To be a worthy
citizen of the world one must first prove himself to be a
good Filipino.” –Carlos P. Romulo
“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a
meaningless life.” - Corazon Aquino
" He who does not know how to look back at where he
came from will never get to his destination. " – Jose
Rizal
" The youth is the hope of our future. " – Jose Rizal
" Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man's
survival. " - Carlos P Romulo
“Ang babae ay huwag mong ituturing na isang bagay
na libangan lamang kundi isang katulong at karamay
sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitin mo nang
buong pagpipitagan ang kanyang kahinaan at alalahanin
ang inang pinagbuhata’t nag-iwi sa iyong kasanggulan.”
– Emilio Jacinto (Kartilya ng Katipunan)
“I shall be honored to go to jail. Under a dictatorship,
the detention cell is a place of honor.” – Sen. Miriam
Defensor Santiago
“Di kailangan, kapatid ko, ang magbukas ka’t bumasa
ng pilosopiya, o nang teolohiya at iba pang karunungan,
"Separation of the Church and State is like a railroad
track. It cannot be close to one another, neither can
176
“There can be no tyrants, where there are no slaves” –
Jose Rizal
APPENDICES
it be distant, because there will be derailment. We
(Church) should cooperate with the government and
the government should cooperate with us because
we're serving the same people." -- February 1992, on
the separation of Church and State, which he was often
accused of ignoring. – Cardinal Sin
"We are brothers and sisters; not enemies. It is not
the will of God that countrymen go to war against one
another." -- May 11, 2000, upon calling for a 50-day
prayer and fasting crusade as an appeal for peace in
Mindanao. - Cardinal Sin
"It is the most important chapter of my life. I admit
finding secret joy and pride in being called the Cardinal
of the EDSA Revolution. I do not claim that as a right.
It is a grace that I do not deserve at all. It is a blessing
to have been the Archbishop of Manila at that moment
in history." -- April 2004, on his role at the EDSA
Revolution. - Cardinal Sin
“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.” ― William W. Purkey
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep
because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do
that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope:
The Essential Writings and Speeches
“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The
opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The
opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the
opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” ― Elie Wiesel
“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common
man with common thoughts and I've led a common life.
There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name
will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my
heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
“We are women, and my plea is Let me be a woman,
holy through and through, asking for nothing but what
God wants to give me, receiving with both hands and
with all my heart whatever that is.”
― Elisabeth Elliot
other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to
each other, but to another standard to which each one
must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met
together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart
nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were
they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away
from God to strive for closer fellowship.”
― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
“Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things.
It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends
us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God.”
― Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa: In My Own Words
“Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being
just what God wants us to be.”
― St. Thérèse de Lisieux
“If you don’t delight in the fact that your Father is holy,
holy, holy, then you are spiritually dead. You may be in a
church. You may go to a Christian school. But if there is
no delight in your soul for the holiness of God, you don’t
know God. You don’t love God. You’re out of touch with
God. You’re asleep to his character.”
― R.C. Sproul, Choosing My Religion
“You are my Lord, because You have no need of my
goodness.”
― Augustine of Hippo, Confessions
“There is no less holiness at this time- as you are reading this- than there was on the day the Red Sea parted,
or that day in the 30th year, in the 4th month, on the 5th
day of the month as Ezekiel was a captive by the river
Cheban, when the heavens opened and he saw visions of
god. There is no whit less enlightenment under the tree
at the end of your street than there was under Buddha’s
bo tree…. In any instant the sacred may wipe you with its
finger. In any instant the bush may flare, your feet may
rise, or you may see a bunch of souls in trees.”
― Annie Dillard, For the Time Being
“We are to come to the Word in a spirit of humility and
contrition because we recognize that we are sinful, that
we are often blind to our sinfulness, and that we need the
enlightening power of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.”
― Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
“All things as they move toward God are beautiful, and
they are ugly as they move away from Him.”
― A.W. Tozer, The Attributes of God: Deeper into the
Father's Heart
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all
tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each
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APPENDICES
F
S tories
The Tale of the Tortoise and the Monkey.
(A Specimen of Dr. Rizal's English. This story was published in a London magazine in 1889.)
The tortoise and the monkey found once a banana tree floating admidst the waves of a river. It was a very fine
tree, with large green leaves, and with roots just as if it had been pulled off by a storm. They took it ashore.
"Let us divide it," said the tortoise, "and plant each its portion." They cut it in the middle, and the monkey,
as the stronger, took for himself the upper part of the tree, thinking that it would grow quicker for it had
leaves. The tortoise, as the weaker, had the lower part, that looked ugly, although it had roots. After some
days, they met.
"Hello, Mr. Monkey," said the tortoise, "how are you getting on with your banana tree?"
"Alas," said the monkey, "it has been dead a long time! And yours, Miss Tortoise?"
"Very nice indeed, with leaves and fruits. I cannot climb up to gather them."
"Never mind," said the malicious monkey, "I will climb up and pick them for you."
"Do, Mr. Monkey," replied the tortoise gratefully. And so they walked toward the tortoise's house.
As soon as the monkey saw the bright yellow fruits hanging between the large green leaves, he climbed up
and began plundering, munching and gobbling, as quick as he could.
"But give me some, too," said the tortoise, seeing that the monkey did not take the slightest notice of her.
"Not even a bit of the skin, if it is eatable," rejoined the monkey, both his cheeks crammed with bananas.
The tortoise meditated revenge. She went to the river, picked up some pointed shells, planted them around
the banana tree, and hid herself under a coconut shell. When the monkey came down, he hurt himself and
began to bleed.
After a long search he found the tortoise.
"You must pay now for your wickedness; You must die. But as I am very generous, I will leave to you the
choice of your death. Shall I pound you in a mortar, or shall I throw you into the water? Which do you
prefer?"
"The mortar, the mortar," answered the tortoise; "I am so afraid of getting drowned."
"O ho!" laughed the monkey; "indeed! You are afraid of getting drowned! Now I will drown you!"
And going to the shore, he slung the tortoise and threw it in the water. But soon the tortoise reappeared
swimming and laughing at the deceived, artful monkey.
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APPENDICES
S u pple m entar y R eso u rces
for
M o d u le 1
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
The Legend of the Candle
1000 Stories you can use. Vol. 1, p.5, Frank Mhalic, SVD
O
ne evening a man took a small candle from a box and began to climb a long
winding stairway, “Where are we going”? asked the candle.
“We’re going up higher than the house to show ships the way to the harbor”.
“But no ship in the harbor could ever see my light,” said the candle. “It is so very
small”
“If your light is small,” the man said, “just keep burning brightly and leave the
rest to me.”
When they reached the top of the long steps, they came to a large lamp. Then he
took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon the great polished reflectors behind
the lamp sent beams of light out across miles of the sea.
We are God’s taper! Our job is to keep on shining, and our effectiveness is God’s
hands.
Valentines
By Dale Galloway, Stories for the Heart compiled by Alice Gray, 1996
Little Chad was a shy, quiet young fella. One day he came home and told his mother he’d like to make a
valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, I wish he wouldn’t do that! Because she
had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They
laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless,
she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three
whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines.
Valentine’s Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked them up,
put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake him his favourite cookies and serve
them up warm and nice with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would
be disappointed… maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many
valentines – maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside she looked
out the window. Sure enough here they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there
was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon
as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she chocked back the tears.
“Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you.” But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right
on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: “Not a one.. not a one.”
And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one!”
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for
M o d u le 2
CHOOSING
By Victor Frankl, Stories for the Heart compiled by Alice Gray, 1996
Dr. Victor E. Frankl, survivor of three grim years at Auschwitz and other Nazi
prisons, has recorded his observations on life at Hitler’s camps:
We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through
the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They have been
few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from
a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in
any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Reading Exercise No. 1
STORIES FROM ONDOY
The Name “Ondoy” is now a by-word in the psyche and vocabulary of the Filipinos. When somebody
mentions “Na- Ondoy Kami”, it connotes that one experienced the ravages of severe flooding. Moreover,
the memory of Typhoon Ondoy immortalizes the heroic deeds of Filipinos who showed selflessness and
gallantry in the midst of this overwhelming natural calamity. Read these two newspaper accounts and
judge for yourself if these deeds were heroic.
TIME MAGAZINE HONORS ‘ONDOY’ HERO
Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 12, 2009
MANILA, Philippines . Muelmar Magallanes, the 18-year-old Filipino construction worker who braved
rampaging floods during Tropical Storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) in September
to save the lives of 30 relatives and neighbors only to lose his own life has been named one of Time
magazine’s top 10 heroes of 2009.
By the time the storm had unleashed its full fury, bringing the worst rains the region had seen in more
than 40 years, Magallanes had changed the lives of dozens of family members and neighbours and lost
his own, Time said on its website.
Magallanes, a powerful swimmer, helped evacuate his family to higher ground after a river near their
house in Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City overflowed.
After making sure his parents and siblings were safe, Magallanes went back to help their neighbors who
were trapped on their rooftops.
After several trips, he had managed to save 30 people, according to witnesses, including a 6-month-old
girl who was about to be swept away in a Styrofoam box.
I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar. He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his
sacrifice, said Menchie Peñalosa, the mother of the baby girl Magallanes saved.
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APPENDICES
Peñalosa recounted how Magallanes came from
nowhere to grab them and take them to safety.
And then he was gone, Peñalosa said.
In the evening, the residents were able to help me
rescue more people when the rubber boats came.
We had no light except a flashlight provided by a
homeowner, he added.
The exhausted Magallanes was simply washed
away by the strong current, she said.
With his son Ram and other homeowners, the
effort brought some 100 people to safer ground.
His body was found the following morning, with
that of 28 others who also perished in the flood.
Hero in his own right
Apart from the tributes from the families he saved,
Magallanes was also honored by the Philippine
Senate which cited him for his bold and selfless act.
JUDGE ON JET SKI SAVES 100
Philippine Daily Inquirer
September 29, 2009
MANILA, Philippines For the people of Sta. Monica
in Novaliches, this Quezon City judge on a Jet Ski
who plucked dozens of residents from swirling
flood waters on Saturday is Superman.
I was so shocked by the situation when I heard
that around 150 houses were already flooded, said
Judge Ralph Lee of Regional Trial Court Branch
83.
I heard that so many families were already
stranded on their rooftops because water from the
Tullahan River was already overflowing, Lee, 49,
told the Inquirer.
Lee drove from his Fairview home for the stricken
community 30 minutes away with his personal
water craft, life vests and two rubber boats he used
on weekend wakeboarding sorties and mobilized a
rescue effort that saved 100 lives.
From 4 p.m. to midnight, Judge Lee combed the
neighborhood 10 feet under water for trapped
residents, each time loading at least three people
on his machine and taking them to a bakery on
high ground at the Palmera 4 subdivision, where
his rescue effort was centered.
He personally took 32 people, mostly women and
children, to safety.
It probably took me around 20 plus trips to do
that, Judge Lee said.
Judge Lee recalled that at one point, the current
was so strong that the Jet Ski flipped over, sending
him and his passengers into the water.
Luckily, I was able to get on my feet and turn it
over again. Sometimes debris and trash would jam
the Jet Ski and it would stop functioning, Lee said,
adding that he had to clean it out several times.
They applauded later. One even called me
Superman, he said. I was so carried away by the
very sad situation. I could have probably saved
more if the Jet Ski’s propeller didn’t get clogged,
but I’m happy that I’ve done something. Mayor
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. called the judge a hero in
his own right.
He really sprang into action and got the residents
moving to save their neighbors, said the Quezon
City mayor.
1. Muelmar Magallanes and Ralph Lee are
typical Filipinos who could have fended and
protected their own families only. Yet they
have thought of risking their lives for the
safety of others. With their accounts, could
you follow their example?
2. May other accounts of heroism happen in
our society daily. What other stories do
you know that display these accounts of
heroism?
3. How Filipinos could live out individually,
share the spirit collectively and perpetuate
these acts of heroism?
4. In the case of Muelmar Magallanes, even
to point of giving up his own life, can you
honestly be able to sacrifice your own life so
that other Filipinos can be saved?
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APPENDICES
Reading Exercise No. 2
HONESTY Is THE BEST POLICY
Philippine Star
August 12, 2013
Yellow Cab pizza rider Jhon Jhon Santos said he was taught by his parents early on that what wasn’t
rightfully theirs shouldn’t be coveted: “Kung hindi sa inyo, isauli ninyo (If it isn’t yours, return it.)”
So when he found two US passports, a set of keys, four credit and ATM cards and a notebook while
emptying the trash at the Yellow Cab Pizza branch at Mezza, Sta. Mesa past midnight one Saturday, he
lost no time in trying to locate their rightful owners.
Though tired from his duties at the end of a busy evening, Santos made an effort to find out who owned
the lost items even if it meant going through the trash. But more than just returning what wasn’t
rightfully his, it was Santos’ desire to spare the owners anxiety and give them peace of mind that spoke
highly of him.
“Sabi ko, dapat maisauli ito, nakakaawa naman, mag-ina pa. Baka hinahanap na ‘yung passport (I
thought to myself, I have to return these, I pity the mother and child who lost them. They must be looking
for their passports now),” Santos, a former jeepney driver and a single father of three girls, said when
asked to recount the events of that night. He was also worried because there was a set of keys in the pile
and he was concerned that if those were house keys, the owners of the passports wouldn’t have a roof
over their heads that night.
Like a detective, he searched for clues in the trash till he found tucked into the notebook a bank receipt
with a mobile phone number written on it. He tried three times to call the number, but his calls went
unanswered. Since he still had some chores before the store closed up, he requested his co-worker
“Jomar” to send a text message to the number so its owner would be relieved and have a good night’s
sleep. It was almost 1 a.m.
Not far a balikbayan, “Mrs. C”, and her daughter were understandably distraught and disappointed that
night.
“I went to a coffee shop with agroup of friends, on Saturday, Aug. 3, around 9:30 p.m. and had placed
my purse under the table by my feet. After a while, probably around 11 p.m., when I was reaching down
to get my phone from my purse, I realized that it was gone. I was so panicked because I had our US
passports, all of the credit cards I had brought, two cellphones, my red notebook, my driver’s license and
about $300 and P13,000 because we had just gone to the bank that day,” When she and her daughter got
a call on her daughter’s cellphone (hers was in the stolen purse), we realized that they had made several
attempts to reach us. We were very surprised to find that they knew our names and they mentioned
finding our credit cards and passports.”
The next day Mrs. C and a cousin then proceeded to the Yellow Cab branch in Mezza to retrieve the lost
passports the morning after and were met by the store’s branch manager, Danica Bartolata.
When the balikbayan gave Bartolata a “token” of her appreciation, the restaurant manager said she was
merely a steward of the lost items. She said credit rightfully belonged to Santos
He wasn’t even in the store during the turnover of the lost items. Mrs. C and her cousin texted Santos he was there shortly.
Santos remembers Mrs. C shaking his hand twice. The second time she shook his hand, the balikbayan
pressed something onto Santos’ palm. The pizza boy promptly returned it.
When asked why he refused the token which was in cash, he simply said what he did was no big deal to
him.
“Having grown up here, I’ve always believed that Filipinos are inherently good people,” Mrs. C said
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APPENDICES
gratefully. “I was glad to see that there are still Filipinos who, regardless of their circumstances, continue
to live honorably.
The joy he saw in Mrs. C’s face was enough reward for Santos.
“Masaya po ako kasi naibalik ko yung gamit na kailangang-kailangan nila. Alam ko pong kailangan
nila ‘yun (I am so happy because they got back what they so badly needed),” he added. “Yun lang (That’s
all.)”
1. Do you think what Jhon Jhon Santos did, no matter how simple it may appear; is also an act of
heroism?
2. Is honesty still given high regard in our society and given importance in our families?
3. In what ways can we encourage and emphasize the value of honesty among our people?
Reading Exercise No.3
FILIPINO YOUTH’S SELF GIVING
(Taken from Punto! Central Luzon July 2013)
BOCAUE, Bulacan – As this town celebrated the 159th Feast of Krus sa Wawa on Saturday, the family of
Sahjid Bulig, the 13-year old hero of the 1993 pagoda tragedy, remembered him as a lad who is only too
willing to help.
Erlinda Bulig, 58, said if her son did not die in the 1993 tragedy, he would have been 29 years old today
and may have his own family.
She recounted that a day before her son died along with 263 victims of the infamous 1993 tragedy, her
younger son was on board the pagoda.
“Excited si Sahjid kaya maaga pa kinabukasan ay sumakay na siya sa pagoda,” she said.
Erlinda said that a night before Sahjid died, the latter asked her what do souls in heaven have for their
meal.
The mother said she was surprised by the question, but answered it anyway.
“Hopia,” said Erlinda who described her son as “matulungin.”
The next day, Sahjid wear his new clothes and boarded the pagoda. Hours later, Erlinda and her family was told the pagoda sunk and was worried for Sahjid.
They went looking for him and was told that her son was busy saving other victims.
“Umuwi na kami dahil nananagip daw ng mga nalulunod si Sahjid, pero ilang oras lang nakalipas ng
sabihan kami na isinakay siya sa ambulansiya,” Earlinda said.
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APPENDICES
They looked for Sahjid in the hospital but found him in a funeral parlor. He was still alive but can’t speak
anymore due to head injuries he suffered.
They still managed to bring him to the hospital but the young boy was not immediately attended by
physicians. The hospital at that time was swamped with victims.
Sahjid died at the age of 13 and was declared later as a hero of the 1993 pagoda tragedy here.
A monument was constructed and dedicated for him at the edge of the Bocaue River in Barangay
Bambang here, meters away from his home and it was also meters away where the ill-fated pagoda sunk
in 1993.
“Natutuwa ako na kinilala nila ang aking anak bilang bayani, pero mas maganda kung buhay
siya,” Erlinda said.
She said that it’s not easy to lose a son, but noted that she had learned to accept his fate.
“Ngayon ko nalang natatanggap ang pagkamatay ng anak ko pero kung minsan nakakalungkot pa rin
kapag naaalala ko, lalo na kanina noong may misa sa simbahan,” she said.
1. Sahjid Bulig was just 13 years old and he accomplished something extra ordinary. What in your
opinion was the outstanding accomplishment of this young man?
2. In his tender age, Sahjid demonstrated something which our young Filipinos could acquire and
achieve. What quality of Sahjid should be highlighted among the young generations of Filipinos?
3. At present, many of the Filipino youth face various problems and vices, what nagging issues should
our young people avoid in order to build a stronger church and society?
INDIFFERENCE
(Paul J. Wharton, Stories and Parables)
A young minister went to his first church with eager enthusiasm. To his disappointment, he found
the worship services poorly attended and the spiritual life of the congregation at low ebb. He called
from house to house seeking renewed interest , but several people the church was so dead that that
they did not care to attend. He discussed the situation with his church board and they agreed the
criticism was probably justified.
The pastor announced that since the church was considered dead, he would conduct its funeral the
following Sunday. The church was crowded that day. In front of the pulpit was a coffin. The minister
eulogized the deceased. He told how much the church had accomplished in the past and expressed
his sorrow over its untimely demise. Then he invited the congregation to view the corpse. One by
one, the people looked into the casket; each was amazed to see his own face reflected from the
mirror in the bottom of the coffin. Many were shocked and indignant, but then each member began
to realize that his or his own spiritual indifference was the reason the church was dead.
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for
M o d u le 3
My Mom only had one eye
My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and
teachers to support the family.
There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so
embarrassed.
How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of
my classmates said, “EEEE, your mom only has one eye!”
I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, “If
you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?”
My mom did not respond… I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of
anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.
I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad
to study.
Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and
the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet
her grandchildren.
When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I
screamed at her, “How dare you come to my house and scare my children! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!”
And to this, my mother quietly answered, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address.” – and she
disappeared out of sight.
One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a
business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.
My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me
to have.
“My dearest son,
I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.
I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to
see you. I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.
You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t
stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.
I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.
With all my love to you,
Your mother.”
- Author Unknown
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for
M o d u le 4
Jimmy Durante
By Tim Hansel, Stories of the Heart compiled by
Alice Gray, 1996
There’s a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante,
one of the great entertainers of a generation ago.
He was asked to be a part of a show for World War
II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy
and he could not afford only a few minutes, but if
they wouldn’t mind his doing one short monologue
and immediately leaving for his next appointment,
he would come. Of course, the show’s director
agreed happily.
But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting
happened. He went through the short monologue
and then stayed. The applause grew louder and
louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had
been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes. Finally,
he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage,
someone stopped him and said, “I thought you had
to go after a few minutes. What happened?”
Jimmy answered, “I did have to go, but I can show
you the reason I stayed. You can see for yourself if
you’ll look on the front row.” In the front row were
two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war.
One had lost his right arm and the other had lost
his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that’s
exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.
The Cracked Pot
By Sacinandana Swami
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each
hung on one end of the pole he carried across the
back of his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it,
and while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water at the end of the
long walk from the stream, the cracked pot arrived
only half full. This went on every day for two
years, with the bearer delivering only one and a
half pots of water to his master’s house.
accomplishment and saw itself as perfectly suited
for the purpose for which it was made. But the
poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection
and miserable that it was able to accomplish only
half of what it had been made to do. After two
years of what it perceived as bitter failure, it spoke
to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am
ashamed of myself and I want to apologize to you.”
“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed
of?”
“For the past two years, I have been able to deliver
only half my load because this crack in my side
causes water to leak out all the way back to your
master’s house. Because of my flaws you have to
work without getting the full value of your efforts,”
the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot,
and out of compassion he said, “As we return to the
master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful
flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up
the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun
warming the wildflowers on the side of the path.
The pot felt cheered.
But at the end of the trail, the pot still felt bad
because it had leaked out half its load, and again
it apologized for its failure. The bearer said to the
pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only
on your side of your path, but not on the other
pot’s side? That’s because I knew about your flaw
and took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds
on your side of the path, and every day while we
walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them
for me. For two years I have been able to pick these
beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. If
you were not just the way you are, he would not
have such beauty to grace his house.
Moral: Each of us has his/her unique flaws—we
are all cracked pots. But a compassionate and
expert devotee can engage us in the Lord’s service,
and then we can all be useful, despite our defects.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its
186
APPENDICES
FACILITATOR'S
GUIDE
You can also use "The
Cracked Pot" story or the
story of "Jimmy Durante".
INSPIRATIONAL STORY
A Rabbinic Story
T
ime before time, when the world was young, two brothers shared a
field and a mill, each night dividing evenly the grain they had ground
together during the day. One brother lived alone; the other had a wife
and a large family. Now the single brother thought to himself one day, “It isn’t
really fair that we divide the grain evenly. I have only myself to care for, but
my brother has children to feed.” So each night he secretly took some of his
grain to his brother’s granary to see that was never without.
But the married brother said to himself one day, “It isn’t really fair that we
divide the grain evenly. I have children to provide for me in my old age, but my
brother has no one. What will he do when he’s old?” So every night, he secretly
took some of his grain to his brother’s granary. As a result, both of them
always found their supply of grain mysteriously replenished each
morning.
Then one night they met each other halfway between their two
houses, suddenly realized what had been happening, and
embraced each other in love. The story is God witnessed their
meeting and proclaimed, “This is a holy place – a place of
love – and here it is that my temple shall be built.” And so
it was. The holy place, where God is made known to God’s
people, is the place where human beings discover each other in love.
187
APPENDICES
Epilogue
BANAL na BAYANI
Mana Conching was one of the first Samarenos I met in our barangay in Northern Samar when
I started joining our mission there, almost 10 years ago (Mana is a title of respect for an elderly
woman in Samar). We were staying then in a borrowed place at the back of a barangay chapel,
and Mana Conching had a corner, sitting on unpaved floor, praying, singing her liturgical
hymns every morning and sometimes, 24 hours a day. She must really have liked to pray and
sing to God, but I realized later that it was also her way of letting us know that she was around
so we can give her food ration. Since I arrived, lived with my fellow RSCJ sisters and with 4 lay
volunteers who lived in a place adjacent to us, we gave her coffee at breakfast and at different
times of meals whenever she was around. Mana Conching had relatives nearby where she went
home for personal needs, but she was almost always out, begging for little money and food
apparently to bring home, which her neighbors said her “payment” for her board and lodging
to her relatives.
One time, I went to Mass at the cathedral and saw her by the door where she also had her
own corner, stretching her arms and hands out for alms. But my heart leapt in joy when I saw
her entered the cathedral before the Mass, sat in the front pew, even in her dirty dress and
sweater, and when communion time came, she was one of the first ones to stand and lined up
for communion. I was almost in tears when I saw her hands that she would use to beg for some
coins, now also stretched out for the Body of Christ. I saw her many times doing just that. Mana
Conching was never ashamed to receive Jesus or go to Jesus no matter how she looked like. She
knew her place as a beggar but she also was certain about her place in God's house.
After a year living at the back of barangay chapel, we moved to a nearby barangay in a farm
set up. I lost my daily encounter with Mana Conching, but in the next 2 ½ years, I still saw
her walking around begging, almost blind but would recognize my voice whenever I called her
out in the streets. But there was one thing that I was struck with her. Mana Conching never
demanded for help. Her hands were just open, a sign of humility to accept whatever she was
given. On our part, we tried to reach out to her through a neighbor who can give her food or
supplies whenever possible. I looked forward to seeing her every now and then along the road,
and in the town proper as she went around begging.
I always wondered how old Mana Conching was since no one around knew, though she looked
70 or more years old, but maybe she was younger. She was just a tired and poor woman. When
I started to ask around about her background, I was told that she was a prayer leader in
her younger years, a catechist and a community servant-leader. She was never married but
worked hard before to support her nephews and nieces, and other poor relatives, though she
herself was a poor person.
One afternoon in the farm, some people came to me, since they knew that I loved Mana
Conching, asking me to bless and pray wither because she was dying They found her in the
188
APPENDICES
house of her relatives alone, dirty with ants all over her body. She fell from a rather high
makeshift bamboo bed with only cartons on it. The neighbors bathed her and dressed her clean.
By that time, Mana Conching was completely blind, could still hear, though cannot speak. She
seemed aware of what was happening around her. I cried when she heard my voice and tried
to call my name with our other volunteers whom she also knew. We prayed with her, blessed
and thanked God for her. As we knew that she loved to sing, we sang her a familiar Mass hymn.
She looked joyful, and seemed to be singing , too, even without a voice. As she was lying in her
death bed, I saw her face so calm and not a trace of complaint and bitterness. She was looking
up as if Jesus was waiting for her. She was holding my hand and I felt God’s presence through
She remained alive for one and a half more days. The men around made a coffin from gathered
old woods. Her neighbors were gathered for her wake. Our community and other volunteers
gave the necessary presence and assistance. She looked dignified inside her simple coffin. I was
happy that she wore the white blouse and blue skirt that I offered for her burial. It was an image
of a holy woman, a saint in her own right, and a hero to many whom she was able to help from
her nothingness, and prayed for in her poverty of heart. Since she was wearing my dress that
looks like the one that I usually wear when I go to church or meet with groups, it was like being
a “holy-hero” like Mana Conching for a while. For she was an example to me of one, a “Banal
na Bayani”. She was a baptized , confirmed believer of Jesus, a poor woman who lived like our
Mother Mary, who believed and submitted herself to God until the end of her life.
Mana Conching is now with God. It was sad but I thank God that she is now enjoying the
fullness of being God’s beloved. She has been so far, one of the most significant persons whom
I have met in Northern Samar. In a mission place like Samar, Mana Conching witnessed to us
a life of a person who believed in God's providence, always grateful and generous. Her poverty
of heart inspired me and even her death gave the whole community a chance to come and pray
together. It was like a “bayanihan” , a certain sense of communion, that she taught us even
after her death.
Mana Conching, salamat po. Mananatili kang banal sa amin, at bayani lalo na sa iyong
mga ipinagdasal at natulungan. Ipanalangin mo po kami sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo,
kasama ng ating Mahal na Ina na si Maria, na sa aming mga bokasyon at estado ng buhay
na kinalalagyan, ay matutunan din namin na maging mga “Banal na Bayani.’
Lydia M. Collado rscj
Written for “Holy-Heroes”, 07 October 2013
Formation Modules for the Year of the Laity
December 2013-November 2014
189
APPENDICES
Acknowledgements
THANK GOD FOR YOU, Dear HOLY HEROES!
T
o Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., for the help of the Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan and the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE),
for all the guidance, support, encouragement, trust and generosity and provisions for
the “Holy Heroes” to be written and produced, for your love for the Laity;
To Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. and the Episcopal Commission on the Laity,
for the guidance and leadership in the writing of Holy Heroes, for your love for the
Laity;
To the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of the Philippines),
headed by Atty. Aurora A. Santiago, for the support and inspirations , and for the
unfailing love for the Beloved Laity of God;
To Msgr. Jose Antonio “Jojo” Galvez and the La Purisima Concepcion Parish, Sta
Maria , Bulacan, for the generosity to accommodate the Holy Heroes Program Team
while writing and putting the modules together, for the hospitality of housing the
team with all the provisions needed;
To La Purisima Concepcion Parish, Asst. Parish Priest, Fr. Mon Bernardo, Personnel
and Kitchen Staff, especially Jovenal Halili and Danilo Paguio, Cris Gatela (driver),
Renato Oblealdan (guard), for the hospitality and care during the writing of Holy
Heroes;
To the Diocesan Formation Center, Diocese of Malolos, Rev. Fr. Dario Cabral, Nancy
Ignacio, Hajji Igancio, Matt Gabriel Ignacio, Jherson Ignacio, Joseph Boslon, Romy
dela Cruz and Gary Robles, for the hospitality and care during the writing of the 2nd
Edition of the Holy Heroes;
To Noel Brigino, (the one who made the video clips) of La Purisima Concepcion
Parish, for being so cool, generous, easy, and available to extend his help ;
To Ms. Ma. Czarina Espiritu of Miriam Identity Spirituality and Mission Office
(MISMO), Miriam College - Quezon City, for the loving support and friendship in
the Lord, for the help especially in proofreading and developing the Facilitator's
Manual of the Holy Heroes on its final stage;
To Dr. Dulce Jesus Lesigues-Baricuatro, PhD, for sharing her handbook "Leading
with Heart and Soul - Fostering Workplace Spirituality" to be used in the “Holy
Heroes”, for being so friendly and hospitable;
190
APPENDICES
To the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) and the Sacred Heart Institute for
Transformative Education (SHIFT) Foundation at Sophie’s Farm, Brgy. Dona Lucia,
Mondragon, Northern Samar, for their volunteers and logistical support provided
during the initial writing of “Holy Heroes”; and for the support given to Sr. Lydia
M. Collado, RSCJ and Isidoro “Syd” Baradi IV to be available for the writing and
facilitators’ training of “Holy Heroes”, for the loving care and prayers;
To Rev. Fr. Jorge Bellosillo, parish priest of Holy Family Parish, Pasig City and Holy
Family Parish Youth Ministry (Holiyut), for the support given to Ms. Rica Lavilla to
participate in the production of Holy Heroes;
To Sr. Ma. Jesusa Gayatin Enginco, OP, Ms. Maribel Descallar, for all the
coordination needed for Holy Heroes production and be moved on the level of
facilitators’ training;
To Rev. Fr. Paolo P. Pirlo, SHMI, for some images / powerpoint on Faith.
To all the Holy Heroes, Banal na Bayani, all the Laity whose names were not
mentioned here, but whose love, support, prayers and contributions, including those
whose works and writing we used from their original works or from the internet,
you know who you are;
MOST OF ALL, TO OUR LOVING GOD, FOR GIVING US JESUS CHRIST,
OUR ULTIMATE MODEL OF A HOLY HERO, OUR MOTHER MARY,
OUR WOMAN-MOTHER-DISCIPLE MODEL OF HOLY HERO, AND
FOR ALL THE HOLY HEROES WHO DIED FOR US ALL, AND THE
LIVING ONES WHO CONTINUE TO OFFER THEIR LIVES FOR OUR
SALVATION AND FREEDOM… SALAMAT PO!!!
191
H
APPENDICES
C a t h o l i c B i s h o ps ' C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e P h i l i pp i n e s
E P I S C O P A L C OMMISSION ON THE LAITY
oly
eroes
Called to be Saints...sent forth as Heroes!
A F ormation P rogram on the Y ear of the L aity
( december 2013 - november 2014)
This Formation Program is produced by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP),
Episcopal Commission on the Laity.
For information or Inquiry, please contact:
Episcopal Commission on the Laity (ECLA)
CLP Headquarters Building
372 Cabildo Street, Intramuros
1002 Manila
Tel. No.: (02) 527-5388
E-mail: laiko_phils@yahoo.com.ph
Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE)
CBCP Building
470 General Luna Street, Intramuros
1002 Manila
Tel. No. (02) 527-4161
Contact Person: Sr. Ma. Jesusa Gayatin Enginco, OP
E-mail: sr.jesusa@yahoo.com
HOLY HEROES Formation Team
Program Director: Msgr. Jose Antonio “JoJo” Galvez
Parish Priest, La Purisima Concepcion Parish
Sta. Maria, Bulacan
Program Coordinator:
Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ
Program Director
Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education
(SHIFT) Foundation - Sophie’s Farm, Mondragon, Northern Samar
E-mail: lydiamcolladorscj@gmail.com
Mobile No.: (0918)-918-1253
Members: Rebecca "Rica" Lavilla
Pastoral Worker & Youth Minister
Holy Family Parish - Pasig City
E-mail: ryxlav@gmail.com
Isidoro "Syd" Baradi, IV
Program Assistant
Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education
(SHIFT) Foundation - Sophie’s Farm, Mondragon, Northern Samar
E-mail: syd4th@yahoo.com
192
APPENDICES
Laiko, Banal na Bayani
Tanong ng isang mahirap:
Ano po ba ang banal?
Ano po ba ang bayani?
Tanong ng isang kabataan:
Kailangan pa po ba ng banal?
Kailangan pa po ba ng bayani?
Tanong isang nawawalan ng pag-asa na mananampalataya:
Saan na po napunta ang banal?
Saan na po napunta ang bayani?
Sa isang malumanay na tinig,
Sa isang dampi ng ihip ng hangin,
Sa isang mainit na yakap sa dibdib
Sa isang tumitimong pintig sa pusong naninimdim
MERON…
Meron pang banal at bayani
Meron pang handang buhay ay magbuwis
Meron pang pusong handang magpakasakit
Meron pang hanadang mamatay
Para sa dakilang pagmamahal.
Dahil mayroon pang IKAW
Dahil may mga laiko pang binyagan
Kinumpilan at itinalaga
Para sa bayan, para sa Simbahan
Ikaw , laiko, banal
Ikaw , laiko, bayani
Tayong lahat, Banal na Bayani!
Higit sa lahat, kung bakit may banal at bayani pa
Dahil Ako at pag-ibig ko ay di nagmamaliw
Ako ,na patuloy na nagmamahal at pumapatnubay
Ako,,na nag-alay ng buhay
Para sa iyo, upang ikaw din
ay matutong magmagahal
at mag-alay ng buhay
para sa Maykapal, kapwa at bayan. Laiko, huwag kang mangamba
Tinawag kita, minamahal kita
Ikaw ay akin (cf.Is. 43:1)
IKAW ang aking BANAL na BAYANI
--- Ako ang iyong Panginoon
Msgr. Jose Antonio S. Galvez
Ms. Rebecca "Rica" S. Lavilla
Mr Isidoro “Syd” S. Baradi IV
Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ
Sinulat para sa “HOLY-HEROES” (Banal na Bayani)
Formation modules for the Year of the Laity
October 4, 2013
193
APPENDICES
Live Christ! Share Christ!
Lyrics by Archbishop Socrates Villegas, D.D.
Music by Ryan Cayabyab
We are blessed, blessed a hundredfold
The cross of Jesus Christ in our holy shores
Is now five hundred years awesome to behold!
He has made us all new, we belong to His fold
The gospel is our blessing,
our mission to the poor and we,
the children, bring His salvation
To the rest of the world, His message of compassion
To all of humanity, His challenge of conversion
We are blessed, we are loved
We are called, we are sent
We will teach, we will serve
We are Christ’s, we are Church!
San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Pedro Calungsod
All holy Filipinos bring to the good Lord
Our praise and gratitude our offering of love
Our pledge to be faithful to the last drop of blood
Five hundred years of Jubilee!
Five hundred years of blessings
Five hundred years of graces unto life everlasting
194

YOL Module - Choose to be Brave

Transcription

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