My Unworthy Presence: The Day When the Image of Blessed
Virgin of
Introduction:
In the early days of evangelization in the 18th century, it
took more than two years just to reach Burma or China from Italy.
On January 19, 1758, Sebastian Donati and Pius Alexander
Gallizia of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul or Barnabite Fathers boarded a
mighty merchant ship that carried them off to Asia through the customary
eastward route passing the Cape of Good Hope in Africa before entering and
cruising the Indian Ocean towards the Bay of Bengal or in the Andaman Seas to
reach present day Myanmar. They arrived in Rangoon, Burma on June 8, 1760 and
indeed were too fortunate to evade shipwreck, two years earlier two other missionaries
lost their lives at seas. Fathers Donati and Gallizia continued the missionary
works of their fallen predecessors in Burma and they too died there because of
the rigors of missionary life.[1]
If that trip was directed to the Philippines on the same
route, it would pass the Strait of Malacca across Malaysia and Singapore; and
it would have been more arduous and too tiring because of extra mileage for the
ship since it has to cross the South China Sea before finally sighting Western
Mindanao – Sitangkay or Bonggao Islands in the Tawi-tawi’s, or any of the
Visayan Islands in the western part, possibly Balabac Island in Palawan, or the
Palawan Peninsula itself.
But now in the supersonic age, travels are done in a matter
of hours like for instance crossing the globe from Europe to the Philippines
through Asia, or from Europe to the Philippines through the Atlantic and
Pacific airspace as the case maybe. With the sophistication of air travel
although admittedly accidents could not be avoided, people do prefer to ride on
planes rather than ships, unless one is on a leisurely cruise along the
Caribbean or in the breath-taking islands in the Mediterranean pond, so to
speak.
During the rivalry for supremacy of trade and control of the
seas between two neighboring super-powers in their own time in the 16th century
i.e. Portugal and Spain, [countries in the Iberian Peninsula], the former had
dominant control over the sea lanes in the east. That is why Portugal, before
Spain was able to colonize the Philippines; was already engaged in the
lucrative trade of spice in the Moluccas because her navigators and explorers
had come to Asia through charted trade routes via India at Goa and Malacca.
Despite of the nearness of the Spice Island or Moluccas, or
to Mindanao, the Portuguese did not colonize us. Nevertheless, their presence
had been noted in history in the southern part of the Philippines, because a
Portuguese ship from Terrenate bound for Macassar was blown away and landed
somewhere in today’s Sarangani. The Portuguese under Captain Francisco de
Castro stayed in Sarangani for a while, probably waiting for a calmer time to
sail back to Moluccas, or to Portugal via Malacca. While they were at
Sarangani, it is likely that they had been able to evangelize the people since
during those days in every expedition, or a ship’s voyage there was always a
Chaplain on board.[2] Indeed they were able even to bring to Moluccas some of
the children whose parents were converted to Christianity for their education.
However, the conversion had not gone much deeper in the
lives of the coverts in Sarangani because the Portuguese left; and they left no
one to propagate the newly professed faith. So, people reverted to their former
beliefs. Nonetheless, such event could be considered as one specific moment in
the early Christianization of Mindanao, though it did not outlive or continued
to grow and expand. The full evangelization happened only when Legaspi came in
1565 together with the first Augustinians.
Personally, I consider that the Iberian Peninsula has
seemingly continued to evangelize the world. Although, they are not as powerful
as they were before and despite they are not alone doing the evangelization,
but the whole world through their priests, sisters and laity, however, events
occurring in Portugal could always be counted as an important motivating factor
in the propagation of faith. Is it not
that the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the three children – Lucia dos Santos
(age 10) and her cousins Jacinta (age 7) and Francisco Marto (age 9) in 1917
happened in Portugal? At first people
did not care, for these were only children telling tales of fantasy; but later
on they realized they were wrong, it was really true for extraordinary things
happened in the heavens: the heavy clouds parted, as if the sky was opened, and
the sun changed its colors and seemingly spinning or dancing. There was
darkness for several minutes. Thus, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Fatima
in Portugal attracts thousands of pilgrims world-wide each year doing penitence
for remission of their sins, and asking for favors and whatsoever intentions.
The apparition hill in the fields outside the village of
Aljustrel near Fatima, the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary is too far away from
us and only a handful with pocketful of dough could go there as pilgrims in
line with the pilgrim spirit of perigrinatio religiosa pro Christo[3]. But for
us, who do have just barely and not even enough; we could only dream that one
day we could have our pilgrimage in the Holy Lands where Christians and Muslims
both revered as holy places. From the Holy Land, one could side-trip to
Northern Portugal to visit the Shrine of our Blessed Virgin of Fatima where she
appeared to the three shepherd children close to 97 years ago.
World Apostolate Pilgrimage of Fatima:
But dreams could remain as dreams, and it is certainly a
blessing that instead of us going there, which really could not happen because
of countless constraints, the Blessed Virgin of Fatima from Portugal came to
visit us on an Apostolic Pilgrimage.
It was one important ecclesiastical event in 2013 happening
in mid-September 2013 up to December 20, 2013, the Blessed Virgin of Fatima
from Portugal visited the Philippines, travelling from one diocese to the other
and hopped from island to island; and even was at Eastern Samar near Borongan
when super storm Haiyan hit landfall.
Five brave men [3 laymen and 2 brothers of the Congregation
of the Blessed Sacrament of Angels] were with the Blessed Virgin the moment She
arrived at Manila International Airport. They were with Her pilgrimage in Metro
Manila, Northern Luzon, the Tagalog and Bicol areas, in Samar and Leyte areas,
and in Northern Mindanao. At the height of the super storm they were in the
Eastern Samar near Borongan.[4] They thought they would die in the calamity,
and they said “if we die we would gladly accept death with the Image of the
Blessed Virgin we have been taking care of”. “It is a distinct privilege to die
working for the Blessed Mother”. Despite of the ferocity of the storm, they
lived and had been witnesses of the havoc it brought. They saw lifeless bodies
along the streets and in most of the ruins. They heard the wails of hunger of
the survivors, their sobs of emotional and physical pains.
The group continued their journey towards Tacloban passing
through Guian. With heavy hearts, full of compassion they only could stop, look
and pray as the journeyed in those mournful and devastated lands of Eastern
Samar and Leyte. The Blessed Mother’s coming or journey in this land ravaged by
fury of Yolanda indeed gave some glimmer of hope to the survivors when they
knew She was coming and would be with them even for a short while. It gave them some relief of their sobbing
because of the loss of someone they loved and destruction of what they only
dearly possessed. They understood too that God has never abandoned them in
their time of great misery. One could even give a smile though how pitiful and
helpless he was. He smiled not because his life is used to such misery or
misfortune, but did smile because he knows there are people who could quench
their anguish and misery through service; and there is God whose Light serves
always as a beacon for them.
Exactly 19 days after death had strolled in the Eastern
Visayan Islands, the Blessed Virgin of Fatima arrived in Cagayan de Oro on 27
November 2013, but She had completed Her travels in the highlands of Bukidnon
after hopping out earlier from Camiguin.
A great caravan of vehicles welcomed the Blessed Mother at
Agusan, Cagayan de Oro and the convoy went on to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
People waited along the city streets to welcome Her. Contingent based near the
park at the Provincial Capitol along A. Velez St. walked hurriedly coping with
the pace of the entourage vehicles, which were rather slow. The people walked
in high-spirits praying and praising God; and waving their flaglets or
banderitas on hand.
At the cathedral there was a concelebrated mass and after
that the faithful began their personal prayers with the Blessed Mother. She
stayed there overnight.
The following day November 28, She visited the Parish of
Camaman-an the whole morning, in the afternoon she travelled to the Chaplaincy
of Calaanan (Sta. Cruz); and it was here when my lowly unexpected servitude
began.
I was in Calaanan with my wife purposely to pay homage to
the Blessed Virgin who would be arriving. We were at the convent because the
Barnabites there are our friends. The priests, the convent staff, acolytes and
anyone there was certainly busy either cleaning the surroundings or dusting the
pews, decorating, and having the final touches of the altar where the Blessed
Mother would be placed. At about 12:45 PM, I heard that they needed someone who
could drive to fetch the Blessed Virgin at the Parish Church of Camaman-an, but
I was just unmindful because the priests could be able to get one. There are
three Barnabites at the Chaplaincy, but the priests and a deacon were too occupied
in their last minute efforts to review the instructions to the different
kapilyas, students and religious groups.
Since I was there and had nothing to do much except observing and seeing
how busy really were they, I was requested to drive the Nissan Frontier
pick-up, to fetch the Blessed Virgin of Fatima at Camaman-an Church. I never
said no, despite I had some apprehension in driving costly cars because I used
to drive utility cab and jeep only, which I affectionately called them as
“tanque de guerra”. So, at 1:00 PM I started moving and with me was a convent
boy.
When we arrived at the premises of Camaman-an Church, they
had just finished the “farewell mass” or should we say “von voyage” for the
Virgin Mary. A holy rosary followed shortly, but the Blessed Virgin was still
at Her altar while we were busy preparing the pedestal where She would be
placed while on travel. We did not notice it; but some sort of a cart was
moving to the direction of the Frontier and following it, were two brothers in brown
and white habits. I said to myself “where is the Blessed Mother?” This question
was resolved when they lifted carefully the white bag or case, custom-made to
fit the image of the Blessed Mother. They cradled it safely, as the two
brothers were seated at the passenger seat. I was at the wheel waiting for the
signal to move; after few seconds the signal was on, I touched the case where
the Blessed Mother was placed, mumbled a little prayer and shifted the stick to
first gear, and had the warning flashers on and moved slowly.
I headed the convoy of about eight or ten vehicles along the
busy streets and as much as possible avoided the mounting traffic. At the front
seat was Charlie and he wisely guided me to what street would I take.[5] At
last I was maneuvering along the old Ysalina Bridge near the cathedral and city
hall, and we turned left at the traffic light at Vamenta St. heading now for
Calaanan. However, we halted at the highway fronting the West City Central;
school children were there wavering their flaglets and together with them were
their teachers. Children were yelling “viva” “viva” Mama Mary.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was slowly removed from the case
while in the Frontier; the brothers wore their white gloves before holding Her.
It was my first time to see the Blessed Virgin of Fatima of Portugal, the
miraculous image of Mother Mary; just a few inches away from me and within my
arms reached. I wanted much to touch her feet, but I knew I would not for it is
never permitted. Silently I prayed, I asked Her mercy, I asked Her for good
health and graces for my Family – my wife, my children and their children.
Now the Brothers alighted from the vehicle and the yell of
welcome and joy of the children even intensified as they saw the image of the
Blessed Virgin. At the other side of the road, people began to gather and began
yelling, and clapping their hands. The Blessed Virgin was fully exposed to the
people at the back of the pick-up. Two other laymen who joined the pilgrimage
since Day 1 together with the two Brothers secured the Blessed Virgin. We began
to move slowly as the stream of yelling of the children faded; and not far from
the overpass while still on the plains, I stopped the car and again the Blessed
Mother was placed in the custom-made case. Once more, I had a closer view of
Her at my wheel.
On the drive uphill I noticed that the convoy now had
stretched out longer. Perhaps, other vehicles were just on our column or were
merely tailing us and had to overtake us when traffic was permissible. However,
when we reached the junction at Macapagal Boulevard, I noticed those vehicles
were still with our column – joining us. We turned right and maneuvered the
winding descend towards the valley of Calaanan, and on the flatland just after
the ZOPAD Bridge,[6] a much longer line of vehicles waited. I turned left and
positioned the Frontier Pick-up along the subdivision service road bay. I
stopped and the convoy behind me halted as well.
The Barnabites were all in their priestly robes; the younger
priest came and took my place, and I was glad that I was out from the cockpit
of that costly Frontier. From there the procession went to San Antonio Valley
Homes Subdivision, Forest View Subdivision, Gawad Kalinga (Marlogs), PN Roa
Subdivision. While the procession was at Gawad Kalinga (Marlogs) and on its way
to PN Roa Subdivision, it began showering but the high school students of PN
Roa were still on both sides of the road where the procession would pass. The
procession would have ended at the Chaplaincy Church because of the rain,
indeed the Blessed Virgin entered its façade; nevertheless, the rain stopped
just as it came suddenly. Someone said, “It is a shower of blessings and
blessed are those who stood on their feet and did not ran, despite the rain.”
Unworthy Presence:
While I was at the wheel of the Frontier, a bit closer from
Mama Mary, maybe just an arm-length away, I experienced a feeling, which is
beyond description, or plainly unexplainable. Really, I was happy that I was
near Her and had seen Her so closely. When I saw Her the first time in the
vehicle, I knew that I was too privileged to have served the Blessed Mother in
just the little way that I did. I understood that my presence is indeed
unworthy because of my state of sinfulness. Had only there been someone else
other than me at that time, I could have not driven the vehicle. But the thing
is, no one was there who could drive except me, because at that time clearly I
had nothing to do much. The priests and the deacon could drive, but they were
too busy. By accident, it was me chosen and it may be a punishment, but it
turned out later as a distinct privilege.
As I recall the few moments or minutes when I had been of
service to the Blessed Mother, I really felt a mix feeling of happiness and
sorrows. I was happy because in a sense I was able to serve Her; yet on the
other hand, I was still so sorry that I was unprepared with such encounter.
After a concelebrated mass at the Permanent Relocation
Chapel at 4:00 PM another concelebrated mass took place at St. Joseph Chaplaincy
at 7:00 o’clock that evening. The vigil started at 9:00 PM until the following
morning. So, I told myself that when the most unholy hour comes, when everyone
would be sleepy, it would be my turn to go nearer to the Blessed Mother once
more at the vigil altar to pray. Though I had thanked Her already and asked for
graces to our Lord thru Her intercession, I know there are things that I wish
to tell the Blessed Mother intimately. The clock moved to 12:00 midnight, but
stream of people still come and go. Hot coffee was overflowing for everyone who
liked to drink. There were plenty to eat – bread, biscuits, puto, suman, and so
on; and all these came from the generosity of the parishioners.
By 1:00 o’clock dawn of the following day (29 November), a
group of women colloquially referred to as “beatas” or prayer warriors arrived. They took turns in
saying the rosary and I was sure that I heard their voices before; and yes they
are indeed familiar to me or to anyone else because they are always on air
nightly at a radio station on Holy Rosary time. They are the Blue Army – the
prayer warriors and now called as WAF. Certainly, they are all Apostolic
Members of the World Apostolate of Fatima.
The night was still but the ambience of prayer dominated the
silence. You can hear them praying “Hail Mary full of Grace…” “Holy Mary Mother
of God…”, and “Our Father who art in Heaven”. Thereafter, I decided to have my
own personal prayer and began saying the Holy Rosary, which really I had a hard
time mastering it well because I forgot the mysteries and do not know the
Litany; nevertheless, I went on. It was perhaps 2:00AM when I had my prayers to
God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prayer is a conversation to God, and I bade not to tell you
what I said, but certainly it was indeed a prayer of Mercy, Praise and Thanks.
Prayer for Intentions, I had asked Him too, but not much for myself because I
knew He had given me plenteously. Furthermore, I humbly asked the Blessed
Mother to please pray for me more so in these times when age accounts the body
of its abuse and foolishness done while still young. Strength and days of youth
were too overpowering that made us oftentimes in a state of a “care-free mode” -
whether to hear mass or not, or pray or not to pray did not matter us much
since we were that strong and what was important was our freedom to enjoy all
the leisure in life.
As retirement just looms beyond, one may begin asking
himself if he has done something right not only for himself; but for others as
well? Me? I cannot say that I had done great till these days, in fact it is
always a day of struggle – struggle to do well, despite all the odds; and
struggle to live and endure, despite of some physical and emotional pains.
Though how painful maybe our frustrations and failures are, they are just only
temporary, real happiness is not in this world, but to a place Christ has
prepared for us. Contentment in life is a virtuous thing – acceptance of what
we are; acceptance of one’s misfortunes, problems and hardships; and acceptance
and atonement of our sins, could be attributes of living poorly in spirit.
Undeniably important and worthy as well, is our offering for the glory of God
of our every work, thought and deed. God in His Divine Mercy would always hear
and forgive us. Indeed He had endured all the pains of our sins, thus He died
for us.
My simple service to the Blessed Virgin on that day, despite
how unimportant or insignificant it was, happening in just a mere flash of
minutes, yet to me, it was an experience that I would always remember longer
than ever. It was indeed a blessing for me because it was beyond my wildest
dream that I would be able to serve Her even for just a while. By good circumstance,
I was able to do it, despite my unworthiness. From that day on, I cherish
always the memory of Her coming, the Brown Scapular which the Barnabite Fathers
enthroned us after the concelebrated mass has been with me ever since. The
Brown Scapular has a mystic promise and should it be cut due to fair wear and
tear, a duly blessed scapular by any Catholic priest would replace the old one;
and this time it would only be blessed but no longer enthroned by the priest
unlike when I had it the first time.
Lastly, please join me in prayer … Dear Lord, “Have mercy
upon me, O God, according to Your Loving kindness; according to the multitude
of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and
my sin is always before me”. (Psalm 51-1-3).
NOTES FOR UNWORTHY PRESENCE
[1] Fr. Sebastian Donati, CRSP [1735-1761] died in the
mission of Subankroa, Northern Ava in Burma on January 20, 1761. Fr. Pius
Alexander Gallizia, CRSP [1730-1763] was assigned in Rangoon, took the
abandoned mission and he too died thereat on February 13, 1763 because of the
rigors of missionary life. The two missionaries were buried beside each other
in Subrankroa as it was the last wish of Fr. Gallizia to be buried near his
brother. From an article, “Barnabite Missionaries in Burma”.
[2] Fr. MA Bernad, SJ. The Great Island: Studies in the
Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao, p. 47.
[3] Wandering for the sake of Christ pioneered or made as a
pilgrimage concept by the Irish-Scottish monks in the 6th or 7th century AD. _
August Franzen/John Dolan, A History of the Church, Herber-Palm Publishers
1965.
[4]During the storm, the Image of the Blessed Virgin of
Fatima and the pilgrims sought refuge at the Church of San Joaquin near
Borongan. Could it be just by mere coincidence that the Blessed Mother was at
the latter church, or could there be some mystic interventions? For all we
know, Joaquin who became a saint was the father of the Virgin Mary. Anne or St.
Anne was her mother. As if the father cradled his daughter for protection,
isn’t it? __ Notable remarks of Charlie, which I affirmed.
[5] Charlie Lorzano is the Archdiocesan President of the
World Apostolate of Fatima of Cagayan de Oro. He is the National Executive Vice
President of WAF and was the head of the pilgrimage since day 1 up to December
19 when the Blessed Virgin of Fatima returned home for Portugal at Mactan
International Airport. Together with Charlie was Engr. Boy Mansueto from Cebu
and the other one, I unfortunately have not noted who his name was. (annotation
mine).
[6] Zone for Peace and Development (ZOPAD).
ooo
