A Door Closes and Opens

God is faithful.

If you’re going through storms right now, know that better days are ahead. Because God is faithful. You will overcome. Because God is faithful. You will be victorious. Because God is faithful. The Bible says, He will not abandon you… (Deuteronomy 4:31)

When I look back into my life, I’m amazed at how God would bring the right people into my life. The right mentors. The right volunteers for ministry. The right business partners. The right connections.

One of God’s great rewards is He will make the right people walk into your life. Believe! Even amidst closed doors…

When a door of happiness closes, another door of happiness opens. But here’s our problem: we keep looking at the closed door so long, we don’t see the other door opening.

Examples?

You’re so hurt by that past relationship, or you’ve been so depressed by that failed business, or you’ve been so discouraged by that problem, you’ve not been able to move on. Stop looking at that closed door. Look around you. There’s a new door of happiness opening for you!

Maybe right now, a door that used to be open is now closed. Yes, mourn. But after mourning, move on. Don’t get stuck. Because another door is opening.

Rejoice that God is faithful. Be faithful as God is faithful.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Source: Excerpts from Bo Sanchez's article

Feast Day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Today, November 27, Saturday (local date), we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared before St. Catherine, revealing the image of the medal she wanted to be made.

These were the words Mary conveyed to St. Catherine:
O Mary Conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Have a Medal struck according to this model. All those who wear it with faith and confidence will receive abundant graces.

In accordance to the message of Mary, the Miraculous Medal should be worn closest to the heart to bring healing and protection to its holder. The medal ranks equal in importance with the holy Rosary and the Brown Scapular.


There are two churches who house the Miraculous Medal image in the Philippines. The first one is at the old San Marcelino Church, administered by Order of St. Vincent de Paul and the other is at the National Shrine of Our Lady Of the Miraculous Medal in Muntinlupa City.

The San Marcelino image is placed on an oval-shaped altar with three oval niches. The church has a yearly procession on the month of November. It's attended by Religious institutions administered by the Vincentians (St. Vincent de Paul).

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Feast Day

The Feast Day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is to be celebrated on Novemeber 27.


Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared before St. Catherine, revealing the image of the medal she wanted to be made.
Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure many times but the major apparition happened at the Motherhouse Chapel in Paris, standing atop the world surrounded by an oval frame, over which gold engravings were written: O Mary Conceived without Sin, Pray for Us who have Recourse to You revealing to her the image of the medal she wanted to be made. Catherine told Fr. Aladel about the Virgin's message. Couple of years after the medal was finally acknowledged by the Archbishop of Paris and Catholic officials in 1832. Catherine was declared Saint by Pope Pius XII in July 1947.

These were the words Mary conveyed to St. Catherine:
O Mary Conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Have a Medal struck according to this model. All those who wear it with faith and confidence will receive abundant graces.

In accordance to the message of Mary, the Miraculous Medal should be worn closest to the heart to bring healing and protection to its holder. The medal ranks equal in importance with the holy Rosary and the Brown Scapular.

There are two churches who house the Miraculous Medal image in the Philippines. The first one is at the old San Marcelino Church, administered by Order of St. Vincent de Paul and the other is at the National Shrine of Our Lady Of the Miraculous Medal in Muntinlupa City.

The San Marcelino image is placed on an oval-shaped altar with three oval niches. The church has a yearly procession on the month of November. It's attended by Religious institutions administered by the Vincentians.

The Posadas family donated the image in the Muntinlupa Shrine in 1970s. The church's structure was done by Architect Jose Zaragosa. Both the San Marcelino image and the Muntinlupa images are carved statues with no cloth or outer wear save for the crowns of jewels and the luminous golden shafts that radiates from Mary's rings. The Muntinlupa Shrine was consecrated in September 1980 by Jaime Cardinal Sin and Julio Cardinal Rosales.

Source: Wikipilipinas

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Whenever I go to Quezon or Batangas, I do not know why I have the impulse to visit the Padre Pio Church at Sto. Tomas. Posted photo of the church and his image.

In the church, you can buy colored candles (with incense to burn) for prayer offerings. The colored candles stand for specific things to pray for, like green for healing and brown for thanksgiving. The small store of the church sells them plus other items like rosaries, oil, prayers, statues and books.

There is a beautiful Padre Pio Chapel in Libis, Quezon City that I plan to check out.

Francesco Forgione was born to Grazio Mario and Maria Giuseppa de Nunzio on 25 May 1887, in Pietrelcina, a farming town in the southern Italian region of Campania.



Padre Pio then became a spiritual director, guiding many spiritually, considering them his spiritual daughters and sons. He had five rules for spiritual growth, namely, weekly confession, daily Communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and examination of conscience.

He compared weekly confession to dusting a room weekly, and recommended the performance of meditation and self-examination twice daily: once in the morning, as preparation to face the day, and once again in the evening, as retrospection. His advice on the practical application of theology he often summed up in his now famous quote, "Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry". He directed Christians to recognize God in all things and to desire above all things to do the will of God.

Based on Padre Pio's correspondence, even early in his priesthood he experienced less obvious indications of the visible stigmata for which he would later become famous.


The Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church is a church in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy owned by the Ordine dei Frati Minori Cappuccini di Foggia. Built in devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship, with standing room for 30,000 people outside. The Genoan architect Renzo Piano designed the church. It is located in front of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a big Italian hospital and research center, founded by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

Source: Wikipedia

How About 8.8 M Hits

For a (2) two-year old, 8.8 million hits for her clip is not bad, heheh. She's quite a wonderful girl.

Run the Race

This Yuletide season, aside from feeding the body with a lots of goodies and calories, let's not forget to feed the souls as well. Why not add more meaningful acts of mercy, I said to myself . . .

The Corporal Works of Mercy

(1) Feed the hungry
(2) Give drink to the thirsty
(3) Clothe the naked
(4) Shelter the homeless
(5) Comfort the imprisoned
(6) Visit the sick
(7) Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. Admonish sinners
2. Instruct the uninformed
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Be patient with those in error
6. Forgive offenses
7. Pray for the living and the dead

"Do not tire of doing good . . .", " . . . and run with determination the race that lies before us", says St. Paul.

We Can Do It

Work with what you have.

Work with the talents that you have.

Work with the money that you have.

Work with the circumstances that you have.

Be the best that you can be.

Because the Master stands behind you, his arms around you, creating a miracle in you.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Bo's full article on the above