tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219846132024-03-14T19:38:48.900+08:00Maan's Pilgrim SiteA collection of my various pilgrimage tour experiences through the decades and other religious related stories i wish to share with everyone (Was CatholicPilgrim.org)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-53516749816769863222010-08-27T06:13:00.000+08:002010-08-27T06:13:23.482+08:00Please proceed to my new blog addressThis blog is no longer updated. Please proceed to my new blog:<br />
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<a href="http://catholicpilgrim.blogspot.com/">Catholic Pilgrim</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-46829951840289005452010-04-05T02:05:00.001+08:002010-04-05T02:05:08.941+08:00Test posttestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-61348793529764080722010-04-02T13:45:00.002+08:002010-04-02T13:45:27.464+08:00Back to this old blogI am reviving this old blog again as my domain expired and was not able to renew it :( I hope to write the hosting company so I will be able to retrieve all my past content which was really a lot!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-40993670157084679222009-02-10T03:04:00.000+08:002009-02-10T08:05:30.483+08:00International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima Philippine Visit 2009 <a class="select" href="http://catholicpilgrim.org/?p=336">Link</a> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-25837960981483851392007-07-17T15:06:00.000+08:002007-07-17T19:10:35.543+08:00Catholic Pilgrim Blog<P>I have moved my religious blog, <A href="http://catholicpilgrim.org">Catholic Pilgrim</A> to a new domain and this time using Wordpress. Please check it out at:</P> <P><A href="http://catholicpilgrim.org">http://catholicpilgrim.org</A></P> <P> </P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-92167608137395401762007-07-11T23:17:00.000+08:002007-07-12T03:30:22.386+08:00Serious Prattle : My new personal blog<P>I was so 'sawa' with my old personal ramblings site so decided to shift to a new one using word press. Yup, wordpress is a lot better than blogger so please do visit my new space at:</P> <P><A href="http://seriousprattle.com">http://seriousprattle.com</A></P> <P> </P> <P> </P><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-90696051071957524572007-04-23T22:29:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:47:33.677+08:00Our Lady of Caysasay, Taal (Philippines)I first heard of Our Lady of Casaysay from a journalist friend, Monica, who was commissioned to write about the history of the devotion during its jubilee year. I had always wanted to see the place but never had a chance till last Sunday, when a planned Tagaytay trip to bring around a balikbayan guest Ruben, tuned into an unexpected pilgrimage to Taal.<br />
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The church is a few minutes away from the main Basilica of Taal, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours. Not everyone knows the place as there is also an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Casaysay inside the basilica.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKcRaDFsLnF_MwQeOx64qiXYpLZzaOwpQHbyf5vWJSLvw5_3VGB_6NbDsJ6-ueBR19W6hr2VsXVOPAwJihDzvvTCP7B0UZhja2ir6W5ekU79LXA9VsJLKJrPUiFWNlWAMgR67/s1600-h/IMG_6875.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057738540742307362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKcRaDFsLnF_MwQeOx64qiXYpLZzaOwpQHbyf5vWJSLvw5_3VGB_6NbDsJ6-ueBR19W6hr2VsXVOPAwJihDzvvTCP7B0UZhja2ir6W5ekU79LXA9VsJLKJrPUiFWNlWAMgR67/s200/IMG_6875.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
I was expecting a big church similar to the basilica so we almost missed the place. The church or chapel is small just like the image of Our Lady.<br />
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It has some similarity to the antique church of San Miguel in Manila before it was renovated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14LRlHWk5fWqsgjr1HK1f4vrk0VYO9Ca2liomR4Xhr5j3uLA2nvKhyphenhypheneFlpk_pBlYih1d2PKNj6M6ziBrIKSTrEmHVSeLBa5lBcGEH9bNSNXoq7buxxoh-2W8oWF85ozuyfxgX/s1600-h/IMG_6871.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057739227937074738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14LRlHWk5fWqsgjr1HK1f4vrk0VYO9Ca2liomR4Xhr5j3uLA2nvKhyphenhypheneFlpk_pBlYih1d2PKNj6M6ziBrIKSTrEmHVSeLBa5lBcGEH9bNSNXoq7buxxoh-2W8oWF85ozuyfxgX/s200/IMG_6871.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
I particularly liked the painting on the ceiling which is made in black and white.<br />
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Some of the children selling sampaguitas kept asking us if we wanted to see the 'milagrosang balon' (miraculous spring) and I said yes of course. We were led to the back of the church, across a stony path, climbed a rugged rock to get to a grotto, where we prayed and finally to an old arch under which lies the two miraculous springs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UNjjxkOxt08GNc-YfMD1umo4J59Ea4AYmupK5FrnhdpOrfLKKkIoFyNxVdkhpWjZTphIVbb1a7MeNDpLZFyXzputNGLcoIAawsBENguYg_Jh8DWiVMfdCwu4DtLuTbDPdgrD/s1600-h/IMG_6890.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057739906541907522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UNjjxkOxt08GNc-YfMD1umo4J59Ea4AYmupK5FrnhdpOrfLKKkIoFyNxVdkhpWjZTphIVbb1a7MeNDpLZFyXzputNGLcoIAawsBENguYg_Jh8DWiVMfdCwu4DtLuTbDPdgrD/s200/IMG_6890.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Below this old Arch, one can find the two springs where it is believed miraculous waters flow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBSOn0CdnSEyrXwkK1OCZsNvqazlwdSD_7IEXtM5_87tRyU-KhymA7hK-Thyphenhyphen7L3Ny62JZg65dUIqwShmF0gK0_ibO5_v8fJwop43f2TfjEK4zzWRkTaFENtuxPexWv3rIkymI/s1600-h/IMG_6878.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057738304519106066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBSOn0CdnSEyrXwkK1OCZsNvqazlwdSD_7IEXtM5_87tRyU-KhymA7hK-Thyphenhyphen7L3Ny62JZg65dUIqwShmF0gK0_ibO5_v8fJwop43f2TfjEK4zzWRkTaFENtuxPexWv3rIkymI/s200/IMG_6878.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
A small boy offered to scop up some water from the springs. The children told us that there are two water sources.<br />
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The one on the right is for the head, and the other one is for the body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_-FWOnavGD8ojd1_MkWZAemxM62wCpI6lE9fWhNVja3sIdYrkC9zsCkjq6iDK9vifsP8DEtSugJ_7vQQRBP9ZAdpW_ND58zQlRBjlzjJJOK9PxtwV5hbUlycwARKXiH8KzXD/s1600-h/IMG_6880.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057428929434840578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_-FWOnavGD8ojd1_MkWZAemxM62wCpI6lE9fWhNVja3sIdYrkC9zsCkjq6iDK9vifsP8DEtSugJ_7vQQRBP9ZAdpW_ND58zQlRBjlzjJJOK9PxtwV5hbUlycwARKXiH8KzXD/s200/IMG_6880.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
Took a photo of Bebeth and Ruben as they went around the slim path to get closer to the springs where we prayed and dipped our hands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl73w-rUgQOCn0dV5jSVpF_i-rP3hCoiXK9nlQJDBIJenbNmsQDKBKnj2pHzOpOMXQMCI5F8uKXATo1LVN8J9B0W1gwN_bcMGwr18A_51uCFL0f_4eR8BSaO33hLK4DITaaXP/s1600-h/IMG_6889.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057207420791516642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl73w-rUgQOCn0dV5jSVpF_i-rP3hCoiXK9nlQJDBIJenbNmsQDKBKnj2pHzOpOMXQMCI5F8uKXATo1LVN8J9B0W1gwN_bcMGwr18A_51uCFL0f_4eR8BSaO33hLK4DITaaXP/s200/IMG_6889.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
This is a closer look at the two sources of the miraculous water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XWjqu3RdbTX4UrXN1ERjlwUTM0ywZ9KYlYm8Q3xbQTeFXLg4cU0Bv4ez1hhDBMC57Yf8k47wp2Q6LKEOj8Wby_FdP247msXcQsHBEzrbwzeTHs-hmvCFnTx87tgf-qAyldAJ/s1600-h/IMG_6883.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057208382864190962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XWjqu3RdbTX4UrXN1ERjlwUTM0ywZ9KYlYm8Q3xbQTeFXLg4cU0Bv4ez1hhDBMC57Yf8k47wp2Q6LKEOj8Wby_FdP247msXcQsHBEzrbwzeTHs-hmvCFnTx87tgf-qAyldAJ/s200/IMG_6883.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
The children saw my almost empty plastic bottle and asked if I wanted to put some of the miraculous water inside. I said yes of course!<br />
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They said however that it would be better to get them from the faucet where it is filtered and you can find this just at the back of the chapel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJBtrCCPg6SRPDYIR3cgDjOZGmS11j9zch0qNmHzz-QJqT4t8EPTBrasBasjAl7qcL2ZulOOUaJjeNmYHxCdwH6tFar6wmOP4Y-4rZMHvwtQhdBBlUfEfuAGAPiLbprLe0y2_/s1600-h/IMG_6892.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057206501668515282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJBtrCCPg6SRPDYIR3cgDjOZGmS11j9zch0qNmHzz-QJqT4t8EPTBrasBasjAl7qcL2ZulOOUaJjeNmYHxCdwH6tFar6wmOP4Y-4rZMHvwtQhdBBlUfEfuAGAPiLbprLe0y2_/s200/IMG_6892.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
We then trekked back towards the direction of the sanctuary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJw4zWH0Nm8UUjX1rtZaKAI4LUohtqlmqx2ZJy_1jZJE03oXQlgb7MS2ctXiR7Xnx7q3H8az1dWGApe-pj66Uf3UqnakQppTZhIv5bPCO6eh-WYQL6ChDnf4Mzjplz6GjWf1Y/s1600-h/IMG_6894.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057205376387083714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJw4zWH0Nm8UUjX1rtZaKAI4LUohtqlmqx2ZJy_1jZJE03oXQlgb7MS2ctXiR7Xnx7q3H8az1dWGApe-pj66Uf3UqnakQppTZhIv5bPCO6eh-WYQL6ChDnf4Mzjplz6GjWf1Y/s200/IMG_6894.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
The little sampaguita vendor is filling up my plastic bottle first from the left faucet then the right (one of the springs for the body and the other for the head, remember?).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5-y0Ylb3RRoNHuVmNZOrU8hpEyMty5CxkkD1LXIUqeX4VhYP5Q9unLuF_iTOJIHclOCvTdhlclNM7eBr-w9MSqRDMk-HBclEoODiwtV5-qPVOFPEzYNKxBuxWiSueiNnO3Am/s1600-h/IMG_6893.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057204787976564146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5-y0Ylb3RRoNHuVmNZOrU8hpEyMty5CxkkD1LXIUqeX4VhYP5Q9unLuF_iTOJIHclOCvTdhlclNM7eBr-w9MSqRDMk-HBclEoODiwtV5-qPVOFPEzYNKxBuxWiSueiNnO3Am/s200/IMG_6893.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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We tried asking for the story behind the miraculous image but we got some piece meal tales of how the statue of our lady was fished out from the river by Juan Maningcad.<br />
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Finally I was able to find something on the internet from <a href="http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20051201172158832">Balita</a> part of which I am quoting below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIdcQEC5fxlfRcTf3-HnxkCRfzvYdIW4LJVS5QkNSfW254WNF3bRqITgbAiEnq0ujkzFAPgFfWYjpMUIyhyphenhyphenlK5EtnfGDuSzL9hDkpTz7p93a1tmx4ZTYVnSYvRRfJwNbxjxa8/s1600-h/IMG_6895.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057087458740476562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIdcQEC5fxlfRcTf3-HnxkCRfzvYdIW4LJVS5QkNSfW254WNF3bRqITgbAiEnq0ujkzFAPgFfWYjpMUIyhyphenhyphenlK5EtnfGDuSzL9hDkpTz7p93a1tmx4ZTYVnSYvRRfJwNbxjxa8/s200/IMG_6895.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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<em>The story of the image began four centuries ago after a fisherman namedJuan Maningcad, found the statue in the Pansipit River in Barrio Casaysayin the year 1603.</em><br />
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<em>But Taal folks said strange phenomenon had occurred when the image"disappeared" from time to time but comes back again the next day.This puzzled the people, including the parish priest. </em><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 78%;">this painting is found inside the chapel</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 78%;">and is a depiction of the discovery of </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 78%;">Our Lady's statue</span></strong><br />
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<em>It was said thatduring its disappearances, the statue goes back to the river where it wasoriginally located. The image was then brought to the church of thebarrio, but the same incident occurred.</em><br />
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<em>Many years ago when the image was under the care of Ms. Maria del EspirituSanto, strange things had happened.Ms. Espiritu had a special urn where the image was placed.But according to the townsfolk of Taal, Ms Espiritu found the urn emptyone day. But the next morning the image was back in the urn.</em><br />
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<em>This strange happening was repeated a number of times prompting, Ms.Espiritu to report the matter to the parish priest.To investigate the mysterious coming and going of the image, the priestdecided to have volunteers keep a vigil beside the urn.They sat and prayed, painstakingly waiting for the moment to happen. Thensuddenly they saw with their eyes the glorious image going out from theurn and coming back againThe priest decided that the villagers should light candles and follow theimage the next time it left from the urn.</em><br />
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<em>When the phenomenon again occurred the image led the faithful to Caysasay,the place it was originally found..The villagers concluded that it was the Lady's wish to stay in the riverof Pansipit. They built a chapel in honor of the image.The first miracle of the image happened in 1611 when a native girl wascured from blindness. </em><br />
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<em>An arch was soon built over the wells of the statue,and is now known as "Banal na Pook".The chapel was torn down and replaced by the coral stone structure in 1639. </em><br />
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<em>Recent miracles: <strong>Leony Martinez</strong>, a PIA employee, experienced an excruciating abdominal painthat when she urinated, blood came out.A devotee of the Our Lady of Casaysay, she took the miracle water ofCaysasay and wiped it on her abdomen. </em><br />
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<em>The blood stopped and the pain wasgone immediately. Cedee Buenafe, also an employee, took a picture of the image, thinking itwould make a pretty wall for her mobile phone. To her big surprise, thephoto that she took had two angels on both sides of Our Lady. She used itas a screen saver but two days later, the photo was deleted from hercellular phone.</em><br />
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<em>But the most bizarre was that of <strong>Girlie Duldulao</strong>, a PIA employee, who wasran over by speeding Pajero and another car.As the traffic stopped, people nearby had to carry the Pajero to getDuldulao out from the bottom of the vehicle.</em><br />
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<em>Those who saw the accident thought Duldulao was crushed to death, but shesurvived with only minor bruises, including a marking of the wheel on herlegs.Duldulao said later that the only thing she could recall was that all thewh ile she was thinking of the Virgin of Caysasay, while calling for Jesusas she utters "Lord, Oh Lord, Mama Mary!" seconds before the accident.</em><br />
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<em>The image of Our Lady of Casaysay was crowned at the Taal Basilica byCardinal Quiroga, representing Pope Pius XII on December 8, 1954.Until now miracles and healings by the image continue to take place.By tradition the image of the Our Lady of Casaysay visits homes, parishes,government offices as well as institutions to provide guidance andprotection for the people.<br />
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</em><em></em><em></em><em></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-13478387366435448272007-04-23T02:04:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:47:57.822+08:00Little Souls Convent and the Sacred Crucifix from Belgium (Tagaytay City, Philippines)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WrxQw8smOAAUu14IFKwOZJPCU2GkAseNXDHPTDUoRt1Rx67ZKBnngKVMm2HULTkKtyJT2msA-JtU00CWJR8yXYy0An_hKOp4ZtfcSPXfHeASGLF-zPaM_r1hrDvug27QIoa9/s1600-h/IMG_6790.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056468072916785730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WrxQw8smOAAUu14IFKwOZJPCU2GkAseNXDHPTDUoRt1Rx67ZKBnngKVMm2HULTkKtyJT2msA-JtU00CWJR8yXYy0An_hKOp4ZtfcSPXfHeASGLF-zPaM_r1hrDvug27QIoa9/s200/IMG_6790.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> I first heard about this convent in Tagaytay from Cynthia Sto. Domingo, a family friend. She says she visits the place every weekend since it is very peaceful and conducive to meditation.<br />
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She gave me a small bottle of holy oil from the place and told me it was dipped in a miraculous Cross which came from Belgium. There are only two such crosses and one was given to the Philippines.<br />
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When Bebeth and I brought our guest Ruben to Tagaytay yesterday, I suddenly remembered the place of the little souls. I opened my laptop and surfed for the address and tried to call their telephone but no one was answering.<br />
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We tried to looking for it anyway and after a wrong turn and asking a few more people we got to the place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sDGySUR04bfTQ_rSt6gL78mr9OnFi0q-6mzdHCQtKxbrMIymnrgAjeAf-9p9lvaQdjTSAXfe5PTicgKWa6Glol5O983O6uiooxTLHGETig7fb83E06LXsLbmPdUq5RgXdYnY/s1600-h/IMG_6791.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056466019922418226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sDGySUR04bfTQ_rSt6gL78mr9OnFi0q-6mzdHCQtKxbrMIymnrgAjeAf-9p9lvaQdjTSAXfe5PTicgKWa6Glol5O983O6uiooxTLHGETig7fb83E06LXsLbmPdUq5RgXdYnY/s200/IMG_6791.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
It was a big sprawling area with some some small buildings and a chapel. I liked the color, peach! The chapel is very much similar to the Pink Sisters convent with steel railings separating the pews from the altar.<br />
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After praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I went out and tried looking for someone to ask about the place. I met Janet who apparently helps in the store. I told her that Cynthia told me about this and to look for Sister Marie Rose. She said she is on break but will be calling her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhZ57uBTimsX0TwsGvnDVMopUafe2h28KA996aGw_fy0g6j74A0-TTwYJvBfkg2FZ_vROgjVt6oKe0TzNuWCDEwBxJmAxqS8yLcwARN8LahM-ZyGnUPayr_cBmzlW2Gk6hoaR/s1600-h/IMG_6798.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056316671024634370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhZ57uBTimsX0TwsGvnDVMopUafe2h28KA996aGw_fy0g6j74A0-TTwYJvBfkg2FZ_vROgjVt6oKe0TzNuWCDEwBxJmAxqS8yLcwARN8LahM-ZyGnUPayr_cBmzlW2Gk6hoaR/s200/IMG_6798.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
Took a photo of bebeth and ruben inside the chapel while waiting for sister.<br />
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Janet arrived and told us sister was already inside the store. We asked about the place and looked for the miraculous Cross. She said the man who just left, Luis Nepomuceno is the keeper of the Cross. He sometimes brings it to the convent but not often. I asked if he is the same person who owns the movie production outfit and she said yes.<br />
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She then showed us the holy oil which has cured many but she says it is not the oil nor the Cross which cures but your faith in the Lord. She also mentioned about Marguerite, the visionary based in Belgium who was the recepient of messages from Jesus. I asked where the story is written and she showed me a red book which looked very familiar. I said I think I saw that somewhere in my house but never got to read it. I purchased a new one and once I have read all of it will post a summary in my blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcCwfUvNq53XsJdHoMUFcyEdKURT3RhYjem7CRbpz_icEPp6FkrdJtD1ii-stpC7Oc2XYjLeJ4itUQDZJHoU-LKFt9YQYoDLTrzIv-xnX9546-MaoKHMhfjQDsgunWNWKJiDD/s1600-h/IMG_6795.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056464954770528802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcCwfUvNq53XsJdHoMUFcyEdKURT3RhYjem7CRbpz_icEPp6FkrdJtD1ii-stpC7Oc2XYjLeJ4itUQDZJHoU-LKFt9YQYoDLTrzIv-xnX9546-MaoKHMhfjQDsgunWNWKJiDD/s200/IMG_6795.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
Ruben and Bebeth asked Sister to have a photo with us but she said she will just give us copies of the Glow magazine where her photo is found. She didnt like herself photographed due to their simplicity vows.<br />
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Nevertheless, as always, I never take no for an answer, and took some shots without a flash so no one noticed :)<br />
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There is no price for the holy oil but just donations of at least 50 php so defray the cost of bottling. I got a couple of them to give to ailing friends and bought some stampitas and meditation leaflets. I noticed the tridium prayer to St. Joseph which looked exactly as the one I got in the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal and since there were only two left, I got both.<br />
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Let me quote what was written on the small pamphlet which went with the holy oil I got:<br />
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<em>The Sacred Crucifix</em><br />
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<em>The Sacred Crucific known to have healed countless faithful, is at the ocnvent of the Little Souls Sisters in Tagaytay City.</em><br />
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<em>Its origin is unknown, but it is said to have been made by a very holy person, a Monk perhaps, centuries ago. Only two of these rare Cruifixes are known to exist, and one of them was given in Chevremont, Belgium, to the Philippine Chapter of the Legion of Little Souls, the Catholic lay movement tasked with the mission of making Jesus better known and loved.</em><br />
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<em>The Crucifix has been immersed in very refined oil and blessed, providing the Holy Oil the same properties of the Crucifix.</em><br />
<em>May all who use this Holy Oil be healed with their faith in the boundless and Infinite love of the Merciful Heart of Jesus.</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1cy0R_gk9E7ByafOJ3wLNGkUyH0_Avg7c8ZQFEzrcXVTXwbLjRZ6CVtzKsho6NvN1F8TkCbk56oGSJjCJeQdvokHPnFjGOZ1rZAzOh-TTAEgqmuNE5VeWO9aUc5vxd-WFhUr/s1600-h/IMG_6796.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056317414053976594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1cy0R_gk9E7ByafOJ3wLNGkUyH0_Avg7c8ZQFEzrcXVTXwbLjRZ6CVtzKsho6NvN1F8TkCbk56oGSJjCJeQdvokHPnFjGOZ1rZAzOh-TTAEgqmuNE5VeWO9aUc5vxd-WFhUr/s200/IMG_6796.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
After our visit, we proceeded to the side of the chapel where we wrote our petitions.<br />
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The Little Souls Sisters Convent is in Maharlika West (mahogany avenue) 4120 Tagaytay, Philippines.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-2378151238287660282007-04-21T04:02:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:48:30.217+08:00Holy Blood of Jesus (Brugges, Belgium)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoD4wGECJt-XWUp6MW-7UK_rI2joDzbOL7BhZy_5PdhzpEVibw-vIEChwK-NxUx_1HnRCHXrh3vz6EU6vpzw80F1WrM1YZPDWWDZUppexgn0-CodveGr26RETQlP_MyqEoMvz/s1600-h/IMG_0968.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055881367499250146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoD4wGECJt-XWUp6MW-7UK_rI2joDzbOL7BhZy_5PdhzpEVibw-vIEChwK-NxUx_1HnRCHXrh3vz6EU6vpzw80F1WrM1YZPDWWDZUppexgn0-CodveGr26RETQlP_MyqEoMvz/s200/IMG_0968.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> When I was doing my european travel itinerary last year, I made sure Brugge (Belgium) will be part of it as I had heard that its a very pretty medieval place. While searching the internet, I suddenly chanced upon the Holy Blood of Jesus Relic said to be found in the city of Brugges.<br />
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I then vowed I must see this holy relic. I went on researching till I found out that the feast and the great procession will be held on Ascension day (May 25) which is the day I was arriving in Paris. I even sent an email to the parish priest, who never replied.<br />
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When I arrived in Paris, I was contemplating on taking a risk and ride a train to Brugges to make sure I will see the relic because I read that it is not always exposed to the public, only on certain days, except during the feast. I asked a friend in Nantes to go with me to Brugges but she couldnt that day. I was kinda worried because being a big feast I might not be able to get back to Paris at once with the crowd and the train schedule might be difficult. I prayed for enlightenment then decided I better wait for my friend Bebeth who was arriving the following day and just go on with our original schedule of going to Brugges the following week.<br />
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We reached Brugge train station very late almost midnight as we had to change trains in Paris and Brussels. We couldnt even find a cab to bring us to the hotel immediately so we reached the center past 1am (after travelling for almost a day coming from Lourdes).<br />
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The following day friday, we woke up still very tired but hurried fast to hear the only mass and hoping to catch a glimpse of the Relic. From my readings it is exposed only on fridays at a certain time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYA1tMTir4OBV6LbwuuTBSb0qt2peNCkvpD-x5Fiw_hPUJr8uRCWCLxYVA89s4pa_o9E-_12yismG1e3kKMjcDoQ-4ouUSeSkS7j2AvgSmLi3o4aQvRQVxmnIKIxQtJLcogJL/s1600-h/CIMG4561.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055635897233381842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYA1tMTir4OBV6LbwuuTBSb0qt2peNCkvpD-x5Fiw_hPUJr8uRCWCLxYVA89s4pa_o9E-_12yismG1e3kKMjcDoQ-4ouUSeSkS7j2AvgSmLi3o4aQvRQVxmnIKIxQtJLcogJL/s200/CIMG4561.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> When we reached the Upper chapel, the line going inside was long and I had to force my way through to be able to catch the start of the mass. When I luckily got in little did I know they shut the door and bebeth was left outside. Fortunately they opened again and she was able to catch the homily.<br />
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Since the chapel was so full, I went to the other end of the place just in front of the right altar pictured here.<br />
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I noticed later that there was a sign saying the Holy Relic is kept in this reliquary! I thanked the Lord for this grace. Although I then thought we wouldnt have the chance to see it anylonger at least I came so close to Him.<br />
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Right after the mass, I stayed on to pray. It was mighty hard and expensive to get here so I wanted some time to meditate.<br />
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It was the best decision I made for after a few minutes, when most of the people have gone, specially the tourists, a priest came out holding the relic of the Holy Blood!<br />
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I shed a tear and joined the line to kiss the holy receptacle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF7UZ6ko9H45uWwjfed7kxIuVHBm2kgvTAs9iejhfG6u-Qe2fdMb3uKzHJuoH7-VC73T43hecGa2MIr3mGReUxyoJc7CoNinn3C83VFYHAZLQHAih7Unu7MBL68uqnbXRm2SK/s1600-h/CIMG4574.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055614100274354626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJF7UZ6ko9H45uWwjfed7kxIuVHBm2kgvTAs9iejhfG6u-Qe2fdMb3uKzHJuoH7-VC73T43hecGa2MIr3mGReUxyoJc7CoNinn3C83VFYHAZLQHAih7Unu7MBL68uqnbXRm2SK/s200/CIMG4574.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> I was bold enough to use my camera as I know I may never have this chance again. Some photos are hazy since I put the camera on manual and didnt want to use the flash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGDpq1ex4GYHxtt5Ez9-lMxVV7P7-vrYqg7XZF91vVclAx-y785XepD1u8LTbHE3lB5gkis9uFkt0fe3f61MLFMiIwU5ygZUGN_eDh7DkJBaoM61Wiqa3B5RRDHexDbhqnWNX/s1600-h/CIMG4569.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055609642098301362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGDpq1ex4GYHxtt5Ez9-lMxVV7P7-vrYqg7XZF91vVclAx-y785XepD1u8LTbHE3lB5gkis9uFkt0fe3f61MLFMiIwU5ygZUGN_eDh7DkJBaoM61Wiqa3B5RRDHexDbhqnWNX/s200/CIMG4569.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Bebeth was able to take my photo kissing the relic. I really wanted to take a photo of the relic itself but I was to embarrassed. We were just a few left and all was quiet in the chapel.<br />
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Nevertheless I thought to myself, I must not feel shame or I might regret it. I went back to line up again and kiss but this time I asked the priest if I can take a photo. He nodded a bit and so......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPpg8lDEosslfGqPTRTDcOSPpkkVTvcHlFBFz2egtUY4UMTo0xkAFWOl1TPoEUpTX60yBN0wgHY1FIuhUUQqi2MP-3mnb2UiF3NDcxCbrGOnVA6whD624UXcbJlM08i3WjCkk/s1600-h/CIMG4573.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055606712930605474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPpg8lDEosslfGqPTRTDcOSPpkkVTvcHlFBFz2egtUY4UMTo0xkAFWOl1TPoEUpTX60yBN0wgHY1FIuhUUQqi2MP-3mnb2UiF3NDcxCbrGOnVA6whD624UXcbJlM08i3WjCkk/s200/CIMG4573.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> voila! here is my one and only clear photo of the Relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus.<br />
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According to tradition, the Count of Flanders brought the relic from Jerusalem. He then built a chapel at the Brug square where the relic is now housed.<br />
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It is believed that this blood came from that which gushed when Longinus pierced the side of Jesus with a spear. By the way, in my previous visit to Vienna, I was able to see what was believed to be the spear of Longinus now kept in a Hapsburg museum.<br />
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The great procession of the Holy Blood held each feast of Ascencion starts at 3pm. This includes an unfolding drama of the Old Testament and New Testament with colorfully costumed actors. It culminates with the Veneration of the Relic. This year, 2007, the feast will be held on May 17.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-36974139131458781412007-04-16T04:42:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:52:20.564+08:00Lourdes, France<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgAZL0dzV6yD1COXYYGFkx4RW7kGqBolhR6xnv4V997t_463Zhd9WndDW2SCJM5eQ3rDFSBIMxx5oZl02sEr4QM8-MJyBNxKCZY4jHmsQKvbbC6mDI0K9xlS9wC694EKaKmPL/s1600-h/IMG_0769.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053760035017294738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgAZL0dzV6yD1COXYYGFkx4RW7kGqBolhR6xnv4V997t_463Zhd9WndDW2SCJM5eQ3rDFSBIMxx5oZl02sEr4QM8-MJyBNxKCZY4jHmsQKvbbC6mDI0K9xlS9wC694EKaKmPL/s200/IMG_0769.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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This shrine and specially Our Lady will always have a special place in my heart. The first time I visited Lourdes was more than 20 yrs ago with my late parents.<br />
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I attended all the services from Blessing of the Sick to Torch Procession but I got scared to go with them and actually dip on the Baths.<br />
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Later on I regretted it.<br />
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I didnt know that when we were in Rome, as we were guests of an Archbishop, dad didnt feel well. He saw some blood in his urine.<br />
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We only got to know about this when he related to us the miracle he experienced after he bathed in Lourdes. He was almost in tears as he related how the Blessed Mother interceded in his healing. I said then to myself maybe I had so little faith. I prayed to the Lord and Mama Mary to grant me another opportunity to visit that holy place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhad_0mNpFsZbdHDmEol0XOAZNA0UtycJXE9IePcwZ2FGF1QP5wUcfk0IdL-rWBFswvvWltCrTdX7DBZ93KPVN68m2s1jo9l15CwWoyZpwIfM8vuCpa_ZVfTSzIJKaItzdhTj/s1600-h/IMG_0784.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053764166775833506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhad_0mNpFsZbdHDmEol0XOAZNA0UtycJXE9IePcwZ2FGF1QP5wUcfk0IdL-rWBFswvvWltCrTdX7DBZ93KPVN68m2s1jo9l15CwWoyZpwIfM8vuCpa_ZVfTSzIJKaItzdhTj/s200/IMG_0784.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> She answered my prayers and I didn't come back only once but perhaps a dozen more times. In my last trip to France the other year, I made sure I will pass by Lourdes even if it meant going out of the way.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: 85%;">"place where Bernadette prayed on Feb 1858"</span></em></strong><br />
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She has also granted me miracles during my visit. After a couple of times of pilgrimage in Lourdes, I seem to have always developed fever and tonsilitis. Despite this, I vowed to still dip in the holy water and each time I felt well. I never had to take medication again. I knew it was a test and of course I had the option not to do it. Being there was enough and even drinking the water but I told her that I will always bathe, pray at the grotto, attend the major services including the sacrament of reconcilitation whenever I get the chance to visit.<br />
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It is a long way and quite expensive. Being there each time though, I consider a great blessing specially if you see the large number of sick people, who can hardly walk, nor move but who show so much faith in the Virgin Mary that they trekked from far places hoping for that miracle.<br />
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The miracle may not necessarily be in the form of physical healing - it maybe something spiritual and more profoundAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1140331552634784232006-02-19T14:31:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:48:56.447+08:00Langob Shrine - Guadalupe Cave (Cebu City, Philippines)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3907.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3907.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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A friend of mine kept telling me about the miraculous cave at Guadalupe in Cebu City. I had been only to the Guadalupe Church but never knew about a cave. Even my friends from cebu city have never been there. She also mentioned that its a long walk from the church to the cave.<br />
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I guess we were lucky and God has been too kind that on the day we visited, a road has already been built (although muddy and rocky) which takes you straight to where the miraculous cave of Our Lady of Guadalupe.<br />
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When we arrived late afternoon from Carcar, a mass was ongoing.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3906.0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3906.0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
There were two images on the altar, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Christ crucified.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3933.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3933.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3932.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3932.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<em>"In this cave was found the image of Our Lady, a replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe enshrined in Merida, Estramadura, Spain. This image was brought by the first spanish missionaries in the 1th century. (The novena pamphlet mentions that the image is believed to be brought by Magellan to the Philippines with the Sto. Nino and the Holy Face).</em><br />
<em>Hispano-Filipino conflicts forced the natives to hide the image in this cave. A native of Kalunasan, Berto Minoza, a trapper of wild chicken found the image accidentally. The image was brought to San Nicolas church which was the parish where the Banawan, now known as Barangay Guadalupe belonged. (Cannot read the exact number of years) Several years after, the image was placed in a chapel situated in the site where the present Guadalupe church is now located."</em><br />
I was not able to capture the last paragraph unfortunately but based on the letter from Cardinal Vidal posted at the entrance of the cave, it mentions that in 1902, a plague struck the city of Cebu. The archbishop ordered that the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe be carried in procession on July 16, 1902 in order to pray for Mary's intercession.<br />
<em>"The plague ceased the very day of the procession manifesting the efficacy of Mary's intercessory power".</em><br />
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At the center of the cave is the statue of Our Lady with a yellow mantle on the alter. People line up after mass to be able to take their turn and cover their head with this mantle for a brief prayer moment.<br />
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Dhangs turn to cover her head with Our Lady's mantle as she prays for special intentions.<br />
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Water dripping from the side of the cave near the image of Our lady. Believed to be holy as it comes from inside the miraculous cave.<br />
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Tess and Dhang writes their petitions after our prayers inside the cave.<br />
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Copy of the Decree signed by Cardinal Vidal, Declaring 2002 as The Year of Grace for Our Lady Guadalupe Church and Cave in honor of its 100th anniversary.<br />
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image of Our Lady of Guadalupe covering Juan Diego's head with her miraculous mantle.<br />
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and that was the end of our one day pilgrimage to three marian shrines in cebu. It was made possible and convenient because a good friend Wilson Ng lent us his van.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3935.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3935.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1139903496380933552006-02-14T15:35:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:50:29.994+08:00Theotokos Shrine (Carcar, Cebu, Philippines)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3838.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3838.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Right after our three hour visit at the Marian Monks place in Sibonga, we just took a quick lunch and proceeded to Carcar to find the so called pilgrim place.<br />
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Upon inquiry from passers by, we were led to the Theotokos shrine, a wide open space, peaceful and serene.<br />
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There were few wooden structures inside the vast expanse such as the small retreat place shown above or the open chapel pictured below.<br />
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The open chapel seemed to be at the center of the whole area. The whole place is conducive to meditation as the sign below shows " This is a place for meditation, please observe silence'<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3839.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3839.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Within the open chapel is a smaller chapel which contains the Theotoks icon (Greek word meaning Mother of God). <br />
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When we first entered the tiny chapel, some workers were cleaning the brass altar with calamansi. That was a new learning for us, a cheaper way to clean brass. Notice the sign right below the image "Do not touch her, she will touch you".<br />
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Going back outside, one sees a gigantic image of Our Lady of Fatima together with the three visionaries.<br />
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The place is very ideal for it overlooks the vast ocean in front and the mountains at the back. The photo below shows me and tess beside the two visionaries with the lush greeneries and the blue ocean at our back.<br />
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I learned that the founder of this shrine is Fr. John Rona so I looked for him so I can ask the history of the place. The people at the rectory said he was resting for a large group of pilgrims will be coming over. I pleaded to them if it is possible for him to see us for we came all the way from Manila. A few minutes later he came out.<br />
Fr. John was very kind and generous enough to give us his time. He led us to the open chapel so we can sit while he related how touched he was when the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima came to the Philippines that one day, he and his brother went to Cardinal Vidal to help search for a land where he can propagate the Perpetual Dawn Rosary (PDR). The Cardinal approved his request and suggested two areas - one was expensive and the other lot had lots of squatters in it. He prayed a lot over this and one day he received a call from the Charismatic Center of St Rosario Parish in Cebu.<br />
The person who called told him that in her vision she saw the land that Mama Mary wants for him, and that is at the present Perrelos Hill in Carcar! Several other people dreamt of the same vision and in 1992 the owner of that Perrelos property agreed to sell the lot for an amazing low price of 5 pesos per sq.meter. Our Mother wanted a shrine and wanted it quicly.<br />
When the construction of the site was ongoing, a farmer found something unusual. His plow struck an unusual object right at the back where the statue of Our Lady of Fatima now stands. What it was, was a fifteenth centry antique base for a monstrance on which one side bears the monogram AM, Ave Maria like the AM of the Miraculous Medal and on the opposite side of the base, an ancient form of the cross which used to be imprinted on the big host for consecration.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/monstrance.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/monstrance.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> <br />
After more than half an hour of relating the history of the place and other spiritual experiences including all their challenges, I got a call from Ditz, a former officemate who told me about the place. She mentioned that they were just a few mins away from Theotokos so I immediately asked Fr John if he could say mass now for us. Earlier while he was starting to relate his story, I requested him to say mass for us being a first saturday and we will no longer be able to hear mass when we get back. He asked how many we are and I said only three but we can ask the people around who are also visiting to join us.<br />
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we invited some pilgrims who were walking around the area to join the mass................<br />
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I read the Word of the Lord and Responsorial Psalm...........<br />
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and Tessie acted as the server..........<br />
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During the mass, it rained hard. I thought it was blessing from the Lord and Mama Mary. Much later, Dhang said it was a way for the large throngs of pilgrim to be delayed in getting to the chapel till our Mass has ended.<br />
Right after mass, true enough, the sun shown once more. We asked Fr John to bless the religious stuff we bought earlier from the shrine store.<br />
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Right below the chapel one can find steps going to the Blessed sacrament.<br />
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One could stay in the Eucharistic adoration chapel all day. Besides being so peaceful, one is blessed with a lovely site from nature all around. See the scenery from one window below.<br />
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And this is me barefooted beside the blessed sacrament.....<br />
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When we went up again to the chapel, the large group of pilgrims were already seated listening to Fr. John.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3890.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3890.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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We also waved goodbye to mama mary and the three visionaries praying that one day we can visit again and this time attend the dawn rosary and mass.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3903.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3903.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>On Sept 9, 1992, Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu blessed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima under the title of Theotokos and four years later, declared it a Diocesan Shrine. Permission was also granted to celebrate a Dawn Mass every 13th of the month.<br />
As the Cardinal blessed the 20 foot statue of Our Lady, suddenly the 'dancing sun' happened for the first time. This was to repeat itself for the next five months. <br />
The sun danced across the sky, changing colors and shapes. To Fr. Tito Giron SVD, the sun took the shape of a monstance.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/dancesun1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/dancesun1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> <br />
Every month, Priests come to hear confessions on relays starting at 9pm on the 12th of the month until 4am on the 13th of the month and it continues today. Priests come and stay at their posts of confessions regardless of the weather which many times is wet. And it was the sincere confessions of people, some of who have been away from the Church for 25 years and more, that continues to draw these Priests - wanting to participate in these conversions.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3905.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3905.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1139724463559669602006-02-12T13:02:00.001+08:002010-04-02T13:53:13.855+08:00Mama Mary Sheds Tears, Monastery of the Holy Eucharist (Sibonga, Cebu City Philippines)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3764.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3764.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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Last Feb 2, Tess, Dhang and I flew to Cebu City to visit a dear friend who is suffering from cancer. The following day, a first friday we heard mass at Ayala Center and met another friend, Ditz, a former officemate who mentioned that they were attending a marian pilgrimage going to Carcar and Sibonga where the crying madonna was located. I immediately decided that we must visit those places, besides the miraculous Guadalupe cave which was originally in our plan.<br />
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Everything fell into place when another friend in the industry offered his car for our use! I believe this is mama mary's gift to us for our experience that day was truly enriching.<br />
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First stop as suggested by Ditz's husband was Sibonga so that if we were early enough we can witness the monks' vespers.<br />
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Of course we couldnt leave that early so we were not able to catch their early prayers. When we reached Lindogan in Samala which is part of the region of Sibonga, we passed through some mud road till we got into a the place of prayer. They are still reconstructing the chapel, the path and even the giant statue of Our Lady of Fatima just at the entrance.<br />
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Below is a marker placed last 2004 to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary whose intercession was sought in a Penitential Rosary Walk to protect the place from a plague which took lives of infants and children. It was placed also during the 8th anniversary of the monks arrival in Lindogan, Samala (Sibongan).<br />
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Below is the photo of the pathway one has to trekk after the parking lot.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3726.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3726.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/CIMG3732.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/CIMG3732.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>As you ascend the steps on the side of the above photo, a cherub welcomes you with the sign below "Sacred place please respect".<br />
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Inside the chapel with Mitos. It is still being renovated.<br />
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Upon entry to the chapel, we went to the leftmost side where you are supposed to leave your shoes and walk barefoot. You will immediately notice the various marian statues.<br />
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At the end of the marian statues, is a photo of the Crying Madonna. Her heavily beaded white veil which she wore when tears flowed from her face is on top of the altar. Devotees line up and take turns in wearing the veil while praying to our Mother.<br />
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On the sides of the walls are various photos of the Blessed Mother, when the congregraation witnessed some of miraculous events, such was below, when a laceration appeared on her forehead.....<br />
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and when it disappeared..........<br />
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the sudden drops of tears on her face while a group of pilgrims were praying the rosary the afternoon of Dec 29, 1998....<br />
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her sudden shedding of tears and changing of facial occurence from clear white to brownish black (before her coronation). Perhaps Our lady is telling us that she is not only Our Lady of Fatima (which is honored in the chapel) but also Our Lady of Montserrat (Spain) or Our Lady of Czestochowa (Poland) both black madonnas.<br />
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These are just some of the wheelchairs and wooden aides given by those who got healed because of Our Lady's intercession. Many written testimonials from various patients including serious cancer patients adorn the walls of the chapel.<br />
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Before exiting the chapel, beside the religious store one can have masses said for their loved ones. Photo below shows one of the monks and tessie. I had masses said for various intentions and since I told the monk we have a seroiusly ill friend back in cebu city as well as the fact that we came all the way from manila, he gave me a stampita with a pressed rose plus a small pack of dried rose - with the following instructions. 3 petals on olive oil, which can be used to apply to the sick, and seven petals in water which the sick can drink plus prayers.<br />
For the sick who can go on pilgrimae, he suggests bringing some clothes and they will put this under the statue of Mama Mary for three days while they pray for the recovery.<br />
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Outside there is a path to do Stations of the Cross but we no longer had time to pray this for we still had two other pilgrim sites to visit.<br />
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Most important though which we cant afford not to visit, is the Blessed Sacrament. The Monks are keepers of the blessed sacrament, so as a fitting end to our pilgrimage we went to the main chapel housing this. (photo below)<br />
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Since the miracles were not yet approved by the church, they had no printed pamphlets regarding stories surrounding the various apparitions and healings. I was able to get hold of a newspaper given by the monk (my persistence paid off) and will quote some parts here.<br />
This came from the newspaper "Freeman", featured frontpage and the author is he business editor, Maripal San Diego - "I saw Mama Mary Shed Tears"<br />
<em>"Together with a crowd of more than 500 people, I saw the statue of Our Lady of Fatima shed tears for more than 30 mins at the shrine of the Marian Brothers of the Eucharistic Adoration (MBEA) in the afternoon of Sept 8, her supposed birthday at Lindogan, Simala, Sibonga.</em><br />
<em>The MBEA, is popularly known as the Blue Brothers due to their colored habits. ...The Marian celebration started with a song......One of those who made a verbal testimony of what he saw in 1998 was Cris Sedoriosa, a lay missionary of the Alliance of Two Hearts.</em><br />
<em>Right after the testimonies, a birthday song was sang then the ritual of changing her dress with a new one followed.</em><br />
<em>Just a few seconds after the donated new dress was placed on her, I saw the statue shed tears. Everyone was stunned.</em><br />
<em>I was one of those who rushed to tha makeshift alter with my eight year old son in tow, and went to as close as I could which was about three feet away. Up close, I did see tears trickling down her cheeks and even down on her nose and chin.....</em><br />
<em>All the time, we were all watching her tear-sticken face, as the line moved slowly. All sorts of interpretations of her weeping was said aloud. Those are tears of sadness, said one. No those are tears of joy because we are here to greet her, said the others.</em><br />
<em>Then I saw her face change to that of a very old woman, with more wrinkes than the elderly people I know.</em><br />
<em>Although the shrine was lighted by several bright bulbs, a voice among the stnned crowd asked for anyone with a flashlight to focus it on her Her changed face. A flashlight turned up and this showed a wrinked, shrunken face of an old woman.</em><br />
<em>Ten mins later, the second time when the flashlight was focused on Her weeping face, it turned back to its beatiful and youthful look.......</em><br />
<em>The statue was supposedly acquired by he Blue Brothers from a factory in Pampanga fro free since this was a reject, meaning it did not pass its quality control. It is made of fiber glass.</em><br />
<em>In an interview with Dr Jesus Juario, scientist and Dean of the UP Cebu College, he said that for a fiber glass to produce water or trickling water is scientifically impossible.</em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 130%;">""This is not possible scientifically. Moreso when you said that it was raining early in the afternoon and drizzling in the morning. There was no humidity then that could possibly cause that. But with my expeirence with fiber glass, this occurence could not be explained"".</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1139510915143720872006-02-10T01:29:00.000+08:002007-04-16T03:23:10.637+08:00Our Lady of La Salette (France)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/lasalettesnowmaan1.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/lasalettesnowmaan1.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> We trekked the road which Napoleon took when he marched from Elba to Grenoble to overthrow Louis the 18th, but stopped at Corps, a small quiet village for it was the nearest place the the La Salette Sanctuary with lodging.<br /><br />La Sallette is located up the mountains 15 km from Corps. Our bus tried going up the steep climb, passing through narrow wooded roads till it reached a basilica of sienna and grey stones.<br /><br />At an altitude of 1,800 meters, our bus stopped a few meters away from the Blessed Virgin's statue outside the church for the snow was almost waist high as you can see from some of the photos. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/lasalettegroup1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/lasalettegroup1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The group photo shows my dad, Lolo Dick and wife (Justice Puno) and the Geraldez couple. Another photo below shows my late mom on another trip this time her photo shows the back of the Virgin Mary with the visionaries.<br /><br />During my visit, the only visible statue was that of Our Lady, all the rest were covered with snow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Story of The Apparition</strong><br /><br />At La Salette, France, September 19, 1846, sixteen years after the Marian apparition in <a href="http://www.apparitions.org/rue_du_bac.html">Rue du Bac, Paris</a>, and twelve years before the famous appearances of Mary in <a href="http://www.apparitions.org/lourdes.html">Lourdes</a>, France the Virgin Mary appeared to two children, Maximin Giraud and Melanie Mathieu, and gave them an explanation of future world events. This was kept secret for a time, then later it was allowed to be revealed to all through publication. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/lasalettespc.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/lasalettespc.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/lasalettemom10002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/lasalettemom10002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The secrets given to the two children are very different. Some parts of the secrets are given in a veiled manner, so that one cannot understand without faith nor without some time, effort and thought. The arrogant will not be able to understand or to believe, for Holy Scripture says, God “teaches the humble his way.”<br /><br />"She warned of a coming famine, but that before the food shortage, many of the young children of the area would die of a serious disease. She said, 'If you do not convert, I am unable to hold back the hand of God.' Our Blessed Mother, in one famous version of the so-called "secret of LaSalette," revealed that 'Lucifer was unleashed in 1864. The Church would be severely attacked and the monster [communism] would be unleashed at the end of the Nineteenth or beginning of the Twentieth Century. Rome will lose faith and become the seat of Antichrist, and the Church will be in eclipse. Many chastisements are predicted, the Antichrist will be defeated, fire will purge the earth and consume all the work of men's pride, and all will be renewed.' She called upon 'the children of light, the few who can see, the true disciples of the living God, the true followers of Christ, the faithful of the last days to come out and fill the world with light. For now is the time of all times, the end of all ends.' <a name="ch">La Salette was approved by the Church in 1851</a>.<br /><a name="top">---<a href="http://www.maxkol.org/">Thunder of Justice</a>, pgs. 22-23<br /><br /><strong>Significance of the Messages</strong><br /><br />The warning from La Salette is</a> "seldom mentioned....Its message has been overlooked to the present day, partly because after the apparition several different versions of the secret were circulated and determining the authentic message was difficult. The version from which we quote here, is generally believed to be the most authentic and is awe-inspiring in its prophetic and predictive power. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/lasalettechruchpc.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/lasalettechruchpc.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The message was not only for France but for the Church and the whole world. The message tells of future world events in great detail; it has great relevance for our times. The message is stated in its entirety because of its importance in our day. The apostasy we are now living was all foretold at La Salette. The message at La Salette helps explain why the devil has so much dominion and power in our world today, although Mary says he is now losing power."<br /><a name="top">---<a href="http://www.maxkol.org/">Thunder of Justice</a>, pg. 111Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1139292514144796332006-02-07T13:46:00.000+08:002007-04-16T03:30:21.866+08:00Virgin of the Poor, Apparition of Our Lady at Banneaux (Belgium)<p align="center"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/source1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">From the 15th of January till the 2nd of March 1933, Our Lady appeared to Mariette BECO eigth times, calling herself the VIRGIN OF THE POOR.</p><p align="justify">In 1933, The Blessed Mother appeared to an 11 year old child, Mariette Beco in Banneux, Belgium. Mariette comes from a poor family and is the eldest of seven chidlren. She lives with her family in a swampy place just over a mile from the church.</p><p align="justify">It was raining and freezing cold when I and my parents first visited this place (as you can see from the photos).</p><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/banneuxchapelinside.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/banneuxchapelinside.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>The Apparitions<br /></strong><br />On the evening of Sunday 15 January, 1933, at about seven o'clock Mariette's 10-year-old brother Julien was late coming home for supper. She knelt on a bench by the front window to keep watch for him.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/banneuxchapeloutside.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/banneuxchapeloutside.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Suddenly, she noticed a lovely lady surrounded in light with a motherly smile. The lady was dressed in a dazzlingly white gown with a blue sash. Covering her head and shoulders, she had a veil as white as the dress. The right foot of the lady was slightly exposed showing a beautiful golden rose. Hung on her right arm was a rosary with a brilliance of diamonds with gold chain.<br />Mariette thought the oil lamp was reflecting on the window causing the image, yet upon moving the lamp the lady remained. After repeated attempts to call her mother to take a look, Mrs. Beco did see something though not as clearly as did Mariette.<br /><br /><br />The second apparition took place three days later. Kneeling in the cold frigid night air, Mariette said a rosary. The lady stood on a cloud just a few feet away from Mariette. The lady lead Mariette till Mariette fell on her knees on the side of a ditch, were a previously unknown spring was found.<br /><br /><br />The lady spoke, "Place your hand in the spring." Mariette did as she was instructed. Speaking aloud Mariette shouted, "This stream is reserved for me." After this the lady disappeared.<br />Mr. Beco and two sons' had follow Mariette that evening. They witnessed the unusual actions of Mariette and wondered why Mariette kept repeating over and over, "The spring is reserved for me."<br /><br /><br />The next apparition took place the follow night and Mariette was followed this evening by several observers. During this apparition Mariette ask the beautiful lady, "Who are you?" The lady surrounded in light replied, "I am the Virgin of the Poor."<br /><br /><br />Mariette asked why the spring was for Her. The Virgin of the Poor told Mariette that the spring was to relieve the sick of all nations. Soon after the Virgin of the Poor disappeared once again.<br />Other visitations were to occur, 11 in all. On the visitation of Friday January 20th, witnesses heard Mariette say, "What do you wish my beautiful Lady?" The reply received was, "I would like a small Chapel."<br /><br />The last visitation took place on the evening of March 2, 1933. The Lady exclaimed, "I am the Mother of the Savior, M<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/1600/banneuxmomdad.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6371/437/320/banneuxmomdad.jpg" border="0" /></a>other of God. Pray much."<br /><br />Banneux was investigated from 1935 until 1937 by an Episcopal commission, after which the evidence collected was submitted to Rome. Meanwhile growing numbers of pilgrims came to the shrine.<br /><br />The Apparitions and the Message were declared authentic by Mgr. KERKHOFS, Bishop of Liège, on the 22nd of August 1949.<br /><br />Like the children at Beauraing, Mariette married and had a family, being, like them, content to remain in the background.<br /><br />A small chapel stands where the Virgin of the Poor requested this to be built.<br /><br />-------<br /><br /><strong>Litany - Our Lady of Banneaux, Virgin of the Poor</strong><br /><br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Lead us to Jesus,<br />Source of grace. Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Save all nations.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Relieve the sick.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Alleviate suffering.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Pray for each one of us.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, We believe in thee.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Believe in us.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, We will pray hard.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Bless us.<br />Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Saviour,<br />Mother of God, We thank thee.<br /><br />Let Us Pray:<br /><br />Our Lady of Banneux, Mother of Our Saviour, Mother of God, Virgin of the Poor, since thou hast promised to believe in us if we believe in thee, I put all my trust in thee. Deign to listen to the prayers that thou hast asked be addressed to thee; have pity on all our spiritual and temporal miseries. Restore to sinners the treasure of Faith, and give to the poor their daily bread. Deign to relieve suffering, to heal the sick and to pray for us, so that thus through thy intercession, the reign of Christ the King may extend over all nations.<br /><br />R. Amen.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21984613.post-1139157909986802952006-02-06T00:19:00.000+08:002006-02-07T00:46:22.706+08:00My New Religious BlogI decided to create a different blog site for all my religious experiences, trips and ramblings ergo the birth of Maan's Pilgirm site.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885287556715117851noreply@blogger.com0