Mirroring Holiness

Bishop Dinualdo’s main focus in his homily on the feast of St. Claire, Foundress of the Poor Ladies, later Poor Clares, on 11 August 2011 at the Poor Clares Monastery, Polomolok,South Cotabatois “mirroring holiness”.

St.Clare’s advice: “Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory!  And transform your entire being into the image of the God itself through contemplation.”

Everyday we look at the mirror.  Study our reflection.  Does it reflect Jesus’ humility, poverty, chastity, obedience and love, specially for the poor?

Chiara was born on 16 July 1194; died 11 August 1253; and canonized by Alexander IV on 15 August 1255.  Her father Favorino Scifi was Count of Sasso – Rosso; mother, Blessed Ortolana, came from the noble family at Fiumi.

Her mission: restoration of discipline in the Church, of morals and of civilization.

Eleven priests – Capuchins, Passionist and diocesan – concelebrated mass.

 Congratulations Poor Clare Nuns!

Deepening Our Relationship with the Lord

Fifty-five (55) priests (43 diocesan, 8 CP, 4 OP) attended the recollection held on December 13-14, 2010 at St. Francis of Assisi Retreat House, Baluan, General Santos City.

Fr. Honorato Castigador, OP, Rector, Colegio de San Juan in Calamba, Laguna, facilitated it.

Topic: “Deepening Our Relationship with the Lord”.

Two ways of deepening: (1) growing in holiness; and (2) always grateful to God.

1. Growing in holiness is a big challenge in a desacralized society. Distractions, modern technologies are obstacles unless properly managed.

Holy people are happy people. Christianity is a religion of joy.

St. Philip Neri, they say, is the happiest saint. St. Dominic is the second.

Wealth does not guarantee happiness. Japan, a wealthy nation, has many suicides.

Happiness is the result of holiness.

2. A grateful heart is a happy heart. St. Paul says “what do we have that we have not received?”

Our priesthood is a gift from God. For this we thank God. When we appreciate our priesthood, we appreciate everything that flows from it.

One of the thing that flows from our priesthood is celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom. Celibacy is a gift to be appreciated, treasured and zealously guarded.

Appreciating our priesthood is a continuing endeavor. Such appreciation is nourished by constant communication with the Lord. We are one with the Lord in prayer and holy communion.

Constant prayer and devout reception of the sacraments as well as relating with others, specially the needy, in love are creative powers to deepen our intimacy with God.