November 2022

Saint John Berchmans

Saint John Berchmans was born on March 13, 1599. He is the eldest among five children and their father was a shoemaker.

He wanted to join the Society of Jesus but many people were opposed to this. People, including his father, dissuaded him from pursuing this path. However, in 1616, he still entered the Jesuit novitiate. Two years later, 1618, he was able to make his first vows. In 1621, Berchmans was selected to participate in a discussion at a Greek College. While he was there, he fell ill.

He passed away on August 13, 1621. A large crowd gathered to view his remains for days.

Sources:

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=454

Saint John Berchmans Read More »

Kabkaban Festival

Philippine Regional Festival

Kabkaban Festival is celebrated in Carcar, Cebu every November 24-25. It is both a religious festival in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the town’s patroness, and a cultural exhibit of the town’s history. There is a parade and street dancing that showcases the local art and culture.

Another unique thing about Kabkaban Festival is that the dances performed during the celebration are believed to drive away evil spirits. The name of the festival, ‘Kabkaban’, actually came from a grass that grows in the city and is used as an instrument to remove bad luck and negative spirits. They perform ritual dances to remove bad spirits and attract good and positive energy into the city.

Sources:

https://www.travelingcebu.com/kabkaban-festival.html#:~:text=Kabkaban%20Festival%20is%20an%20interesting,bad%20spirits%20in%20the%20surroundings.

https://thehappytrip.com/2014/10/festivals-in-the-philippines-for-november/

Kabkaban Festival Read More »

Hebrews 11:6

Daily Reflections, Verse

Verse:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6

Prayer For Joy and Laughter

Light in the Darkness, thank You for loving me. Please bring Your light into my soul and bless me with laughter. Everything around me proves I am empty of happy emotions, and I want that to change. My negative thoughts and gloomy moods have gotten the best of me, and I am longing for joy once again. I ask that You flood my heart with joyous peace, so I can remember what it feels like to smile. May my mind fill up with the joy of Heaven and let laughter continuously spring from my mouth. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Source:

Original version of the prayer: https://connectusfund.org/10-powerful-prayers-for-joy

Hebrews 11:6 Read More »

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Daily Saints

Saint Catherine of Alexandria is part of a group of Catholic saints, known as the Fourteen Holy Helpers, who are venerated for their power of intercession.

She was believed to have come from nobility, a princess even. It was believed that she was able to convert hundreds of people. In addition, she protested the persecution of Christians under the rule of emperor Maxentius. She was also a noted scholar who was able to defeat the scholars sent by the emperor to oppose her.

However, at the early age of 18, she was martyred. The well-known Joan of Arc claimed that Saint Catherine was one of the voices that spoke to her and counselled her.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Catherine-of-Alexandria

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6168

Saint Catherine of Alexandria Read More »

2 Chronicles 30:9b

Daily Reflections, Verse

Verse:

“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”- 2 Chronicles 30:9b

Prayer For A Lost Lamb

Most gracious Lord Jesus, only in You is redemption and forgiveness of sins. Please enlighten Your lost lamb to see the truth. Flood his/her heart with light so that he/she can understand the confident hope You have given to Your holy people. Bring him/her to conversion so they might share in Your rich and glorious inheritance. May he/she grow in the knowledge of You, with wisdom and insight, being made full and complete in Your body, the Holy Catholic Church. Amen.

Sources:

https://connectusfund.org/6-good-prayers-for-conversion-to-catholicism#:~:text=Heavenly%20Father%2C%20in%20the%20name,us%2C%20I%20trust%20in%20You.

2 Chronicles 30:9b Read More »

Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz

Daily Saints

Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz, originally named as Phạm Hiếu Liêm, was a Vietnamese martyr. He was born to Vietnamese parents who were members of nobility.

His name, Vincent, was given to him after he was baptized. He was later brought to a missionary center by his parents to to learn catechism. Later on, he studied in the Philippines under a scholarship. He studied in Letran and finished a degree of lector of humanities. He entered the Dominican order after completing his studies and in 1758, he was ordained as a priest under the Dominican order. In 1759, he went back to his homeland.

He was appointed as a professor in Trung Linh seminary. However, in 1773, he was arrested along with his assistants. It was during this period that Catholics were being persecuted. Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz along another Dominican priest, Jacinto Castañeda, was given a verdict of beheading.

Sources:

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1996

https://letranbataan.edu.ph/Home/Saints

Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz Read More »

Higantes Festival

Philippine Events, Philippine Regional Festival

Higantes (also spelled ‘Gigantes’) Festival is one of the most well-known festivals in the Philippines. It is a celebration of thanksgiving to the municipality’s patron saint, Saint Clement.

The festival is famous for the giant papier mache effigies being paraded during the procession of the statue of San Clemente. The locals join in the procession as well wearing wooden shoes and their costumes.

The celebration is actually based on a folklore from Angono with the giant (higante) symbolizing the agrarian protest that occurred during Spanish colonization.

Sources:

https://www.rizalprovince.ph/pages/tourism-festival.html

https://thehappytrip.com/2019/03/higantes-festival-angono-rizal/

https://www.tpb.gov.ph/?sfid=80726&_sft_event_type=calendar-of-philippine-festivals-and-monthly-observances-theme&_sfm_month_all_year_round_event=11

Higantes Festival Read More »

Psalm 9:2

Daily Reflections, Verse

Verse:

“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” - Psalm 9:2

Prayer To Ask For The Spirit

Dear God, how I long for the joy of Your Spirit. I have sought happiness according to the world. I have chased what they promised would bring me joy and happiness. I have purchased fine things and traveled to far-away places. But all of this is vanity. All of this will perish, but You alone are eternal. Only You can fill the void in our hearts. Help us to rest in Your arms. Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://connectusfund.org/15-uplifting-prayers-for-happiness

Psalm 9:2 Read More »

Saint Alexander Nevsky

Daily Saints

Saint Alexander Nevsky, born as Aleksandr Yaroslavich, was the prince of Novgorod and Kiev as well as the grand prince of Vladimir. He was the son of the grand prince of Vladimir and was elected as the prince of Novgorod in 1236. Three years later, 1939, he got married to the daughter of the Prince of Polotsk.

During his reign, he was able to defeat the Swedes, the Lithuanians and the Finnic people. He has also quelled multiple rebellions against Vassily and the Mongols. His good relations with the Golden Horde was said to have been an advantage and protected Russia from ravages.

Saint Alexander Nevsky died in 1263. In 1381, he was elevated to the status of a local saint and was later on canonized in 1547.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Alexander-Nevsky

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=962

Saint Alexander Nevsky Read More »

James 1:3

Daily Reflections, Verse

Verse:

“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” - James 1:3

Prayer For Perseverance and Peace in Times of Need Prayer

Lord, You infuse us with the inner strength we need. By Your power, we are able to endure all things. By trusting in Your Word, and by striving to live as you have commanded, we learn peace and contentment in every circumstance. We find satisfaction whether there is abundance or scarcity. When life is rough and we are financially in need, teach us to trust and persevere through these tough times with our eyes looking to you for direction. May we feel the fullness of Your presence dwell in us as we wait on You to see us through financial hardships. Amen.

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://connectusfund.org/25-powerful-prayers-for-perseverance

James 1:3 Read More »

Sources:

Sources:

Verse:

Prayer For Joy and Laughter

Source:

Sources:

Verse:

Prayer For A Lost Lamb

Sources:

Sources:

Sources:

Verse:

Prayer To Ask For The Spirit

Sources:

Sources:

Verse:

Prayer For Perseverance and Peace in Times of Need Prayer

Sources:

Ways to Donate

Paypal

Using Zelle

Mail a Check

Quick Links

Contact us

Location:

Contact #

Email:

Quick Links

Contact us

Location:

Contact #

Email:

Ways to Donate

Using Zelle

Mail a Check

Paypal