I used to be on a pilgrimage during the celebration of my birthday (October 12). This year, my birthday fell on a Sunday so there was no hard time arranging my schedule at work.
I went home on Saturday, visited my lola’s before the sun sets in. I was then intimidated by my aunts like forcing me to have a celebration like salo-salo to feed the senses, to fill in the stomach. My brother term for this is sharing my blessings. But my view is very different. I have my hidden ways of sharing my blessings based on my financial and intellectual capacity.
I’d rather want to be in hunger to feed my soul in thanksgiving, making sacrifice for the benefits of my loved .ones and friends, most importantly, for the intentions of the Church who suffers.
Last year, I have made a resolution that this year; I’ll find the tomb of Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, who once became a Jesuit, then the archbishop of the Diocese of Lipa during the Marian apparition on 1948 and founder of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and now well known as Servant of God. And in the near future, I’m sure, God will lift him up to the altar of sainthood.
I saw a hint at the Internet through Nina http://www.marymediatrixofallgrace.com/ giving me a direct link to where the holy Bishop’s remains rests. I e-mailed the contact indicated at the site to ask for direction how to go there by bus. I am very grateful to have had a reply. Bishop Obviar’s tomb is located at Tayabas, Quezon at the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese Compound.
I went home on Saturday, visited my lola’s before the sun sets in. I was then intimidated by my aunts like forcing me to have a celebration like salo-salo to feed the senses, to fill in the stomach. My brother term for this is sharing my blessings. But my view is very different. I have my hidden ways of sharing my blessings based on my financial and intellectual capacity.
I’d rather want to be in hunger to feed my soul in thanksgiving, making sacrifice for the benefits of my loved .ones and friends, most importantly, for the intentions of the Church who suffers.
Last year, I have made a resolution that this year; I’ll find the tomb of Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, who once became a Jesuit, then the archbishop of the Diocese of Lipa during the Marian apparition on 1948 and founder of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and now well known as Servant of God. And in the near future, I’m sure, God will lift him up to the altar of sainthood.
I saw a hint at the Internet through Nina http://www.marymediatrixofallgrace.com/ giving me a direct link to where the holy Bishop’s remains rests. I e-mailed the contact indicated at the site to ask for direction how to go there by bus. I am very grateful to have had a reply. Bishop Obviar’s tomb is located at Tayabas, Quezon at the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese Compound.
The Journey of Oct. 12 Begins
I knew it would be a very long journey so I decided to go to bed early the night before. I woke up at 2am but it seemed I changed my mind. I won’t go and waste my time to travel so far. Then I started to ask myself what I would get. The answer is “nothing”. I tried to sleep again but my eyes refused to. I lied on bed and hear the sound of the roaster crowing. I knew the devil tempts me not to go. It was already 5am when I decided to rise up, and go.
I arrived at Metro Manila at 7:30am and by 8:30 the bus going Lucena left. As I waited for the bus to leave, my eye glued an old woman on her tattered dress with her bag sitting at the bench, drinking in her used bottle of “coke litro” that seemed like a trash to me (forgive me for the description). I knew she had no home to rest, no wealth to consider than her bag with her things. I was deeply ashamed to myself because I can do nothing about it as I was on my seat in an air-conditioned bus. She pulled out a piece of dirty cloth, dirtier than the rags I am using for cleaning, and wiped her sweat.
Perhaps nobody wanted to be near her, neither do I. It was like she had a very contagious disease. Some may judge her as plague in the society. I started to see the reflection of myself in the glass window of a bus and realized that I am no different with her.
She wears a rag and I wear clean clothes, she smells foul, I wear my perfume. But seeing from the inside I could say that she would be better than me or anyone else. Physically, I look nice but deep in my soul; I am troubled because of my selfishness and sinfulness. My memory recalls the gravest sins I have committed out of hatred, out of pride, out of lust, and worldly desires. Then I saw myself in a prison. Better is the woman, for she is free like the birds of the sky, no worries than her food to eat, and she knew God will provide her.
The bus left but the image of the woman retained in my memory.
At the Holy Bishop’s Tomb
At 12:30pm, after taking my lunch at Lucena Central Terminal, I arrived at Tayabas, at the tomb of the Servant of God. I asked the guard where the tomb is and he gave me instruction to get there. It was a quiet Sunday in the whole compound, no one was there. All I can hear are the sounds of birds playing on trees. I kissed the tomb and prayed like I never prayed before, I mediated the rosary so slowly that it seems like it was my last recitation.
After praying for my intentions, I tried to keep myself in silence with the Holy Bishop to hear the voice of God. I heard no words, no words but I was at peace.
I left the tomb at 2:30pm and went to Sta. Cruz, Manila to join in the celebration of the Mass. I expected to arrive there at 6:30pm, the last Mass I guess is 7pm but the bus and the traffic was so slow that I feared I will not make it to attend the Mass for the day. I kept on praying, hoping to arrive even at the Consecration only. There was a little bit of regret telling myself, “hindi na lang sana ako nagpunta sa Tayabas kung hindi rin lang ako makakapagsimba.” That’s how important the Sunday Mass to me.
God is indeed great; I arrived at Sta. Cruz at 7:30pm while singing the Gloria. It is also surprising that the Feast of the Lady of the Pillar which is the Patron of Sta. Cruz was celebrated that day.
I arrived home at 11pm, though I was very tired that day. At least, I was at peace and my wish to have a visit to the tomb of the holy bishop was granted.
Gerona, Tarlac
On the Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila
October 15, 2008
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