My Unworthy
Presence: The Day When the Image of Blessed Virgin of
Fatima
Came to Visit Cagayan de Oro
Introduction:
In the early days of evangelization in the
18th century, it took more than two years just to reach Burma or
China from Italy.
On January 19, 1758, Sebastian Donati and
Pius Alexander Gallizia of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul or Barnabite Fathers
boarded a mighty merchant ship that carried them off to Asia through the
customary eastward route passing the Cape of Good Hope in Africa before
entering and cruising the Indian Ocean towards the Bay of Bengal or in the
Andaman Seas to reach present day Myanmar. They arrived in Rangoon, Burma on
June 8, 1760 and indeed were too fortunate to evade shipwreck, two years
earlier two other missionaries lost their lives at seas. Fathers Donati and
Gallizia continued the missionary works of their fallen predecessors in Burma
and they too died there because of the rigors of missionary life.[1]
If that trip was directed to the
Philippines on the same route, it would pass the Strait of Malacca across
Malaysia and Singapore; and it would have been more arduous and too tiring
because of extra mileage for the ship since it has to cross the South China Sea
before finally sighting Western Mindanao – Sitangkay or Bonggao Islands in the
Tawi-tawi’s, or any of the Visayan Islands in the western part, possibly
Balabac Island in Palawan, or the Palawan Peninsula itself.
But now in the supersonic age, travels are
done in a matter of hours like for instance crossing the globe from Europe to
the Philippines through Asia, or from Europe to the Philippines through the
Atlantic and Pacific airspace as the case maybe. With the sophistication of air
travel although admittedly accidents could not be avoided, people do prefer to
ride on planes rather than ships, unless one is on a leisurely cruise along the
Caribbean or in the breath-taking islands in the Mediterranean pond, so to
speak.
During the rivalry for supremacy of trade
and control of the seas between two neighboring super-powers in their own time
in the 16th century i.e. Portugal and Spain, [countries in the
Iberian Peninsula], the former had dominant control over the sea lanes in the
east. That is why Portugal, before Spain was able to colonize the Philippines;
was already engaged in the lucrative trade of spice in the Moluccas because her
navigators and explorers had come to Asia through charted trade routes via India
at Goa and Malacca.
Despite of the nearness of the Spice Island
or Moluccas, or to Mindanao, the Portuguese did not colonize us. Nevertheless,
their presence had been noted in history in the southern part of the
Philippines, because a Portuguese ship from Terrenate bound for Macassar was
blown away and landed somewhere in today’s Sarangani. The Portuguese under
Captain Francisco de Castro stayed in Sarangani for a while, probably waiting
for a calmer time to sail back to Moluccas, or to Portugal via Malacca. While
they were at Sarangani, it is likely that they had been able to evangelize the
people since during those days in every expedition, or a ship’s voyage there
was always a Chaplain on board.[2]
Indeed they were able even to bring to Moluccas some of the children whose
parents were converted to Christianity for their education.
However, the conversion had not gone much
deeper in the lives of the coverts in Sarangani because the Portuguese left;
and they left no one to propagate the newly professed faith. So, people
reverted to their former beliefs. Nonetheless, such event could be considered
as one specific moment in the early Christianization of Mindanao, though it did
not outlive or continued to grow and expand. The full evangelization happened
only when Legaspi came in 1565 together with the first Augustinians.
Personally, I consider that the Iberian
Peninsula has seemingly continued to evangelize the world. Although, they are
not as powerful as they were before and despite they are not alone doing the
evangelization, but the whole world through their priests, sisters and laity,
however, events occurring in Portugal could always be counted as an important
motivating factor in the propagation of faith. Is it not that the apparition of the Blessed
Virgin to the three children – Lucia dos Santos (age 10) and her cousins
Jacinta (age 7) and Francisco Marto (age 9) in 1917 happened in Portugal? At first people did not care, for these were
only children telling tales of fantasy; but later on they realized they were
wrong, it was really true for extraordinary things happened in the heavens: the
heavy clouds parted, as if the sky was opened, and the sun changed its colors
and seemingly spinning or dancing. There was darkness for several minutes.
Thus, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Fatima in Portugal attracts thousands
of pilgrims world-wide each year doing penitence for remission of their sins,
and asking for favors and whatsoever intentions.
The apparition hill in the fields outside
the village of Aljustrel near Fatima, the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary is
too far away from us and only a handful with pocketful of dough could go there
as pilgrims in line with the pilgrim spirit of perigrinatio religiosa pro Christo[3].
But for us, who do have just barely and not even enough; we could only dream
that one day we could have our pilgrimage in the Holy Lands where Christians and
Muslims both revered as holy places. From the Holy Land, one could side-trip to
Northern Portugal to visit the Shrine of our Blessed Virgin of Fatima where she
appeared to the three shepherd children close to 97 years ago.
World
Apostolate Pilgrimage of Fatima:
But dreams could remain as dreams, and it
is certainly a blessing that instead of us going there, which really could not
happen because of countless constraints, the Blessed Virgin of Fatima from
Portugal came to visit us on an Apostolic Pilgrimage.
It was one important ecclesiastical event
in 2013 happening in mid-September 2013 up to December 20, 2013, the Blessed
Virgin of Fatima from Portugal visited the Philippines, travelling from one
diocese to the other and hopped from island to island; and even was at Eastern
Samar near Borongan when super storm Haiyan
hit landfall.
Five brave men [3 laymen and 2 brothers of
the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament of Angels] were with the Blessed
Virgin the moment She arrived at Manila International Airport. They were with
Her pilgrimage in Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, the Tagalog and Bicol areas, in
Samar and Leyte areas, and in Northern Mindanao. At the height of the super storm
they were in the Eastern Samar near Borongan.[4]
They thought they would die in the calamity, and they said “if we die we would gladly
accept death with the Image of the Blessed Virgin we have been taking care of”.
“It is a distinct privilege to die working for the Blessed Mother”. Despite of
the ferocity of the storm, they lived and had been witnesses of the havoc it
brought. They saw lifeless bodies along the streets and in most of the ruins.
They heard the wails of hunger of the survivors, their sobs of emotional and
physical pains.
The group continued their journey towards
Tacloban passing through Guian. With heavy hearts, full of compassion they only
could stop, look and pray as the journeyed in those mournful and devastated lands
of Eastern Samar and Leyte. The Blessed Mother’s coming or journey in this land
ravaged by fury of Yolanda indeed gave some glimmer of hope to the survivors
when they knew She was coming and would be with them even for a short while. It gave them some relief of their sobbing because
of the loss of someone they loved and destruction of what they only dearly
possessed. They understood too that God has never abandoned them in their time
of great misery. One could even give a smile though how pitiful and helpless he
was. He smiled not because his life is used to such misery or misfortune, but did smile because he knows there are people who could quench their
anguish and misery through service; and there is God whose Light serves always as a beacon for
them.
Exactly 19 days after death had strolled in
the Eastern Visayan Islands, the Blessed Virgin of Fatima arrived in Cagayan de
Oro on 27 November 2013, but She had completed Her travels in the highlands of
Bukidnon after hopping out earlier from Camiguin.
A great caravan of vehicles welcomed the Blessed
Mother at Agusan, Cagayan de Oro and the convoy went on to the Metropolitan
Cathedral. People waited along the city streets to welcome Her. Contingent
based near the park at the Provincial Capitol along A. Velez St. walked
hurriedly coping with the pace of the entourage vehicles, which were rather slow.
The people walked in high-spirits praying and praising God; and waving their
flaglets or banderitas on hand.
At the cathedral there was a concelebrated
mass and after that the faithful began their personal prayers with the Blessed
Mother. She stayed there overnight.
The following day November 28, She visited
the Parish of Camaman-an the whole morning, in the afternoon she travelled to
the Chaplaincy of Calaanan (Sta. Cruz); and it was here when my lowly
unexpected servitude began.
I was in Calaanan with my wife purposely to
pay homage to the Blessed Virgin who would be arriving. We were at the convent
because the Barnabites there are our friends. The priests, the convent staff,
acolytes and anyone there was certainly busy either cleaning the surroundings
or dusting the pews, decorating, and having the final touches of the altar
where the Blessed Mother would be placed. At about 12:45 PM, I heard that they
needed someone who could drive to fetch the Blessed Virgin at the Parish Church
of Camaman-an, but I was just unmindful because the priests could be able to
get one. There are three Barnabites at the Chaplaincy, but the priests and a
deacon were too occupied in their last minute efforts to review the
instructions to the different kapilyas,
students and religious groups. Since I
was there and had nothing to do much except observing and seeing how busy
really were they, I was requested to drive the Nissan Frontier pick-up, to
fetch the Blessed Virgin of Fatima at Camaman-an Church. I never said no,
despite I had some apprehension in driving costly cars because I used to drive utility
cab and jeep only, which I affectionately called them as “tanque de guerra”. So, at 1:00 PM I started moving and with me was
a convent boy.
When we arrived at the premises of
Camaman-an Church, they had just finished the “farewell mass” or should we say
“von voyage” for the Virgin Mary. A holy rosary followed shortly, but the
Blessed Virgin was still at Her altar while we were busy preparing the pedestal
where She would be placed while on travel. We did not notice it; but some sort
of a cart was moving to the direction of the Frontier and following it, were
two brothers in brown and white habits. I said to myself “where is the Blessed
Mother?” This question was resolved when they lifted carefully the white bag or
case, custom-made to fit the image of the Blessed Mother. They cradled it
safely, as the two brothers were seated at the passenger seat. I was at the
wheel waiting for the signal to move; after few seconds the signal was on, I
touched the case where the Blessed Mother was placed, mumbled a little prayer
and shifted the stick to first gear, and had the warning flashers on and moved
slowly.
I headed the convoy of about eight or ten
vehicles along the busy streets and as much as possible avoided the mounting
traffic. At the front seat was Charlie and he wisely guided me to what street
would I take.[5] At
last I was maneuvering along the old Ysalina Bridge near the cathedral and city
hall, and we turned left at the traffic light at Vamenta St. heading now for
Calaanan. However, we halted at the highway fronting the West City Central; school
children were there wavering their flaglets and together with them were their
teachers. Children were yelling “viva” “viva” Mama Mary.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was slowly removed
from the case while in the Frontier;
the brothers wore their white gloves before holding Her. It was my first time
to see the Blessed Virgin of Fatima of Portugal, the miraculous image of Mother
Mary; just a few inches away from me and within my arms reached. I wanted much
to touch her feet, but I knew I would not for it is never permitted. Silently I
prayed, I asked Her mercy, I asked Her for good health and graces for my Family
– my wife, my children and their children.
Now the Brothers alighted from the vehicle
and the yell of welcome and joy of the children even intensified as they saw
the image of the Blessed Virgin. At the other side of the road, people began to
gather and began yelling, and clapping their hands. The Blessed Virgin was
fully exposed to the people at the back of the pick-up. Two other laymen who
joined the pilgrimage since Day 1 together with the two Brothers secured the
Blessed Virgin. We began to move slowly as the stream of yelling of the
children faded; and not far from the overpass while still on the plains, I
stopped the car and again the Blessed Mother was placed in the custom-made
case. Once more, I had a closer view of Her at my wheel.
On the drive uphill I noticed that the
convoy now had stretched out longer. Perhaps, other vehicles were just on our
column or were merely tailing us and had to overtake us when traffic was permissible.
However, when we reached the junction at Macapagal Boulevard, I noticed those
vehicles were still with our column – joining us. We turned right and
maneuvered the winding descend towards the valley of Calaanan, and on the
flatland just after the ZOPAD Bridge,[6]
a much longer line of vehicles waited. I turned left and positioned the
Frontier Pick-up along the subdivision service road bay. I stopped and the
convoy behind me halted as well.
The Barnabites were all in their priestly
robes; the younger priest came and took my place, and I was glad that I was out
from the cockpit of that costly Frontier. From there the procession went to San
Antonio Valley Homes Subdivision, Forest View Subdivision, Gawad Kalinga
(Marlogs), PN Roa Subdivision. While the procession was at Gawad Kalinga
(Marlogs) and on its way to PN Roa Subdivision, it began showering but the high
school students of PN Roa were still on both sides of the road where the
procession would pass. The procession would have ended at the Chaplaincy Church
because of the rain, indeed the Blessed Virgin entered its façade;
nevertheless, the rain stopped just as it came suddenly. Someone said, “It is a
shower of blessings and blessed are those who stood on their feet and did not
ran, despite the rain.”
Unworthy
Presence:
While I was at the
wheel of the Frontier, a bit closer from Mama Mary, maybe just an arm-length
away, I experienced a feeling, which is beyond description, or plainly
unexplainable. Really, I was happy that I was near Her and had seen Her so
closely. When I saw Her the first time in the vehicle, I knew that I was too
privileged to have served the Blessed Mother in just the little way that I did.
I understood that my presence is indeed unworthy because of my state of
sinfulness. Had only there been someone else other than me at that time, I
could have not driven the vehicle. But the thing is, no one was there who could
drive except me, because at that time clearly I had nothing to do much. The
priests and the deacon could drive, but they were too busy. By accident, it was
me chosen and it may be a punishment, but it turned out later as a distinct
privilege.
As I recall the few
moments or minutes when I had been of service to the Blessed Mother, I really felt
a mix feeling of happiness and sorrows. I was happy because in a sense I was
able to serve Her; yet on the other hand, I was still so sorry that I was
unprepared with such encounter.
After a
concelebrated mass at the Permanent Relocation Chapel at 4:00PM another
concelebrated mass took place at St. Joseph Chaplaincy at 7:00 o’clock that evening.
The vigil started at 9:00 PM until the following morning. So, I told myself
that when the most unholy hour comes, when everyone would be sleepy, it would
be my turn to go nearer to the Blessed Mother once more at the vigil altar to
pray. Though I had thanked Her already and asked for graces to our Lord thru
Her intercession, I know there are things that I wish to tell the Blessed
Mother intimately. The clock moved to 12:00 midnight, but stream of people
still come and go. Hot coffee was overflowing for everyone who liked to drink.
There were plenty to eat – bread, biscuits, puto, suman, and so on; and all
these came from the generosity of the parishioners.
By 1:00 o’clock
dawn of the following day (29 November), a group of women colloquially referred
to as “beatas” arrived. They took turns in saying the rosary and I was sure
that I heard their voices before; and yes they are indeed familiar to me or to
anyone else because they are always on air nightly at a radio station on Holy
Rosary time. They are the Blue Army – the prayer warriors and now called as
WAF. Certainly, they are all Apostolic Members of the World Apostolate of
Fatima.
The night was still
but the ambience of prayer dominated the silence. You can hear them praying
“Hail Mary full of Grace…” “Holy Mary Mother of God…”, and “Our Father who art
in Heaven”. Thereafter, I decided to have my own personal prayer and began saying
the Holy Rosary, which really I had a hard time mastering it well because I
forgot the mysteries and do not know the Litany; nevertheless, I went on. It
was perhaps 2:00AM when I had my prayers to God, through the intercession of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prayer is a
conversation to God, and I bade not to tell you what I said, but certainly it
was indeed a prayer of Mercy, Praise and Thanks. Prayer for Intentions, I had asked
Him too, but not much for myself because I knew He had given me plenteously. Furthermore,
I humbly asked the Blessed Mother to please pray for me more so in these times
when age accounts the body of its abuse and foolishness done while still young.
Strength and days of youth were too overpowering that made us oftentimes in a
state of a “care-free mode” - whether to hear mass or not, or pray or not to pray
did not matter us much since we were that strong and what was important was our
freedom to enjoy all the leisure in life.
As retirement just
looms beyond, one may begin asking himself if he has done something right not
only for himself; but for others as well? Me? I cannot say that I had done
great till these days, in fact it is always a day of struggle – struggle to do
well, despite all the odds; and struggle to live and endure, despite of some
physical and emotional pains. Though how painful maybe our frustrations and
failures are, they are just only temporary, real happiness is not in this
world, but to a place Christ has prepared for us. Contentment in life is a
virtuous thing – acceptance of what we are; acceptance of one’s misfortunes,
problems and hardships; and acceptance and atonement of our sins, could be attributes
of living poorly in spirit. Undeniably important and worthy as well, is our offering
for the glory of God of our every work, thought and deed. God in His Divine
Mercy would always hear and forgive us. Indeed He had endured all the pains of our
sins, thus He died for us.
My simple service
to the Blessed Virgin on that day, despite how unimportant or insignificant it
was, happening in just a mere flash of minutes, yet to me, it was an experience
that I would always remember longer than ever. It was indeed a blessing for me
because it was beyond my wildest dream that I would be able to serve Her even
for just a while. By good circumstance, I was able to do it, despite my
unworthiness. From that day on, I cherish always the memory of Her coming, the
Brown Scapular which the Barnabite Fathers enthroned us after the concelebrated
mass has been with me ever since. The Brown Scapular has a mystic promise and should it be cut due to fair wear and tear, a duly blessed scapular by any
Catholic priest would replace the old one; and this time it would only be
blessed but no longer enthroned by the priest unlike when I had it the first time.
Lastly, please join
me in prayer … Dear Lord, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your Loving
kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my
transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me”.
(Psalm 51-1-3).
NOTES FOR UNWORTHY PRESENCE
[1] Fr. Sebastian
Donati, CRSP [1735-1761] died in the mission of Subankroa, Northern Ava in
Burma on January 20, 1761. Fr. Pius Alexander Gallizia, CRSP [1730-1763] was
assigned in Rangoon, took the abandoned mission and he too died thereat on
February 13, 1763 because of the rigors of missionary life. The two
missionaries were buried beside each other in Subrankroa as it was the last
wish of Fr. Gallizia to be buried near his brother. From an article, “Barnabite
Missionaries in Burma”.
[2] Fr. MA Bernad, SJ.
The Great Island: Studies in the Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao, p.
47.
[3] Wandering for the
sake of Christ pioneered or made as a pilgrimage concept by the Irish-Scottish
monks in the 6th or 7th century AD. _ August Franzen/John
Dolan, A History of the Church, Herber-Palm Publishers 1965.
[4]During the storm, the Image of the Blessed
Virgin of Fatima and the pilgrims sought refuge at the Church of San Joaquin
near Borongan. Could it be just by mere coincidence that the Blessed Mother was
at the latter church, or could there be some mystic interventions? For all we
know, Joaquin who became a saint was the father of the Virgin Mary. Anne or St.
Anne was her mother. As if the father cradled his daughter for protection, isn’t
it? __ Notable
remarks of Charlie, which I affirmed.
[5] Charlie Lorzano is
the Archdiocesan President of the World Apostolate of Fatima of Cagayan de Oro.
He is the National Executive Vice President of WAF and was the head of the
pilgrimage since day 1 up to December 19 when the Blessed Virgin of Fatima
returned home for Portugal at Mactan International Airport. Together with Charlie was Engr. Boy Mansueto from Cebu and the other one, I unfortunately have not noted who his name was. (annotation mine).
