ABC STARS Inspires

  On the Divino Rostro I Lord, show us the light of your face! (Psalm 4:7) As the Feast of the Divino Rostro is at hand, it is good to review the history of the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus in Bicol, that we filially call on as the Divino Rostro whose Feast we celebrate hand in hand with the Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The devotion started in 1882 introduced by Fr. Pedro de la Torre who hailed from Osa de la Vega, Spain, and was then the Vicar General and Provisor (Chancellor) of the then Diocesis of Nueva Caceres. On August 26 of that year, news reached Naga City that Colera Morbo , a dreaded fatal disease that affects the intestines and causes excessive vomiting and diarrhea, had entered the capital city of Manila. Immediately, then Bishop Casimiro Herrera ordered that the miraculous image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia be brought to the Cathedral from her sanctuary to intercede for the whole community in beseeching Heaven that the Diocese be spared from the pa...

 

  On Ecclesiology: The Mystery of the Church II Recent scandals, particularly, abuse by clerics, have led many to lose faith in the Church. In the distant but not lost history of the Church, there were even worse scandals that rocked the Church. In the 11 th  Century, Theophylactus of Tusculum became Pope Benedict IX at 12 years of age, who was thrice elected and thrice deposed for unspeakable deeds such as murder, torture and theft. In the 14 th  Century, there was the Great Western Schism when there were Three Popes at the same time. Further compounded by Bishops and Priests who live in debauchery, Catholics who commit heinous crimes, and even Leaders who studied in the best Catholic Schools but are marked by corruption, it is only relevant that we ask, “Is the Catholic Church truly Holy?” The Church is one complex reality. She is a hundred percent human and a hundred percent divine. These two elements inseparably united in Her explain why She is both an earthly and h...

 

    Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio I am here now on Earth because my Mama loved me and she even had another baby just so that I would have a buddy. Papa's Post: Fourteen! Image courtesy of chrisroll at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Today is special --- the day you turn eighteen. You've grown so well, in age and wisdom and grace. I still remember, perhaps you wouldn't have been If not for Mommy's faith, her heroic ways. Long ago, when Thirteen was eight months old, Mommy had a stroke, was paralyzed. "No further pregnancies" so she was told, "Or else your life would be jeopardized!" She didn't agree. She said, "That cannot be! "There's got to be a buddy for James the Less "So James the Great, Fourteen, is coming, you'll see!" She talked with God that's why. He answered, "Yes!" Great w...

On Ecclesiology: The Mystery of the Church We continue our doing Ecclesiology by doing Mystagogy. After our review of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, we enter into the Mystery of the Church. Many might consider this as irrelevant, and would focus more on worldly concerns such as health particularly in this time of a pandemic, and jobs to provide for the basic needs in order to live. However, not to enter into this mystery is a snare that will lead to the shallowness of life that has often led to corruption, stealing and cheating. This also explains why a lot of people end up exhausted and unhappy despite having all the comforts the world has to offer. Remember the Saints, especially the Martyrs? Amidst the evils in the world, of pain, suffering and death, they had peace and joy because they had faith in the salvation brought about by Jesus Christ that He entrusted to His Church. It is, in fact, in living the Mystery of the Church amidst the basic necessities of life, th...

 

  On Ecclesiology: Part II In the First Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith, the proper name “the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church” was used. However in Lumen Gentium  of Vatican II, the adjective “Roman” was dropped that is why in the Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992, there is also no mention of a “Roman Catholic Church”. There is only the Catholic Church. But in this Catholic Church, there are various Churches who remain in communion with the Pope but have preserved their ancient Rites. Thus, there are distinctions according to Rites: Roman or Latin, Alexandrian, Antiochene, Armenian, Byzantine and Chaldean. Why was “Roman” used in the first place? To have a clearer understanding of this, we remember first that Jesus Christ established His Church founded on the Apostles. And when the Church grew on account of the preaching of the Apostles, Particular Churches were born. When Saints Peter and P...

 

  Ascension Press   and   Ascension Presents         in collaboration with  Inspires give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio That one is, definitely, a classic! And, self-explanatory. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bless!