December 16 was the first day of the Simbang Gabi-Misa de Gallo, or early
morning Masses to mark the nine day novena to welcome Our Lord Jesus Christ on
His birthday on December 25th.
This is a tradition that is long-awaited by many in the Philippines and expatriates
all over the world. Many take the time
to awaken early in the morning, at cock’s crow in order to troop to the Parish
Churches and participate in the Masses celebrated all over the Philippines.
In
our compound on 1043 Aurora Boulevard, we have observed the tradition of
celebrating the first day only with a dawn Mass at 4:30. This year our priest presider was Fr. Vic de
Jesus, SJ. J. When he accepted the invitation to celebrate
the Mass, he requested that the Sisters prepare someone to share first before
he delivered his homily. The Heart of
Mary Villa community was able to invite their social worker, Katherine
Rodriguez.
Here are excerpts from her sharing:
When I was a child, my teacher asked what we remembered about Christmas.
Some of my classmates spoke about Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Yes, it is true there
is Mary Joseph and Jesus, but they forgot the THREE KINGS and the GUIDING STAR.
I have my three kings. They were my
father, my ‘’Kuya Boy’’ and my friend ‘’Thad”. My father took care of me and
loved me; while my mother was at work in another province. When my father went
to work, he left me with his sister-in-law and fetched me after work. One day,
I came home and I never saw my father. My parents got separated. Graduation day
came and my parents were not there. I went up to the stage alone. They didn’t
witness how I delivered my valedictory address.
Thaddeus or ‘’Thad’’ as I called him
is my special friend. We were both six years old when we first met. Thad and I
became a member of the youth choir and we both played the guitar. We had shared
precious moments and we dreamt together. On September 27, 2005, Thad passed
away. He suffered from Acute Myeloid leukaemia.
I was there when he bid his last goodbye and took his last breath.
After Thad died, my cousin Kuya Boy,
my big brother was always there for me. I grew up with him. He loved and cared
for me. He consoled me when I was in pain with the loss of Thad. I never wanted
to go in our church to play guitar again. On November 30, 2006 a year after
Thad died, I lost my Kuya Boy. He was missing after Typhoon Reming hit Albay.
I asked GOD, .WHY? WHY Kuya Boy? WHY
Thad? WHY did my father leave us? Why persons I loved depart and have to die. I
asked HIM, who’s next? and what’s next? The loss of them makes my life so
heart-rending. I was alone. From then on, I lived my life full of misery. I
never cared anymore. I could not concentrate on my studies. I pursued my peers
to forget everything.
I took the social work board exam even
without having a review class. Fortunately, I passed. I got work at DSWD for
almost two years but decided to resign when I got an offer to work here at
Heart of Mary Villa. Someone asked me why I left DSWD, I answered I am happy to
be with HMV. The truth is, HMV serves as
my GUIDING STAR. When I entered HMV, I prayed and I asked GOD, “’is it your way
for me to be good again? Did Thad and Kuya Boy ask you to lead my way here?’’.
My mother told me that when I stayed at HMV ‘’bumabait daw ako’’. Recently, I got a text message from my
father. He asked me how am I? I told him that I am afraid for my life and how
can I be a good mother to my son? My father told me, he was so sorry for not
being there when I needed him and he promised that he will always be with me
and my son. And for the first time, he said ‘’I love you’’.
I still have my three kings in life.
Though Thad and Kuya Boy are gone, I feel their presence. I have my son, he
looks like my Kuya Boy and he behaves like Thad.
Am I healed now? Not really,.. but I know
I am on the right path. I am grateful for Heart of Mary Villa, my Guiding Star,
a priceless gift,….to discover my way back HOME.
Last night, I talked to God. I told
him I am sorry for all the insecurities, jealousy and selfishness I have from
the past. After all, he’s so good to me. I have lost two important persons in
my life but he gave me more. I have my workmates, the Sisters, a family.....the
Heart of Mary Villa. It’s just like I only asked him for a bread, but he gave
me a bread..with ham and cheese. Lord said, kung gaano daw kasarap ang tinapay
na may ham and cheese ay ganun din daw kasarap magmahal ang mga taga-Heart of
Mary Villa.
Father then continued with his homily and
he picked up from the bread shared by Katherine. “At this Eucharistic celebration we will
receive once again the Bread of Life.
Jesus the Bread of Life whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas
Day.” He gave a most interesting
linguistic lesson on “Merry Christmas” compared to the Pilipino “Maligayang Pasko” which connects it to
the Paschal mystery, which connects it to our Easter Greeting, “Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay”. For us Filipinos then, Christmas and Easter
are integrally connected through our greetings during these holiday seasons of
Christmas and Easter.
-
Sr.
M. Tarcila Abaño RGS