Wednesday September 08 , 2010

YouthPinoy is a joint project of the CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Youth and Office on Mass Media.

On TIME's "Why Being Pope Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry"

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I read the main piece of the magazine last night. It is infuriating how Western Media outlets keep attacking Catholicism. They would never dare attack the Muslims. But Catholicism? Left and right, all attacks. Making a mockery of what we believe in (look at Lady Gaga). Maybe, in a way, it is our fault for not saying anything about them. We need to stand up more for our faith.

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Dancing at the YFC ILC '10: God's Greatness

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I’ve been with the DC Believe dance group slash family for almost three years now and I've never failed to see how God has been working in us. The Lord never failed to amaze us and the people who watch us.

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Fed up with Cabral's condoms

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Strategically during the celebration of the International Women’s Day last Monday, women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) went to the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in Intramuros, Manila and brought with them basket of condoms. Those women said they wanted to ask bishops to bless the condoms they brought—as if feasible—to dramatize their continued criticism to the Church’s opposition to the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill, which proposes the use taxpayers’ money to purchase contraceptive drugs and tools and make it available to the public as a population management scheme.

 

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Ash Wednesday Reflection

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As the priest (a nun for my case) imposed the ashes on my forehead, the words "you are dust and to dust you shall return" were uttered. This year, what struck me the most about this imposition is the brevity and insignificance of our life here on Earth.

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A Different Valentine

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I recall myself being pretty much into the Valentine fever a few years back. I would be sending out Valentine’s Day cards to family and friends. Then, I would bring my girlfriend with a bouquet of white roses and dark chocolates. Sometimes, to surprise her, I would add a stuffed toy to the bunch.
Silence for Valentine's

That was years ago. Three years later, this day of hearts took on a different meaning for me, especially after professing my vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
During my Pre-noviate, I spent Valentine's in a silent recollection as I prepared myself for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that night. As I prayed over my vocation, it became a different experience to celebrate Valentine’s day with morning prayer and a mass at the start of the day. In the afternoon, we had the points for recollection and an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening.
Valentine's in the mountains

On my first year as a novice, I had the chance to spend V-Day up in the mountains. I was assigned among the Talaandig, the lumads of Miarayon in Bukidnon. There, I helped out in the Jesuit mission area. I would assist at mass in the parish and in the other chapels, as well as give recollections to the students and parishioners. I also got the chance to teach in the high school for a short time and coach the basketball team. My companion and I would traverse mountains and dirt roads to accomplish some of our assignments. There was even a time where we spent three days way up in the mountain to give catechism to a barrio and put up a chapel there.
On my second year, Valentine’s Day was spent working incognito in a textile factory as part of my factory exposure. I had to wash long rolls of fabric, haul heavy carts and operate some machines.
Now as a scholastic, I expect a different way of spending this day. Since we will be having a community activity in the evening to celebrate Valentine's day. I might join my other Jesuit brothers as they go to their Sunday apostolate in Payatas or Montalban. Or I could might start the day with the Eucharist then visit my relatives or friends. However, one thing is for sure, I would start the day with God in mind and just allow myself to be surprised at a unique Valentine's Day each year.
By Jason I. Brasileño, SJ
Jason, 27,  is currently a Jesuit Scholastic in Ateneo, Manila. Sporty and a lover of books, he worked for three years and a half for a beverage company before before entering the Society of Jesus in 2007. At present, Jason is helping promote the Jesuit vocation among  other young men in Manila.

 

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