My grandfather's name was Ireneo, but he was best known and called "Tata" by everyone in the family or Tatay Neo by everyone else who knew him. A few months before the completion of my second term as a Columban lay missionary, I heard news that my grandfather was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It was shocking news to all of us, because we never saw him seriously ill before.
February 28, 2019
Jesus, my God, who,
for my salvation and that of all mankind,
was cruelly nailed to the cross
and hung there for three long hours in bitter agony, I adore You.
Jesus, My God,
who for love of us
did institute this Blessed Sacrament
and offer Yourself daily for the sins of men,
I adore You.
February 27, 2019
Hail, Mary, hope of those who are in despair,
help of the destitute!
Hail, you whom your Son so greatly honors,
that whatever you ask, you at once obtain;
whatever you will is at once done.
To you are the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven entrusted.
Grant, O Lady, that amid the storms of this life
I may always remember you.
February 26, 2019
During the 1980s, great expectations abounded in the member states of what was then the European Community. We were told that just over the horizon a new European structure was emerging that would leave behind a Europe pock-marked with war. It was to be the European Union. There was feverish activity at conferences discussing new arrangements in regard to free movement of people, a social charter, free trade, customs unions, agricultural policies, security and a free market within the then member states.
February 26, 2019
Blessed St. Peter, obtain for us a sincere loyalty to our holy mother, the Church;
grant that we may ever remain most closely
and sincerely united to the Roman Pontiff,
who is the heir of your faith and of your authority,
the one, true, visible Head of the Catholic Church,
that mystic ark outside of which there is no salvation.
February 25, 2019
To you do we turn,
Our Heavenly Mother of sweetest love and tender compassion,
in this and every graceful moment
that passes under your protection and care.
Pray for us your beloved children,
that the light of your Son Jesus
which so purely flows through your Immaculate Heart
will illuminate our lives
and vanquish all darkness in our midst.
February 24, 2019
Unworthy as we are, we pray to you,
O leaders of the heavenly hosts,
to cover us by your prayers
with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory,
preserving us who come to you and earnestly cry,
"Deliver us from sorrows, O chiefs of the powers above."
February 23, 2019
Almighty, everlasting God,
Who in Your beloved Son,
King of the whole world,
has restored all things anew;
grant in Your Mercy that all the families of nations,
tarnished by the wound of sin,
may be subjected to His most gentle rule.
Who with You lives and reigns world without end.
Amen.
February 22, 2019
O glorious Saint Peter, who,
in return for your strong and generous faith,
your profound and sincere humility,
and your burning love,
was rewarded by Jesus Christ
with the leadership of the other Apostles
and the primacy of the whole Church,
of which you were made the foundation stone,
obtain for us the grace of a lively faith,
February 21, 2019
O holy Virgin, Mother of God,
help those who implore your assistance.
Turn toward us.
Have you perhaps forgotten us
because you have been elevated
to a position close to God?
No, certainly not.
You know well in what danger you left us.
You know the miserable condition of your servants.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.