The Wise Friar

In a world built on walls of prejudice and gates of exclusion, a persistent spirit is often the only key to succeed.  In 17th century colonial Philippines, the dream of living a cloistered, consecrated life was reserved only for women with Spanish ancestry.  Indias , the brown-skinned native daughters of the islands, are in no way allowed to take on the habit, and embrace the life of a nun.    But for a young woman from Pampanga, faith was stronger than fear, and vocation was louder than the silence of rejection.  Sor Martha de San Bernardo's story is a hymn to perseverance - a journey not just across oceans, but across barriers of race, class and custom.  Thanks to her courage and persistence, many other native women who wanted to pursue religious life were given the access that was previously denied their predecessors. Roots of Faith and Aspiration Born in Pampanga around 1600's, Martha Came from a distinguished principalia family. She was a ladina, who ...

Disponit Omnia Suaviter   (Disposes all things gently) - This motto chosen by Bishop Alfredo Verzosa at the start of his episcopal ministry, reveals more than a pastoral strategy - it reflects a Christ-centered heart forged in humility, obedience, and unwavering zeal for the Gospel.  It is an inspiration from the old saying "Suaviter in Modo, Fortiter in Re" (Gentle or sweet in manners but firm in execution).   In an era marked by revolution, war, religious schism, and post-war rebuilding, Bishop Verzosa stood as a quiet but resolute figure - firm in doctrine, gentle in heart, and unwavering in his fidelity to Christ and His Church. Birth and Early Life Born on December 9, 1877 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Alfredo Verzosa y Florentin grew up in an affluent but devout Catholic family in a region steeped in faith and culture.  From an early age, Alfredo was immersed in prayer, simplicity, and service.  He completed elementary education in the local school and feeling a ...

Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, Taal, Batangas, the Largest Catholic Church in Asia Perched atop a hill in the picturesque heritage town of Taal, Batangas, the Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours rises like a giant from history - timeless and commanding.  With its imposing facade, intricate stonework, and sacred heritage, it has not only stood as a monument glorifying the artistic and architectural genius of the Spanish colonial era but more importantly, it attests to the enduring faith and devotion of the Batanguenos.  Regarded as the largest Church in Asia, this architectural marvel not only dominates the skyline of Western Batangas, but also holds a profound place in the hearts of the faithful; a sacred space etched deeply into the cultural and spiritual consciousness of the Batanguenos. Foundations in the Augustinian Mission The stunningly beautiful yet dangerous Taal Volcano The story of what is now the grand  Taal Basilica began with the arrival  of Sp...

Sr. Mariani Cuevas Dimaranan, SFIC was  a professed religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.  She was an activist nun who fought the dictatorship of the strong man, Ferdinand E. Marcos during Martial Law. Early Life Born on February 1, 1925, in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro to well-off parents Mariano and Maria Dimaranan, Sr. Mariani was baptized Marcela.  She felt a profound calling to serve the marginalized from a young age.  After completing her college education at De La Salle University, she made the resolute decision to join the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SFIC) despite her father's objections, who even filed a legal case to dissuade her.  Undeterred, Mariani pursued her vocation, embodying the Franciscan spirit of humility, service and unwavering commitment to the poor. The Martial Law Years The declaration of Martial Law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 marked a dark chapter in the history of the Philippine...

In today's rapidly changing and evolving world, the youth are constantly bombarded with a lot of distractions - social media, digital entertainment, academic pressures, personal relationships or the lack there of, and the pursuit of self-determination and independence.  Many struggle with identity, anxiety, and a culture that often promotes independence and instant gratification over lasting truth.  Technology, though powerful, has also distanced many from silence, reflection, and from growing in faith and virtue.  Yet amidst all these complications, the life of Nina Ruiz Abad shines as a quiet witness to a life of sanctity.  She stands as a gentle contradiction to the spirit of the age: humble yet strong, sickly yet joyful, ordinary yet remarkably holy.   Amidst the noise of the world, she chose a life anchored in prayer, simplicity and love for the Eucharist - reminding us that even the young can choose holiness over the conveniences and gratifications th...

Maria Angeles Rodriguez de Rivera Chicote, was a Philippine-born Spanish laywoman who was among the martyrs of the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War which started in 1936.  She died on October 28, 1936 in Malaga, Spain.  Recognizing her martyrdom, the Diocese of Malaga on September 27, 2016, opened her cause for beatification, alongside 67 other martyrs, including Fr. Jose Vera Medialdea.  Maria Angeles is notably the the second Filipino-born martyr of the Spanish Civil War, following Blessed Jose Maria of Manila. Short Biography  In the distant land of Cotabato in Maguindanao, far from her ancestral Spain, a child, who would one day bear witness to the cause of faith was born in 1884. The daughter of a Spanish Infantry Colonel stationed in the Philippines, Manuel Rodriguez de Rivera and Carolina Chicote Beltran, Maria Angeles Rodriguez de Rivera Chicote had two other siblings - an older sister Carolina who was born in Manila and a younger sister Car...

Throughout the centuries, the Church has honored the Blessed Virgin Mary in many ways.  Among the most solemn and celebrated expressions of this reverence is the canonical coronation - a papally authorized act of crowning a Marian image that has been the object of long-standing and widespread devotion.  The sacred rite is more than a ceremonial crowning; it is a recognition of the deep faith of the people and the enduring presence of Mary in their spiritual lives.  The roots of canonical coronation go back to the early Church when crowns and precious ornaments were offered to images of the Virgin as tokens of gratitude and honor.  Over time, this devotional practice gained formal recognition.  The first officially recorded canonical coronation was that of La Madonna della Febbre (Our Lady of Fever) in 1631 in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.  Canonical coronation is granted by the Holy See based on specific criteria: a long history of devotion to the image, re...