AS SOON AS the community rosary concluded, emcees Bro Donato Banaag and Sis Mary Ann Palma welcomed the more than 500 warm bodies that filled the parish (and choir loft) and acknowledged the Comitium officers and other offices and people responsible for the organization of this pandemic-postponed missionary event. The theme of the assembly was “Ang Lehiyonaryo, Sama-samang Naglalakbay sa Kilusang Sinodal Tungo sa Isang Misyon Kasama si Maria” Then they primed the people to prepare for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Roberto Gaa, D.D., officiated the Holy Mass which started at exactly 10 am. But before that, they called on Bro Christopher, who was representing Fr. Aristeo de Leon, Rector of the Diocesan Shrine, to deliver a welcome address. Worth-noting in his short speech was Jesus and Joseph appearing with Mary in the miracle of the sun.
Bishop Robbie’s homily jumped off from the question “Ano ang baon sa kauna-unahang pagtitipon-tipon ng mga Lehiyonaryo pagkatapos ng tatlong taong pagkawala nito dahil sa pandemya?” Sinagot niya ang sariling tanong ng “Tularan si Abraham, na ang asawa ay baog, pero magiging tatay ng maraming bayan. Gumawa ng paraan si Sarah upang magkaanak si Abraham sa ibang babae, si Ismael. Pero iba ang plano ng Diyos, at nagbuntis si Sarah kay Isaac. The Gospel about slandering the Spirit is connected to the fulfillment of salvation, if we trust the Holy Spirit and are fearless in mission. When we go out, do we plan on whom we meet, who can probably be masungit, na parang uutangan, kaya magtiwala lang tayo, tulad ni Abraham, na kayang baguhin ng Diyos ang matitigas na puso, pagalingin ang pinanghihinaan ng loob, kaya wala tayong katatakutan o pagkabahala kung may lakas tayo ng Espiritu Santo. Kahit pakiramdam natin ay sumasalubong ang Espiritu Santo, siguro dala natin yabang, at para bumaba ang loob natin, hindi karapatan ang pananalig kundi regalo, na dapat tanggapin at tugunan upang malugod ang Diyos na kung mahal Niya tayo, mahal din natin Siya. Huwag katakutan ang misyon, ang masungit at mataray, hawahan natin sila ng galak, ngiti, tiyaga, at tuwa.
After the Mass, the emcees called on Bro Jack Tenchavez to reiterate the thankful acknowledgement of the presence of all Legionaries in the assembly, a milestone in the making.
His thanksgiving was followed by a talk by Rev. Fr. Joel Saballa, diocesan spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary of the Diocese of Novaliches. His inspiration drew from the Legion awareness of its purpose. Preceded by an fb (Pintig Puso) reputation for warming the crowd with his fire and brimstone rhetoric, the charming man of the cloth brought the audience to life (from a sober, solemn banquet with Jesus) with his often funny anecdote about faith and the Legionary. Briefly, he enumerated the five purposes of the Legion of Mary as 1. Promoting personal holiness as a framework for spiritual development; 2. Active evangelization; 3. Promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin (where he shared a heartening personal experience of her miracle related to his board exam); 4. Assisting the Church (availability means generosity); and 5. Synodal solidarity among members through the words “maunawa” and “kawanggawa” found in education and training; active recruitment; collaboration with PPC; opening communication channels; and constant celebrating with new members.
Catena Legionis was recited afterwards.
Bro Glenn Ricafrente, Treasurer of the Senatus of Northern Philippines, was next to talk on the “Hows and Ways of Recruitment for Senior, Junior, and Auxiliary Membership.” Before he proceeded, he showed a short film clip of Cardinal Chito Tagle’s “Faith Exposed,” which enjoined the faithful to celebrate Mission Sunday. The Good News of Jesus is intrinsic in Christian life. As the Father sent His Son, He sent His disciples and us, not only in word but in deeds, to strive to spread the Gospel to all people, for every baptized Christian has a responsibility to transmit our faith, evangelize with love, and go beyond ourselves and share faith which strengthens.
Having put the audience in proper perspective, Bro Glenn proceeded to admit that following Fr. Joel is a tall order. His good fortune shone in that the audience was polite and sat back to listen to him until he practically perused verbally Chapter 10 of the Legion Handbook. His parting shot still rings in my ear: If you want to be holy, join the Legion of Mary.
Ate Myla, Sis Tess, Gracee, and I had a Living Rosary to conduct with the children of the Holy Spirit Parish community so watched UtoLiza’s part, the Pledge of Commitment, on fb, on the way back to BF Homes. After her introductory spiel, punctuated by a touching anecdote of an old woman who joined the Born Again denomination but, because of the Legionaries’ relentless pursuit of her, she realized that “Once a Legionary, always a Legionary.” And then we recited the pledge along with her, including Ate Myla on the wheel.
Amen.
