Divine Mercy Sunday (Bet Montecillo)
A short background:
This backgrounder is important for it would help clarify to the readers the urgings in my prayers for a special petition.
In 1999, I earned my Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministries and Counseling from the Loyola School of Theology (LST) at the Ateneo de Manila. In the course of my pursuit for higher education and embracing a new charism, I was introduced into the realm of Theology… an experience of love at first instance. Presently, I continue to enroll in other interesting Theology subjects, still at the LST.
In my studies, I’ve learned that there are a few other Christian sects… The orthodox churches, the Episcopalians, the Anglicans to name some, who believe in the Trinitarian God, that are included among the BAPTIZED within the hierarchical Catholic Church. This means that the baptism of those who belong to the aforementioned faith communities are valid in the Catholic Church. More importantly, they are not forbidden to worship in our places of worship. Likewise, they may partake of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
All these new learning’s were so interesting that I echo them, not only to my family, but also to others, that they may also be instruments of evangilization.
My miracle story
I’ve been married to Teddy Montecillo for 40 years. We have just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary last 15th April 2007. Teddy is a protestant. Be that as it may, all the years that we’ve been married, Teddy had always come with me to my Church for his personal worship…. Because as he puts it, it IS the same God we pray to.
He is, in every way, a good Christian. He continues to be an ideal husband to me, a good father to our sons, David and Martin for whom he had never denied his presence. He is a man of integrity whose pursuits are rooted on the teachings of the Decalogue. He continues to search for soul nourishment and so, he joins me in weekend retreats, recollections during Holy Week triduum, even in adult catechesis classes at the LST. He enjoys engaging in dialogue our friends in the clergy, priests and bishops, no less, if only to clarify his understanding about matters of faith.
We started planning for the celebration of our “Ruby” anniversary late of 2006. Inasmuch as the physical preparation of the affair is important, Teddy & I both agreed that the liturgy of the mass was most important. And from the onset, I had been praying that Teddy would be enlightened towards partaking the Holy Eucharist at our anniversary mass. Even our very special friend, Bishop Chito Tagle conjoined with me in praying for movement of the Holy Spirit upon Teddy.
With that as my ardent desire, I sought the intercession of St. Pio, whose devotee I have become in the not so recent past. In my prayers, I sort of called St. Pio to task. In my conversations with him at prayer, I told him that I have been praying for his miraculous intercessions for may others who have requested me for prayers… and still continue to do so. NOW, I ASK FOR MYSELF.
I asked that Teddy would be moved, to say the least, to receive Holy Communion at our 40th anniversary mass. I prayed that when I would bring up the matter to him, I would be duly guided by the Holy Spirit with the right words to say and with the wisdom and judgment as to the right time to pursue it.
Fifth day of ardent prayer
And so, I went to the chapel of St. Pio daily prayer, to chat with him and to bring up to him my deep concerns. On the evening of my fifth day of prayer, Teddy and I were home alone. As it had always been the case in our life, we talk about the day just passed. On this particular evening, Teddy asked me a situationer of the preparations for our anniversary celebration. And so, I efficiently gave him a run down of matters that had been accomplished and those that still needed to be addressed. And, without much preamble, he simply asked “would you please ask Bishop Chito if he would allow me to receive Holy Communion at our anniversary mass?” My heart almost stopped and I could not even begin to describe me feelings of joy! Although I knew what Bishop Chito would say, I decided not to preempt the Bishop’s personal reply which I believed would be more significant to Teddy. Immediately, I texted Bishop about Teddy’s request and no sooner that expected the Bishop replid: “Of course! Great rejoicing!” When I showed Teddy the Bishop’s reply, he smiled and was greatly pleased.
We had a most beautiful anniversary mass. The mass songs that were sung were all my own compositions. However, the most beautiful part of the mass was when Teddy and I partook of one bread, the broken Body of Christ and drank from one Cup, the Blood of Christ shed for love.
A week after our anniversary celebration, Teddy & I were reminiscing of that memorable day. Candidly, I related to him this Miracle story… my “storming” St. Pio everyday if only to get his ear of attention. And again, Teddy said something wonderful. He said that he had been actually preparing himself… his heart, his soul and his mind, that he may be worthy to receive Christ in his heart.
Significantly, our anniversary fell on Divine Mercy Sunday… the feast of the risen Christ through whose Sacred Heart and wounds, emanate God’s light and mercy… the same wounds that were gifted to St. Pio. And in recent conversation with Mon Rodriguez, I suddenly realized that my path to St. Pio’s heart found its beginning on the day Teddy and I were wed, 40 years ago… at the St. Francis Church of the Capuchins in Mandaluyong.