‘Before the bomb exploded’

Dear KNOT,

Our community holds a vigil every First Friday. That night of September 1 only a few came and so we fused the 2 groups for a 2 hour vigil while the next batch took over after us. We started about 8:15. I could not explain why I suddenly felt restless upon entering the adoration room. I prostrated on the floor until everyone was settled and quiet. Usually, I would wait to be asked to lead but I immediately proceeded to offer intentions. It was a long one which included family, friends, community, church and country. It was spontaneous and the last intention was for someone (stranger) in most need of prayer at that moment. Then we started our Cenacle Prayer. After our reading of the Blessed Virgin Mother’s message from the Blue Book, we spent time in silent reflection.

I closed my eyes. Not long after I noticed a female presence standing beside me. I heard, “Would you help Jesus carry His cross?”

I was calm and I sensed from deep within me a response. Yes.

Then I asked casually, “Mama Mary, are you also asking the others the same?” I smiled and answered myself saying, “since we come here to pray, it must be the same.”

Then I sensed another presence, a male one, from the altar of the Blessed Sacrament. I heard the same.

I wondered somehow what this experience is asking. I kept quiet until the prayer was finished an hour after. A silent vigil was to follow for the remaining hour. Then my companions began leaving one after the other. Had we been there long? I wondered for I had no way of knowing the time. It seemed to me though that the 2 hour time is not over yet. I decided to continue my vigil alone while kneeling until the last batch tapped me. I left for home just a few minutes after 10.

The next day, Saturday, I attended the 12 noon Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral. The intentions were read and one of which was for the victims of the bombing the night before. I did not get the name of the place clearly. It sounded like “Tronas” and I wondered where that is.

I took a PUV for G-Mall after the Mass. Passing by Roxas Boulevard, I noticed some military men putting barricades at the entrance. I remembered the Mass intentions. My curiosity was picked when someone preceding me at the G-Mall entrance commented to her friend, “Mo-check na jud sila maayo after sa bombing.”

My mind started to add things up but I restrained myself. One of my brothers in the community responded to my earlier advisory regarding our community’s prayer meeting for that night. My text message said: “Mama Mary’s message last night from our blue book reading is a call for intense prayer for we have entered the time of intense trial and tribulation. Let us come together tonight and help Mama Mary help us…”

His response was: “Yes and let’s include in our intentions the dead and the injured victims of the bombing.”

It was later in the afternoon when I had finally confirmed that the dreadful thing happened in our beloved city at 9:50 the night before at the time we were holding our prayer vigil before the Blessed Sacrament.

Many stories have been shared since then of how some people were spared from the tragedy and how others also were inspired to pray that very night before the bomb exploded. One teenager who escaped the tragedy by a mere 10 minutes gratefully remarked, “Naa g’yuy Ginoo.”

Truly God is present and involved in our lives. He inspired prayers (people who pray), intervened in others with a strong nudge to leave or discouraged them from going to the place.

I thank the Lord for the opportunity to pray for others that fateful night before the bomb exploded. – Nena Quijano

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Daghang salamat Nena. Please tune in mga ka-Spirit sa KNOT sa DXGN 89.9 araw-araw, 1-3 pm (DJ Angelize) at sa KASIKAS at YOUTH CAMP with yours truly at si Dennis Asumbrado, 5-7 pm. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala!