Happy Feast Day St. Gertrude!

Months-before regular and in-between meetings equipped PWHS-Davao for this special November 16 day. The yearly 42-hour vigils which ended November 15, plus the daily masses offered for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory by all members for the entire month of November already softened our hearts spiritually.
St. Joseph Parish Vicar, Fr. Leif Simbajon, opened the advent recollection with a reading of the Gospel about the judge and the persistent widow. We are never to tire of praying. The Season of Advent is waiting in prayer for the “coming/arrival” of our LORD JESUS.
In prayer, we are to ask for the gifts of humility, gratitude, and joyful expectation.
Humility, as in submission to others for the sake of GOD, never for our own sakes. And to fight against pride and false humility.
We all have received and will receive all good things from GOD. This alone should pose our hearts to be grateful to a faithful and loving GOD. Then grow in gratitude to HIM.
There is more where it is coming from. Joyfully expect that behind all of man’s experiences are gifts and graces which may be “wrapped differently,” as the mass song goes. Hidden reserves of fortitude and generosity blossom in pitiable situations.
Fr. Simbajon challenged us to prepare for Advent. In 6 groups, the members pledged to go to confession, fast on food and shopping, pray more rosaries and masses for the Holy Souls and others, celebrate Christmas with street children and other less-privileged in our midst, to consecrate family to the Divine Mercy of JESUS, and generally – to simplify one’s life in these times especially.
Fr. Simbajon further asked “Why should we wear new clothes, and get gifts on Christmas? Birthday ba diay nato na (Is it our birthday)?!” His 2nd challenge was for all to pray on what fitting gift to give JESUS on HIS birthday.
Everyone celebrated holy mass at the Sta. Ana Shrine and feasted on packed and byob lunch right after the advent recollection.
The calamities-stricken kababayans were remembered in prayer. On this her feast day, let us join St. Gertrude as she prays: ETERNAL FATHER, WE OFFER THEE THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THY SON, JESUS CHRIST, IN UNION WITH ALL THE MASSES SAID THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY, FOR ALL THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, FOR SINNERS EVERYWHERE, FOR SINNERS IN THY UNIVERSAL CHURCH, THOSE IN OUR OWN HOMES, AND WITHIN OUR FAMILIES, Amen.

PWHS-Davao
Sarenas, PRO