Stift Heiligenkreuz sa Vienna: Pilgrimage Destination sa Europa.

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Isang mahalagang impormasyong gusto kong ibahagi sa kapwa ko pinoy sa Europa o saan man dako ng mundo. Tara at pasyal tayo sa aming kaharian!!

Higit sa isang daang taon matapos na ito ay dumating sa pag-iral, ang tinatawag na “Marso Ostarichi” ay pinamamahalaan ng isang pinaka-likas na matalino ang taga pamahala magreib Leopold III ng House ng Babenberg. Siya ay matagumpay na presider sa ibabaw ng kanyang kaharian at naging isang kandidato sa halalan ng Banal na Roman Emperor noong 1126. Siya ay nagpadala ng isa sa kanyang mga anak na lalaki, si Otto, sa Paris upang makatanggap ng isang internasyonal na edukasyon noong ika-12 siglo-ang parehong taon na kung saan nakita ang karanasan ng Cistercians sa dynamic na pag-unlad. Noong 1133, si Leopold ay nagbigay ng lupa para sa monasteryo at isang pangkat ng mga 12 monghe ay dumating mula sa Morimond upang simulan ang bagong Cistercian monastery. Ang Foundation Chapter, sa archieves ng Heiligenkreuz, distincly ay nagpapakita ng mga peculiarities ng mga scribes mula sa hilagang-silangan mula sa France kung saan ang Morimond ay matatagpuan.

Pangunahing dahilan ni Leopold para sa mga pundasyon ay tiyak na espirituwal, lalo na bumuo ng isang bahay para sa panalangin at para sa buhay ng kumbento sa kanyang martsa. Siya din ang inilaan upang makapagtatag ng libingan para sa kanyang dinastya (na kung saan ay na matagpuan sa Chapter House).

Ang kanyang anak na lalaki, na si Otto, na nag-ambag sa pundasyon ng Heiligenkreuz, naging pryor ng kanyang monasteryo ng Marimond at pagkatapos naging obispo ng Freising at sa gayon ay isang hinalinhan ng kasalukuyan arsobispo ng Munich-Freising. Ito talentadong scholar Natamo reputasyon bilang may-akda (madalas na tinatawag na “ama ng German historians”) at kampeon para sa pagtanggap ng mga ideya ng sinaunang Griyego pilosopo Aristotle sa Gitnang Europa. Isa sa mga stained glass na bintana sa Foundation House ng kumbento ng Heiligenkreuz ay nagpapakita sa kanya sa ugali (sangkapan) bilang isang Cistercian, may mitra (sumbrero ng obispo), at aklat.

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Ang monasteryo ay itinayo sa pagitan ng 1220 at 1240: ito ay isang oras ng pangkakanyahan transition mula sa Romanesko sa Gothic. Samakatuwid, maaari mong mahanap ang isang kumbinasyon ng dalawang mga estilo dito sa kumbento. Ihambing ang, halimbawa, ang arko na ikonekta ang maliit na pulang mga haligi gawa sa marmol. Orihinal na, ang monasteryo ay itinayo bilang isang koneksyon sa pagitan ng simbahan at ang sakristiya. Ang monghe ginagamit din ito para sa panalangin at pag-aaral. Ang tombstones sa pader nabibilang sa mga miyembro ng pamilya na marangal na nagbigay ng endowments sa kumbento. Ang pinakalumang alin ang mula sa ika-14 Siglo.

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Tuwing gabi sa 08:00, ang monghe magtipun-tipon dito upang basahin ang isang kabanata mula sa Panuntunan ni St Benedict. Bawat taon sa Huwebes Santo, isang seremonya ng foot washing ang nagaganap dito. Bilang isang imitasyon ni Cristo sa kapakumbabaan, pryor ang naghuhugas ng mga paa ng 12 pinakamatandang lalaki mula sa ilalim ng parishes pastoral care ng Heiligenkreuz . Ang mas mababang mga bintana ang lahat ng mga modernong, ngunit sa semi-pabilog bintana sa ibabaw ng pagbabasa-tribuna maaari mong makita ang orihinal na salamin mula sa 13th Century; ang mga seksyon ay mapusyaw na kulay abo. Ang bintana ay binubuo ng salamin at lead. Ang unang Cistercians ay hindi gagamit ng anumang mga kulay sa kanilang mga stained glass, dahil ang nais nila ang bintana upang kumatawan sa simpleng buhay.

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Orihinal na ang unang bahagi ng kuwartong ito ay ang sakristiya at dulong dulo ay ang library. Kapag ang bilang ng mga monghe ay lumago sa 250, kailangan nila ng bagong sakristiya at ng isang bagong library. Ngayon, 64 monghe nabibilang sa kumbento. Hindi lahat ng mga ito nakatira dito, dahil ang ilan sa mga monghe ay may 17 parishes na dapat alagaan. Ang Cistercian Order ay isang kilusan sa reporma sa loob ng Benedictine tradisyon. Ang Cistercians split-off noong 1098 dahil ninais nilang manirahan sa isang mas simpleng paraan kaysa sa Benedictina.

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Ang halalan ng pryor at ang pagpapatibay ng novices na maganap sa kuwartong ito. Ang lahat ng mga kuwadro na gawa ay Baroque; ang mga nasa kisame ay sa pamamagitan ni Michael Rottmayer, ang mga nasa pader ay ginawa ng isang lego tinatawag Mathias Gusner. Siya ay lagyan ng kulay ang mga kasapi ng House of Babenberg na na nakalibing dito. Ang Romanesko, sculptured lapida sa gitna ng kuwarto ay ang libingan ng huling Babenberg Duke, Frederick ang palaaway; siya ay namatay noong 1246. Ang bintana ay ginawa sa ika-19 Siglo sa Kramsach sa Tyrol. Ang rosette-window ay sa World Exhibition sa Paris noong 1889, kung saan ito ay nanalo, ang unang premyo para sa kanyang mga kulay at ang kanilang mga komposisyon.

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Orihinal na ang kuwartong ito ay ang Parlatorium, ang tanging kwarto sa monasteryo kung saan ang mga monghe ay pinapayagan na magsalita. Ang mga panuntunan ng katahimikan ay limitado sa gabi na oras. Giovanni Giuliani ay nagakdang baguhin ang kuwartong ito sa isang kapilya para sa mga patay at sa mga pumanaw monghe at pinananatili dito para sa isang 24-oras na pagbabantay bago ang libing. Ang krus, na gawa sa lead ay nilikha ni Raphael Donner. Ang pangit na bintana ay nilikha sa pamamagitan ni Peter Bischof noong 1960.

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Ang kuwartong ito ay nagsilbi bilang isang washing room hanggang sa gitna ng ika-16 Siglo. Ang fountain ay ginawa sa Roma sa 1556 at binubuo ng limang nangunguna basins. Dahil sa mataas na nilalaman ng mineral ng tubig, ang fountain ay na “palamuti” sa pamamagitan ng mga deposito sa mineral. Ang karamihan sa mga bintana ay moderno pamalit, ngunit ang isa sa kaliwa na portrays pantao figure nagmula mula 1295. Sa itaas na kaliwang gilid maaari mong makita ang abbeys ng Heiligenkreuz (kaliwa), at Klosterneuburg (kanan). Pagkatapos, sa ilalim ng dalawang abbeys, mayroon kang larawan ng ang tao na itinatag parehong monasteryo, St Leopold III (kaliwa), at ang kanyang asawa Agnes (kanan). Sa ilalim ng ilang maaari mong makita ang anim na ng kanilang mga anak. Ang mga tao sa puting magsuot ng bata ay pinagpala Otto ng Freising, ang anak na lalaki sino ay ipinadala sa Paris para sa kolehiyo at ibinalik sa mas mababang Austria may Cistercian monghe.

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Sakristiya ay itinayo sa simula ng ika-18 Siglo. Ang mga kuwadro na gawa at mga fresco sa kisame, na ginawa ng Grophoro Tenckalla at Antonio Aliprandi, nagmula sa panahon ng konstruksiyon. Ang gawaing kahoy nakatanim sa cabinet ay tapos na sa pamamagitan ng dalawang lay brothers: Brother Lukas Barth at Brother Casper Wiler. Ito ay kinuha sa kanila 20 taon upang makumpleto! Bilang karagdagan, sila ay ginamit 20 iba’t ibang mga uri ng kahoy: maple higit sa lahat, kulay ng nuwes at Linden kahoy.

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Orihinal na ito ay ang monghe ‘lugar ng trabaho, na ginamit para sa paggawa ng mga sapatos at bota. Ang madilim, kulay abong mga spot sa mga pader at sa kisame ay mga labi mula sa ika-13 siglong painting. Sila ay natuklasan kamakailan sa panahon ng isang proyekto pananauli. Ang mga kuwadro na gawa ay, tulad ng mga bintana sa kumbento, napaka-tuwiran: ang monghe ginagamit lamang ng dalawang kulay (pula at puti) at sila ay lagyan ng kulay solong brick upang ipakita ang kanilang mga perpektong ng pagiging simple.

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Ang Abbey Iglesia ay itinayo sa dalawang iba’t ibang mga estilo: ang Romanesko at Gothic ang style. Ang Romanesko bahagi ay natapos sa 1187. Ang tatlong bintana sa itaas ng pasukan ay tipikal ng Cistercian abbeys: sumagisag nila ang Holy Trinity. Ang Gothic na bahagi ng iglesia ay natapos sa 1295. Ang mataas na altar ay nakatayo sa gitna ng bahaging ito, sa ibabaw ito ng canopy at pininturahan ng sahig na gawa sa krus. Ang altar at ang mga canopy Neogothic; ang mga ito ay tungkol sa 100 taong gulang. Ang krus ay lagyan ng kulay sa 1980. Ito ay ang kopya ng isang orihinal na Italyano mula sa 1138, na matatagpuan sa isang simbahan sa tabi ng La Spezia.

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Ang organ ay isa sa mga pinakamalaking mga instrumentong pangmusika sa Austria at itinayo noong 1804. Ito ay may 3700 pipe, 50 nagrerehistro at 2 manual. Franz Schubert at Anton Bruckner ay mga musikero nito. Dahil Schubert binubuo ng isang espesyal na piraso ng musika para sa organ, ito ay tinatawag na ang Schubertorgan. Ang koro stall, na kung saan ay ginawa sa pagitan ng 1708 at 1712, ay isa pang trabaho sa pamamagitan ng Giuliani. Binubuo ang mga ito ng kulay ng nuwes na kahoy (ang madilim na bahagi) at Linden kahoy (ang reliefs at busts sa itaas). Ang reliefs isadiwa eksena mula sa buhay ni Hesus Kristo. Ang busts sa itaas ay kumakatawan parang santa obispo, Abbots at statesmen. Mula sa kanilang makalangit na koro, sumali sila sa kanilang mga tinig sa papuri kasama ng monghe ‘koro dito sa ibaba.

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https://www.stift-heiligenkreuz.org

Photos by Stift Heiligenkreuz/ Translated from English to Tagalog by the Blog Author.

A SOUL FULL OF THANKS, A HEART FULL OF LOVE

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I am deeply humbled because I am experiencing an outpouring of love and support to a would-be-monk celebrating his 36th birthday. I am elated not because of the thought that I just revealed my age to all of you but because of the great deal of being amongst you – my family here in Bochum.

It is my birthday today and I’m really grateful to God for giving me 36 years and hopefully a lot more!  For me, I really want to spend this day in an attitude of thanksgiving to God. He truly has been the reason all throughout my sojourn.

The inspiration to religious life rooted from a family of deep spiritual background. My mother was once a discerner of religious life when she was young, but her destiny brought her to a married life and produced many vocations. Their inspiration led their children to a deep and intimate relationship with the Creator and showed us to learn the value of self sacrifice.

My journey is not as easy as it seems. It took me many years to finally decide to embrace and hear attentively the “call” to a specific vocation that is to embrace contemplative lifestyle in which the Order of Cistercian Community has offered and allowed me to embrace. The attraction is purely manifested in my heart and somewhat by the people that surrounds me. Nevertheless, the decision was made by myself – not by the influence of anyone else in my family. The call continues to radiate as I aged and mature today.

And as I continue this journey, I look forward to saying “yes” and continue to perceive my religious desire with my contemplative brothers & priests in this community. I am aware that life in the community is a continues discernment and a spiritual struggle, but in God’s Holy will, my dream will become a reality.

And because of the passion felt deep within, it creates extraordinary energy that leads to greater heights, helps me achieve my dreams and compels me to live life to the fullest. I am indeed grateful for other opportunities and that is to savour understanding, to listen to reason, to breathe deeply, to swallow pride and to feel infinitely blessed.

On the occasion of my natal day, I wish to call on the Most Holy Virgin to awaken in my heart – a generous and renewed commitment to the ideals of complete self-oblation to Christ and the Church.  I offer a fervent prayer for life and impassioned love of Christ to grow daily in my heart and mind. That this may lead me to offer unity with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary. Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to his Apostles in the Upper Room continue to inspire me: “In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world” (Jonh 16:33). Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence.

Christ is counting on us. And in the footsteps of this conclave, let ourselves be enthralled by Him. In this way, we too will be, for the world in our time – herald hope, reconciliation and peace!

Thank you Jesus for the never-ending chance and privilege to serve and to love, for the gift of passion to teach and to mold.

My brothers and sisters, thank you all for corning, thanks for your goodwill and may my contact with you all continue for a considerable time to come.

Emotions are running high and it is quite difficult for me to express what I feel deep inside.  But let me end this message by way of my native tongue -Maraming Salamat Po!

ENTRANCE TO CISTERCIAN ORDER IN GERMANY.

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Mit den Grüßen des Friedens und der Liebe an die Menschen in Stiepel!

Mein Herz umarmt jeden von euch mit Liebe, Gebeten und Dankbarkeit. Zuerst möchte ich mich jedem von euch vorstellen. Mein Name ist Michael C. Deuna, ich komme von den Philippinen,  aus der Provinz Sorsogon , in der Bicol Region. Das ist die südlichste Provinz von Luzon, sie ist in 14  Kommunen unterteilt. Sorsogon befindet sich an der Spitze der Bicol Halbinsel. Die Sprachen mit den meisten Sprechern sind im allgemeinen Bicol, Sorsoganon, Tagalog und Englisch. Die Größe Sorsogons beträgt  2.119,01km2 mit derzeit 709.673 Einwohnern. Es gibt dort viele interessante Dinge für Touristen und Gäste, mit z.B. heiteren Festivitäten. Der Ort hat den Einfluss der spanischen Kolonialisten bewahrt. Bis hierher über meine Heimat, bei Fragen, spreche ich gerne mit jedem einzelnen.

Meine Schulausbildung fand im von katholischen Nonnen, The Daughters of Charity,  geführten Colegio De La Milagrosa in Sorsogon statt. Meine Hochschulausbildung fand allerdings in Manila, der Hauptstadt der Philippinen, 12 Stunden von meinem Geburtsort entfernt, statt. Ich schloss mein Studium mit einem Bachelor in Medizintechnik an der Manila Central University ab und machte mein Praktikum an einem der angesehensten Militärkrankenhäuser  des Landes. Nach meinem Abschluss musste ich arbeiten gehen, die Lizenzprüfung für meinen Kurs war nicht das wichtigste. Mit anderen Worten: Ich bin kein lizensierter Medizintechniker.

Ich stamme aus einer großen Familie mit 10 Geschwistern, ich bin der jüngste. Ich war erst 5 Jahre alt als meine Mutter starb und 11 Jahre als mein Vater ihr folgte. Meine Brüder und Schwestern schickten mich zur Schule und ich schaue zu ihnen als die Helden und Heldinnen meiner Kindheit auf. Ich wurde sehr katholisch  von  meinen Eltern, Cecilia Castro und Teopisto Deuna, erzogen. Durch die sehr katholisch geprägte Atmosphäre zu Hause, trat unsere älteste Schwester vor 39 Jahren den Missionarinnen Daughters of St. Paul bei, und lebt nun in einer Missionsstation in Johannesburg, Südafrika. Viele Jahre später, im Jahr 2000, entschloss sich einer meiner Brüder dasselbe zu tun. Er ist Priester der Societa Vinci Divini (Society of the Divine Word, SVD). Ich wuchs in der Umgebung von Missionaren, Seminaristen, Laien und  Medizinern auf. Trotz der Sehnsucht nach elterlicher Geborgenheit, wuchs ich in vielerlei Hinsicht unabhängig auf.

Ich begann unabhängig von meinen Lieben zu leben, als ich zu meiner ersten Arbeitsstelle außerhalb der Philippinen in den Mittleren Osten ging. Ich verließ die Philippinen vom 31.07.2001 bis zum  10.12.2011. Für fast 10 Jahre arbeitete ich in einer muslimischen Atmosphäre, aber mein katholischer Glauben wurde nie auf die Probe gestellt. Das Praktizieren des Glaubens war für einen sehr stark gläubigen Filippino in Saudi-Arabien streng verboten. Im Allgemeinen sind keine öffentlichen Glaubensbekenntnisse wie z.B. die Heilige Messe, das Tragen bzw. Das Beten des Rosenkranzes und die Heilige Kirche erlaubt. Daher praktizieren katholische Organisationen bis heute im Untergrund.

Saudi –Arabien war in dieser Zeit meine zweite Heimat. Ich arbeitete als Verkaufs- und Marketingsekretär für den Gebietsverkaufsleiter einer Marketingfirma, die unter den 20 besten Firmen Al -Khobars (Königreich Saudi-Arabien) ist. Die Firma bewirbt und vertreibt verschiedene Marken im Land und in anderen Teilen des Mittleren Ostens. Dazu gehören Namen wie  Jergens, Dial, Alberto V05, St. Ives, Sensodyne, Aquafresh au seiner Reihe von Konsumgütern. Sie sind auch offizielle Agenten in Saudi-Arabien für Designerlabels wie Burberry, Salvatore Feragamo, Kenzo, Aigner, Givenchy usw.

Durch eine Audio-CD und den Monastic channel bei YouTube kam ich in Berührung mit dem Stift Heiligenkreuz in Österreich. Meinen ersten Kontakt  hatte ich mit Pater Wolfgang und Pater Karl. Das war das einzige mal, dass ich formell Pater Gabriel vorgestellt wurde, der zu dieser Zeit kurz davor war, sein Noviziat in Österreich zu beenden.  Pater Gabriel  sandte mir sehr gewissenhaft Emails, um sich näher nach mir zu erkundigen. Allerdings war mir zu dieser Zeit nicht bewusst, dass es ein Tochterkloster in Deutschland gibt. So stellte er mich Pater Abt Maximilian Heim vor, der zu dieser Zeit Prior des Zisterzienserklosters in Stiepel war. Er fragte mich nach einer Weile, ob ich bereit sei für einen Monat ins Kloster nach Deutschland zu kommen. Ich sagte definitiv „Ja!”. Weihnachten 2010 und Neujahr 2011 verbrachte ich mit den Mönchen im Zisterzienserkloster  Stiepel und Stift Heiligenkreuz . Diese Erfahrung war wirklich magisch und die Mönche rührten mich durch ihren Gesang „Salve Regina“ während der Komplet zu Tränen.

Die Einsicht zu meiner Berufung schließlich „Ja“ zu sagen, kostete mich mehrere Jahre. Dieser Prozess begann,  als ich noch zur Oberschule ging, zu dieser Zeit war ich mir aber noch nicht sicher, auch war ich damals noch zu jung. Nach der 10. Klasse wechselte ich in die Universität, mit dem Wunsch Priester oder Mönch zu werden.  Ich lebte mein Leben als glücklicher, zufriedener und lustiger junger Mann. Nach dem Beenden der Universität, genoss ich das Leben: Ich reiste, ich feierte das Leben mit meiner Familie und guten Freunden, und machte alles was ich wollte – natürlich im Rahmen unserer Familienethik. Die Liebe zu meiner religiösen Berufung wuchs mit meinem Alter. Diese Sehnsucht nach Liebe wurde mit den Tagen, Wochen, Monaten und Jahren, die vergingen, intensiver.  Aber die Angst zu scheitern, zerstörte mich. Ich war nicht mutig genug, es wirklich zu versuchen. Dann kam der Moment, als meine Furcht in eine mutige Entscheidung umgewandelt wurde. Meine Erfahrungen prägten und formten mich, und ich lernte Gottes Pläne für mein Leben zu akzeptieren. Mutter  Teresa sagte einmal, “Ich bin der Stift in Gottes Hand.”

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Vielen Dank für eure mich willkommen heißenden Gesten und ich freue mich darauf, mit euch bald fließend in Deutsch sprechen zu können.

Gott schütze uns alle und lasst uns alle für jeden beten.

Kloster Stiepel Official Newspaper:

https://www.kloster-stiepel.org/fileadmin/bilder/uploads/2012/Klosternachrichten/KN_Mai_Juni_2012.pdf

Blessed Mother’s Birthday

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O holy Mary, my Mistress, into thy blessed trust and special blessing, into the bosom of thy tender mercy, this day, every day of my life and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body; to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits, all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to thy will and that of thy divine Son.

Amen.

Monastic Experience: Life, Prayer & Gift.

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“It was a strange feeling for me why you want to enter monastery in Germany rather than in the Philippines?” That was the question asked by Diocesan Priest in my first week in the monastery. It was a tough and straight forward question.

First of all, If God really wants you to work in His vineyard. He will not regard what is your nationality and origin. Regardless of your race, God will call you where He needs you. He will truly manifest in your work, life experiences and in the beating of your heart. Indeed, the heart is speaking.

Dec. 9, 2010 was the first visit to Germany for my monastic observance. The approval of my visa in German Embassy in Kingdom Saudi Arabia was not that easy. Interviews were done many times and I was instructed to report twice in Riyadh. Although, Al-Khobar is 6 hours away from Riyadh, I had sacrificed my time for my long awaited vacation and spiritual journey. After 15 days, hurray! That was a worth waiting moment when I knew I was granted visa going to Europe. God really hear my prayers! I strongly believe in “good things come to those who wait”.

My monastic experience open doors to prayer, conversion, friendship and a new place to call home. Everything that happened was the answer I had prayed for. The power of prayer is not to be set aside because God can hear you even if you are in the darkest side of the World.

Take a glimpse of what the monastery looks like and what kind of friendship I built with the people behind the cloistered walls:

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Stift Heiligenkreuz Facade

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Lauds inside the monastery

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Behind the Cloistered Walls

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Funeral Chapel

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Community Hall

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Station of the Cross

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Zisterzienserkloster Bochum-Stiepel

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Zisterzienserkloster Bochum-Stiepel Church

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Zisterzienserkloster Monastery

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Monastery Gate

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With Kabayans & Brother Monk

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With Kubas & Frater Jacobus

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Fraters Philip & Malachias

It was a true, fulfilling and amazing grace! I ask you to accompany me in my journey. The road is sometimes rocky and uneven, but through your loving presence and prayers, I surpassed them all with hope that God is always beside me.

Hopefully this year, my candidacy will start with the community. In God’s grace I pray……

Letter to Blessed Chiara Luce Badago

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Dear Chiara,

Greetings from Saudi  Arabia!

Blessed Chiara Luce Badago

Blessed Chiara Luce Badago

To begin with, let me introduce myself to you. I’ am Michael C. Deuna, a Filipino working in Saudi Arabia for almost  seven years, 34 years of age and desiring to be a monk.

My life as Overseas Filipino Worker is not easy as everyone are expecting. Work is all we desire that’s why we aim for the greater benefit of everybody than our personal longing. From there, sacrifice is a virtue that brings me closer to the reality that Jesus is everywhere.

The first time I saw you was 2 days before your beatification in Rome, Italy. Your smile is the illumination of Christ unending love even in the face of pain, disappointments & failure. When I saw you, as if I saw a friend that I lost contact with. I feel that I can share solitrary moments to talk about things under the sun. I can talk about things that I can’t share with my friends who easily judge me for who they thought I was.

The day of Sept. 25, 2010, I was in front of my big screen television to witness your day of becoming beatified. I joined the million youth and the young to celebrate the day of special purpose. I was there in spirit to widely open my heart to be inspired by your story and aspirations. You open a door of experiences & spaces to love Jesus more & more. Your Mom & Dad are surely even more happy to have a holy and blessed daughter. They lost you at your young teenage years, but they win the hearts of the Youth from all over the world. It was a joyous moment to share your Mom & Dad with us.

I grew up without my parents with me. My Mom died when I was 5 years old & my Dad when I was 11. My life as a child, teenager & young adult without my parents around is comparable to a kitten looking for the mother cat. I used to look for them in the person of my friend’s parents. I give them love & they return back the love too. They treated me as theirs.

As I grow older day by day, I learned to love the Blessed Mother more & more each day. I draw my strength from her. I ask her to grant me bigger space in my heart to love JESUS the best possible I can. I learned the value of sufferings, but until I met you that I can put it into practice. The example you set for the young is the best lesson I have to cherish & be grateful for. From now and until I take my next journey, I will allow you to accompany me and touch my life everyday. Be my angel and be my friend.

It is my joy to share your life to my friends, co-workers & acquaintances! I celebrated the birth of Generation “X” Blessed in the Middle East together with the Christian community here the day I met you.

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, Pray for me!

In the love of Christ,

Michael C. Deuna

When Angel Michael Meets Angel Gabriel

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Naranasan mo na ba maging Angel para sa iba? Marahil, tayong lahat ay may mag iba’t ibang kwento sa pagiging Angel natin sa pamilya, kaibigan o sa madaling sabi sa iba. Maraming mag-papatunay how we really touched other peoples lives. We helped them either financially or emotionally. We often pa nga natataranta tayo sa tuwing ask sila ng help at kung di natin sila mapagbigyan dala ng hindi kasama sa plano, we feel really bad about ourselves. Sa makatuwid, hindi completo ang araw natin dahil sa kakaisip at awa na nabubuo sa mga puso natin tuwing naiisip natin sila. Ito ang values na dala nating mga pinoy kahit pa malayo tayo sa kanya kanyang pamilya sa Pinas.

Sa tagal na rin ng pinamalagi ko sa Kaharian, madami akong values na natutunan at nahasa pang muli. Generousity comes in free flowing scenario not just planned. Ang pagtulong ay di ayon sa gusto natin, ito’y ayon sa sinasabi ng puso natin at ng sitwasyon. Maraming dapat unahin bagama’t pakiramdaman ang puso dahil sa puso na nanahan si Kristo. Masaya ako at sa munting paraan naging Angel ako sa buhay ng taong mga mahal ko at mga taong ngayon ko pa lang nakilala.

Ok, ok , ok! Let me introduce to you my angel. His name is Angel Gabriel. He first wrote me a letter and soon he became my Vocation Promoter. He lives in a far away Kingdom, very far away from my Kingdom where I’am now. The Kingdom where he is now is called the “Kingdom of Silence”.

Let me first describe to you “The Kingdom of Silence“, a peacefully situated in the middle Vienna woods and is one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries in the world. It was founded in 1133 by St. Leopold III of the House of Babenberg. Leopold’s son, Otto, had been sent to Paris for an international education.Otto came in contact with Cistercian monks and soon decided to enter a Cistercian monastery.  When Otto visited his father in Austria he asked him to build a similar monastery for Lower Austria. This was the reason St. Leopold built Heiligenkreuz as well as Klosterneuburg to the northwest of Vienna (from its history referrence). Our friendship is a God’s grace and a blessing too. He brought with him hope & love for my desire to enter religious life. He is the key to my first ever visit as an observer to Stift Heiligenkreuz Abbey. I will be forever grateful to God and to the community. Hope that one day I will be the one to say to the other applicants “Our doors are open for you, our hearts even more!

Angel Gabriel monastic vow is scheduled on August 12, 2010 at Stift Heiligenkreuz, Vienna, Austria. We request friends, benefactors, seminarians, nuns & priests to pray together for this very special occasion.

In our search for truth God guide us with His fatherly wisdom by giving us people who will let us see the light. Friendship is one God’s manifestation. Value & honor friendship!

Prayer,

Lord, teach us to be an Angel to every person that we meet. Remind us to be an Angel to others than others be an Angel to us. Propagate the value of human connection for us to share our views and inspire each other by our stories that may lead to loving you more. Continue to shower us with abundant friendships. Amen!

Lenten Journal 1: Understanding TRUTH against SELF, Way to Self Discovery.

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I was in silent mode for quite sometime. For the past few months, I thought of having  my Spiritual Journal, but a little hesitant to do so. Anyway, I came up to conclusion that it would be nice if I will start it this 2010. I was motivated to begin my Lenten Journal upon reading the passage from Ecclesiastes: 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter, because when the face is sad the heart grows wiser”.

Do you seek to know and to realize truth? Then, you must prepare and sacrifice to renouce to the Almighty. Are you willing to deny yourself , give up your lust, your prejudices and your opinion? If so, you may enter a narrow way of truth and find that peace from which the world is shut out.

 The absolute denial the other extinction of self is the perfect state of truth and all religion and philosopy are but so many aids to this supreme attainment. Self is the denial of truth, truth is the denial of self. As you let self die you will be reborn in truth. As you cling to self , truth will be hidden from you. While you cling to self, your path will be beset with difficulties and repeat pain, sorrows and disappointments. There are no difficulties in truth. And coming to truth you will be free from sorrows and disappointments. Truth and itself is not hidden and dark. It is always revealed and is perfectly transparent. The light of day is not hidden except to the blind, and the light of truth is not hidden except to those blinded by self. Truth is one reality in the universe, the inward harmony, the perfect justice, the eternal love. Nothing can be added to it nor taken from it. It does not depend upon any man, but all man depend upon it. You can not percieve the beauty of truth while looking out to the eye of self. If you are vain, you will color things with your own vanities; If lustful, your heart and mind will be so clouded with the smoke and flame of passion that everything will appear distorted through them; If proud and opinionative, you will see nothing in the whole universe except the magnitude and importance of your own opinions. There is one quality which pre-imminently distinguishes the man of truth from the man of self, and that is humily. To be not only free from vanity, stubbornness and egotism, but to regard one’s own opinion as of no value, this indeed true humility.

Truth & Self

You may easily know wether you are a child of truth or worshipper of self  if you silently examine your mind and heart. Take a vow of silence and examine our conscience during this Lenten Season.

To those people I committed mistakes, I feel sorry for my arrogance and my manipulative attitude (whatever you may call it). I admit and acknowledge my mistakes not because it’s Lenten Season, but because you are part of my journey towards Him.

Maraming Salamat Po!

Prayer:

Lord, as we remember your sufferings, pains and sorrows let me too realize and acknowledge my weaknesses and shortcomings. May these all be my source of strength to face whatever life has to offer. Amen

Pasko na naman, single pa rin ako!

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Pasko na naman bakit wala ka pa? Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sayo?…………………………..

Mga paunang lyrico sa kanta ni Ariel Rivera na sumikat sa panahon ni Chris C…na aking kaibigan, hahaha!. Ilan ba sa ating mga pinoy sa Saudi ang nagtatanong ng mga katagang nakasulat sa taas? Nakakasigurado akong sa mga malalamig ang pasko lang  nauuso ang tanong na yan.

Pang ilang taon mo na ba itong pasko sa Saudi Arabia? Marahil, mahaba haba na rin ang pinamalagi mo sa disyerto, ano? Ano ba ang pinakamimiss mo sa paskong Pilipinas? Ako, madami: simbang gabi, parol, christmas carols, kaibigan at kapamilya. Ilan lamang yan sa mga reasons why we frequently enumerated the things we missed most but, have you ever contemplate more on the deeper side?

It’s another christmas season. Itong pasko ay marahil pinakamalungkot para sa mga single na walang partners. This is the traditional time that most people go out and do things with their wives and girlfriends. Panahon kung saan they spend together enjoying each others company.

Are you worried being single? Why should I be worried besides, singleness is a blessing. Para sa mga single na katulad ko, it is far more healthy to have hobbies and activities that one does and enjoys. When you have interests and hobbies that satisfy you, you actually become more attractive to others. Hindi ka lang isang boring na indibidwal, kundi isang taong pinagaaksayahan ng oras. You have things to talk about, ideas to share. Dahil isinasantabi mo ang iyong pagka “virgin” (hmmmmp!), you come across as confident and strong. People are drawn to people who are happy and confident. Happiness is just within yourself and waiting to be unleashed.

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face of being single

Instead of feeling alone and sorry about being single, go out and find something to do that really interests you. Have a dancing lesson if that’s what floats your boat. Gawin mo ang alam mong makapagpapasaya sayo, and in the process you may just attract someone.

Ang buhay ay di umiikot ayon sa gusto natin. Makinig ayon sa sinasabi ng puso mo. May buhay sa likod ng pagiging mag-isa!

Maligayang Pasko Po!

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to draw strenght out of my weaknesses and let my heart speaks for your glory. Remind me to follow you through the beating of my precious heart.

This I ask through your son Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Random Thoughts

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I clearly remember what my greatest disappointments were when I was a kid. The first,  was when our mom died at my young age(5 yo)/ when our dad died (11 yo). I was not very vocal about the feelings. I just kept it since then. Second, when my guardian got married and I was left behind sleeping alone in the room. Though terrifying,  just managed to get over it. Third, without mama & papa behind during my adolescent life. Fourth, when my brod decided to enter religious life. That were the moments I asks God why He lets me feel that way, alone…
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Jungle Bridge

If I was not mistaken, my brother entered the seminary during the summer of 2000. I was then working in Marks & Spenser Philippines. I managed to assists him during his transfer to tagaytay for his postulancy. That was the moment my tears burst while driving home from the seminary. I completely felt the role that God gave us. God’s plan will always prevail even if you keep on resisting the call. I knew my brother very well. He is quite the opposite of the seminarians I knew; brand concious,brat, sexually healthy & not pious (though occassionally went to church). That were the adjectives to describe him prior to his seminary entrance. We had no issues unresolve since he decided to direct his path to religious life. The last time I had conversation with him was the day before my flight going to Saudi Arabia. The words that I heard from his mouth was the words I really wanted to tell him, “enjoy life to the fullest at sumunod ka na rin”….Now, he is already a missionary priest.

My discernment started 7 years back right before I accepted the job offer in Saudi Arabia. To some, it wasn’t a discernment anymore beacause I’am too old to decide for myself, lol! Somehow God wants me to learn lessons out of these experiences. To my surprise there was a congregation accepting very very late vocation (25-45 yo).

The question of, “Why do I need to feel the sense of being alone? Is God there when times like these?”. For 30 years, I struggled to handle my fears & sadness, but recently I have this feeling of completeness that even to this point I questioned ‘Why?”. Why all of a sudden I was anesthesized and cured from this long unwinding struggle? Is God working again? Is my inner silence an invitation to contemplative living? I asked Br. Anthony and happens to be a vocation director of one of the monasteries in America.

Letter sent to Vocation Director, Abbey of Genesee:

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Dear Br. Anthony,

 Good Morning! (10.30 am, Saudi Time).

I’m still giving myself up to next year to fix things out. There are a lot of things to consider before leaving Saudi Arabia and stay in the Philippines for good. The reason why I sent you an e-mail this time is to ask if you can guide me through my journey. I really wanted to have a retreat on my own in my private moment. I tried practicing “Lectio Divina” but not sure if I’m doing it in accordance with St. Benedict’s rule. Is my inner silence an invitation to monastic vocation?

Hope you will extend help with regard to my inquiries.

 In Christ,

Michael

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The reply was sent immediately:

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Dear  Michael,

I see the Lord continues to invite you to a deeper relationship with him and you seek to respond to his invitation. That is good! Yes, it is possible for you to respond to such a grace at anytime and in anyplace. A contemplative monastery provides the optimum setting for doing so but it can be done anywhere with a little effort.

Mindfulness, that, is trying to be aware of God’s loving presence is at the heart of the spiritual life. Once we come to know God better we are able to love him more and serve him generously. You are on the right track in trying to practice “lectio divina” for that provides us with knowledge of God and his ways with us. The more we live in the conscious awareness of God’s presence the more we relate to him and try to become like him in our thoughts, words and deeds. It is what St. Paul calls putting on the mind of Christ. That is a lifetime project.

 Actually, the whole spiritual life can be summed up, I think, in the response of Jesus to the question, what must I do to be saved? Jesus replied, love God and neighbor. There it is! That’s what Christianity is all about whether one lives in a monastery or outside of a monastery.

 Back to “lectio divina” or, as it is more commonly called, spiritual reading. It is necessary to do a bit of “lectio” every day either from the scriptures themselves or other orthodox spiritual books. Choose a book to read and a time and place to read it and try to be faithful to that as much as possible. Maybe for starters about a half hour each day would be good. Usually there are four steps to “lectio”.

1) read the text slowly; 2) meditate on it – what is it saying to you; 3) turn to God in prayer about it; 4) perhaps, and this is pure gift of God, God will bring you to a deeper understanding of himself, you will experience his love for you or challenge you to some change in your life. This is called the ‘contemplative experience’. If you have access to books Michael Casey, OCSO has a good book about the subject entitled: Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina. I would recommend it. There are several web sites that treat of the subject too. For example: https://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Catholic/2000/08/How-To-Practice-Lectio-Divina.aspx.

The important thing is to persevere in the effort in good times and bad. Even when nothing seems to be happening. Actually subtle changes take place that we are often unaware of affecting our interior attitudes, outlooks on life, etc. It is often helpful to carry a thought from the day’s ‘lectio’ about with us throughout the day and return to it often. For example, the simple truth that ‘God is love’, or ‘God is good’ or a prayer like, ‘thy will be done’.

To answer your follow up question: Your inner silence may or may not be an invitation to monastic life. It could well be that God is calling you to live a contemplative life there in the world as he does for many people. Or, it could be a call to monastic life. It is hard to say at this point. The thing to do for now, I suggest, is do all you can to grow in knowledge, love and service of God in your present circumstance. That would include prayer, frequent Mass, simple living, good works, ‘lectio’, etc. Perhaps that will satisfy your longing. But if after these practices you still feel a longing for more that could well be an indication that God is calling you to some form of religious life. Live in the present moment – the future will sort of take care of itself.

At this point in your life I highly recommend trying to find a spiritual director or mentor who could help you with the difficult process of vocational discernment. Someone familiar with the spiritual life with whom you could meet and who could help you sort things out. Perhaps there is a religious community nearby, or the local parish priest, or the diocesan vocation director who could offer assistance at this time. It is always good to be able to talk these matters over face to face with a person who understands something of the spiritual life.

Well, Michael, I hope these few thoughts are of some assistance for now. I’m glad to be of whatever help I can even at such a distance. Be assured of my prayer for your needs and intentions.

God bless you always,

Br. Anthony

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I was deeply touched by his message ” The important is to persevere in the effort in good times and in bad. Even when nothing seems to be happening“. I never stop believing that God is there cuddling us when we redirect our sight to our material comforts. Find your place in this world and God will direct you.

Prayer:

Lord,

Direct me to the place where you want me to be. Guide me to be humble, persevering and people person. Don’t loss sight of me everytime I call you in the middle of the road of darkness. Protect me by your love.

Amen.