Keeping the Faith

WITH TEARS in my eyes periodically welling, I fixed my mind, my heart – albeit on television – at the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod and the six other new elect in the Church’s catalog of holy men and women.

More than Filipino pride, it was Faith that made the stirrings in my soul, deeply touched at the solemnity of the occasion as the Holy Father read the brief on the saintly life each of the seven led to their sanctifying death.

The first American Indian saint, St. Catherine Tekakwitha, called the ‘Lily of the Mohawk,” a model of youthful piety and virginity, persecuted for her faith.

St. Carmen Salles Barangueras of Spain, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the

Immaculate Conception which now serves 16 countries all over the world.

The German Franciscan sister St. Marianne Cope, founder and administrator of hospitals in New York, taking on a mission to Hawaii to administer to the lepers of the islands.

St. Anna Schaffer, also of Germany, holy mystic who elevated her debilitating ailment into a “mission of suffering,” for the love of her God and neighbour.

St. Giovanni Battista Piamarta of Italy. From  pastoral work in Brescia, he co-founded the Workman’s Institute to provide vocational and educational support as well as keep Christianity in the lives of young people moving to the city for work; and the Agricultural Colony of Remedello to provide similar services to farm workers. 

St. James Berthieu, French missionary in Madagascar active in catechizing children and caring for the sick and the poor, killed by the natives for refusing to renounce his faith.

And then, St. Pedro Calungsod,  17, lay catechist who joined a Jesuit mission to the Marianas to evangelize the native Chamorros.  Persecuted for his faith killed along with his mentor, Padre Diego Jose Luis San Victores. Their bodies thrown in to the ocean.

Thus, of the seven new saints, only our San Pedro Calungsod did not have a relic or an artefact presented at the altar of sacrifice. Profoundly touching.

The rites of canonization are a celebration of Faith, in effect a renewal of baptism, aye, a re-borning to the Church. Indeed so fitting with this year – October 12, 2012 to November 24, 2013 declared by Pope Benedict XVI as the Year of Faith.

In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, the Holy Father declared "The 'door of faith' (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church."

The Year of Faith serves as a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world,” the apostolic letter says, which to me means the fostering of a deeper relationship with Jesus through, with and in His Church.

At the novena Masses leading to the feast of our patron, St. Jude Thaddeus, the Year of Faith is already finding full expression, in the very theme of our celebration: “Faith that hopes; Hope that loves; and Love that has Faith.”   

On the eve of the canonization rites, the Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio David, auxiliary bishop of San Fernando celebrated the anticipated Mass that delved on the theme: Faith inspires true humility.

“Humility is essential to faith,” said the good bishop in his homily, delving on the gospel for the day, Mark 10:35-45, to wit:

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."

He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Human pride, the arrogance of the ego, has no place in the Christian soul. The gospel teaches us total surrender to the will of God.

“Thy will be done,” as the Lord’s Prayer instructs. And in all humility – as Christians – we submit.  As St. Pedro Calungsod and all the saints lived and died.       

It gives me therefore a sense of sadness to read this story in abs-cbnnews.com, to wit: 

MANILA, Philippines - The canonization rites at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City have started, and the image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod occupies the second highest place of honor.

Based on sanpedrocalungsod.com, Calungsod’s image hangs third from the right at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Vice-Postulator for the Canonization Cause of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson said this is the second highest place of honor..

Leyson explained that the center balcony is the highest place of honor. The next ranks then move out from the center.

The website also said the “ranks” are decided by three factors: first, martyrs rank higher than non-martyrs; bishops rank higher than priests; priests, who rank higher than religious, and lay people.

Mark 10:35-45 updated there. Places of honor are a negation of Christian humility. Go, check Luke 14:7 and Matthew 23:6.

When will we ever learn?