CITY OF THE SACRED HEART

THE CITY OF THE SACRED HEART

The 9th Promise of the Sacred Heart: "I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored." 

In the early 1900s, Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey began the practice of "enthronement of the home" and consecrated many households to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He started with his own home, putting in a place of honor an image of the Sacred Heart. This act of consecration was inspired by that of Margaret Mary Alacoque and Fr. Colombiere, who were the first ones to practice self-consecration.

"Heart is where the home is."

Today, we at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, continue this tradition of enthronement. Following Promise No. 9, my brother priests and I, with the help of our Eucharistic Ministers enthrone homes, offices, schools, and every place possible.

Many times, we celebrate a street mass for everyone to freely participate in. Towards the end of the mass we explain enthronement. Before enthroning, we first bless the homes (or "re-bless" if already bless). We then proceed to enthronement or re-enthronement of each home. We go from one house to another in order to consecrate those who dwell in it and all their activities. An image of the Sacred Heart is placed in every home we enthrone, making Him the focal point of the household. Ideally, re-enthronement is celebrated yearly on the Feast of Christ the King.

For me, every visit is unique. We get to visit homes in the parish. We meet scores of different people and get to know them a little bit in the short but meaningful time we spend together. Sometimes they even shamefully say "Pasensya na po Father, magulo at maliit lang ang bahay namin." I disagree. I believe their homes are measured by their hearts, and welcoming us with such warmth has proven how big their hearts are. I am moved and grateful to our parishioners for allowing us to share this enthronement experience with them.

It is true. We don't really start the enthronement and consecration with the home. We start it with our hearts.

To "enthrone" means "to assign supreme virtue or value to". To enthrone one's heart and home to the Sacred Heart means to put Jesus in His supreme place in your heart and to make Him the No. 1 head of your household. The Tagalog term "Harinawa" used by many to mean "hopefully" or "sana nga" also means (literally) "Haring-awa" or "by the King's mercy" which ultimately pertains to "God-willing". Here we see how Christ is so embedded in our culture and heritage as the King of Kings whose throne rests in wherever we are and whatever we do.

And because this King's most important part is His Sacred Heart, it only follows that His heart be revered and imitated. The Sacred Heart of Jesus promises to bless every place - be it heart/self, home, office or any other establishment, unit or community - where His image is exposed and honored. To expose does not only mean "to make it visible or merely to show it off"; It also means to "reveal the true nature of His heart (exposition) and experience it fully (be exposed to)"; To know, understand and see for ourselves how valuable this Heart truly is in our day to day lives. The honor is ours to give and by virtue of His 9th promise, for us to receive as well.

Our primary goal and vision is to consecrate every Filipino home, community, city and the whole country to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - perhaps even to consecrate Makati to become "The City of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines".

Let our hearts and our homes be a haven to His Sacred Heart. Let it touch us everyday and make us HeartStrong like Him, digging deep within our "kalooban" for the goodness in us, burning with passion in everything we put our hearts into.

May our hearts be like HIS.

Did you know?

In 1720, the Bubonic Plague struck the town of Marseilles and left 60,000 dead out of a 90,000 population. Because of this, a local nun advised their Bishop to consecrate the town to the Sacred Heart. The plague immediately stopped and Marseilles has since been known as "The City of the Sacred Heart".



REV. FR. VIC Y. APACIBLE 
Parish Priest / Rector

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES: SEPTEMBER 2012

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

SEPTEMBER, 2012

1-Sat.               

10:30 AM-4:00 PM MAGPAS/Pondo ng Pinoy Anniversary at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion  

After the 6:30 PM Mass, On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

6-Thu. After 6:00 PM Mass – HeartSpeaks by Mr. Tony Meloto      

7-Fri. FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTIONS

NOVENA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at all Masses

Whole Day/Night Vigil and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

After the 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”

7:30 PM to 12 MN – Continuation of Vigil and Adoration

12:00 MN – MIDNIGHT MASS, Followed by continuation of 

Vigil and Adoration  until 5:00 AM.

8-Sat. Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

5:00 AM -  Dawn Procession in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

After 7:30 AM Mass, Recitation of the Four Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

9:00 AM-11:00 AM Free Legal Consultation, SSS,  NSO, and 

City Civil Registration Assistance Desk

After the 6:30 PM Mass, On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

9-Sun.           

7:30 AM Mass for the Elderly (Shrine and Sta. Cruz Chapel)

5:30 PM Mass for the Youth

11 to 13 Tue-Thu.

6:30 PM Triduum Masses for the Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross 
at Sta. Cruz Chapel.                         

                                            

14-Fri.           

6:30 P.M. Feast Day Mass of the Triumph of the Holy Cross 
at Sta. Cruz Chapel, followed by Veneration  of the Relic of the True Cross, 
and Procession at Barangay Sta. Cruz                                     

                        
After the 6:30 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”

15-Sat.           

After the 6:30 PM Mass, On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

16-Sun. 

Blessing of Birthday, Baptismal, Wedding Anniversary Celebrants at all Masses

19 to 27 Wed-Thu.

Novena Masses in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz
(Mon-Fri 6:00 PM  Sat. 6:30 PM  Sun. 10:30 AM / 5:30 PM

21-Fri.  After the 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart"

22-Sat. After the 6:30 PM Mass, On-going Parish Formation inside the Church 

28-Fri. 

6:00 PM Feast Day Mass - Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz
After the 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart” 

29-Sat. Feast of Archangels Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

After the 6:30 PM Mass, On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

30-Sun. Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday in the Parish

Approved by:

NOEL M. DAVID

PPC Coordinator

REV. FR. VICTOR Y. APACIBLE

Parish Priest / Rector

ANO BANG KULTURA ANG SISIMULAN NG RH BILL

ANO BANG KULTURA ANG SISIMULAN NG RH BILL?  (Message of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle during the Prayer Rally against the RH Bill at the Edsa Shrine on August 4, 2012.) Ibig ko hong anyayahan kayong lahat na batiin ninyo ang ating mga pari at mga Obispo. Alam niyo ho kung sino ang may fiesta ngayon, sinong saint? Yes. St. John Marie Vianney. Siya po ang saint, ang patron ng mga pari. Paki sabi po sa mga pari na narito at sa malayo, “We love you, Fathers!” Ano naman ang mga sagot natin, Fathers? “We love you, too!” Unang-una po nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Episcopal Commission on Family and Life sa pangunguna po ni Bishop Gabby Reyes na nagcelebrate lang po kahapon ng birthday. Hindi na po natin itatanong kung ilang taon na siya. Tanging Diyos lamang ang nakakaalam. At nagpapasalamat din tayo sa lahat ng dioceses na sa oras na ito ay nananalangin din po sa iba’t ibang lugar at iba’t ibang cathedral sa kanilang mga dioceses. At maraming salamat pos a inyo na naglakas loob, sinuong ang ulan, ang hangin para magtipon po. Sabay-sabay tayong mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng magagandang panayam, makikinig po tayo, magninilay, huhubugin an gating konsensiya. Sabi nga po ni Archbishop Soc, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaliwanag nawa ay makaabot tayo sa conviction. Matuto tayong kumilatis. At ang lahat ng ito ay atin pong dadalhin sa panalangin. Ang RH Bill po napakaraming iba’t ibang version, minsan po nakakalito na. Ano nga ba yung version na ating tinatalakay? Pero bagama’t napakaraming panukala, ibat ibang bahagi po ito at ipapaliwanag ng ating mga dalubhasang speakers. Pakiusap ko po sa inyo, sa hapong ito hanggang mamaya, makinig po tayo para lumalim ang kaalaman at dahil sa kaalaman na iyan lumalim din ang pagkilatis at ang ating paninindigan. Ang akin pong inspirational message ay sana po maka-inspire. Ang ganda na nung binasang message galing kay Archbishop Soc. Ewan ko kung may maidadagdag pa ako duon, pero huwag niyong kakalimutan ang kanyang mensahe lalo na para sa mga kabataan. Ibig ko lang pong simulan. Sabi nila, itong pagsusulong ng RH Bill ay upang makatulong. Ang tutulungan daw po ay ang mga Filipinong naghihirap. Sa pamamagitan daw po nitong isinusulong na RH Bill mapipigil, masusugpo at baka mapipigilan na ang kahirapan, baka makahango tayo sa kahirapan para daw mas gaganda ang buhay kapag kakaunti ang tao. Para gumanda ang buhay, pigilin ang pagbubuntis, pigilan ang pagdami ng tao. Ito raw po ay para sa mga dukha. Ibig ko lang po kausapin sandali ang mga dukha. Hindi po totoo na ang simbahan, dahil sa pagtutol sa ganitong panukala, ay walang malasakit sa dukha. Araw araw, mga parokya, mga kumbento nilalapitan po ng mga dukha. Araw araw po mayroong isang dakila na layko, isang mapangkumbabang madre, isang tahimik na pari, isang uugod ugod na Obispo, araw araw ay tutugunan ang isang mahirap na lumalapit sa kanya. Kung sa iba ang mahirap ay statistics, para sa taong simbahan ang mahihirap ay tao, may mukha, may labi, may kamay, may paa, may tinig. Ang dukha ay hindi numero. Para sa lahat ng kababayan natin na naghihirap kasama po ninyo ang simbahan at lahat ng taong may mabuting kalooban sa pagtutol sa nakasisira sa dangal ng tao. Dehumanizing poverty. Ang simbahan kasama ninyo sa paglaban diyan at sa pagtutol sa kahirapan na yumuyurak sa dangal ng tao lalo na ng mga dukha. Hindi po totoo ang sinasabi nila na kaya maraming mahirap ay dahil maraming tamad. Sasabihin ko sa inyo na ang pinakamasipag na Filipino na nakilala ko ay nasa mga komunidad ng mga dukha. Mas maraming ngang mayaman papirma pirma lang, walang ginagawa. Mga kapatid na dukha bilib ako, saludo ako sa kasipagan niyo. Saludo ako sa inyong creativity sa paggiging malikhain, sa paghahanap ng pangtaguyod ng ating pamilya. Kayo po ang larawan ng kulturang Pilipino at its best, dahil sa gitna ng inyong mga hilahil ang inyong tinuturing na kayaman ay ang inyong pamilya, ang inyong mga anak. Ang mga magulang ng mahihirap na pamilya, lahat ng hirap ay kayang tiisin para mabuhay ang kanilang anak. Hindi problema ng mga dukha na mahalin at itaguyod ang mga bata, mukhang ang namo-moblema ay ang mga maykaya. Dapat matuto tayong lahat sa mga dukha, papaano magpunyagi, papaano magpahalaga at magsumikap. Mga dukha, mga aba, tayo po ay larawan ng pagsusumikap at para sa inyo, baligtarin pa man ang mundo, bawat anak ay hindi problema, bawat anak ay “laman ng laman ko, dugo ng dugo ko, buhay ko yan, huwag niyong tawaging problema yan” at para sa kanila “ibubuhos ang aking dugo, ang aking buhay ay iaalay ko.” Ito po ang natututunan nating mga pari at mga Obispo sa mga dukha na alam natin na kailangan iangat ang kanilang mga buhay subali’t kailanman sa gitna ng kanilang kahirapan hindi nila binibilang ang kanilang mga anak na sanhi ng kanilang kahirapan. Ano ang kailangan ng mga dukha? Alam natin. Alam natin. Huwag na natin itanggi pa na hindi natin alam. Alam natin ang kailangan ng mga dukha. Edukasyon, trabaho, oportunidad, damayan, pagmamalasakit. Kailangan ng tamang pamamahala at tamang paggamit ng ating mga resources. Alam nating lahat iyan, bakit hindi natin gawin para tumugon sa pangangailan ng mga dukha. Sa mga dukha ang amin pong mensahe: ang inyong dangal ay aming itataguyod at ang inyong kultura ng pagmamalasakit, pagsisikap, ng pagdadamayan para sa inyong mga anak, yang kulturang iyan ay atin ding isusulong at ipagtatanggol. Ibig ko hong kausapin ang mga bata. Sino po ang mga bata dito? Wow, ang daming nagpapanggap. Sa bagay kamuntik ko nang itinaas ang aking mga kamay. Pare-pareho tayo. Alam natin ang sanggol, ang bata, ang anak, dahil umuulan palagay ko maraming bata na nasa kanilang tahanan at kung kayo ay nakakapakinig sa radio o kaya ay nakakapanood sa TV, o kung saan man, mga bata huwag ninyong papansinin, huwag ninyong ipagdaramdam ang mga naririnig ninyo sa, ewan ko ba, parang walang pinagtandaan, nahihya ako, mga bata sa inyong kamusmusan malimit ninyong naririnig na para bagang kayo ay problema, na kayo ang nagtitingib sa kahirapan ng inyong pamilya at inyong bansa. Nahihiya ako sa inyo dahil parang namumulat kayo na ang inyong pagkakilala sa inyong mga sarili ay, “ako ay problema, ako ay sanhi ng paghihirap.” Katulad po ng nasabi na ng napakaraming mga Obispo, marami pong mga pastoral letters ng mga Santo Papa, katulad ni Hesus, mga bata, hindi kayo problema, mga bata kayo ay biyaya. Sabi nga kanina sa message ni Archbishop Soc, ang pagdadala sa inyo ay hindi sakit. Hindi kayo sakit, kayo ang tanging kayamanan ng inyong mga magulang. Ang pera nawawala, ang investment bumabagsak, ang lupa maaaring gumuho, ang tahanan aanayin, ang kayamanan mawawala, sa bandang huli ang kakapitan na lang na kayamanan ng pamilya ay kayo, mga bata. You make us rich. Ang pamilya ng nanay ko, siyam silang magkakapatid. Ang lolo ko galing sa China. Kita ba? Kita? Kasama ang mga merchants napadpad sa Pangasinan. Nakapagasawa ng Filipino-Chinese sa Dagupan. Duon isinilang at lumaki ang aming Gokim side. Namatay ang lolo at lola ko walang maipagmamalaking lupa, bahay at kung anu-anong karangyaan. Pero alam ko ang kayamanan nila ay ang siyam na anak na naitaguyod nila, nagsikap at ang kanilang pamilya ay itinataguyod din. Ang alam ko ayaw lang sabihin ng lolo ko, masaya siya, wala siyang kayamanan, may apo siyang Obispo.  Ang tatay ko lumaki sa Imus, teenager siya nasabugan ng bomba nung giyera ang kanyang ama. Ang lola ko ano ang alam? Magluto sa karinderia. Magkapatid sila, itinaguyod ang kanyang limang anak, nagiisa. At rinig na rinig ko minsan sabi ng lola ko sa kanyang mga anak, “Ito lang ang naibigay ko sa inyo, dahil ito lang ang nakaya ko. Sana naman ibigay ninyo sa aking mga apo ang higit pa sa nakayanan ko.” Kayamanan tayo ng ating mga pamilya. Mga bata, never will you be our problem, you will always be our wealth.

At di ba ito ang kultura ng Filipino, kultura ng pagpapahalaga sa bata, pagpapahalaga sa helplessness ng bata? Alam natin ang kailangan ng bata: pagmamahal, pagaaruga, tamang nutrisyon, edukasyon, kalusugan, at mapayapang kapaligiran. Alam naman natin iyon, eh, alam. Bakit ba hindi na lang ibigay, bakit hindi na lang pagsumikapan?

Ikatlo po, ibig kong kausapin ang mga kababaihan. Sabi ho kasi ang RH bill daw ay tugon sa pangangailangan ng mga babae, lalo na ng mga babaeng niyuyurakan ang kanilang dangal. Kasama po nang simbahan, lahat ng paring may mabuting kalooban, ang ating Santo Papa Benito XVI, ang nagsabi, at ito po ay ipinahahayag na rin natin dito sa lahat ng kababaihan. Tumatangis ang simbahan dahil hanggang ngayon mayroon pa ring mga lugar, mga kultura na ang babae ay nagiging biktima ng diskriminasyon, pagmamaliit, karahasan dahil sila ay babae. Ang pagkababae nila ay ginagawang dahilan, “mababang uri naman kayo,” kaya ang trato ay hindi marangal. Ang simbahan po ay kasama ninyong tumututol sa karahasang nararanas ng mga babae. Isulong po natin ang kultura na kinikilala ang ganap na pagkatao at karangalan at dignidad ng babae.

Kapag ikaw ay may asawa ang asawa ay hindi gamit, hindi bagay, hindi commodity. Ang asawa mo ay tao, ganap na tao, nilalang na kawangis ng Diyos, regalo sa iyo iyan, hindi siya punching bag, hindi siya alipin. Siya ay kayamanan mo, dapat mahalin. Yung mga lalaking katabi ang kanilang mga asawa, halikan mo siya. Tignan mo muna kung asawa mo nga iyang katabi mo. Mga seminarista, madre yang katabi niyo. Alam natin kung ano ang kailangan ng mga babae lalo na sa kanilang mga asawa: paggalang, pagpapahalaga. Alam naman, eh. Ibigay, ibigay. Kung ang bawat lalaki ay magalang sa kanyang asawa, may disiplina, nakikapagusap at sensitibo sa pangangailangan, naku po, paraiso na sa inyong tahanan.

Sa mga kabataan yung tunay na kabataan pakitaas ang kamay, yan nakakatuwa naman kayo. Napakaganda ng sinabi ni Archbishop Soc. Mga kabataan, pasensiya na rin kayo sa amin. Pero alam niyo kung mayroon mang dapat nakakaunawa sa kabataan, ay kami na dati rin namang kabataan. Kaya lang po nung panahon namin iba ang pagiging kabataan, at ang panahon ninyo ay iba rin ang pagiging kabataan. Hindi ko sinasabi na mas mabuti yung panahon namin. Hindi ko sinasabi na mas maganda ang panahon ninyo. Ang sinasabi ko lang ay talagang nag iba. Pero pasensiya na kayo kung katulad ng mga bata at sanggol ang tingin namin minsan sa mga kabataan ay mga problema kayo. Hindi po totoo yun. Totoo rin naman na hindi namin naiintindihan minsan ang inyong kilos, ang inyong salita, ang inyong pananamit, ang inyong buhok.

Ako ay takot na takot magkumpil kasi minsan pagdampi ng aking kamay sa mga ulo ng kukumpilan para bagang mahihiwa ang aking palad dahil ang mga buhok talaga namang ganyan.. Hindi ko minsan maintindihan ang inyong mga pangalan. Ang kukumpilan minsan hindi ko mabasa. Tatanungin ko sa bata, papaano ba babasahin ang pangalan mo? Kasi ang nakasulat, XYZ. Sabi nung bata “Ekkkyzzzzzz.” Parang hindi ko maatim na sabihin, “Ekkkyzzzz, tanggapin mo ang tanda ng Espiritu Santo.” Siguro naman naiintindihan ninyo kaming tumatanda. Ni hindi namin alam ang pronunciation ng XYZ.

At kung minsan ang tingin namin sa inyo, mali nga kung minsan, ay para kayong rebelde, parang walang pakialam, pero alam ko may hinahanap kayo. May hinahanap kayo sa buhay. May hinahanap kayo sa amin. Ang inyong parang pagrerebelde ay pamamaraan ng inyong paghahanap nasaan ang integridad. Mayroon akong kinausap isang batang babae na nagrebelde raw. Dinala ng magulang sa akin. Pagkatapos na maraming sinabi yung bata, sinabi niya, “Ang tatay ko pinagbabawalan akong manigarilyo pero siya sigarilyo ng sigarilyo. Ang nanay ko pinagbabawalan akong maging gastadora, pero siya pag Sabado, kung magshopping!” Tapos sabi niya, “They are fake! Fake sila.” Tapos tinignan ako, “You are fake! All of you are fake!” Pero napaisip ako, ano ang hinahanap ng kabataang ito? Authenticity, integrity, love. Hindi namin kayo kaaway ang problema mga kabataan, kayo ang aming friends. Magkakasama tayo sa paghahanap sa pag-ibig, sa integridad, authenticity. Let us work together. Okay ba friends? OKAY!!

O, tatapusin ko na ito. Baka hindi na makapagsalita yung ibang speakers. Inspiration lang naman ito, ano ho.

At panghuli po, sa mga pinuno ng ating pamahalaan. Sa atin pong nasa lehislatura. Naghahanap po kayo ng tugon sa kahirapan ng mga pamilya, tugon laban sa karahasan sa mga kababaihan, tugon para maitaguyod ang kalusugan ng mga babae, mga ina at mga sanggol. Humahanap rin kayo ng tugon para maitaguyod ang mga kabataan. Salamat po, naiisip niyo sila. Salamat po. May pakiusap lamang po ako. Mukhang ang napipisil niyong tugon sa lahat ng ito ay isang batas na inyong isinusulong. Pakiusap ko po sa inyo, kapag kayo ay nagpasa ng batas, ang batas na iyan hindi lamang ang batas. 

Bawat batas ay umuukit ng kultura. Bawat batas ay lumilikha ng mentalidad, ng priorities, na kung ano ang tinuturing na pinapayagan at hindi pinapayagan. Walang batas na batas lang. Bawat batas ay may agenda, baguhin, hubugin ang isang kultura. Pakiusap ko po sa inyo mga mambabatas at mga nasa pamahalaan. Nakilatis na ba ninyo? Ano ba ang kulturang Pilipino na inyong ibig ipasa sa amin at sa susunod na henerasyon? Ano bang kultura ang sisimulan ng RH Bill at kahit tayo ay wala na sa kulturang iyan, ay mananatili? Nakilatis na ba ninyo kung karapat-dapat na ipamana ang kulturang iyan sa mga susunod na henerasyon? Nakikiusap lang naman po ako baka ang iniisip ninyong solusyon ang maging kapahamakan ng kulturang Pilipino.

Sa atin pong lahat, pakinggan natin ang sinabi ni San Pablo sa ma Pilipos, “Dapat maging laman ng inyong isip ang mga bagay na karapatdapat at kapuri puri; mga bagay na totoo, marangal, matuwid, malinis, kaibig ibig at kagalang-galang.” Ang salita ng Diyos.

Salamat po.

SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE: SACRED HEART OF JESUS

LAZARUS SCENE FROM JESUS OF NAZARETH

"But I know that even now whatever you ask of God, God will give it to you. Because I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God. He who has come into the world to give us eternal life."

"I am the Resurrection and the Life, and those who believe in Me shall never die'"

"He that believes in Me, but he were dead, yet shall he live!"


4TH PROMISE: I WILL BE THEIR SECURITY AND REFUGE DURING LIFE, AND ABOVE ALL, IN DEATH.

PORTRAIT OF DIVINE INSPIRATION: FR. ARMAND TANGI

PORTRAIT OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
RENDITION OF FR. ARMAND TANGI, SSP.

The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart truly has a national treasure in its midst. Gracing the front of the Altar is an artistic lifelike painting of a 10-feet massive portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

This special portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is unique in that it cannot be found anywhere else in the world except only at the Philippine National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

This warm portrait of a friendly and smiling Jesus joyfully handing out His Sacred Heart to mankind is a masterpiece impression by world class Filipino painter Father Armand Tangi, SSP. He lovingly refers to this portraiture as the Smiling Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Father Armand A. Tangi is an extremely gifted and talented Filipino artist-painter and an active priest from the religious group of Society of St. Paul. Always busy in his San Antonio Makati office, he is in charge of mini-media, responsible for dissemination of God's Word in non-traditional forms of media.

Despite his natural artistic gift, Father Armand is quick to dismiss the praises and compliments that many of his religious masterpiece paintings command. He acknowledges his gratefulness to God for this special talent which he gladly uses without hesitation to glorify Him in any way he can.

He reveals the power of intimate prayer as his secret ingredient to a successful painting. Whenever he sets out to do any religious painting, he makes it a point to always pray and seek enlightenment so that he may be guided in what God wants to be done for the finished work.

As soon as he starts brush painting, he senses his hands move spontaneously as they work on the canvass as if the master strokes of Divine Inspiration flow from within. Uninterrupted and inspired, the final work becomes classic art pieces worthy of national treasure status coming from a humble painter yet unrecognized but worthy of national artist status. 

KNOWN BY HIS FRUITS 

If a tree is known by its fruits, then Fr. Armand can be intimately known by his past accomplishments. The most important artistic work he considers to have done so far are the interior artworks for the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

Though little is known by the parishioners that a Filipino painter priest who works within the San Antonio Village Community was the artist responsible for the Shrine's beautiful interiors, it is not by coincidence but by Divine Intervention that God had called him to do the difficult work of refining the interiors according to His Plan.

After celebrating the 7:00AM Mass at the Shrine, Bishop Crisostomo Yalung invited Fr. Armand to share breakfast with him. It was then that Bishop Yalung raised his greatest concern about the probable obstacle by which the renovation works of the Shrine may be delayed for some time beyond the expected date of completion.

Bishop Yalung lamented the fact that they had commissioned a Filipino-Spanish painter to do the mural of the Sacred Heart which was fronting the Altar. But since he had a busy and hectic schedule, the Spanish painter gave the minimum estimate of six months working time for all the interior artworks to be completed.

It was then that Bishop Yalung asked him if he could take on the job. Without any hesitation, Fr. Armand earnestly agreed by responding, "Yes Bishop I would do it for you and for the Sacred Heart because the Sacred Heart is my devotion."

As an ardent Sacred Heart devotee, Fr. Armand never lets a day pass without praying the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He testifies that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Mother Mary has blessed him with so many answered prayers and that They have never failed him.

While in his tertiary year studying Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, he acknowledges the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in being instrumental in confirming his important decision to enter the seminary for priesthood. He also attributes the Blessed Mother Mary as the one responsible for bringing him closer to Her Son Jesus through this Devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Father Armand's deep love for the Two Hearts was so great that he was responsible for the artistic concept and final design of the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary that is now immortalized in blue and white ceramic tiles by Mariwasa initiated in celebration of the Year of the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

This is now a standard practice adopted among house builders in the Philippines in order to consecrate their structures by placing the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary commemorative tiles in the front door or gates to blissfully greet visitors and to bring forth Graces and Divine Protection to its residents. 

WORKS OF DIVINE INSPIRATION 

When Father Armand agreed to take on the painting artworks of the Shrine's interiors, he was confident that by God's grace and with His guidance, he may be able to finish the work in a shorter period of time which was crucial to the anticipated date of formal blessing.

True enough, it is by God's Divine Intervention and one would find it hard to believe that all the excellent masterpiece paintings done inside the Shrine were finished by him after one month.

Father Armand was entrusted to do for the Shrine, a total of eight paintings. Aside from the 10 feet mural of the Smiling Sacred Heart, lifelike paintings of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Vision of the Sacred Heart to St. Alacoque, and the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were completed by him within one month.

Father Armand would always stressed that while it was Divine Inspiration that was literally guiding his master strokes, he somehow manages to inject a little of his own impression of whatever he is painting on.

He explains in detail that art must reflect life and while so many impressions of Jesus' sufferings have already been portrayed in various artworks, it is but also fair that Jesus be portrayed in His moments of joy since life is a complete experience of both joy and suffering.

It is no wonder then, that his interpretation of a smiling Jesus holding out His Sacred Heart joyfully offering it to mankind is a magnificent masterpiece showcasing the humanity and divinity of Jesus as a happy and merciful Savior. Truly, that unique human portrait of the Smiling Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Philippine national treasure that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

 

Father Armand can also be credited as the less known Filipino painter who popularized the unique portraits of The Laughing Christ and The Smiling Christ, which are collection favorites worldwide.

It surprises him to no end, that well meaning friends coming from trips abroad would come home and give him as a present this unique portrait of "The Laughing Jesus". Little do they know that it was he who first painted the original portrait which had eventually found its way overseas. Still, he would be that humble not to even admit to his friends of these portraits being his original work and idea.

To date he has completed an impressive collection of modern day poster interpretations of a "youthful Christ" to make Him more relevant and suitably appealing to a younger generation of audience.

1st Promise: I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2nd Promise: I will give peace in their families.

3rd Promise: I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

4th Promise: I will be their security and refuge during life, and above all, in death.

The artistic work of Father Armand wasn't limited only to the Shrine's interior paintings. The intricate colorful glass etchings of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart that adorned the top most portion of the ceiling walls close to the roofing were also his artistic interpretation of each of the 12 Promises in collaborative effort with an expert color glass manufacturer.

5th Promise: I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

6th Promise: Sinners will find in My Heart the Source and Infinite Ocean of Mercy.


7th Promise: Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.


8th Promise: Fervent souls shall quickly mount to higher perfection.

 9th Promise: I will bless every place in which an Image of My Heart is exposed and honored.

10th Promise: I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11th Promise: Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.

12th Promise: I promise you in excessive Mercy of My Heart that My all powerful Love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays of nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

ADORATION CHAPEL OF THE SACRED HEART 

Another classic masterpiece of the Vision of the Sacred Heart is immortalized in the colorful glass mosaic sculpture hanging suspended in the center of Adoration Chapel of the National Shrine. As explained by Father Armand, "A closer look at it, reveals the many intricate and beautiful colors of the joys of life which emanate from loving the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the center of which also houses the Sacred Host of the Blessed Sacrament."

For all of the Shrine's elaborate interior artworks, Father Armand didn't charge professional labor fees and was only reimbursed for the appropriate material costs. He considers it a work of love to glorify God and is more than grateful to have been given the privilege to do the work which was more than enough for him; since he is a devotee of the Sacred Heart. Likewise, I reassured him that it was not by coincidence but by the Divine Plan of God that clearly he was the destined one appointed to do the work instead of the Spanish painter.

From the Shrine's classic immortal paintings to the intricate colorful art glass design, Father Armand is truly an instrument for the Divine Interpretation of how Jesus wanted his Shrine to reflect the magnanimity of His Sacred Heart.

Adorned with such a magnificent collection of masterpiece artworks by a Filipino artist priest worthy of national acclamation, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart should be included in the itinerary of anyone embarking on a meaningful pilgrimage tour. 

For a virtual tour of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, visit this link. 

EDWIN L. YAP
Makati City, Philippines

ENTHRONEMENT OF THE SACRED HEART IN OUR HOMES

 ENTHRONEMENT OF THE SACRED HEART

"I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored." 

The Ninth Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a devotion of love. His love to us and we respond to that love by offering our love to Him in return, first, by consecrating ourselves and our family to Jesus.

But to some, “consecrating” their selves to Jesus, may be too “holy” a term to use. Many of us dread “holiness” because we immediately think it is unreachable. 

But as beautifully explained by Fr. Vic, “consecrating” ourselves to Jesus simply means that we dedicate ourselves and our family to Jesus”. We “offer” ourselves to Jesus.

Where else will we start to respond to the love of the Sacred Heart and dedicate ourselves to Jesus than in our very home. A Christian home where a throne of love is installed in a prominent place for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where His supreme rights over our family is recognized and honored.

When we enthrone the image of the Sacred Heart in our homes we restore our family to Jesus Christ. It is an external recognition that our Lord is the real head of our home and no one else. 

Our Lord Himself has asked St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, to whom He revealed His Sacred Heart, that He be allowed to reign over in our homes. He has promised that He will bless every place in which an Image of His Heart shall be exposed and honored. And He is faithful to His promises.

But enthronement of the Sacred Heart is just the first step and certainly not the last. As devotees of the Sacred Heart, we get inspired to stay in love. Always in love with Him. And if we are in love with Him, we will learn to forgive. For what good is dedicating ourselves to Jesus and staying in love with Him if we do not know how to forgive?

Along the way of the devotion, because of many distractions, we may stumble and get lost. Yes many times we will. But it is okay, we journey in the devotion fully equipped. 

The devotion is never without the Sacraments. It disciplines us to regularly make good confessions and prepares us to receive the Blessed Sacrament that makes beautiful our Sunday obligation. The sick is assured of the graces of Final Sacrament. 

The First Friday novena continually readies us to receive the graces and sacraments necessary for our state of life. Countless couples were bonded in matrimony or their shaky marriage fixed because of the devotion. Many priests started out as devotees of the Sacred Heart and have deepened their devotion now that they are priests.

Enthronement is a simple solemn ceremony of love. Visit the parish office now and schedule an enthronement in your home. Better yet, group yourselves with your neighbors and together receive and install Jesus Christ as King of your homes, of your neighborhood, of your street.

 

NOEL M. DAVID
Parish Pastoral Council
Makati City, Philippines

7TH PROMISE: TEPID SOULS WILL BECOME FERVENT

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart have long been practiced in the history of our faith. The devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus? Even longer.
Since the beginning of time, these have been founded and applied in the spiritual lives of many saints. 

Today, we, as "Sacred Heart warriors", are faced with a challenge:
How do we keep the Sacred Heart relevant in our ever-changing times?
 

Starting with this (July 2012) issue of Heart Works, we will explore each Sacred Heart promise (or two) to deepen our understanding of what these mean in the world today.
 

We will attempt to simplify what is "Divine Wisdom" and hopefully translate it into simple action by addressing the heart of the message in each promise.

Promise # 7: "Lukewarm/Tepid souls will become fervent."

Lukewarm
 - neither hot nor cold
 - I will spit you out, Jesus said

Tepid
 - lacking in passion, enthusiasm and conviction

Tepid. What a very 'curious' word. It reminds me of a Filipino word that sounds like it.
  

To be "tepid" is like "pagti-tipid". It can mean "to scrimp on one's passion for life". It is to be mediocre, "maligamgam" sa buhay.
 

In a day and age where recession looms in every country in the world, it is only practical for us to be "tipid" on our expenses and luxuries. But if there is one thing we should never be stingy with, kung may isang bagay na di natin dapat tinitipid, it is in being passionate lovers of Jesus. 

Huwag tayong magtipid sa pagbuhos ng LOVE BEYOND DEVOTION* para sa Sacred Heart. Mahalaga na iakma natin sa ating isip, salita, puso at gawa ang pagpapalaganap ng mensahe ng Banal na Puso.

A life half lived is a life not lived. To live out our lives whole-heartedly means to be all out - "bigay-todo" - for His Sacred Heart. Huwag natin hayaan ang ating mga sarili na mawalan ng gana - na maging walang ka buhay buhay - sa pagmamahal kay Kristo.

Fervent
 - very hot; glowing
 - marked by a great intensity of feeling
  

The reassurance that this 7th promise gives us is that in committing to a love for the Sacred Heart beyond devotion, we not only make a difference in the "Sacred Heart Movement". We too are changed beautifully by it. When we imbibe a love for Christ that is burning rather than lukewarm, everything becomes clearer and brighter. Everything about us and around us becomes more alive: "Mas may buhay". 

The promise is that when we start with true love for the Sacred Heart, our passions will grow and spread far and wide, making our relationships at home, at work, with ourselves and with God better, stronger and happier - more vigorous and full of life! Who doesn't want that right? To wake up everyday with a happy and hopeful spirit - one with meaning and purpose each day - is a dream that the Sacred Heart promises to make a reality for you and me.

Let today be the start. Begin with a resolve to live fully and love passionately, like the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let your heart burn with the desire to be more like Him that you too can live up to the potential He has gifted you with.
  

May our (tepid) hearts be like His (fervent) Sacred Heart!

*What do we mean when we say BEYOND DEVOTION?
 

- To do more than just memorize novenas and practice rituals but also to pray passionately from our own hearts, in our own words.
 

- To adapt in our homes, our work and in everything we do (and to everyone around us) the love, kindness, mercy, compassion and enthusiasm that the Sacred Heart teaches us.

FR. VICTOR Y. APACIBLE

Parish Priest / Rector

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

Makati City, Philippines

ORATIO IMPERATA FOR RESPECT OF HUMAN LIFE

ORATIO IMPERATA FOR THE RESPECT OF ALL HUMAN LIFE

(To be prayed after Communion at all Masses)
(English Version)

God, our loving Father,

Creator and lover of all life,

You fashioned in Your own image and likeness every human person.

Give us the strength and courage

to defend and protect human life from conception to natural death.

We pray for Your Divine Healing, comfort and peace 
for all affected by past abortions.

Help us serve actively in alleviating the sufferings and troubles

of all women with pregnancy problems.

We pray that all our leaders and legislators

may be guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit

to act responsibly on this critical present issue.

Mary, our loving Mother, to you we entrust the cause of life.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Saint Rosa of Lima, pray for us.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.


 

ORATIO IMPERATA PARA SA PAGGALANG SA BUHAY NG TAO

(Dasalin pagkatapos ng Communion sa lahat ng Misa)

 (Tagalog Version)

Ama naming mapagmahal,

Ikaw ang lumikha at nagmamahal sa lahat ng buhay.

Nilikha at hinubog Mo ang bawat tao na Iyong kawangis at kalarawan.

Pagkalooban Mo kami ng lakas at tapang

upang ipagtanggol at pangalagaan ang buhay ng tao

mula sa sinapupunan hanggang sa kusang pagpanaw nito.

Nagsusumamo kami sa Iyo para sa Iyong awa, 
lakas at kapayapaan 
sa lahat ng nasangkot sa “abortion.”

Tulutan mong maging handa kami

upang tulungan na maibsan ang kapighatian

at hirap ng mga kababaihang dumadanas

ng tindi ng suliranin sanhi ng kanilang pagdadalang-tao.

Ipinapananalangin din namin ang aming mga pinuno at mambabatas,

upang sila’y gabayan ng biyaya ng Espiritu Santo

na manindigan ayon sa pananampalataya sa Iyo

sa pagharap nila sa usaping ito.

Mahal na Birhen, aming maibiging Ina,

ipinagkatiwala namin sa Iyo ang mga mithiin namin para sa buhay.

Hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Hesu-Kristong aming Panginoon. Amen.

Mahal na Birhen ng Guadalupe, ipanalangin mo kami.

Santa Rosa ng Lima, ipanalangin mo kami.

San Lorenzo Ruiz, panalangin mo kami.

NSSH AUGUST 2012 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

AUGUST, 2012

August

2 Thu After 6:00 PM Mass – HEARTSPEAKS by Ambassador Tita de Villa                                                               

3 Fri  FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTIONS 

NOVENA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at all Masses

Whole Day/Night Vigil and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

After 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart” by 

His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales

07:30 PM to 12 MN – Continuation of Vigil and Adoration

12:00 MN – MIDNIGHT MASS, followed by continuation of 
Vigil and Adoration until 5:00 AM.

4 Sat  Feast Day of St. John Mary Vianney (Morning Masses)

5:00 AM Dawn Procession for the Blessed Virgin Mary (San Antonio Route)      

                                            

8:00 AM-12:00 NN – MAGPAS Monthly Meeting at Paco Catholic School

After the 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

 

5 Sun  St. John Marie Vianney Sunday, Clergy Day

 

10 Fri After 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”      

11-Sat

09:00-11:00 AM - Free Legal Consultation, SSS, NSO, and City Civil Registration Assistance Desk                            

After 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation inside the Church

12-Sun                         

07:30 AM –Mass for the Elderly

05:30 PM –Mass for the Youth

       

15 Wed ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Rosary Vigil after the 7:30 AM Mass

17 Fri After 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”        

18 Sat 

After the 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation inside the Church      

                                               

22 Wed QUEENSHIP OF MARY

Recitation of the 4 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary after 7:30 AM Mass

24 Fri After the 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”

25 Sat 

After 6:30 PM Mass – On-going Parish Formation inside the Church 

26 Sun Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday

31 Fri After 6:00 PM Mass, “Talk on the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart”

Approved By:

NOEL M. DAVID                                                   

PPC Coordinator

FR. VICTOR Y. APACIBLE

Rector/Parish Priest