MY PERSONAL CRUSADE AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO SACRO CUORE

The months prior to our European tour for the promotion of my book "Be Your Own Boss! The Puka King Story" was filled with much preparation and prayers for its success.

On September 2, 2007, my son Howard and I embarked on a 43-day European journey that took us to 11 countries and 18 cities aimed with a positive purpose and mission; which was to inspire our OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) and their dependents, especially the youth with my own true to life story of hard work.

With the kind help and assistance of many of our Philippine Ambassadors, Consul Generals, OWWA Officers, Labor Attaches in London, Rome, Geneva, Milan, Madrid and Barcelona, we were able to talk directly to the community leaders and the OFW groups themselves. Even the managers of Bank of Philippine Islands in Rome and Milan facilitated our meeting with several OFW groups in their respective areas, for which I sincerely acknowledge with thanks.

Likewise, my sincerest thanks to H.E. Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu who kindly arranged my meetings and conferences with leaders of the Filipino Community in London and the Batangas Association in England.

In most of my discussions with our countrymen, I emphasized the importance of sustaining traditional Filipino values like courage, determination, good character, discipline, hard work, ambition, persistence, honesty, frugality, and unwavering faith in God. Combined with proper budgeting and prudent savings from their incomes, their sacrifices and long struggles will eventually bear fruit and not be wasted.

These are self-help traits I culminated from my own valuable experiences; that is to start by adopting the can-do attitude of helping one to help ourselves, strengthened by faith and the firm decision to just do it.

Along the way in Zurich, we visited our family friend, Mr. and Mrs. Reto and Rachel Braun. Mr. Reto Braun is the Chairman and CEO of Earth Council Geneva Switzerland with a global presence in more than 70 countries promoting and teaching people to preserve and protect the environment while actively supporting the education of the youth.

Apart from the inspirational purpose of promoting positive working values, our trip was likewise a resounding spiritual success. I'm almost certain that the Sacred Heart of Jesus was always present to spiritually guide us to wherever He wanted us to go.

Our hectic schedule in France didn't allow us time and an opportunity to visit Paray-le-Monial, the Holy Site where the Visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were revealed to St. Mary Alacoque.

Instead, we met with our dear friend, the internationally famous Filipino Healer priest, Father Fernando Suarez in Milan and Rome. On October 6, Fr. Suarez graciously celebrated a special Mass at St. Peter's Basilica inside the Vatican for me, my son Howard, Norma Macalindong, a Filipino councilor in Rome and 3 other Filipino couples from California.

He likewise accommodated us with a guided Royal Tour inside the splendidly huge Vatican Church. It was here, where I saw the beautiful and moving portrait of the Visions of the Sacred Heart to St. Mary Alacoque.

After that, we had a breakfast meeting with our amiable and kind Ambassador H.E. Philippe Lhuillier at his residence where we and Fr. Suarez discussed lengthily the many problems besetting our OFW particularly, the effects of culture shock, psychological depression, and family-separation related issues and how they can be addressed soonest.

I feel very fortunate and thank the Sacred Heart of Jesus for that special opportunity of having obtained a special blessing from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the last day of his vacation on September 30, directly from the balcony of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

Definitely, our journey to the International Temple of the Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore) was the most memorable and spiritually fulfilling part of our European trip. This is one special place I'll never forget for the rest of my life.

Never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine that when I started to sell statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to sustain myself when I was a student, I would on this very day set foot on this most beautiful and majestic Sacro Cuore Temple built by St. Giovanni John Bosco to personally honor and thank His Most Sacred Heart.

Upon entering, I was deeply moved at the sight of a life size image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which seemed to smile and look upon me as I prayed before Him. The Sacred Heart knew what was in my heart as I joyfully give thanks and praise for all the many blessings He continuously provide for my family.

There is also a special Altar for the Blessed Mother, Mary Help of Christians. It is but a fitting tribute to the humility and great love our Blessed Mother has for us Her Children in union with Her Son Jesus.

I now understood what my Filipino guides were telling me that Sacro Cuore is a special place of worship and fellowship for Filipino workers stationed in Rome. This Church is so special that it even holds a Mass in Philippine language once daily for Filipino devotees. It was in this special Church, where we attended several Masses including the First Friday Mass of 5th October.

Truly, I can say that if you consecrate your life, give your love and total devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart will be fulfilled in your life as it was fulfilled in my own. The true secret of my success in life is none other than the Sacred Heart of Jesus. If you prioritize Him in all your endeavors, He will bless all your undertakings and assure you of His immense blessings.

My inspirational visit to Sacro Cuore Temple has all the more strengthened my resolve to continue in our collective efforts to erect a suitably imposing image of the Sacred Heart set on top of the highest point in Batangas City, Philippines.

Through the kind assistance of His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and with the full cooperation of Fr. Fernando Suarez, an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is planned to be installed within the proposed Montemaria Shrine project in Batangas City.

By Divine Providence and with your continued prayers, these projects will be accomplished in His time in accordance with God's Will just as the construction of Sacro Cuore was fully completed in 7 difficult but fruitful years by St. John Bosco.

Whatever difficult trials and unbearable hardships one may encounter in life, the final destination of our journey is to be united with God. Let the Sacred Heart of Jesus be your guide into your spiritual journey to God.


HERNANDO M. VITAS
Chairman and CEO
The Providence-Vitas Foundation, Inc.
Author, BE YOUR OWN BOSS! THE PUKA KING STORY
Website: www.pukaking.com

SACRO CUORE: INTERNATIONAL TEMPLE OF THE SACRED HEART

BASILICA DEL SACRO CUORE

There is a place in Rome where the first waves of Filipino (OCW) Overseas Contract Worker, and especially Filipinas stationed in that city regularly gather for Mass and socialization every Saturday afternoon. That place is the "Instituto Sacro Cuore" and the Church is the adjoining International Temple of the Sacred Heart. They are located just in front of the entrance to the Termini Station, the major railway station of the capital city of Italy dubbed "Eternal City".

The "SACRO CUORE" (Italian for "Sacred Heart") compound, though no longer the only place where Filipinos and Filipinas gather, is sitill very dear to them because it is so near the train station where they often go to welcome kababayans (countrymen) or to see them off as they leave for other Italian cities where they work.

But "Sacro Cuore" is specially dear to thousands of Filipinos because it is in this Church where they find peace of mind and heart. That is why, from a distance, they instinctively look for the majestic statue of the Sacred Heart that towers above the belfry, and which seems to openly welcome them to His Sacred House of worship and sanctuarial refuge.

Securely they feel, deep in their hearts, that inside God's House they will find not only respite from the hassle of the frantic traffic of Via Marsala (the road along the entrance to the Church and the Institute), but they will also have an opportunity to be reconciled with the Lord through a good Confession or simply have a friendly chat with one of the priests who are assigned to their care.

Many of those who frequent this historical Church including most Romans, however, know very little of the history of the Temple. We sketch these brief historical notes not only for the benefit of the Filipinos who reside in Rome, but also for the information of all those who never went to Italy but may heard about this Church, as well as for the benefit of the millions of worldwide devotees of the Sacred Heart.

HOW THE IDEA OF A TEMPLE IN HONOR OF
THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ORIGINATED

The first idea of having a Temple in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome came from a Barnabite priest: Fr. Antonio Maresca who was the President of the Apostleship of Prayer and Editor of "The Messenger of the Sacred Heart."

Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) not only approved the idea, but also vigorously promoted it personally and even assigned a recently acquired piece of land on the Esquiline Hill as the site of its future construction.

But those were dark days for the Catholic Church in Italy, and especially for the aging and ailing Pontiff who saw himself as a prisoner inside the Vatican since the Italian troops had occupied the whole of the Pontifical State, including the City of Rome. The Holy Pope unfortunately died without being able to see the beginning of the implementation of his plan.

His successor, Pope Leone XIII (1878-1903) expeditiously made the construction of the proposed Temple one of his priorities at the very beginning of his pontificate. Its cornerstone was laid on August 16, 1879. But the work had to be interrupted in 1880 due to the lack of funds.

DON BOSCO COMES INTO THE PICTURE

Having considered several options, the Pope eventually decided to ask Fr. John Giovanni Melchoir Bosco (a priest popularly known in those days as "Don Bosco") to take care of the stalled project.

This humble priest from Piedmont (Northern Italy) had founded a religious congregation for the education and training of young people, especially poor ones, and had acquired the great reputation of being a very successful fundraiser.

This isn't to say that his congregation was awash with money. In fact, right at that time, it was saddled with huge debts incurred in the organization of several missionary expeditions to South America.

But in spite of this seriously critical economic situation of his congregation, Don Bosco accepted the invitation of Pope Leone XIII as a sign of his loyalty to the Vicar of Christ and of his personal devotion to the Sacred Heart. His acceptance of the project, however, had to be ratified by his council. And this is where a seemingly insurmountable difficulty arose.

BLACK PEAS AND WHITE PEAS

When Don Bosco submitted the request of the Pope to his Council, many of the councilors opposed the project simply because they found it to be far above the present financial capabilities of the Congregation. He tried his best to make them realize the honor that such an undertaking would bring to the young Congregation and the spiritual good that such a Church would do.

But when it came to the final deliberation through a secret ballot, the result was: six black peas (negative votes) and only one white pea (positive vote), which obviously, was that of Don Bosco.

The saintly priest smiled as he used to do when faced with great difficulties. He expressed his respect for the result of the votation, although most of those who had voted down his proposal were people he had taken from the streets when they were still very young. He knew they meant well, but he didn't give up right away.

He spoke again to them and with even greater conviction of the need to accept the Pope's proposal. He concluded by telling them, "Let's take another vote. If you give me a yes vote, I can assure you that the Sacred Heart will give us the means to build this Church. He will also enable us to pay all other debts and will likewise give us a beautiful surprise gift; a boarding school to be attached to the Church."

The councilors gasped for breath at the daring words of Don Bosco. Apparently, he was making things more difficult for himself by proposing an additional project. But they knew him all too well. They knew that when Don Bosco spoke that way he was sure of the support of "SOMEONE" who could move mountains. After the young councilors spent some time in silent prayer, they then cast their second vote. The secretary counted seven white peas, and no black ones. The project was approved unanimously!

DREAMING GREATER THINGS THAN THE POPE

That was a moral victory for Don Bosco. He smiled again, this time in gratitude. But that was not all. When they set out to examine in detail the plans prepared by the Pope's architect, the councilors pointed out that the Church would be too small; something not worthy of Rome and the Sacred Heart!

In the end, the very ones who had been most vocal in opposing the project at the beginning, suggested that the Church should be bigger and that the plan for the construction of a boarding school be attached to that of the Church. Don Bosco smiled again with obvious satisfaction.

Shortly after, he traveled back to Rome to present to the Pope not only the formal approval of his request, but also the revised set of plans which included an enlargement of the Church and the construction of an adjoining boarding school.

He concluded his presentation with a confident, inspired smile, asking the Pope to approve and bless the new undertaking. As for the expenses, he could offer just one guarantee: "DIVINE PROVIDENCE" would supply what was needed. At that totally unexpected turn of events, Pope Leo XIII, who had listened to Don Bosco's presentation in utter astonishment, smiled in happy condescension.

DON BOSCO IN ACTION: DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN MOTION

Immediately after, Don Bosco set in full motion, his well-tested "advertising machine". He knocked at the doors of princes and kings; he wrote thousands of circular letters in Italian, French and Spanish, presenting the project, asking for donations and assuring the donors that the Sacred Heart would reward the generosity of the benefactors a hundred fold.

He personally traveled to the main cities of France and Spain, talking to huge congregations in Churches and speaking personally to rich people who could help. Donations continuously kept pouring in to replenish the exhausted funds that were constantly devoured by the ongoing construction.

Not all was smooth sailing. The devil had also set in motion his "demolition campaign" creating obstacles right and left, using the biases of the anticlerical government, the negative insinuations of the Protestant sects that had come to nest on Rome, and which did not leave one stone unturned to oppose or stop the construction of the Temple. The devil used also - believe it or not! - even some Church people and the authors of the previous project to raise difficulties.

Undaunted and persevering, Don Bosco was used to all that. He did not waiver. He kept daring, working indefatigably, and smiling as one who already knew the final outcome.

TEARS OF JOY AND GRATITUDE

And the final outcome was the completion of the construction and the consecration of the "International Temple of the Sacred Heart" in a super record time of seven years! The consecration ceremony took place on 14th April 1887 with the participation of cardinals, bishops, priests and thousands of faithful.

During the solemn Mass, celebrated in the morning by Cardinal Parocchi (the Vicar of the Pope for the diocese of Rome), Don Bosco was in attendance among numerous authorities. During the ceremony those near him saw him burst into tears of consolation more than once. The same situation happened on the 16th of May during the Mass that he celebrated at the Altar of Mary Help of Christians in the newly consecrated Church that had cost him so much sacrifice.

The construction of the International Temple of the Sacred Heart in Rome was Don Bosco's last great undertaking. It took a very heavy toll in his failing health. He passed away in Torino just 8 months later on 31 January 1888. In all truth he could say: "Mission accomplished according to the Divine Will of the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

Mr. Jess P. Balon
THE MESSENGER OF DIVINE LOVE
January-March 2007