Loving the enemy is possible, devotee says

CEBU, Philippines – Perhaps what comes to mind with this year’s theme for the Sinulog, “Senyor Santo Niño: Wellspring of Mercy and Compassion,” is loving one’s enemy – something that many often find difficult to do – but one devotee of the Santo Niño proved doing so is not impossible.

Faustina (not her real name), 64, told The Freeman that she was a battered wife for several years. It was 1972 and the culture at that time did not make it easier for her to raise their nine children.

She said her husband spent most of his time with his friends and when he was home, which was rarely, he would get angry at her even at the simplest of things.

In 1975, she decided to leave him and returned to her hometown, but he followed her there and convinced her to forgive him. She did only to be treated to the same way again.

She said they could have had 13 children had she not lost four to miscarriage.

Faustina admits there was a time she questioned God but she held on to her faith, continued to pray, and did her best to raise her children alone with multiple jobs.

Now, her nine children have graduated from high school, eight of whom have jobs and her youngest child is in college on a scholarship. She believes the Child Jesus has guided her children to the right path.

“Nakapasalamat gyud ko kang Santo Niño nga bisan pa man ingon ato akong nahiaguman, aduna ko’y mga anak nga wala sad napareha ang batasan sa ilang amahan,” she said.

She eventually took the courage to leave her husband. One time, she reportedly tried to make peace with him only that this reportedly only angered him.

“Iya man hinuon kong labayon og bato. Kay og niya pa, wala pa kuno matawo ang magbuot niya,” she said.

“Gipasaylo na man nako siya. Apan mao gyud na akong gihunahuna nga kung ganahan pa siya nga magbalik gyud mi, ako usa siyang pautabangon sa Ginoo. Kay og dili gani, pasabot ana, wa pa gyud diay siya nausab,” she said.

During last Friday’s Novena-Traslacion Mass, Fr. Jose Montecillo, parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, encouraged the faithful to pray for the sick and give mercy and compassion to those who have sinned.

“Sa atong katilingban karon daghan ang makasasala ug masakiton. Hinaot unta nga malulou-on kamo ngadto kanila pinaagi sa pag-ampo ug maayong panig-ingnan. Ato unta silang dad-on, paduolon kang Senior Santo Niño kay tingali sa ilang kaugalingon, wa sila’y kaisog ug kusog sa pakiluoy ug kumpisal,” Montecillo said. – Maria Fatima R. Secuya/JMO (FREEMAN)