The Filipino persistence in prayer

The devotee on his or her knees, covering the whole length of the aisle from the entrance to the sanctuary with rosary in the right hand and a lighted candle in the left is a common sight in our Philippine churches and shrines. The pilgrims who never fail to attend the Mass novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran – how long have they been faithfully at this devotion? The crowds who join in the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, most of them coming from the working class, lowly folks, even the sick, the disabled manage to get through even if they could touch only the ropes which pull the open carriage bearing the miraculous image. The Filipinos’ proverbial panata (pledge or promise) has always been very enduring especially in supplication.

The May exodus to the shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage); the continuous flow of pilgrims who go all the way to Manaog, Pangasinan to pray to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaog; the devotees who join the procession of another miraculous image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila who all their lives have not missed a single of her feast; recently the little image of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia was brought to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in West Fairview for veneration of the faithful in the diocese of Novaliches. From all over the Philippines devotees will flock the shrine of Our Lady of Piat in far away Cagayan Valley.

In every scenario of the Filipino devotion we always find the faithful going to the vigil light stand daily igniting a flame by way of sending God a personal message of adoration and love, together with their petitions. But the scene is not just in churches; even in homes and the marketplace, the school or in business establishment, there is always that sign of communication with God taking place. We all know the image of the Sto. Niño lovingly venerated in these places and by rich and poor alike.

During Holy Week, watch the Stations of the Cross being prayed by bunches of families. "We adore You Christ and we bless You because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world." So family by family meditate on the Passion from one station to another. Heaven knows what this has all meant in the prayer life of families. Those whom Our Lord referred to as "all who labor are heavily burdened" – construction workers who endanger their lives just to help put up a high rise condominium, poor drivers who are mercilessly used without overtime pay, factory workers, underpaid employees – these are the ones who cannot do without a crucifix hugging their necks, the rosary hung on the mirror of their jeepney windshields, who cross themselves oftenest especially when passing a church. These are the ones who attest to the presence of Someone up there who will never fail them in their needs.

The likes of these ones who pray unceasingly were the very Filipinos who like one vast army of prayerful souls gave the greatest manifestation of prayer ever seen in the history of any nation – EDSA I, People Power Revolution which is actually Prayer Power, the Filipinos’ great manifestation of trust in God. For persistence in prayer always is Faith. Hope and our affirmation of our God who is unfailing Goodness, Love and Mercy.

To the Filipino who prays unceasingly, have faith, and live in hope. The Word of God today gives this assurance: "Will not God secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night? Will He be slow to answer them? I will tell you. I will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (Lk. 18:8)

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Times, LUKE 18:1-8

The Jesuit Vocation Promotions Team invites male college students and young professionals to a Vocation Seminar for those who are considering the priesthood or brotherhood in the religious life. The seminar will be held on November 21, 2004, Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM at The Garage, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. For more details, please contact the Jesuit Vocation Promotions Office, Loyola House of Studies at Tel. No. 426-61-01 (local 3408) or e-mail at [email protected]. You can also visit the website of the Philippine Jesuits at www.ignaciana.org.