8 Sep 2009
PILGRIMAGE
Today is the Birthday of Mary, our mother. One of my journey experiences with Mary was our pilgrimage as Jesuit novices. We walked for four and a half days from Bucaue, Bulacan to Manaoag, Pangasinan. Our weapons were our prayer, kapal ng mukha and lakas ng loob. We need to knock on doors to beg for our food and shelter at night. Harvey (my partner) and I only had 500 pesos each, just enough for our bus tickets home.
Harvey and I decided not to divulge our identity as Jesuit novices. When people we met asked us why we were doing it, our ready-made answer was that we were doing a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Manaoag. I took our answer seriously, begging the Lord for me to know Mary more so that I may love her more deeply. I was praying to Mary to protect us and that nothing can harm us or endanger us. We did pray the rosary many times a day. It was my first time to pray to Mary for something that I thought I needed.
During that pilgrimage, Mary pointed out God’s love towards the poor. I have experienced being poor myself and I felt His love that a poor deserves. My entire experience described God’s love as follows:
A CREATIVE LOVE. Every day, Harvey and I would include in our prayers our crazy dreams. And God, in His most creative way, crazily answered them positively.
· RC Cola. This was my crazy dream for our first day. I thought it was crazy because asking even just for a cup of rice seems very difficult. There were no words that came out from my mouth during my first begging. Good thing, Harvey had the courage to ask for rice for our lunch that day. In the heat of the afternoon, Harvey and I were already tired. I dragged myself to a sari sari store and asked for something to eat. The owner, without any interrogation, gave us some biscuits. We were delighted. We sat on a bench in front of the store munching what were given to us. The owner became curious and began asking us questions. And we gave out our ready-made answer. As we finished eating the biscuits, she offered us soft drinks. Lo and behold, she did not give us Pepsi nor Coca cola. She gave us RC Cola.
· Soft bed to sleep. During our first night, we stayed in an unfurnished Barangay Hall with one double sized bed. The bed was not in good condition such that, if one of us moves, the other will be awaken by the creaking sound and the shaking of the bed. We did not have a good sleep. The following day, I told God that my crazy dream was to sleep in a soft bed. True enough on the following night, I had the softest bed to sleep.
· Air-conditioned Room. On our third day, I prayed for an air-conditioned room for a night. On the road, I saw the signage of the National Food Authority. I knew they had air-condition rooms that we can stay. I was excited asking the guard whom to talk to if we wanted to stay there. But, to our disappointment, it was a weekend that there was no one in the office who can decide to let us stay. The guard gave us the direction to their Barangay Captain instead. When knocked on the gate of the Barangay Captain’s house. An old woman who happened to be the mother of the Captain admitted us. However, she had so many questions that our ready-made answer was not enough. We were very careful not the divulge our identity and at the same time not to tell a lie. At first, she was very suspicious. But after an hour of talking to her, she said, “I think you are wonderful people.” She let us in her house. After dinner, she gave us an air-conditioned room for the night.
· A Hotel room. After these favorable experiences, I was teasing Harvey that my crazy dream on the fourth day is to sleep in a hotel room. At 4:30PM that day, the rain started pouring. First, we went to a police station asking for a space to stay. A policeman told us to go to the house of the Barangay Captain. Unfortunately, the Barangay Captain was not around. We were already soaked and slowly losing hope. Our last resort was the nearest parish. We went to the parish and the priest was not around because there was a Christ the King celebration. The caretaker of the parish convent did not let us in. Already desperate, we asked them who they think would accept us for the night. They pointed us to a restaurant. We went there but the owner did not arrive yet. Apparently, she also attended the Christ the King celebration. It was already 8:00PM. Harvey and I requested the waiters to let us stay and wait for the owner to arrive. When the owner arrived, I approached her, I barely began my speech when she offered us her place to stay. When she realized that we have not yet eaten, she gave us food to eat. While having our dinner, out of the blue, she said, “Is it okey with you to be in a hotel instead? Don’t worry. I will pay for it.” Harvey and I were speechless staring at each other. A crazy dream came true; we stayed overnight in a hotel.
A PRODIGAL LOVE. I experienced a God who did not just give us what enough but also some luxury. Such gesture from Him motivated, sustained and inspired me to keep up the long and seemingly endless journey. I described this kind of love as a prodigal love.
· First Breakfast. Our first breakfast as a pilgrim was rice, bread, egg, sausages, two kinds of cheese, coffee with hazel nut flavored creamer and maja blanca. That breakfast was more than enough.
· Purified Water. At San Fernando, Pampanga, we discovered that we could ask water refill from any purifying water stations. Hence, the water that we drunk was purified or distilled. That was more than enough.
· Julie’s Bakeshop. I told Harvey that if we pass by a Julie’s Bakeshop I would not hesitate to ask for bread. It was 4:30AM when we passed by a Julie’s Bakeshop. I did ask for bread. Without any question, the store attendant gave us ten big pandesal. That was luxury.
· Last Dinner. As I mentioned above, a restaurant owner accepted us during our last night. We just found out that the restaurant we accidentally stayed in was the best restaurant in town. That’s why our dinner was a sumptuous banquet. That dinner was more than enough. That was luxury.
This prodigal loving of God is the kind of love that the poor deserves.
Arriving at Manaoag, we attended the mass and the gospel was about the widow who gave her two silver coins to the temple donation box. I was so moved because I saw God in that widow. It was Him saying how much He loves me; how much He loves the poor. Like the widow, God is willing to give even His very life for me. He bears the pain of death just for me to live.
As I look at the statue of Mary, I saw her smiling at me. Her smile was affirming me that God loves me and the world so much.
At the end, I was challenged to love others especially the poor. I know it is difficult. It entails sacrifices. The pilgrimage showed me my limitations, weaknesses and preferences. I saw that God’s standard of loving is too high that I cannot reach that level. In my prayers I told God that I might frustrate Him. But, I also prayed that He will continue to encourage, lead and improve me.
Now, I realized that becoming a Jesuit priest is like a pilgrimage. It is a longer, a much harder journey than my pilgrimage to Manaoag. The difficulty will surely be multiplied twenty times. I am not afraid because I know that along the journey, His love and grace will be twenty times more than what He bestowed during the pilgrimage.
I will continue this journey. I will continue to remain faithful to His call for me. I will continue to discover His love. I will continue to love Him back no matter what… no matter where… no matter how…
All, thanks to Mary, our mother, my mother. She leads me to God’s gentle and extravagant love.
- Jun-G Bargayo, SJ -
All, thanks to Mary, our mother, my mother. She leads me to God’s gentle and extravagant love.
Jun-G, kakatuwa naman ang little miracles nyo ni Harvey! But what struck me most in what you said was: “I will continue this journey. I will continue to remain faithful to His call for me. I will continue to discover His love. I will continue to love Him back no matter what… no matter where… no matter how…”
I too have the same conviction as I make my own transition…wherever I am, in whatever I do, I will continue with this journey he has invited me to go. I will also remain faithful to his call to serve him in the best way I know. And I will continue to love Him back in the ways I can.
May our dear mother pray for us always….I will pray for your own vocation as well.
jun-g: thanks for the prayers. i need them.
renee
September 8th, 2009 at 3:24 pmpermalink
Salamat kapatid sa pagbabahagi ng iyong kuwento!
Naalala ko din ang sarili kong paglalakbay papuntang Manaoag noong nakaraang taon. Inabot din ako ng limang araw… Pero grabeh! napakabait ng Diyos. Hindi niya ako pinabayaan…
At higit ding napalalim ang ugnayan ko sa Mahal na Inang Maria… naroroon siya sa lahat ng pagkakataon ng aking paglalakbay; gumagabay, tumutulong, nagbibigay lakas…
Mother Mary, pray for us sinners…
jun-g: ito ang mga karanasan natin bilang Heswita na parang si St. Ignatius de Loyola nagiging malapit tayo kay Maria. Sabi nga ng isang kapatid natin sa kapisanan, “Ano ba ang meron sa Manaoag? Si Maria.”
Bryan Arevalo
September 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pmpermalink
Makakaasa ka. I will pray for you and your brothers, and quoting what you said in “ika-14,” dasal ko ay dalhin ka ng Diyos kung saan magiging lubos ang iyong kasiyahan. Ultimately, this is our vocation. To heed the call of the One who calls us, and the One who calls us, will also be the One to bring us to Him.
jun-g: salamat ulit
renee
September 8th, 2009 at 11:55 pmpermalink
Happy B-day Mama Mary.
Ang tawag nako sa iyaha ang akong Inahan sa Kanunayng Panabang.
Thanks for sharing your pilgrimage experience. . .
I call this a prayer:
AMEN…
EXAMEN…
jun-g: ito din ang aking pinapanalangin…
darbs
September 9th, 2009 at 1:41 ampermalink
I was supposed to heed here yesterday after publishing my post to greet you on the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Unfortunately, my connection to the world wide web kaya hindi na ako nakapagpatuloy ng pag-bloghop.
Anyway, I am inspired by the story of your pilgrimage. I wanted to do this once, but my mother wouldn’t allow me. Delikado raw kasi babae ako. But perhaps I can do this with some friends someday. Hindi in an outing mode ha, but really in a plgrimage mode
The people you met along the way, the people who provided your needs, it was Him all along, protecting you and caring for you, through them.
jun-g: talagang may disclaimer ha… hehehe… “Hindi in an outing mode ha, but really in a plgrimage mode
”
my pilgrimage was a grace-filled experience for me… sana masubukan mo rin with your friends…
Nortehanon
September 9th, 2009 at 3:41 ampermalink
Nice new header, by the way. Akala ko naligaw na ako sa ibang blog hehehe
jun-g: oo nga! ang galing galing ni sky…
Nortehanon
September 9th, 2009 at 3:42 ampermalink
Thank you for visiting my blog. You write with great insights, truly inspiring
God bless you today!
jun-g: thanks for visiting here too… this makes blogosphere exciting: friendship, opinions and insights…
have a glorious wednesday!
romela de leon
September 9th, 2009 at 4:33 ampermalink
happy bday kay mama mary!
jun-g: naku… siguradong matutuwa yun
The Lady in Green Ruffles
September 9th, 2009 at 4:38 ampermalink
Wow! napaiyak mo ako dito brother! Ang galing!
It is very obvious how God really take care of His children in need. I will continue to pray for you as you go along your journey.. Thank u sa lahat ng tulong. Godbless u always!
jun-g: walang anoman jorge, basta ikaw… thank you also for your prayers. nagpapalakas yun sa akin sa pagtahak sa landas ng pagiging relehiyoso…
Jorge
September 10th, 2009 at 6:12 ampermalink
and oh yes, Happy Birthday Mama Mary!
Jorge
September 10th, 2009 at 6:13 ampermalink
madaming beses na akong napunta jan sa Manaoag, pero hanggnang ngayon hirap pa din ako sa spelling nito….
happy birthday Mama Mary…
Im back, so c’mon letz party…. woooohhhh
jun-g: saan ang party? invited ba ako? hehehe… welkam bak livingstain!
livingstain
September 10th, 2009 at 8:57 ampermalink
great narrative!
i have been to the lady of manaoag once…
and that was during my novitiate in the SVD.
jun-g: pareho tayo father… novice din ako nito… inalagaan kami ng mga dominican novices dun… pinatulog at pinakain… cool nga eh… hehehe… ang ganda ng novitiate nila.
Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD
September 10th, 2009 at 4:09 pmpermalink
ganda pala ng header mo…
jun-g: thanks to sky…
Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD
September 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pmpermalink
jun-g-sj,
gaya ng aking ginawa lately, dito ko na lang i-respond ang comment na iyong iniwan doon sa exodians blog para may rason akong makapag blog hop.
Lesson to remember.
With that experience . . Dito po natin maintindihan kong papaano maging humble. Dito po natin mas naiintindihan ang Ignatian prayer…
your comment:
Tubag:
bai nadungog nimo ang HAGGERTY HALL? mao na sya ang pinakauna nga tubag nganong exposed.
Dugang: Nagdako ko sa Parish nga diin ang among Kura puro giod mga banggiitang Heswitas.
Nagbunyag nako heswita.
Confirmation, Heswita.
Balasahon… Heswita.
Most of all, ang akong idol nga Heswita mao si Padre Pedro Arrupe. (librong wa mauli sa library… sowee. mapasaylo man siguro ko, hehehe.)
Social Justice issues – mga Heswita sa Latin America experience.
Ah, not to mention si Father Intengan kung akong tawagon kaniadto “ang banggiitan sa akong kagahapon.”
Ug daghan pang uban…not to mention Tom Green, s.j.
The rest is history.
jun-g: Haggerty? Sino director mo duon? hehehe… aus ah… hehehe… have you met Fr. Intengan? I’ll mention this to him. pirmi sabay mukaon ug pamahaw… hehehe… did you know that Fr. Tom Green died already? just this year.
darbs
September 10th, 2009 at 10:45 pmpermalink
I was here and blessed by this beautiful daring journey with Our Lady. I once went to Manaoag at ang pagkahaba-haba ng pila papunta sa Shrine…I’ll add you up on my roll…
jun-g: oo nga mahaba nga po ang pila sa shrine… but it’s worth it especially to those who have devotion to Mary.
thanks for adding me on your roll. isang ko po itong karangalan para sa akin.
dFish
September 11th, 2009 at 1:47 ampermalink
Bisitahi na lang ni sya nga blog. Housemate nako ang perpetrator ini nga blog: http://haggies.wordpress.com/about/
No wala nako ma meet si Pads Intengan. Kay niadtong 1980’s mythic figure man na sya. Nabasa lang nako ang usa sa iyang mga nasulat ug nahimong akong kapasilungan. Ikaw na lamang ang bahala mosabot.
Kabahin kay Fr. Tom Green S.J. Pangutan-a na lang si DFish kay may blog sya tribute kay Green.S.J ug sya ang nagbalita nato sa takna sa pagkighimamat.
Mao ra pud na.
jun-g: 1980’s? wala pa akong kaila nga heswita atong panahuna… hehehe…
sige pangitaon nako ang entry ni Dfish na tribute kay Fr. Green…
bagsik ang site sa haggies bai… iingon nako ni sa akong mga kauban diri… hehehe…
naa kay kabatch sa haggerty nga heswita na?
darbs
September 11th, 2009 at 3:32 ampermalink
OMG talaga. hahaha. -iaadd kita sa blogroll ko bro ah.
add mo din ako.
now i can visit your site always.
and please do visit mine also.
jun-g: opo. hehehe… dinagdag na kita sa blogroll ko… nabisita ko na site mo. ganda!
karoger
September 11th, 2009 at 4:48 ampermalink
What can i say? Truly inspiring, indeed we have a great and awesome God who longs to grant us our hearts deepest desires, our crazy dreams!
I pray we all be granted the grace to discover our hearts deepest desires and beg God for them.
My crazy dream – one day the Pasig River will be a river flowing with clean life-giving water. And i am confident in God’s perfect time, all this will happen!
In His time!
jun-g: Maybe we can start a movement. Clean the Pasig River Movement… mangyayari ito May… kung maraming mangtutulong tulong sa paglinis nito at hindi hinahayaan nalang sa mga janitor fish… hehehe…
May Jingco
September 11th, 2009 at 9:14 ampermalink
di ako nakapagsimba sa sto. domingo
The Lady in Green Ruffles
September 14th, 2009 at 5:30 ampermalink
OMG, cant imagine na nagawa ninyo iyong lakarin
Bucaue, Bulacan to Manaoag, Pangasinan.
pero astig ‘to ha, kasi na dokyu mo s’ya
galing
jun-g: oo nga. astig talaga yung experience. hanggang ngayon pinaghuhugutan ko pa rin yun ng lakas.
otep
September 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pmpermalink