REMINISCING 2008 BY PRAISING THE LORD - AD ORIENTEM [Photos from the Closing Mass of National Apologetic Convention 2008]

Once again, as we are going deeper into 2009 I cannot forget the beautiful memories of 2008. There are so many blessings to be counted and here are some of the few related to my apostolates:

1. The Conversion of Bro. Obeth Apin from being an ADD pastor into a Catholic Apologist and the Voluntary Service of Bro. Franz Luigi Lugena to be part of our apologetic program and having him as a regular companion in the said program. It is also a great blessing to know that the young man has developed greater love of the Word of God, the Teachings of the Church and has been given the grace of increase courage to defend the faith in public fora not only through radio and tv but also by engaging in online debates. To see a young man like him learning diligently the Church Doctrone on Justification and Grace is truly a blessing to the Church.

2. The gift of Tridentine Latin Mass through the Summorum Pontificum of Pope Benedict XVI. Our eternal gratitude to the Holy Father. I also remember in a special way those who have donated the materials we need to have a dignified and solemn celebrations. Our generosity to celebrate the TLM for our people inspired the ladies belonging to the 3rd Order of the Alliance of the Two Hearts [OATH] to become daily worshippers in our Chapel and became regular caretakers of the same Chapel. Love begets love.

3. The National Apologetic Convention in Greenhills, San Juan Metro Manila wherein many leaders of various apologetic associations in the country gathered together for sharing and support of each other. The presence of new converts, of veteran and known apologists, old friends and new ones. They are blessing like bread from heaven.

4. The gift of New Family in the Religious Congregation. I mean the new composition of our religious community in Aemilianum College, Sorsogon City with Fr. Lino Juta our new superior and Bro. Eugene Libut our new school director. In few months time we have done considerable progress to improve what our fathers have left us. It is also my first experience of being a Station Manager yet the guiding presence of the Lord was very evident. We have successfully modernized our antiquated technology, renovated our facilities, improved our services, organized our system and incorporate our station into the life of the school.

5. The blessing of my last year's trip to Davao through which deep friendships were formed with our valiant apologists in that region. The joy of seeing a very beautiful place combined with being with souls deeply in-loved with God and the Church is truly inspiring and a balm to the heart.

6. The unexpected communications coming from various places sent by former Somascan Religious and Seminarians. They were source of great joy. Dear people who were friends and brothers in the seminary and have been thought of as gone in our life are appearing again and uniting us once more through this blog and the means of modern communications.

7. The gift of family whose faith is stronger than mine and whose loving presence is always constant and sure.

Through the grace of the Lord my father, Salvador Arganiosa, who is now in his old age is still strong despite the fact that he is now walking with cane and very slowly and have lost much of his hearing capability. Yet he is healthy for his age and is proving to be better than our expectations.

Our eldest, Ate Luz Arganiosa, is abroad and is a hero in the family; her sacrifices are too many to be counted. She is the one who suffers most yet we are the one enjoying most. May the Lord grant her a hundred fold in this life and hereafter.

The second, Ate Len Arganiosa, is our mother figure at home. Too motherly and caring and a perfect representative of our dearest Mother Nanay Trinidad who has gone to the Father's House way back Mother's Day 1999.

Then, our youngerst angel, Mary Louise is growing so fast and is a very loving girl at home. At 3 she has become very talkative and has memorized already a lot of rhymes, songs, colors, numbers, etc. Her presence has given us a splendid light that shines in our hearts. I consecrate her to the Blessed Virgin to be granted the grace of a beautiful and fruitful years throughout her life in fidelity to the Lord.

I CONSECRATE TO YOU THIS YEAR 2009 O LORD GOD, OUR FATHER. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO BE WITH US THIS YEAR AS YOU DID IN THE PAST. SEND FORTH UPON US YOUR HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT THROUGH HIS SANCTIFYING PRESENCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO IMITATE YOUR SON, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN AND ST. JOSEPH PROTECT US FROM ALL HARM.

THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. MICHAEL PROTECT US FROM THE EVIL ONE.

THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST TEACH US TO UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERIES OF OUR FAITH.

THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JEROME EMILIANI HELP THE SOMASCAN CONGREGATION IN SPREADING AND FULFILLING HER MISSION ON EARTH. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.