Sweet Devotion

Reading the story behind Ferrero Rocher made me love the brand even more.

The brand's founder - Michele Ferrero - is a devout Catholic and a firm devotee of Our Lady of Lourdes. In fact, the word "Rocher" means "rock," and it refers to the grotto in Lourdes where our Lady appeared.

This makes the story of this chocolate even sweeter.

FMM: In my Heart

So, there are 2 big things happening today.

First, it's the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes. Which is a very important date for me since I'm a Lourdesian and this feast is close to my heart. Memories of my grade school and high school days, hearing mass and having Marian celebrations defined this day for me.

Second, it's Friday Magic Madness day! And as explained last week, all of my FMM songs this February will be "Heart-themed."

Which brings me to this perfect song that combines the Feast Day and FMM Day. A classic song from Phil Collins from 1985.

How can this song not be perfect?

Being a Lourdesian and a devotee of Our Lady of Lourdes will always be in my heart.

FMM: Harry and Mama Mary

Debbie Harry and Blondie has a special place in my memory and my heart.

This is the cassette tape we'd usually listen to when we'd take a long road trip from Manila to Albay as kids. Sometimes, I'd be the one sitting in front of the car and it would be my job to flip the tape when Side A was done and we'd listen to Side B.

Yup, we were old school that way.

From then on, I had an affinity both for Blondie (the group) and Debbie Harry (the lead singer.) It was an affinity that continued even when Debbie Harry went solo and churned out hits on her own.

Now, yesterday was the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes. I've said this many times that I have an affinity to Our Lady because I'm a Lourdesian and we studied her life in our CL classes every year. Mama Mary has also been a huge part of our lives - from childhood to present.

So, today's Friday Magic Madness song is a combination of these two women:

Debbie Harry's "Maria" was one of the songs she recorded during her comeback in the 90s. It was written by a long-time collaborator - Jimmy Destri - and is about his Catholic School upbringing. It might not exactly be about Mama Mary, but since it has a reference to Catholicism, I'm assuming that it might be about her as well.

After listening to this song, I have the urge to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Retiro - the church where I used to go as an elementary and high school kid, the church where I used to sing, and the church where I used to perform the "Transitus" and other religious performances.

Soon. I'll do that soon.

The 8th is Great

Especially December 8 because this is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The Blessed Mother has always been a huge part of my life - from childhood until present times. That's why I'm glad to have studied in Lourdes School because it brought me closer to Our Lady of Lourdes and Mama Mary.

That's why this day is a great day for me. And for our Immaculate Mother:

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Happy Feast Day, Immaculate Mother!

Memorare Mondays

It's always good to start the week with a prayer, and as a Lourdesian and a firm believer of Mama Mary, this prayer is a great way to start it:

Mama Mary, pray for us.

All Hail!

It's one of my favorite religious holidays and Holy days of obligation. The Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Probably because I was formed in a Marian school, but I have this strong affinity and interest in Mama Mary. Her story, her triumph, and her guidance.

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Lucky Lourdesian

I feel super fortunate to be able to hear mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in SG, on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes!

No matter where in the world I go, I'll always be a Lourdesian.

Sons of Lourdes we'll ever be

That's one of my favorite lines from our school hymn.

"Though the years our paths may sever, sons of Lourdes we'll ever be. And with joy, our praises sing so loudly, cheering Alma Mater, hail to thee."

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, and it's one of those days when I miss being a Lourdesian.

A song for Holy Thursday

After dinner, Mark and I decided to watch a Lenten movie in remembrance of Holy Thursday. 

Searching on the internet, there were the usual suspects such as "Ben Hur," "Jesus of Nazareth," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "The Ten Commandments."

Then, there were some unusual choices such as "The Notebook." (Yes, the Nicholas Sparks weeper.)

We settled for this 1943 classic about St. Bernadette Soubirous, "The Song of Bernadette."

Having seen this for the first time, both Mark and I agreed that was a wonderful film. The writing was beautifully done. The acting was top-notch. (Jennifer Jones won the Oscar for best actress in 1943.) And the film gave us an insight on the life of a Saint that I've always been interested about. Her innocence, her simplicity, and the politics surrounding her visions.

Maybe part of it is because I'm a Lourdesian, and our teachers were always centered on Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette. Another part of it might be the fact that I've always been interested in St. Bernadette's incorrupt body. (Which I tried to see in Nevers, but the Cathedral was closed the time I went there.)

Seeing this film again awakened that interest once again. I think I'll be watching this film again. And I also think I'll attempt to go to France once more and try to see St. Bernadette in the flesh.

Sons of Lourdes we'll ever be...

Today, February 11, we celebrate the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. This is a celebration that's close to Catholics worldwide, and to me on a personal level.

I'm a Lourdesian. My formative years were spent at Lourdes School in Quezon City. While I was an elementary and high school student, my school's hallowed walls taught me about the life of Mama Mary and her integral role in our lives.

Because of my Lourdesian education, I even went as far as going to Lourdes, France to see the St. Bernadette of Soubirous. Unfortunately, the cathedral was closed when I went there.

It's been decades since I graduated from Lourdes School. But as our school song proudly declares, I'll always be a son of Lourdes.