With the experience of almost three months of confinement, most of us would have adjusted to a ‘new normal’ way of life: constantly masking, distancing and sanitizing ourselves as our primary line of defense against COVID-19. Our experience of anxiety, uncertainty and fear has been...
Although Father Carlos could not see the grade three girl on the other side of the confessional, he could audibly picture what she was doing on the other side. The paper she was unfolding did not give out the high crisp rustling pitch of something thin...
As a young boy, my teachers and elders often reminded us with these enigmatic words: “You are the hope and the future of our country!” We simply returned this hopeful invitation with a brimming smile that perfectly hid our inability to fully grasp what exactly...
Tokyo Dome vibrated to the cheers of 50,000 people who were waving their little flags of Japan, the Vatican and Argentina to welcome Pope Francis. The two huge LED screens visibly projected how emotional the Pope was to see the joy and fervor of the...
Who doesn’t enjoy food? Who doesn’t want to try something to tickle his pallet anew? Who wouldn’t want to embark on a different experience of a common dish mixed in a magically distinct way? These and many other intriguing questions are answered when one travels...
“One, two, three, four and five,” Sheila counted her steps. Then she sat down and meticulously jotted it down in a piece of paper. “One, two, three, … fifteen!” She exhaled with apparent exhaustion from counting and jotting down her steps. “One, two, three, … twenty-three and...
Someone asked me once how he could better appreciate and take advantage of the sacrament of confession. At that very moment we were both enjoying some brewed coffee and doughnuts. It then occurred to me to relate confession with coffee. Well, not exactly to the excellent...
Pope Francis recently encouraged the faithful to recite what is probably the oldest prayer dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Studies show that this invocation to Mary was composed before the 3rd century A.D. The prayer’s earliest form reads: “Under your mercy we take refuge, Mother of...
There’s that relieving sensation when you have been desperately searching for a parking space for nearly thirty minutes and suddenly a vehicle a few meters from you exits to give you that longed for providential space. “Whew! At last!” I said to myself and whispered a...
There wasn’t enough space to properly settle down in the cemetery. Luckily, there was no one visiting their beloved relatives close to my grandparent’s grave. Ed, as though he were in the beach, nonchalantly unfurled the mantle over a number of gravestones and proudly planted...