Reditio is a liturgical rite

I must apologize. My failure to stress that "reditio" is a Latin word, meaning to pay back or account for the graces showered on a faithful follower. In short, how one had used these gifts from the Holy Spirit. But I only wish to remind my readers that this is an impressive rite that neo-catechumens, who have reached that level post their "tradition" publicly profess how God had touched their hearts and changed their lives. This was done in the Bata Parish church a few weeks back and more recently during the pre-Holy Week period with three lady faithful professing how God touched their hearts and minds.

The more impressive reditio were held recently in Molo Church in Iloilo city. There, the rite was attended by no less than Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro.

The stories of conversion are to be heard if one wants to be touched with the strange ways the Lord moves to right the crooked paths of our lives.

During the reditio, there are many conversions. And plenty of tears as many listeners realize that God loves them despite all their sins. That, after all, as Christ had proclaimed, He came for sinners, not that the righteous.

***

I join the Arroyo family in asking for prayers for FG Mike Arroyo who is undergoing a delicate surgery of the heart.

Even those who may have been hurt by the First Gentleman must have it in their hearts to ask God's help for him. After all, as I had already mentioned, we are all sinners but to forgive is divine.

So also prayers for Mayor Palanca. He is a personal friend. Especially his brothers, Dr. Ernesto, and businessman Sammy Palanca.

So with nephew Ray Bantug, one of the leading figures of the sugar industry.

Vero is one of the few town executives who remains low key and works effectively without fanfare. He is running for reelection. And thus, a few days hospitalization can affect his campaign for reelection.

In this case, his life is at stake. As with Mike Arroyo. Let us beseech for God's mercy on both of them and for healing them of their ailment.

***

It was deplorable, the destruction of the Ilog Church around which is the legend of the Holy Child having repelled the Moro aiders which gave rise to the Sinulog.

It must have been a bitter experience for Fr. Custodio Ananoria to have been awakened from his sleep to see his parish church eaten by the fire with the town depending on fire-fighting equipment of nearby towns and Kabankalan to fight the blaze.

But, as usually happens, too late the Phalarope.

Now, perhaps it may not be too late for the town officials to appeal for national government aid in terms of fire-fighting equipment. A fire truck is something that the town should never lack. But Ilog is one of the few towns which do not have its share of it.

I am sure that the provincial government can help Ilog procure it. Not by itself, but by helping press upon the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police to allot a fire truck to Ilog.

It will be useless to reconstruct the church, which can be done by Ilognons (many, incidentally are abroad and well-heeled) without the adequate firefighting equipment to help the town control another future fire.

***

If you are wondering why the constant stories about the forthcoming reunion of the Graciano Lopez Jaena Clan of Negros in Silay City on May 26, it is simply because the affair will be hosted primarily by the descendants of Fermin and Eustaquio Lopez.

Fermin was the brother of Placido, the father of Graciano. And Eustaquio had always been associated with Graciano who called him his "favorite cousin."

But more important, Graciano sought refuge in the hacienda of his elder brother, Pedro, when he had to flee from the persecution by an Iloilo town mayor who had wanted him to certify that a prisoner had died of natural cause when the latter had succumbed to torture.

His exile in Silay gave Graciano enough time to hone his writing and oratorical talents. It was from Silay where Graciano made his decision to go into self-exile in Spain where he carried out his propaganda movement for his country. And, yes, Eustaquio was one of those who bankrolled his trip.

Jess and Virgilio Lopez are among the leading personalities behind the May 26 reunion. There are several more from the United States and Canada, according to Romeo Lopez, like say, Dr. Oscar Lopez, etc.

Just for the record, Graciano was the only Lopez Jaena member of the family. But that was an adopted family name. He simply did away with the Spanish style "Y" before Jaena. Thus, he deliberately named himself "Lopez Jaena" to distinguish himself from the many Lopezes in Spain at the time.

That's the reason for the confusion over Lopez Jaena.*

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