St. Anthony Abbott

I first heard this Saint from my brother. In one of our conversations, he mentioned that the hometown patron saint of his girlfriend is St. Anthony Abad. And that those who have migrated to the city still come together and hold a special celebration in his honor every 17th of January.

I searched for information as I have known only St. Anthony of Padua. I learned that he is often invoked by those suffering from skin ailments. In the last few years, I have been bothered by skin allergies. I used to have only reactions to mosquito bites but now that I am middle aged, my skin has become more sensitive to almost anything. Maybe it's the stress.

I have long been searching for a novena to him to help me with my skin allergies, but have not found one to date. Nevertheless, let us make known this Saint, also known as St. Anthony of the Desert. You might want to check out this link for prayers and litany to the great saint.

Would you like these names?

Further to my previous post on Christian names for babies, let me share with you this article. I have heard some of them. Though, many are not quite common. Take a look, you might find the names interesting.

Thank you for the music

I love singing. I was born into a family who sings and makes music together. My mother played the piano and was an accomplished soprano who sang not only in church but in several occasions as well. She was our first music teacher long before we got to learn our ABCs.

On Friday nights, four of us children would play the violin together. We play Bach, Mozart and other classical compositions. An elder sister and a younger brother take the first violin part while another younger brother and I play the second violin part. My mother would then play the piano accompaniment while the others sing or listen. Eventually, we learned to play other musical instruments.

Our neighbors enjoyed the few hours of free classical music. Often, people tell us we remind them of the famous Von Trapp family. It's sad however, that at present we can no longer be the same family who played together years ago. My mother lost her battle with breast cancer in 1993 and a younger brother passed away in 1998 at age 27 after a brain surgery. The others have gone to live in different continents across the globe.

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the memories. I feel blessed to have a family that shares the same interests in music. Others have more individual tastes, hobbies and talents. Coming across this article brought me back in time when we enjoyed our life as children through music.

Whether the findings of the study are true or not, there is just one thing I am sure of. Music continues to bind our family. The ones who have gone past this life must have been singing and making music on the other side as well.

My Name Is...

People call friends and family by their first names. While for acquaintances or professional relations, we stick to the formal address of Mr., Ms. or Mrs. or the professional titles as Dr., Engr., and so on. Often, we have pet names or names of endearment for people really close to us.
Nobody calls me by my real name. That is because apart from my real name in my legal documents, my grandmother thought a shorter version should also be included as an alternative name. Hence, in school and in all of my credentials I opted for the shorter version.

That is how my teachers and classmates called me. My officemates and family preferred another name which was culled from that shorter version. In other words, a much shorter version of just three letters.

During our time, names of children were taken from the calendar of Saints. There were also those who opted for local names. However, at baptism, priests would add either Mary or Joseph or another Saint's name for a Christian name. I have also heard instances when priests would totally change the baby's name.

In Africa, they name babies after important or significant events. A colleague was named Mapopa, which means desert. When I asked him, he said when he was born, there were so many deaths in their village that it was almost wiped out. Hence, the name.

In one of the homilies, the priest spoke about his concerns as well on the recent trend of naming babies after things or whatever is popular at the time. He asked three people to come up and tell us their names as he explained African culture of naming babies. I can't remember anymore the names of two elderly people who went up to him. However, the younger man was named "Suzgo" , which is a Tumbuka word for problem. When he was still in his mother's womb, she had a lot of problems.

Every culture has its own way of choosing names for their babies. While I have no problem about local names that are usually good or positive adjectives or even significant events, as it showcases one's culture and identity, I would never name a baby after a tragedy, a problem or anything that spells disaster.

I recall a godson named Rocky as it was at that time the Sylvester Stallone movie was very popular. I heard another colleague named his son Astroboy. I don't really know how he got the name but to me it sounds more like a comic or robot character.

Nevertheless, I support the Pope's take on how parents should give names to their children in this article. Very well worth a thought...

Bringing Back Modesty

I came across this article which may spark a variety of reactions. However, I personally welcome the move. When I was in Africa, anything shorter than ankle length is considered short. It may be a bit extreme but then they are more excusing of foreigners like me. In spite of that, I tried to conform to their standards. Though I wore shorter skirts/dresses at times, I stuck to the acceptable knee-length clothes which they still call mini.

I am not really very conservative but then for me, it is more of appropriate clothings for the occasion. In these times, you see a lot of barely clothed people not only in billboards along highways and thoroughfares but also on TV. Hence, people get to wear the same clothes everywhere.

It's high time we draw the line particularly in church and in business attires.

Papal's Prayer Intentions for January

General Intention

That the riches of creation be preserved, valued and made available to all, as precious gifts from God to mankind.

Missionary Intention

That Christians may achieve full unity, bearing witness of the universal fatherhood of God to the entire human race.

Welcome 2011

Thank you Lord for the past year. As we usher in a new one, may you bless us with good health, kind hearts and humble spirits to seek only what is best for us and our neighbor in accordance with your will. May we not forget our departed loved ones who were once part of our lives and who we look forward to meeting once again in your heavenly kingdom.

The feast of the Black Nazarene will be on the 9th of January. Every Friday a lot of devotees flock to the shrine for favors and thanksgiving for petitions granted. I also get to pray and hear mass there once in a while when I get the chance as it is quite a distance from where I live.

Let us join other devotees in the novena prayers which start on New Year's Day. I pray that we all get our petitions granted.