St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago

July 18, 2010

It was my first time to attend a Latin Mass and I was with my husband, my mother in law and with our host, Ninang Weng (my husband's godmother at his baptism). It was a memorable one since Mother Teresa of Calcutta's relics were at the Church . Mother Theresa is not yet a saint but I hope she will be someday. It is her feast day today september 5! Good thing I was able to remember when I was searching for my Travel Pictures. Here are some pictures I'd like to share. At the back portion of the Church, there I was with another Padre Pio moment! I love Chicago:)

You surprise me everyday

Last night as I put myself to sleep just like any other night I was searching for something to read about Padre Pio. I now typed the words, "Padre Pio Baguio City" since I was in Baguio City, Philippines a few weeks ago. We were looking for a place in Baguio called "Good Sheperd," a place where we can buy some sweets when we got a bit lost on our way. As always when I cannot find the right way to a place I am not familiar to, I always say, "Padre Pio tulungan mo po kami." Which literally means, "Padre Pio pls help us." So we decided to go down and try a different route. On our way down, Mike, my husband pointed a marker which said "This way to Padre Pio Church." I didn't even know there was a church named after him in the city. We were not able to visit the place since it was starting to get misty and we found Good Shepard already.

So back to the story, I came across a site which said Padre Pio's Apparition in Baclayon Church. It is a very old Church known by many tourists visiting Bohol, Phillipines. I was surpirsed when I recognized the Picture because I have one too! I got to visit it sometime last year when two of my friends decided to tour Bohol while we were in Cebu.

"The Baclayon Church is the oldest Catholic stone church building in the Philippines. It was constructed during the Spanish occupation and the first Spanish missionaries (called doctrineros) settled in the area in the late 15th century. Today you can still see the original stone structure of the Baclayon Church in the City of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. The attractions we’ll see in the Baclayon Church include an old convent with a small museum. There you’ll see some centuries-old relics. Most artifacts you’ll see in the Baclayon Church museum are religious in nature.

So i remembered now when I was inside the museum I saw a statue of Padre Pio. Since I am always fond of him, I went immediately to him and said a little prayer. after the museum tour, I asked our tour guide if he could take a picture of me and my friends. So he instructed us to pose in a certain direction. When he handed me my camera he said, "Review your picture, there is a man behind you :)" And so i asked, who is that man? The tour guide said all he knows is that he is an old priest so i didn't even bother to ask who it just amazed me. Little did I know it was Padre Pio until last night! I was surprised really. He amuses me everyday.