Simbang Gabi

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated December 14, 2009.





Simbang Gabi is a tradition and ritual that is, unfortunately, taken lightly by the faithful. Many do not know this is one of the most powerful traditions of the Catholic faith that should never be missed. The Simbang Gabi ritual can help make dreams and wishes come true.



The nine-day novena must be religiously attended for a wish or intention to come true. But before going into the mystical side of the Simbang Gabi, let us go into the historical facts of this tradition.


Origin

The Simbang Gabi traces its roots to Mexico in 1587, when Fray Diego de Soria was granted by the Pope to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.

During the olden times, the pre-dawn mass was announced by the ringing of the church bells, to gather the faithful to attend the Misa de Gallo, before the farmers and fishermen would go to work, prior to their prayers for graces and good harvests.

It is also believed that the sacrifice of waking up early and going to mass is a gift to the Child Jesus, a way of manifesting one’s dedication to put Christ ahead of everything.

Now and then

Before, the Church was lit with candles and improvised lanterns; now, Churches are decorated with Christmas lights, from ordinary incandescent bulbs to neon-colored and fancy lighting, making the place more festive, brighter and eye-catching.

Before, members of the choir prepared for the biggest celebration of the year; now, sound systems, from compact discs to I-pods, mp3s and so on, play the music that surrounds the area, though some parishes maintain to the old-fashioned way of choir singing in the background.

After the mass, fishermen and farmers usually took their breakfast of rice cakes, such as suman, bibingka and puto bumbong together with their favorite salabat, kapeng barako and pure hot chocolate. Nowadays, there are coffee shops where you may order your own special concoction of coffee mixes, and bibingkas are now flavored and fancily colored. Parishioners are not all going to farm or fish because many will sleep after a hard day’s night of work or partying.

Before, solemnity was the main atmosphere, now it is the festivities that bring smiles to people’s faces. Before, it was all about spirituality and Jesus, now it is more of commercialism and Santa Claus.



Significance

Over the generations, the Simbang Gabi has experienced several adaptations and transformations. But the essence of the tradition remains the same — it brings strength and closeness among family members and intensifies faith and hope for a better life and better relationship with God.



Mystical/sacred ritual

1. One has to complete the Simbang Gabi at the same hour with which you started. The Simbang Gabi now is celebrated into two masses — one in late evening and another at early dawn. Either of the two is just fine, but the time you attend must be the same for all nine masses.

2. You must have but one wish, to be recited on the nine-day novena before the mass and after the last blessing. Only one wish will be granted, guaranteed, based on my own experience and belief. It must be spoken twice, while in the Church.

3. After the mass, one must go home before going to other places. The trip must be home-church-home or work/other area-church-home.

4. Don’t be late to arrive and never be too early to leave. Arriving in the middle of the mass and leaving before the final blessing will make the novena ineffective.

5. Going to different Churches is immaterial as long one goes home straight from Church.

6. Eating is allowed after the mass, but not before the mass. Coffee and other drinks are just fine as long they are taken 30 minutes before the start of the mass.

7. Write your wish on a piece of paper and seal it, then leave the paper on your altar and burn after completion of the nine-day novena.

8. Wait for the wish to come true in two’s. It can come within two days or two years of the novena.



The secret behind the fulfillment of the wish is the determination, belief and faith that will be shown by the devotee in the nine consecutive days. This is a clear manifestation of one’s desire to achieve what seems impossible, and with the help of the mystical power of the birth of Christ, it can be a reality, sooner than you expect.

One secret tip: If the wish is more than self-serving, then it will be done even before you finish the novena.

Merry Christmas to all of my loved ones, my friends and my readers. To the staff and officers of this publication, may the true spirit of Christ shine upon us always!


Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.

Wavering faith

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated November 30, 2009.





Many say they are faithful, but are they true to their word? Many profess that they love God, and yet they don’t love their fellowmen. Many are religious, but they serve themselves, not the Church. All want to go to heaven when they die, but many are not ready. Examine yourself, and chances are, it is not yet too late!


God vs Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao’s latest triumph in the international boxing arena makes every Filipino crazy with extreme pride. Yes, we are a Christian nation and even Pacquiao and his mother are very religious, if not deeply spiritual. In this sense, Pacquiao’s family’s faith is not the question here, but ours.

I’ve watched every fight of our boxing icon. There is no doubt about my own enthusiasm for the game, the good matches and exciting blow by blow punches therein, and the eventual win of our champion in his every battle. It really makes me proud to be a Filipino. Pacquiao brings pride and glory to our land. But when it comes to my faith in God, there is no doubt at all that I will choose God above anyone.

As I prepared myself to watch the recent Pacman fight, I felt the sudden prodding to go to Manaoag Church in Pangasinan — an overwhelming sensation of being “told” to visit the Shrine. I never question that kind of “feeling” or “sensation” every time it envelopes me, not even when I was so eager to watch Manny’s boxing battle with Cotto. throughout my life, I’ve always received “messages” during or after a trip and most times, when I’m in the Manaoag Church.

So instead of watching the Pacman-Cotto boxing match, I left home and started the long road trip to Pangasinan. The trip went smooth and easy.

When I got there, I was saddened while looking at the Church grounds. The parking lot was near empty. Whereas, on any given Sunday like this, the parking space would be full of vehicles. I was disheartened to find the Church empty as well! You could count the number of people inside the Church — a first for me to ever see it that “lonely.”

Did Pacquiao have a stronger “pull” or influence over the people’s religious belief or practice? Or could it be that man’s faith is just that weak and/or superficial? I prayed with all my heart for that day I was really so very sad. I felt that man’s faith had failed again for the temporary excitement the world brings.

The sadness grew even more when I learned that many of the so-called “faithful” had adjusted their Sunday mass for the Saturday concelebrated mass. Pacquiao, I thought, has the power to change Filipinos’ schedules! How ironic, when Manny knows how to use his faith in God to conquer the opponent and bring glory to God and country. The country, on the other hand, gives glory to Manny Pacquiao and leaves God and the Church alone and lonely.

The love for God that we always profess was tested once again and many failed.

But it is never to late to put God above anyone, ahead of anything, for God is eternal and everything else, temporal.

When it comes to faith, I believe that those who have their own ways and habits would never waiver and proceed regardless of circumstances and events. Those who are not bound by rituals in the practice of their faith, however, do have their own ways of professing and manifesting their beliefs, thus the difference. The point is — in local parlance: “Magpakatotoo ka lang, dahil sa pagiging totoo sa puso mo ay hindi ka nagkakasala.”


Greed for power

The national elections are fast approaching. Killing and destroying man for the sake of power is getting worse! It is faith that has sadly wavered. From Maguindanao to Manila, from urban to rural areas, greed for power rules man, and it is becoming more evident now than ever.

The temporary power afforded by politics, or indeed the power of any groupings, associations, or even corporate establishments and businesses, has made the world forget that being a leader is being of service to man and not to enslave and destroy them in the process.

For the love of power, many men forget that there is the real God, and yet they themselves want to lord over lands and people. They have forgotten that there is the real heaven because they have created hell on earth, to be lorded over by them.

These people are not serving man, but instead proclaim themselves as gods to rule over mankind. They have been totally deceived and blinded by the dizzying euphoria that greed and power bring. Slaying is just a job that needs to be done to maintain their hold over their people. They do not have God in their hearts, but uses the name of God to perpetrate their evil deeds.

For those who remain faithful and are true to their Godly hearts, don’t waver, do not be disheartened. If these people do not have human hearts, show them that you do. If they do not have love in their hearts but hate, show them the overflowing love and mercy that you possess. If they do not believe in God, show them that you do and believe in the power of God. If they created hell on earth, let us make it heaven for those who remain faithful.

Remember that faith is a continuous consciousness. It does not rest even for a millisecond, for the eternal reward will be there for the taking. Don’t be a hypocrite for it is the biggest deception a man can do against his God.

Put God into your life and real understanding will come to you. Enlightenment reveals the true meaning of faith in God.


Comments and suggestions can be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.

A prayer for troubled times

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated November 2, 2009.

I will share a prayer that I received 11 years ago. It has helped me many times and gave me more confidence as well as a strong faith to believe in hope for a better tomorrow.


Dear Lord, our loving God, thank you for giving us the wisdom, vision and understanding to see the reality of life. Now we know that we have to face the cycle of life. Please give us strength and peace in our hearts that we may fully detach from our earthly and material being.

Our Father, Lord of the Universe, please give us the wisdom and knowledge that we may fully understand that we are called and given a task for the good of humanity. Lord, God, fill our hearts and minds with strength and hope for the upcoming trials in our earthly existence.

Send us the most Holy Spirit, please Lord, we need your Holy Spirit to guide us during this time of cleansing. May we be fully aware that it is Your Will and not ours that will prevail.

Lord of Hope and Love, having all the power of the Universe, we, Your children offer ourselves, our prayers, our hearts, our minds, that You may at least lessen the impact if it is inevitable. Now that the time is ripe for cleansing, may we still borrow some more time at least, so others may see the light of Your grace.

Lord, God, it is Your will that we are able to see, feel, hear the future. Please allow us to go down beneath the mantle of the earth, to heal the wounds of our world.

Lord, it is Your will that You lend us the power to heal humans, please Lord, lend us the power to heal the wounds of our planet. It is only through You, Our Healing God, that we may be able to heal our planet. Lord, let us feel that we humans are one — one with Nature, one with Earth, one with the Universe and One with God.

Our Father, Our Lord, Our God, now that we feel and know that we are One with God, we now have the courage to face the reality that the new cycle of life is fast approaching with new hope for lasting peace on our planet Earth. It is Your Will, THY WILL BE DONE.


We pray this prayer every time we feel there is something bad coming to us. The “we” are those who believe in this prayer, its power and effect on us. The “we” are the sick and dying people that need hope for and extension of life. The “we” are those who are hopelessly asking for miracles for improvement of the quality of their lives. The “we” are those who are simply asking for changes among the people around them.

Many stories of successes and miracles have been recorded. Maybe it is time we uttered this prayer in this time when disasters and many more calamities are coming, predicted by visionaries, seers and scientists and other experts. The only question is when such natural disturbances will happen.

At this point in time, when it is man against nature, this prayer is timely to be published and prayed.

Nothing will be lost, but everything will only be gained. Belief and faith is something to be practiced. I recommend that those who tend to panic should pray this prayer for their peace of mind. Those who have disillusions can try this prayer and change will come, as you wished and prayed for.

In times like we are experiencing now, when no one is expected to be of any help — not because nobody is around, but because everyone needs help — a prayer is a very effective and powerful tool for survival.

Believe in miracles, mercy, salvation and, most of all, believe that God is there to hold us up high. In times of trouble, there is hope — a silver lining beneath the dark blue skies.


Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.

Miracles in our midst

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated September 21, 2009.






I have personally heard a number of people of different religious beliefs say that it was only during the time of Christ that miracles really happened. On the other hand, there are those who firmly believe that miracles still happen in our time. I think it’s a bad idea to dismiss pure and simple "hope" that things could get better. I have stories here of miracles in our midst.



FLORENCE: Cured of cancer


She is a woman in her early 40s, with three young children — two young boys and one little princess. She led a typical life like most women in our country, ordinary as can be, until a medical problem arose.


She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that needed immediate operation as her doctors advised — and to undergo chemotherapy or radiation after the operation. She called me and gave me the sad news. Calls came pouring in from other family members, sympathizing with my sister Florence’s delicate condition.


She asked for my advice as her kuya (elder brother) and as a healer. My advice was to defer the scheduled operation. I told her that I would do everything for a healing miracle. I do not know if she believed me at the time.


Knowing her, she became so bothered and believed more the advice of the doctors. I gave her another advice: Get a second medical opinion, and even a third, from different hospitals. This she followed, and the results and advice were all the same, for her to undergo the same procedures and therapy.


She went back to me once more for advice, and again I told her to wait for the miracle to work first. The truth is, healing people that are closest to me — people who are dear and loved most — are the hardest in my experience. Emotional attachment runs high and the thought of failure at my hand creates the greatest fear in my life. I felt uncertainty for the fate of my sister even though I prayed really hard — a sign of fragmented faith, but I still believe that God knows my heart.


I requested my dear friends and prayer-volunteers to help me ask for a miracle focused toward my sister’s illness. As the date of operation neared and she had to decide but felt bad about it, she made several calls to me, changing her mind with each call made. The last call I received was the night before the operation. I told her that if others got healed and experienced the miracle of healing, there’s no way she would not be healed and experience the same. I advised her to take last pre-operation test first before finally deciding what she should do.


That night, I surrendered her to God. "If she will not get well, please God, don’t let her suffer. I love my sister that much and if possible, please let her ailment be mine." I knew that was impossible, but I left my prayer room with one thought in mind: "My sister is now in God’s hands, no matter what happens."


The day of operation came. I was holding a meeting with my staff when my phone rang. It was Florence, so excited at the other end of the line, telling me that the cancer tumor was nowhere to be found! Even the doctors who examined and tested her before were puzzled!


I said only one thing: Go to Church and thank God for the miracle she received. I put the phone down and cried so much with happiness for this miracle that I experienced in my lifetime, at exactly the time when we needed it most, and exactly what we needed at that moment.


Thank you very much, my Lord!


KENO: Survived an electrocution and a fall


He received his miracle on the day of his birthday. His story may seem unbelievable, but again, miracles do happen in our time!


Keno is a young man in his 20s. He is a lively youth yet contemplative most of the time. He simply smiles at any given moment or during conversations. I thought it is because he is a bit shy and respectful to me and the others, being an employee. He works for me in one of my construction projects.


In this project, I noticed a technical/electrical problem, to which I called the attention of both the subdivision developer and electric company of the area for proper and immediate resolution. An electric post had been erroneously placed where all the wires crossed the area of the residential lots. Both the local electric company and the developer blamed each other for this very clear technical fault. I made it a point to stress that it was definitely not the lot owner’s fault, and it would be unfair that the homeowner to suffer the consequences of this error, which by the way had to be fixed as soon as possible.


It seems money was more important than life to these companies because our complaint fell on deaf ears. To make matters worse, the design of the house we were building had to be adjusted and re-adjusted several times so that the wires and cables from their defective post- or lot-plotting would not get entangled with the house’s roofing. The worst scenario would be if any of my workers got entangled with the wires and cables!


Our greatest fear did happen. Keno got electrocuted while he was working on the roofing of the house. His head touched the high-tension wire that exploded upon contact with his head. He was thrown several feet away from the site of contact, but luckily did not fall on the top floor of the house.


He suffered 38 percent body burns and a deep cut on his head, exposing part of his skull. To the amazement of all, he was alive and his mental faculties were in 100 percent functioning condition! It was a miracle indeed that he survived.


When Keno got electrocuted, I was in Manila. I was shocked and feared for his life. The question that ran through my head was, "Is he dead?" My other employees and workers assured me that he was still alive.


I went inside my prayer room and prayed to God to heal Keno. I also requested my friends and prayer-volunteers to pray for him, like we had done before. I believe that things do happen for a reason and everything has a purpose, including this sad accident. Immediately, I left for the project, and went straight to see him in the hospital to attend to his needs. When I saw him, he was conscious, but in critical condition.


The whole time that night, I asked fervently for a miracle for this young man. After a week, he was cleared of any major injury except the wounds from the burns. Time will heal these wounds.


These are two true stories of miracles I have witnessed. I am happy that I experienced them first-hand. I had the opportunity to feel God and see how His hand works on situations that seem impossible to man.


Again, a miracle is for those who believe — those who have faith in the power of God and hope when there seems to be no hope, when everything seems lost, over and done with. They feel nothing but only unwavering belief in God’s miracle.


Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.

Paranormal inquiries

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated September 7, 2009.






Inquiries about the paranormal flood my Web site and e-mails. Here are a few queries I want to share with you. Debate as to the scientific investigation of fact is least entertained, as we believe that the paranormal is the complete reverse of "to see is to believe." Paranormal is "believe and you will see."


Is the scarab sacred and an effective mystical tool?


What is a scarab? It is an image of a beetle carved or molded from different chosen materials to serve in any of four major purposes: as identification, to commemorate an important event or person, as funerary scarab and as an amulet and/or jewelry.


Though belief in the scarab’s mystique is not an exclusive Egyptian creation, they are the ones who harnessed the secret power in scarab divination. Beliefs vary from one empire to another. Just as it is in our religion, those who were cast away and branded as devils by their church become the saints or church protectors later in another time, in a different era, all in the reign of the same church.


Yes, a scarab is sacred and effective if used as an amulet. But like any amulet, the easier you get it, the less power it emits. Power lies in the uniqueness of the material, the process of how it was made, and the reason of its transfer from one person to another. This process creates the big difference.


It is true that scarabs can be purchased almost anywhere around the world, but they are not effective nor even powerful enough to use. They are simply decorative pieces. Remember that any amulet, including the scarab, needs a reason to be handed down to a keeper. Without the cause, the power diminishes even if it is a true and authentic scarab. Amulets are powerful materials that cannot be stolen or bought, but handed down.


Is the lotus flower a symbol of power and divinity?


The lotus is a water plant and its flower symbolizes various images connected to the divine and used in many paranormal, mystical and religious practices. To cite one example, the meditation pose where you sit with your legs crossed and fingers locked is named the "lotus position."


If you expand your research, you may find that the belief in the power of the lotus is not exclusive to one religion. The belief varies from one region to another and so does the effectiveness of its use, which mystifies many. The lotus represents man’s rebirth and enlightenment. Like the lotus roots that grow in murky and stagnant waters, man’s physical being is mundane and ordinary. Yet in due time, flowers bloom and burst into wonderful flora. Thus, man’s mundane life will soon end and like a lotus plant, rebirth will come when spiritual enlightenment comes into his being.


Actually, the flowering of all plants, not just the lotus, is a symbol of rebirth and thus completes the purpose of existence of any life form on earth. So if man doesn’t find his reason for his existence, then he can be compared to a barren land that produces nothing.


Is meditation against Christianity?


This is a common inquiry, usually from young minds, mostly those who are threatened by ignorance and possible deception from many sectors. Meditation was never intended to be practiced as an offense against anyone, even Christianity. It is not even the work and practice of evil worshippers, but I strongly believe that sowing fear and deception are.


Meditation is putting oneself in a relaxed state, where one can be with his own true self, hear his own mind and listen to his personal needs. It is a process where one can commune with the Universe and with his known God or deity.


Christians call it contemplation. It is the same process, only different terminologies — two different words with the same objective. These divisive wordings must not be used to win or prevent anyone from practicing this method because it does help one be productive, both physically and spiritually.


There are several ways to meditate or contemplate, but everything leads to one path, the path everyone seeks — the inner and deeper meaning of fulfillment and contentment in our earthly existence.


If God is good, how come there is suffering on earth?


This is a question that leads to many answers and more questions. Henceforth, I will try to answer it the best way I can, using an analogy based on our daily life experiences. Everyone will agree that majority (there are exceptions, of course) of our parents planned a life that is good for us. We were reared to be good individuals, sent to schools for a better future. We were clothed and fed well to look good and be presentable to all. We were often reminded and sometimes scolded because of our misdeeds. In short, parents or those who love us try to make sure we will have a good and promising life ahead of us. They work hard for us until we can have a life at least similar to what they had, but hopefully even better.


If God is greater than our parents, if one believes that God is the most loving creature in the Universe, then God will not make life hard for us, but He will make life the best for us, and yet we are given the will to choose. All that there is will still be our choice. Our personal decision will reveal the kind of life we will have here on earth.


In the end, it is still our own choice, our decision to have the kind of life we wish to live and what future we want for ourselves. There is no one else to go back to and blame — it is us alone who is responsible for our choices and their consquences.


Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.