Daily Live Mass at 12:15pm. Click here » 
Welcome to our website
"A dynamic and participative parish, relevant to the times and responsive to the needs of all sectors of a community, that is both evangelized and evangelizing, living the gospel values and working together with renewed hope for the kingdom of God."
News and Events
Catholic Articles
October 23: Saint John of Capistrano, Priest—Optional Memorial
1386–1456
Patron Saint of military chaplains, judges, jurists, and lawyers
Canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690
Liturgical Color: White
Quote:
Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. They must learn from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to his apostles and disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were to succeed them, when he said, “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” …By the brightness of their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord. ~From the treatise “Mirror of the Clergy,” by Saint John of Capistrano
Reflection: John was born in Capistrano, in the Kingdom of Naples, modern-day Italy. He came from a wealthy and prominent family. When he was young, his father died and John’s mother educated him at home. When he was older, she sent him to Perugia where he studied civil and canon law under a distinguished legal scholar. John excelled in his studies, and, in 1412, when John was about twenty-six, King Ladislaus of Naples appointed John as the Governor of Perugia. A wealthy nobleman also gave him his daughter in marriage, as well as a large dowry, making John quite wealthy.
At that time, across what is modern-day Italy, there were constant conflicts between powerful noble families and wars between cities and minor kingdoms. As governor, John attempted to root out corruption but was met with strong opposition. Around 1416, the powerful Malatesta family, with the support of others in Perugia, rejected King Ladislaus’ authority over Perugia. When John tried to broker peace, the Malatesta family imprisoned him.
Though imprisonment seems undesirable, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to John. His harsh imprisonment meant he was often chained and very poorly fed. He had initially expected King Ladislaus to come to his rescue but was abandoned instead. This suffering led him to think more seriously about his own soul and future, coming to realize that the material things of this world and fleeting temporal power could not compare with the spiritual riches we are all called to attain. Tradition holds that, while in prison, John had a dream or a vision of Saint Francis of Assisi, who instructed him to enter the Franciscan order.
Some historical accounts state that his young wife died while he was in prison; other accounts state that since the marriage was never consummated, it was dispensed. Either way, John decided to sell all of his property to pay the ransom for his release and enter the Franciscans, which he did on October 4, 1416, the Feast of Saint Francis.
The Franciscan superior was cautious about permitting John to join them, given his worldly background, so he tested John’s vocation severely. One story relates that the superior ordered him to ride a donkey through town, sitting backwards and poorly dressed, wearing a cap on his head that listed his many sins in large letters. John joyfully embraced this humiliation, proving his determination and spiritual commitment.
Once clothed in the Franciscan habit, John lived a life of continual prayer and penance. He never ate meat, ate only a scanty meal once a day, slept on the ground only a few hours each night, and mortified his flesh in other traditional ways. Brother John’s prayer life flourished. He pondered the Scriptures, spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament or a crucifix, and believed that he was providentially given the name “John” because his deepest desire was to become the beloved disciple of the Lord.
Saints often know saints. This was the case of Brother John. His close companion in the order was the future Saint James of the Marches. One of his teachers and mentors within the order was the future Saint Bernardine of Siena, and he would later assist Saint Colette with the reform of the Poor Clares. After studying theology under Father Bernardine and accompanying him on many preaching missions, Brother John was ordained a priest in 1425, at the age of thirty-nine, and spent the next thirty-one years traveling from town to town across northern Italy and throughout northern Europe. Like his mentor, he became exceptionally zealous for the conversion of souls. He railed against immorality, converted entire towns, healed the sick, performed miracles, and preached to hundreds of thousands.
One time, he drew a crowd of 126,000 attentive listeners. He drew such large crowds that he had to preach in the public square, the church never being large enough. When he arrived in a town for a mission, normal activity would stop, and surrounding villages would often travel to the mission, which could last for weeks.
Fathers Bernardine and John spread devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. They encouraged the people to revere Jesus’ name by placing the first three Greek letters of His name on their doors: IHS. This new devotion led some within the Church to accuse them of heresy, and they were ordered to Rome to defend themselves. They were acquitted.
The two future saints were also deeply committed to the reform of the Franciscan order, which was continually in need of reform given the high ideals on which it was founded. At that time, the Conventuals were at odds with the Observants. The Conventuals stressed community life and the recitation of the Divine Office, while the Observants added the need for strict poverty. Though this caused ongoing tensions within the order, these reformers persevered in their work and made great strides forward.
Father John became so well respected by Church leadership, including popes, that he was often called upon to act as a papal legate to resolve disputes, was sent on numerous important diplomatic missions, and weeded out heresy wherever it sprung up.
In 1453, when Father John was sixty-seven years old, the Byzantine capital of Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire, threatening all of Christian Europe. In response, Pope Callixtus III called on Father John to preach to the people in support of a crusade to defend Europe. By 1456, as many as 50,000 men had joined the crusade, earning Father John the affectionate title of “Soldier Priest.” He personally led the troops and stopped the Turks from advancing on Belgrade, modern-day Serbia. Though the battle was successful, the living conditions were horrendous, and a plague went through the camp. After the battle, Father John became ill and died a few months later.
Saint John of Capistrano was a man who initially appeared to have all that this world had to offer. God saved him from the world through the suffering he endured during his imprisonment. After his eyes were opened, he radically devoted himself to Christ and the salvation of souls.
As we honor this saintly preacher and reformer, reflect upon any ways that God can use your struggles to deepen your faith. Trials can lead us down the path of despair, or prod us to the heights of holiness. Allow Saint John to inspire you so that you, too, will become a truly beloved disciple of our Lord.
Prayer: Saint John of Capistrano, your taste of worldly power and wealth was unsatisfying, leading you to search for more. The suffering of your imprisonment helped open your eyes to God, and you turned to Him and never turned back. Please pray for me, that I will come to the same deep conviction in my life that God alone is what matters. May I become completely devoted to Him, serving His will alone. Saint John of Capistrano, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.