The Inner Anchorite

If you could see the picture, it's called an "anchorhold". It's a small room or cell attached (or anchored) to a church. It has a window so that the one inside the room can hear Mass, receive communion, make Eucharistic adoration, etc., and another window where he can receive visitors.

The person inside the anchorhold is called an anchorite or an anchoress. His life is built upon prayer and fasting. I do think theirs is a hard life. Anchorites/anchoresses are locked inside, sometimes the door is too heavy to be opened, sometimes there is no door at all.

Their life is harsh and dull - this is according to the "worldly perspective." But with the eyes of faith, one can see a tremendous amount of treasure, and it's called love.

The anchorite entered out of love. He didn't enter the anchorhold simply to hide. He entered for a purpose. He is locked out of love for God. The anchorite then realizes the dream of the Psalmist: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to enjoy the sweetness of the Lord (Ps 27:4). Although physically caged, he is really flying with the wings of dove. He has made a new home in the desert (Ps 55: 6-7).

The anchorite has carried all the people in his heart. He is locked to intercede for them, just like Jesus. The anchorite imitates Jesus in great details. Blessed Charles de Foucauld said, "Imitation is the daughter, sister and mother of love." Thus, the anchorite dies to himself and lives solely for God.

These days, anchorites are very rare. But that doesn't mean the anchoritic spirit has died. In fact, Jesus is inviting all of us to be inner anchorites. Yes, all of us.

We anchor ourselves to that thing which makes us truly alive - His Heart. Yes, His Heart is the Church where we attach our anchorholds. And we are attached forever. There we gaze upon him day and night. And as we attend to our daily duties, at our work, study or household chores, we remain in our anchorholds. No one could convince us to go out; there are no door for we have resolved to remain in Jesus. The world couldn't see the enclosure, but the eyes of faith could see the radiant joy on our face. This is the fruit of being an inner anchorite: joy.

I can't help but think that heaven is like a huge Church and myriads of anchorholds are attached to It. There we gaze upon our Heavenly King - our Creator, our Father, our Beloved, our All - face to face! This time, joy is ineffable. Only those who have been in heaven could explain such joy. Amen.

May God bless you!

The View From The Back

The 7th National Pilgrimage..

... and my back ached before retiring that night! I belong to the "standing crowd" and it was a mortification!

The pictures are not good (I'm really far from being a pro). I hate it when the lamp blocks my view of the Blessed Mother.

President Noynoy wasn't there, although outside the monastery, there were banners of our congressman welcoming President Noynoy. I think the crowd was expecting him to come and lead them to pray.

So here are some of the pictures:

On the way to the pilgrimage site

 Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (for those who are asking)

On their way home

Christmas is Coming!

I would just like to share this song from Danielle Rose, Star of Bethlehem. It's from the album "Mysteries" which takes the Holy Rosary as its inspiration. I am hoping to have a copy of the album but I don't know how.

Danielle Rose is updating her website. Click here to check it out.  Don't forget to read her bio! The site's design looks great and refreshing. 


God bless you!

It's Been Quite Some Time

St Teresa of Avila

Like (almost) everybody, I didn't realize it's been weeks since I posted my last blog entry. I wasn't really busy. In fact I am always in front of the computer, surfing the Internet for at least two hours. That's more than enough! Anyway I am trying to lessen my "Internet time" and stick to my books.

In my last post I mentioned I"ll post a review about Into Great Silence, but I think I couldn't do it; I won't give the film justice if ever I do that. Anyway, I'll be watching the film again on Friday, and this time I'll focus more. To be honest, I feel like sleeping when there's no monk in the scene (like the "changing seasons" part)! But I am very attentive in watching the African novice praying and working in his cell! That's simply inspiring. I heard that the novice already left the Order. God's will is being done.

I am reading a biography of Saint Teresa of Avila and I find it inspiring and amusing. When she was young, she and her older brother would try to build hermitages in their yard. That was so prophetic! The biography says, their hermitages would always crumble down after building them out of rocks. Now, look at the Discalced Carmelite order! It's one of the famous Orders (though I suppose they would be happy if I remove the word "famous."). She would also play the "convent game" - she and her playmates would pretend they were nuns. I wonder if they wore home-made habits.

Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace (from Flickr.com)

On September 12, 2010, the 7th National Pilgrimage to Lipa would be held. How I remember the first time we attended the Pilgrimage! That was five years ago (the 2nd National Pilgrimage). Thanks be to God for placing the main event on a Sunday, and He even allowed us to be free from our textbooks on Friday! We would really try to attend the events.

I remember going to the Mass the night before the 4th National Pilgrimage. It was celebrated by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD. He delivered the longest homily I ever heard BUT I enjoyed it! I felt I was in a recollection.

May God bless you! Tomorrow's the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. Make sure you attend the Mass tomorrow, and pray the Rosary!

Blessed be God.