SAN MATEO, Rizal – Novena is one of the oldest traditions in the Roman Catholic Community. It’s a practice wherein the people solemnly pray in nine continous days before the feast of their patron, in our case, the feast of Nuestra Señora De Aranzazu. New approach was used to the practice to further deepen the reflection of the parishioners during the mass.
With the theme: “Maria, Bilang Ina ng mga Kabataan”, Bro. Guiller Castro presided the 1st novena mass and discussed the role of Mary in the lives of the youth. Bro Castro described Mary “brave” for she accepted the mission that she was given by God (giving birth to Jesus).
In concluding his reflection, Castro gave four points to ponder:
1. “Mary is Home, ” she is a home because we show her what we really feel, we tell her our problems, and she’s our “safe zone”.
2. “Mary is our Guide”, Mary is a guide for us because she shows us the way on how to serve Jesus may it be through simple or big things .
3. “Mary is our Coordinator, ” She is our Mediatrix to Jesus, Mary grants our wishes and helps us with our problems. Youth like us also are coordinator, because she is a good example to this generation.
4. “Mary is our Role Model, ‘” Mary is our role model because she shows what we should do as youth. We also need to be brave like Mary and let the older people become an example.
After the reflection, a mass was precided by Rev. Fr. Jeff Arella. On his homily, he mentioned how humble Virgin Mary and all the mothers are for they let the will of God to happen and not the things that are just for their own sake.
Lastly, he told us that mothers can be liken with hens as the hen will do everything in her power to protect her chicks. Like the hens, Mary will protect the youth from harm and danger.
