Prayer & Discernment

This First Saturday I had another unusual experience.  I'm sharing about it here without any expectation of being believed.  Rather, I'm fine with each reader prayerfully discerning this story on his/her own.  In fact, the subject of this blog is essentially about Prayer and Discernment, and I want people to seriously think about both.

Earlier this morning, as I was praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary before the 8:00 AM Mass at St. John Vianney Church (Kailua), I sensed the gentle presence of our Blessed Mother with me.  So I asked her, "My Lady, what is it that you want?" which was followed by a verbal response.  To my best recollection, the words I heard were: 

"I desire prayer ... and be vigilant,

my children, for the forces of evil are

preparing an assault like never before.

Pray for the gift of discernment."

That was it.  I actually didn't give it much credence at the time, but I also didn't outright dismiss it, either.  I went on with my Rosary but kept the words in the back of my mind.

One of my favorites places to pray at -

the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua.

After the Mass and some Eucharistic Adoration (this parish holds monthly Adoration after every First Saturday morning Mass), I did my customary visit to the parish's Immaculate Heart of Mary garden shrine to also spend some prayer time with Our Lady.  Before leaving, I knelt to receive her blessing and, remembering the words I heard earlier, I asked her to pray for me to the Holy Spirit for the gift of Discernment.  I then prayed the 3 Hail Marys that I usually conclude with.

As I stood up to leave, I glanced at my cellphone to check the time and was surprised to discover an oily stain on the surface of the screen ... but rather than appearing like a random smudge, it had a distinct and familiar form - see below:

I'm not claiming it's a bonafide miracle, but come on!  What are the odds of these circumstances occurring one after the other on a First Saturday (when the Blessed Virgin's influence is particularly strong)?  First, the mysterious voice; second, at the parish's exceptionally graced Marian Shrine (this is not the only strange experience I've had there); third, me asking for prayers from Our Lady, followed by an immediate appearance of a striking silhouette of a torso of a woman draped in a veil with hands together in prayer!  (I can't make this up.)

Again, not trying to convince anyone that all of this is divine intervention ... but taken as a whole, it all goes beyond mere coincidences for me; beyond my own imagination and it's now resonating with on so many levels, including those words.

The simple fact is - our society has spiraled down to a level where many evils are no longer viewed as evil, and truths have been twisted in a diabolic manner.  So it makes sense that we're being asked to Pray and Discern.  These are practices every serious Christian should routinely be engaging in to navigate our way through the jumble of good and bad in our present times.  However, ideally, we shouldn't need "messages" from Heaven prompting us ... but for those out there who do need some sort of encouragement, I hope and pray this story will be that gentle nudge.

Even if one thinks this is all just nonsense, one solid truth stands - Our Lady loves us dearly and she's been trying for centuries to guide us to a peaceful existence and then Heaven, via many apparitions, locutions, and signs.  Anyone needing her help can get it - starting right now - by simply opening one's heart to our Holy Mother then by saying a prayer.

"I am your servant; give me discernment

that I may understand your statutes."

- Psalm 119:125

Saint of the Month - July 2025: Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

A Life of Faith & Liturgical Renewal

Memorial: July 13th

This month I share a holy role-model who most of the Laity can sink their teeth into.  His life perfectly represents the concept of holiness in daily ordinary circumstances that we can all aspire to.

+ Early Life and Spiritual Formation +

Born Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodríguez Santiago on November 22, 1918, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, he was the second of five children in a deeply pious family who simply called him Charlie.  His parents, Manuel and Herminia Rodríguez, instilled in him a strong faith from an early age.  He was baptized in the Sweet Name of Jesus Church on May 4, 1919, a parish that would remain prominent to his spiritual life.

Charlie’s childhood was marked by both joy and hardship.  In 1925, a devastating fire destroyed his family’s home and business, forcing them to live with his maternal grandparents.  In addition, he had a traumatic encounter with a vicious dog that resulted in him developing a serious digestive disorder.  Despite these challenges, he remained deeply committed to his faith, which steadily evolved into a profound love for the Eucharist and the Liturgy.  His grandmother, Alejandrina Esterás, played a significant role in shaping his spiritual outlook, teaching him the importance of prayer and devotion.

+ Education and Early Challenges +

Young Charlie attended Colegio Católico Notre Dame, where he excelled academically, particularly in religious studies.  However, his aspirations to become a priest were hindered by ulcerative colitis, which caused him great suffering throughout his life.  Despite his illness, he remained dedicated to his studies and faith, eventually transferring to Gautier Benítez High School and later the Academy of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in San Juan.

His health struggles forced him to leave formal education before completing his degree, but he continued his intellectual pursuits independently.  He worked as an office clerk while dedicating his free time to Catholic catechesis and liturgical education.  His passion for the liturgical movement led him to translate and publish articles on the subject, promoting a deeper understanding of the Church’s traditions among Puerto Rican Catholics.

Bl. Carlos Manuel as a young student

(front row-center).

+ Apostolate and Liturgical Renewal +

Charlie became a key figure in the liturgical renewal movement, advocating for greater participation in the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery.  He founded Liturgy and Christian Culture, a publication dedicated to educating Catholics about the richness of the liturgy.  His work extended beyond writing - he organized discussion groups, retreats, youth faith events, and catechetical programs, inspiring many to deepen their personal relationship with God.

Enrolling at the University of Puerto Rico in 1946, Charlie continued his personal mission of liturgical education.  He established the Círculo de Cultura Cristiana, a group dedicated to studying and promoting Catholic teachings.  His influence grew, and he became a respected mentor to students and clergy alike.

Despite his illness, the Blessed remained joyful and dedicated to his mission.  He was known for his humility, kindness, and unwavering faith, qualities that endeared him to those around him.  His motto, “We live for that night,” referred to the Easter Vigil, emphasizing the centrality of Christ’s resurrection in Christian life.

Charlie in evangelical action.

+ Final Years and Glorification +

Later diagnosed with colon cancer, Charlie’s health deteriorated in the early 1960s, but he continued his work until his passing on July 13, 1963; he was only 44-years-old.  His legacy of liturgical renewal and catechetical education left a lasting impact on in the Puerto Rico Catholic community and beyond.

Recognizing his sanctity, Pope John Paul II Beatified Carlos Manuel Rodriguez in April 2001, making him the first Puerto Rican and first Caribbean-born layperson to be beatified.  His feast day is celebrated on July 13, and he is commemorated as a patron of liturgical renewal and catechists.

Bl. Carlos Manuel’s life stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and dedication to the Church’s liturgical traditions.  His work continues to inspire those seeking a deeper understanding of the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery.  Let us pray for his speed Canonization.

Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez,

pray for us.

Saints & Relics Presentation: Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Honolulu

Yesterday, on the Feast of the great Apostles, St. Peter & Paul, I was invited by the adult coordinators of a Youth Group to speak at their parish of Sts. Peter & Paul!  Their teens had inquired about Saints recently and the coordinators were familiar with this ministry through past presentations ... so there I was again this afternoon with 9 different relics in tow.

Today's line up of holy people/relics included St. Bernadette of Lourdes; Ven. Alexia Gonzales-Barros; the Blessed Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro; St. Damien of Molokai; Bl. Pierina Morosini; Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassatti; St. Margaret of Castello; St. Maximilian Kolbe; and St. Anthony of Padua.

Judging by the reaction and feedback from the teens and adults, the Saints again made a deep, positive impression on many of them.  I can always see it by how the audience members behave after each talk, when they're invited to approach the relic displayed to have a personal encounter with each Saint/Blessed I talked about.

Usually, their subtle facial expressions while standing in front of a relic almost seem as though they've come upon a wondrous treasure!  People pause for a bit in awe and reflection before reaching out to carefully touch the relics with their hands or with religious articles; mouths sometimes move silently, which I know is prayer ... and some are even teary-eyed during these moments of connection.  Then the cellphones come out for picture taking and to scan the QR codes I make available that link to biographies of each holy person.  It goes beyond mere curiosity.

Seeing the above reaction never gets old for me ... and it's especially encouraging to see our youth displaying such piety because I then have certainty that something that I shared about each holy person had managed to "stick" in their young hearts ... and better the Saints to have as role models than most of the superficial celebrities they tend to admire these days.

So may God bless my new Ohana in Christ at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish.  I Am looking forward to seeing them again this August for another scheduled presentation!