(Oct. 2004 – Oct. 2005)

THE PRAYER WARRIORS OF THE HOLY SOULS (PWHS) sponsors two recollections during the year: one for Advent and one for Lent.

Photo shows part of the big crowd that attended the PWHS Lenten Recollection last Saturday, March 19, 2005

Last March 19, 2005, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, Spiritual Director of the PWHS, was the Recollection Master during the Lenten Recollection. The theme was "STAY WITH US, LORD," a take-off from the Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father entitled "MANE NOBISCUM, DOMINE".

Fr. Jojo started his talk with "The Story of Emmaus" (Lk 24:13-25). Here the two disciples of the Lord (at first not recognizing the Master) only recognized Him at the "breaking of the bread", whereupon the Lord vanished from their sight. It was pointed out, that while Jesus’ face disappeared, the Master would stay with them, hidden in the "breaking of the bread".

Fr. Jojo emphasized that the "Breaking of the Bread" has always been at the center of the life of the Church. Through it, Christ makes present within time, the mystery of his death and resurrection. In it, He is received in person as "the living bread come down from heaven" (John 16:51). With him, we receive the pledge of eternal life and a pledge of the eternal banquet of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Fr. Jojo then goes on to trace the journey that led us to the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST, as follows:

The Music Ministry of the Spirit of Love Catholic Community provided the music and songs during the Lenten Recollection of the PWHS. They are: Gigi Ong, Elsa Loreja, Salome Cantuba, Yeng Encarnacion, Leo G., Glen Peralta.

This is the preparation for the Great Jubilee; Jesus Christ stands at the center not just of the history of the Church, but also the history of humanity. In him all things are drawn together (Ephesians 1.10; Colossians 1:15-20). Christ is the goal of human history, the focal point of 

the desires of history and civilization, the center of mankind, the joy of all hearts, and the fulfillment of all aspirations (as declared by Paul VI).

In this apostolic letter, the faithful is invited to meditate on Sunday as the Day of the Risen Lord and the special day of the church. It was also emphasized that the celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of Sunday (OD, 32-34).

During the year 2000, it was to be intensely "Eucharistic". In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Savior who took flesh in Mary’s womb centuries ago, continues to offer himself to humanity as the source of Divine Life (TMA, 55). During this year, the International Eucharistic Congress was held in Rome.

4. The Pope issues Apostolic Letter "Novo Milenio Inuente" (2000), which means the coming of the New Millennium.

They man the registration tables, distribute the food packs, handle the collection, spruce up the place before and after an activity, sing at mass at times, and they generally "fill in the blanks" where needed. That's what the PWHS Auxilliary Group does and more! They are at the fore front, sidelines, silently but diligently working! They are, L-R 1st row (sitting): Rody Torres, Yoly Torres, Margie Beltran, Ben Peralta, and Tony Maniacop; 2nd row(standing) L-R Carlos and Menchie Dioquino, Boots Zapitan, Lety Serrano, Sally Naungan, Julie Penacerrada, Lito Naungan, Letty Miguel, Juling Maniacop, Marilyn Ilagan, and Diana Abono.

In this apostolic letter, the high standard of holiness is emphasized. The Holy Father says that holiness is "belonging to God". He also encouraged the contemplation of the face of Christ, and to engage in intensive prayer.

Here, the Pope continues to encourage the contemplation of the face of Christ with a Marian perspective. The Rosary has a markedly biblical and evangelical character, focused on the name and face of Jesus as contemplated in the mysteries and by the repetition of the "Hail Mary." It is recognized that the Rosary is the compendium of the Gospel. In this Apostolic Letter, the Mysteries of Light, celebrating in the Holy Eucharist, was introduced to the faithful.

What is emphasized here is the inseparable and vital relation of the Eucharist to the Church. The faithful is enjoined to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice with due reverence, offering to Jesus present in the Eucharist, both within and outside mass, the worship demanded by so great a mystery. The need for Eucharistic spirituality was emphasized and pinpointed to Mary as the "Woman of the Eucharist".

7. The Pope issues an Apostolic Letter to the Bishops, Clergy, and the Faithful for the Year of the Eucharist Oct. 2004 – Oct. 2005 (Sept. 2004)

The PWHS Staff - They prepare the starter kits, attend to the mail, handle calls from members, continuously update the database, and do the other thousand and one things that have to be done in he PWHS office. They are: Au Macalanda, Menchie Dioquino, Wendell Cosindad, Vhonnie Garcia, and Ginah Arcamo, Exec. Sec. to PWHS Executive Director Chita G. Monfort.

To continue with the Story of Emmaus, when the disciples asked Jesus to stay with them, He responded by giving them a much greater gift: through the Eucharist He found a way to stay "in" them. By receiving the Eucharist, one enters into a profound communion with Jesus. This relationship of profound and mutual abiding satisfies the greatest of human yearnings. God has placed in human hearts a "hunger" for His Word, a hunger which will be satisfied only by full union with Him.

The special closeness, which comes about in Eucharistic Communion cannot be adequately understood or fully experienced apart from ecclesiastical communion. The Eucharist is both the essence and the greatest manifestation of ecclesiastical unity.

It is at Sunday Mass, where Christians picture with particular intensity the experience of the Apostles in the evening of Easter when the Risen Lord appeared to them as they were gathered together (John 20.19)

This journey where one is being brought ever closer to the Lord through the Eucharist, does not end here. It is a continuing journey that will find its happy and final conclusion when we are able to go back to where we are all destined to go to – back to our Heavenly Father.