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Saint Joseph, Pillar of Families

I didn't use to pray novenas.  I always thought that praying directly to God was better.  But I read this passage from the Bible: "The continual prayer of a just man availeth much." - James 5:16 I thought of the matter more and now I see that novenas are a humble way of praying.  It is asking those closest to Jesus (and holiest) people who walked the earth, to pray for me. This is not a new way of doing things as Moses intervened for the Jews when God wanted to punish them for making a bull with their own hands and started worshipping them. I now think God is pleased whenever I pray a novena.    Since then, I have seen so many SIGNS AND WONDERS in myself and in my circumstances because I prayed a novena.   I credit Saint Joseph for my happy home life and also for helping us with our finances though the best thing for me is the way novenas help us to lead holy lives.  The saints want no applause but rather, they will always draw us closer to God.   Instead of idolizing cel

Quarantine Lockdown List: 15 (and more) Things to Do





Since I work from home and live in Japan, I have not experienced life in a lockdown situation due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Every March in Japan is mostly like this one.  Since many experience pollen allergies, people here always wear masks at the onset of Spring.

If not for the scarcity of toilet paper, one wouldn't even feel a pinch.  But no one can be unfeeling at a time like this.  Much is the same within our walls but not too far from here, across the seas and continents, the world is beginning to look like an apocalyptic movie.  

Once packed streets are now empty.  Stores are all closed.  Supermarket shelves are greatly depleted of stocks, locusts are swarming in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  People are losing their jobs and going hungry as thousands are dying alone without the comfort of their loved ones.  Churches and masses are closed, a never before occurrence in the history of the world.  The sacraments are not being administered at the time it is most needed and only a handful are at odds with it.

The seriousness of the situation does not escape me. 

But "all things are passing".  This too shall pass.  We just don't know when.  Until then, what are we to do?  Here is my checklist of suggestions to keep you sane and smiling despite the temptation to go stir-crazy.  


1. For Christians commemorating the Lenten season, let's have longer times to pray and be with God.  "Seek the Lord while He may be found"  Isaiah 55:6.  This crisis came to us conveniently when all the resources are available with just one click.  We can find online masses and retreats that will nourish our soul.  I am doing the Pray More Retreat.  My husband is learning to pray the Rosary in Latin during this time!  We also love Scott Hahn's special for the Quarantined Catholic.  


2. Go to mass online.  The Holy Mass is the best prayer and offering of our time to Jesus.  In it, we commemorate His passion and we are able to offer to the Father the most perfect offering of love through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross of calvary.  Channels you may visit are: EWTNPhilippine list of masses and you can also experience the Traditional Latin Mass with missal here.


3. Adore our Lord online.  Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist.  His body, blood, soul and divinity are there for us at any time, anywhere we are.  Check out these live webcams and come away with the Lord.  


4. For us Catholics who know how important the Sacrament of Reconciliation is, but are unable to go, we can have perfect contrition.  Here is a free PDF that will teach us how.  It is important to share this with those who are gravely ill!


5. Let's pray for others.  St. Faustina was given the grace to adopt a soul dying alone and was able to help this soul fly to God.  We can also do the Divine Mercy Chaplet and allow God to use our prayers for a stranger somewhere in the world.  Pray for all of who have passed away.  Pray for our doctors and all frontliners.  Pray for those struggling financially.  Pray for a swift end to this crisis.  Please do not forget to pray for Pope Francis and the clergy.  Prayers are powerful.


6. Spend quality time with your family.  Play board games and cards.  Document your whole COVID-19 experience.  


7. Volunteer.  Join the efforts to produce protective gear for the frontliners.  Make digital get well cards.  Teach a skill to the world.


8. Know your faith.  If someone asked you about why Catholics do not agree with contraception, do you know the reason?  Read the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Check out the Baltimore Catechism online.


9. Connect online using social media tools like Zoom, Skype, Messenger etc.  We may be practicing social distancing but that does not mean we cannot connect with others online.


10. Stop surrounding yourself with bad news.  Limit your exposure to the doom and gloom.  There is only so much you can take.  By now you know that you need to wash your hands, disinfect and stay at home.


11. Create.  Take the opportunity to do the things you had no time for.  Make something beautiful - art, calligraphy, music, write, imagine and dream.  Plan what you will do once the lockdown is over!


12. Learn new things.  Cook with the world's best chefs!  Draw with my brother, Robert Alejandro, an extremely talented graphic designer on Facebook.  Learn a new language.


13.  Plant your own food.  You never know when things will normalize.  It would be best to have your own food source and the earlier you start, the better.  Don't throw your vegetable cuttings, they can be the start of your urban garden!


14. Get cultured.  Listen to the Metropolitan opera on their free stream.  Visit a virtual library and get inspired by art.  Listen to the classics for free.


15. Do the Hail Mary handwash.  They recommend doing 20-seconds of hand-washing frequently.  Let us add on a prayer for our Holy Mother to pray with us for those affected by the Covid-19.  It takes 36-seconds to do 1 Hail Mary so we can offer up a different intention for each time we wash our hands.



Here is more to do.  Just spin the wheel:






I am sure you have your own list!  Why not share it with me at the comments section below?


p.s. Like getting all your favorite blogs in 1 place and divided per topic?  Find more Catholic blogs and links as well!  Try Feedspot

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