Journey of Resilience: Embracing Life with Hope and Courage
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who privately reached out to express concern during this challenging time.
In July 2023, my doctor delivered the devastating news after a colonoscopy: I had stage 4A colorectal cancer. Without treatment, my prognosis was grim—only 6 months to a year of survival. However, with treatment, there’s hope for a lease on life beyond 5 years.
Initially, I informed my physician that I considered quietly awaiting my time and just rely on minimal intervention. At 76 years old, I’ve lived a full life. Moreover, I didn’t want to burden my family with extensive treatment costs, potentially depriving my grandkids of better education and comfort.
But my family disagreed—their unwavering love and support prevailed. They saw me as a source of guidance, not a burden. Their unanimous decision touched me deeply. Brothers, this overwhelming show of affection and solidarity brought tears and a renewed sense of purpose.
Right then and there, we searched for hospitals with skilled oncologists, revealing the daunting costs associated with private healthcare; Chemo, radiation and operation will cost more than a million. Yet, in a turn of fortune that can only be described as grace: I was granted a blue card by PGH, entitling me to free treatments and medicines. This providence allowed me to fight cancer without the looming shadow of financial strain.
Life often tests our resilience, coping abilities, and inner strength. This cancer diagnosis became a pivotal moment for my reflection and decision-making. What inspires me most isn’t just the will to survive—it’s the profound realization of family’s love. They’ve always cherished my guidance and irreplaceable love. This unconditional family bond has transformed me, and I hope our Batang Karmelo brotherhood can similarly uplift one another out of genuine affection, not mere convenience.
In our darkest hours, the love and care we receive illuminate our path and provide strength to continue.
This journey is a testament to the enduring human spirit, the importance of community, and the transformative power of love. Let’s cherish our loved ones, offer support in times of need, and recognize the impact of our presence in others’ lives. We are never alone. Embrace life with hope, fight with tenacity, and treasure the bonds that make life truly worth living.
Mama Mary would surely approve. To my fellow BC brothers, thank you—I feel an abundance of love. God bless you all! 🙏❤️
-Kuya Pepe Anacion (14 May 2024)
"O God, the sources of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing."
DESIDERATA OF A BATANG KARMELO
-Kuya Pepe Anacion
Year after year (especially on my birthday), I have consistently asked God for health, wealth, happiness, peace of mind, a long life, and other seemingly trivial things. However, I recognize that He has not granted me everything I desired; rather, He has provided only what I truly needed: a loving and wonderful family, a modest number of superb friends and co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord, a healthy mind and spirit within a healthy body, and the necessities of life. As I celebrate my 77th birthday today, having lived life to its fullest, I find myself unable to ask for more. Instead, I am profoundly grateful to God for everything.
Today, I beseech the Lord for one thing: the opportunity to spend and maximize my remaining days in His service and to share more love with everyone. This singular pursuit holds true significance in life: to love God above all things with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Indeed, this is the passport to eternal life.
I humbly seek forgiveness from anyone I may have offended, hurt, or failed to love and appreciate as I should.
Sa tamang panahon ng Panginoon, magsisimula ang totoong “forever” sa bawat isa sa atin. This is my wish and desiderata for myself. I extend the same wish to everyone around me.
30 December 2023
“WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE.” +
“WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE.” +
The Brown Scapular
In the year 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown woolen scapular and said, “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.” In time, the Church extended this magnificent privilege to all the laity who are willing to be invested in the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites and who perpetually wear it.
The relation between Our Lady and Mount Carmel is geographic and biblical. Mount Carmel is about twenty miles from Nazareth and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It was considered a symbol of blessing and beauty for its rich vegetation (Isaiah 35.2), and a place of sacred memory to remember the second covenant between God and Israel.
The prophet Elijah prayed at Mount Carmel for rain, which was announced by a little cloud rising from the sea (1 Kings 18,41-46). The little cloud was subsequently identified as a symbol for Mary and eventually developed into the title Star of the Sea.
Mary announces Christ the Savior and already in the fifth century was hailed "Cloud of rain that offers drink to the souls of the Saints." (Chrysippus of Jerusalem)
Mount Carmel eventually attracted hermits, and from the twelfth century on was the residence of Latin hermits whose official name became "Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel." Following in the footsteps of Mary, they developed a Marian spirituality. This spirituality highlights:
• the importance of contemplation,
• the understanding of the spiritual life as "way of perfection" (ascent of Mount Carmel, little way),
• the journeying with Mary (resemblance and intense communion) to attain a truly Mary-formed life, and
• the reference to Mary not only as Mother and Patroness, but also as Sister.
The order of Carmel considers itself "totally Marian," a privilege which it claims to have received from Mary herself and which is made visible through the scapular.The Mount Carmel brown scapular is the oldest among eight scapulars that have a Marian character and were approved by the Church. (Four of the others are white, one is blue, one black and one green.) The brown scapular owes its origin and existence to Saint Simon Stock who received a large brown scapular from Our Lady in a vision on July 16, 1251. A scapular is actually a sleeveless outer garment of a monk's habit that falls from the shoulders. The original significance implied that one was clothed with Mary's garment in the sense of being clothed with her attitudes and devotion to Christ. The small piece of cloth (or medal) used today recalls the intention of being clothed in the garments of salvation.
The scapular was to be a signal grace for the Carmelite order. Mary promised that whoever died in it would not suffer everlasting punishment and would quickly be released from purgatory (Sabbatine privilege). According to some scholars it has become one of the most widely practiced Marian devotions.
The scapular can be worn by anyone. The wearing of the scapular is meant to foster true devotion to Mary. This devotion is founded on Mary's spiritual maternity and mediation of grace. The scapular teaches confidence in the intercession of Mary to obtain for its wearer the grace of perseverance unto death. There are two conditions attached to the grace of perseverance:
• one must honor Mary by wearing the scapular until death, and
• promise to lead a faithful Christian life.
-by Father Johann Roten, S.M.
