Tuesday. October 6, 2026. Saint Bruno belonged to a prominent family in the city of Cologne. He studied theology in the French city of Reims before returning to his native land, where he was ordained a priest and became head of the school. Bruno led and taught for nearly two decades, acquiring an excellent reputation as a philosopher and theologian, until he was named chancellor of the local diocese. Bruno’s time as chancellor coincided with an uproar in Reims over the behavior of its new bishop. He left the diocese during this period, though he was considered a possible successor. He was not interested in leading the Church of Reims. Bruno and two of his friends had resolved to renounce their worldly goods and positions and enter religious life. He settled in the Chartreuse Mountains, joined by a small group of scholars looking to become monks. Six years into his life as an alpine monk, he was called to leave his remote monastery to assist the Pope in his struggle against a rival papal claimant as well as the hostile Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV. Bruno served as a close adviser to the Pope during a critical period of reform. Around this time, he also rejected another chance to become a bishop of Calabria. Bruno was required to remain in Italy to help the Pope periodically. Count Roger of Sicily and Calabria granted land to his group of monks and enabled the founding of a major monastery known, then as now, for their strict practice of asceticism, poverty, and prayer; and for their unique organizational form, combining the solitary life of hermits with the collective life of conventional monks. Bruno died on October 6, 1101, after making a notable profession of faith which was preserved for posterity. In this final testimony, he gave particular emphasis to the doctrine of Christ’s Eucharistic presence. “I believe,” he attested, “in the sacraments that the Church believes and holds in reverence, and especially that what has been consecrated on the altar is the true Flesh and the true Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we receive for the forgiveness of our sins and in the hope of eternal salvation.” Saint Bruno has the honor of founding a religious order which never had to be reformed because it was never deformed; the founder would reject such high praise, but it is an indication of the saint’s intense love of a penitential life in solitude. (Maridol: My Morning Prayer)
My Thoughts
“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
Namaste, the God in me sees the God in one – the Samaritan.
I remember multi-decade years ago, the worldwide multi-awarded Japanese movie Rashomon that I was fortunate to have watched and read the many accolades and critiques that incisively examine the nature of truth; “Rashomon” is to me the best film so far about truth and its consequences of justice. Due to its emphasis on the subjectivity of truth and the uncertainty of factual accuracy, Rashomon has been read by some as an allegory of the emotional dilemma I currently am undergoing: “What is the truth of my documented facts witnessed by one priest and two priests who can testify of the factual accuracy of the circumstantial events “…and then the memory of all the times that Jesus stopped to take care of us will make us more capable of compassion.” (Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 28 May 2025)
“You only live twice, once when you are born and twice when you face death.” The title of a James Bond movie from the haiku poem of Matsuo Bashō, Poet Lauriat of Japan.
WORD Today. Luke 10:38-42. Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”
Reflection. The words of the Popes. Humility is needed to offer hospitality, but also to receive it. It also takes courtesy, attentiveness, and openness. In the Gospel, Martha risks missing out on some of the joy of this exchange. She is so caught up in preparing to welcome Jesus that she nearly spoils a unique moment of encounter. Martha is a generous person, but our Lord calls her to something more than generosity alone. He calls her to leave her preparations behind and to come and spend time with him. Our lives can only flourish if we learn to be open to something greater than ourselves, something that brings us happiness and fulfillment. Martha complains that her sister has left her alone to serve (cf. v. 40), but Mary is completely caught up in Jesus’ words. She is no less practical than her sister, nor less generous, but she recognized what was most important. That is why Jesus chides Martha. She was missing an opportunity to share in a moment that would have brought her great joy. Sometimes we too fail to choose the better part. We need to take time to rest and try to learn better the art of hospitality. Every genuine encounter is free; it cannot be bought, whether it is an encounter with God, with others, or with nature. We need only learn the art of hospitality, which includes both welcoming others and allowing ourselves to be welcomed. We have much to receive, not only to give. (Pope Leo XIV, Angelus, 20 July 2025)
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your servant, St. Bruno, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the dedication to You that he showed in choosing to devote his life to prayer and penance in monasticism. St. Bruno, we know very little about your early life, but you must have grown up as a devoted follower of Christ since you were ordained to the priesthood as a young man. You served God worthily as a priest and eventually as a monk throughout the rest of your life. Please bring my petitions before God, whom you served! After you became a priest, you discerned the best way to serve God in life. St. Bruno, pray for us!
“The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” (Shakespeare).
Business Enterprises are not Legacy: the wake you leave, let the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation’s Good Work speak, not our family name.
One phrase in the Gospel (Good News) sounds familiar: “I will follow you, Lord, but first…” (Luke 9:57-62). Notice: the man did not say, “Lord, I will not follow you.” He wanted to follow Jesus. The problem was the words: “But first…” And perhaps that is also our children’s struggle to wholeheartedly support the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation. We all love God; so do our children – we want to become better. We want to pray more, change our ways, serve others, and sacrifice even a widow’s mite and for public consumption more, but not yet! (Adapted from Repost Maruja Paredes)
Our Lady of the Impossible, grace those late in life but had more in life who tried to be their brothers’ keepers for those who have less in life – “Ester and I pray for your blessings to grace our children, and their children’s children, to wholeheartedly support The MCC FOUNDATION – The MONTINOLA-CUMAGUN CARE FOUNDATION OBJECTIVES: (1) Special Children SPED, “A child’s mind is the most precious thing to waste.” (The motto of the American Negro College), and the Handicapped Senior Citizens – Physical Therapy. (2) Financial Support for Diocesan priests and Grade School Teachers for the rural areas. (3) Computer Start-up Education Tools for selected public schools and (4) Selected Start-up Management and Financial Support for Small Businesses. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48. “The sin of the rich man was not that he did wrong things, but that he did nothing.” (William Barclay, in Antonio G. Cumagun Autobiography Song of Myself Memoirs, Looking Back at Serendipity, 2002) Our Lady of the Impossible, “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection was left unaided…” Bless the good news of peace and justice through Ester and my founding the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation.
Ester and My State of Health
(Vital stats of Ester and Tony C are recorded every day by 24 hr. PDNs.)
Ester’s morning BP was 120/70. HR 90. O2sat 95%. Temp. 36.3
Last Night’s BP was 110 /80. HR. 79. O2sat 97%. Temp 36.4
Tony’s morning BP was 110/70. HR 69. O2sat 99%. Temp. 36.6
Last Night’s BP 110 /70. HR 68. O2sat 98%. Temp. 36.6
Beata John Paul 1, watch over Cristina C, Justice Jun’s state of health, Ester’s recovery, and our autistic son John Paul’s emotional stability 57. Johnny Ong’s youngest son, Richard, is diagnosed with blood cancer.
My Living Will and Holographic Will
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention – for our children, and their children’s children, to wholeheartedly support the Articles of Incorporation of the MONTINOLA CUMAGUN CARE FOUNDATION, organized exclusively for charitable, educational, health, and social welfare purposes, without intent of profit.
PRIMARY PURPOSES
1. Education (Teachers). To promote and enhance education by providing scholarships, grants, training, professional development, instructional materials, welfare assistance, and other forms of support to teachers and educators, particularly those serving underserved or disadvantaged communities.
2. Health and Welfare ( Elderly). To promote the health, dignity, and well- being of elderly persons, through medical assistance, preventive health programs, wellness initiatives, access to healthcare services, and humanitarian aid.
3. Person with Special Needs. To assist, support, and advocate for children and adults with special needs, including those with physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, or learning disabilities, through educational assistance, therapy support, inclusive programs, caregiver training, and access to specialized services.
SECONDARY PURPOSES
1. To establish, operate, or support programs, projects, facilities, and partnerships aligned with the foregoing purposes.
2. To solicit, accept, and manage donations, grants, legacies, endowments, and contributions, whether local or foreign, cash or in kind
3. To collaborate with government agencies, local government units, schools, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations.
4. To conduct seminars, research, advocacy, and community outreach consistent with the Foundation’s objectives.
Look upon me, then do what Your love inspires.
Let Your Sacred Heart decide.
I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy.
Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors,
but I implore this one. Take it, place it in Your open Heart.
When the Eternal Father looks upon it,
He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood.
It will be no longer my prayer, but Yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in You. Amen.
FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED AND SOULS IN PURGATORY
In Memory of all those who left us. We remember you in the morning and at night. You are always with us. We pray for the souls in Purgatory.
Blessed Mother Mary, I bring to you for your intercession the souls of Amb. Manuel R. and Dolores G. Cumagun, Juana Cumagun, Annette Cumagun, Lina Beltran, Judge and Mrs. Dolores Cumagun, Gov. Primo & Magdalena H. Gaffud, Dr. Trino, Sr. & Angeles Montinola, Betty, Luie, Trino, Jr. Montinola, Bernardino, and Isabel Jalandoni. Dr. Terry Lirio-Montinola, Dr. & Mrs. Tomacruz, Akira Tsusaka, Boy Eugenio, Jesus Ibañez, Sen. Nene Pimentel, Santiago Ranada 111, Boysie Villavicensio, Patria Manuel, Dr. Mariano Laurel, Rene Datu, (Ateneo ’54 – Jimmy Ongpin, Atty. Ato Gonzales, Buddy Joaquin, Fr. Unson, Msgr. Tantoco, Atty. Art Alafriz, Robert Arevalo Ylagan, Maximo Abesamis, Jr., Jesse Paredes), Atty. C. Platon, Araceli Rivera, Rey Castañeda, Col. Tanseco, Dr. E Fores, Dr. J. Caedo, Christine Syjuco, Leni Panganiban, Raul Boncan, Atty. Spanky and Dolly Perez, Amb. Albert del Rosario, Nellie Valdez, Toti Herbosa, Tec Syjuco, AL, Umberto (Beck) Gonzales, and Rufo Colayco. Pray 7 Our Father and The Credo