October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For many sinners, she and her Rosary have been the lifeline that pulled them back to Jesus.
Rosary means “garland of roses.” The family that prays together stays together. Daily Rosary trains the whole family in humility and obedience, becoming a cohesive garland of lives linked by strong faith, hope, and love for God and each other. Let us pray the Rosary with Mama Mary.
Mary. Mama Mary walks us through the entire Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious angles of the life of our Savior when we pray with her in the Rosary.
Saturday. October 10, 2026. Saint Francis Borgia. Francis Borgia was born in Spain into wealth and prominence; his father was the Duke of Gandia and his mother was the granddaughter of the King of Aragon. At the age of 18, Francis began a career on the council of the Emperor, shortly after he married Eleanor de Castro of Portugal. Francis enjoyed success and was appointed to positions of authority and responsibility. He became Duke of Gandia when his father died. He arranged a marriage between Prince Philip and the Princess of Portugal, but it failed, which resulted in his retirement. Shortly after, his wife died. These events led him to question the direction of his life. After 5 years, he gave his wealth and his title to his son. He was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1551. In secret, he had already taken formal vows as a Jesuit; although it may seem drastic, he was known throughout his career for being modest, virtuous, and steadfast to Christian ideals. Additionally, he built hospitals, established monasteries, and helped the poor. The “duke turned Jesuit” became the talk of all Spain, and he was called to preach in many cities. His example made a deep impression everywhere, and he was responsible for many high-born youths joining the order. The pope wanted to make him a cardinal, but due to his great sense of humility, Francis did not wish to have this honor; several successive attempts to elevate him to the cardinalate were ended too. Francis was appointed head of the Jesuits in Spain by St. Ignatius. After 2 years, Francis was given responsibility for missions in the East and West Indies. During this period, he fostered education by starting colleges and schools; he was led to Rome to serve as the General of the Jesuits. He quickly gained the admiration of the public. Under his generalship, the Society established its missions in Florida, New Spain, Mexico, Arizona, and Peru, and greatly developed its internal structures; he is sometimes called the “Second Founder of the Society of Jesus.” Francis returned to Spain for one last visit, which drew huge crowds. He died two days after his return to Rome. St. Francis Borgia exhibited the virtue of humility. His diary for the day of his election as General contains the words Dies Meae Crucis (The Day of my Crucifixion). He was determined to marry poverty – to distribute the income of the Roman College for the house to remain in poverty. His life was a grace to conquer carnality and available to those who desire it.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who art both the example and the reward of true humility: w e beseech Thee that even as Thou didst make blessed Francis glorious by following Thee in despising earthly honors, so Thou wouldst suffer us also to become his companions alike in following Thee and in his glory. Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen.
WORD Today. Luke 11:27-28. While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Reflection. The words of the Popes. To listen to the Word of God and practise it are the only two “conditions” established by Jesus for those who want to follow him. Christian life is “simple, simple”.Perhaps we have made it a bit difficult, with so many explanations that nobody understands, but the Christian life is like this: listening to the Word of God and practising it.
Every time we open the Gospel and ask ourselves: ‘Is God speaking to me with this? Is he saying something to me? This means “to listen to the Word of God, to listen with the ears and listen with the heart, to open the heart to God’s Word”. On the other hand, “Jesus’ enemies listened to Jesus’ words, but they were close by to find a mistake, to make him slip up” and make him lose authority. But they never asked themselves: ‘What is God telling me with these words? Moreover, the Pontiff added, “God does not speak only to all, but he speaks to each one of us. The Gospel was written for each one of us. The Lord “always plants his Word”, and in exchange “he asks only for an open heart to listen to it and goodwill to put it into practice. This is why today’s prayer is that of the Psalm: ‘Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands’, that is, on the path of your Word, so that, with your guidance, I may learn to practice it”. (Pope Francis, Santa Marta, 23 September 2014)
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of today.
Please open my heart to recognize Your voice and give me the grace to live according to Your will each day.
May I learn to trust You completely, treasure Your Word in my heart, and say yes to You even when the path is difficult.
Lord, may my words reflect Your love, my actions show Your goodness, and my life become a quiet testimony of my faith in You.
Teach me that true blessedness comes from living it with love, humility, and obedience.
Jesus, in Your Holy name, I pray, Amen. (Maridol: My Morning Prayer)
“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.
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 A.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. Let the Wake Speak.
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 Ester’s BP 110/70. HR 78. O2sat 97%. Temp 36.3
Last Night’s BP 110/70. HR 69. O2sat 97%. Temp. 36.3
Tony’s morning BP was Tony’s BP 110/70. HR 52. O2sat 98%. Temp 36.5
Last Night’s BP 110/70. HR 56. O2sat 98%. Temp. 36.
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.
To fully appreciate the beauty of a diamond, it must be viewed from many angles. Many angles too are needed to fully love the most precious jewel of all, Jesus Christ.
The Gospels are four such angles showing the life of Jesus from different viewpoints. Another great view is through the eyes of the only person who followed and loved Jesus from the Annunciation (Gospels) to the Ascension (Readings). That person is His Mother.
Mary. Mama Mary walks us through the entire Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious angles of the life of our Savior when we pray with her in the Rosary.
October is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. For many sinners, she and her Rosary have been the lifeline that pulled them back to Jesus.
Rosary means “garland of roses.” The family that prays together stays together. Daily Rosary trains the whole family in humility and obedience, becoming a cohesive garland of lives linked by strong faith, hope, and love for God and each other. Let us pray the Rosary with Mama Mary.
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