Saturday. October 17, 2026. Tradition tells us that Ignatius was born around the year 50. He was a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist, who was the Bishop of Antioch, in Syria. Ignatius succeeded him as bishop. He was like a shepherd, gently leading his people to understand the teachings of the Apostles and to put those beliefs into practice correctly. In the year 107, the cruel Emperor Trajan demanded that Bishop Ignatius publicly speak out against our faith. Ignatius refused to deny his belief in Jesus Christ. Trajan sentenced him to die; he wanted to make an example of this holy man. Ten soldiers were assigned to guard him on the long trip. Bishop Ignatius used the time to write seven letters. His letters show him to have been a zealous pastor, with a fierce love for his flock and the Church. The letters reminded the members of the Church to be faithful to the Lord and to follow the teachings of their bishop. They encouraged the Christian community to serve the poor and the needy. As Ignatius and his guards journeyed to Rome, they were met at different places by the local bishop and many members of the Christian community who came to honor him. It is said that he blessed everyone and told them he would pray for them.
Ignatius was not afraid to die. He said that his death would be his birth—into the new life made possible by Jesus’ Resurrection: “I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God.” He died a martyr’s death in Rome, devoured by two lions in one of the cruel demonstrations of Roman excess and animosity toward the true faith. Saint Ignatius’s great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny his Lord Jesus Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. A holy man who was deeply loved by the Christian faithful. (Maridol: My Morning Prayer)
Blessed holy servant of God, St. Ignatius of Antioch, we pray today for the protection of the faithful throughout the world. Intercede for us! We are humbled by your faith in Christ and your desire to be unified with Him. Pray for us that we may grow in faith and love of Jesus Christ our Savior. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, we know that you are a powerful intercessor because you sacrificed your life for your faith in God. We pray that just as your glorious passion brought you eternal splendor, so it may also be for us unending protection.
Please pray for the protection of…. (Mention your intentions) Dr. Amy Ylagan during her PT recovery, my autistic son John Paul at 57, emotional problems, and Ester’s stoma adhesion.
Prevent Children who have the comforts of life from becoming enabling children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”( Ephesians 6:1–3)
“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.” (St. Augustine of Hippo) Kindness, donations, or charitable acts cannot erase or fix a failure to give someone what they have rightfully earned or deserve. As detailed in discussions on Catholic 365, true love requires fulfilling the obligations of justice before or alongside acts of generosity.
These intentions bring us to you, seeking your intercession for courage and protection. Help us to live our lives by your example of courage and faith. Pray for our physical and spiritual protection, but pray even more so that we may become as close to God as you are. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
“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 Ester and my founding the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation. Let Its 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 120 /80. HR. 73 O2sat 97%. Temp 36. 5
Last Night’s BP 110/70. HR 71. O2sat 98%. Temp 36.2
Tony’s morning BP was 110 /80. HR.67. O2sat 98%. Temp 36.5
Last Night’s BP 110/70. HR 60. 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 at 57.
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 month 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