Tuesday. September 22, 2026. Saint Thomas of Villanova. “The divine father of the poor,” born Tomás García Martínez in Fuentellana, Spain, and his name of Villanova comes from the city where he grew up and attended school. His parents instilled in him love for God and charity for his neighbor. Despite the family owning a rich hacienda, St. Thomas would often run around without clothes since he had donated them to the poor. He finished his studies and was received in the community of Augustinian friars of Salamanca. He received the priesthood and became a university professor. Despite his keen intelligence and good judgment, he had to fight against absentmindedness and poor memory. It happened frequently that while celebrating Mass, his face shone overcom by ecstasies, he forgot all that surrounded him, and only thought of God. Known for his eloquent and effective preaching, his sermons produced extraordinary changes in those who listened, and today move those who read them – “This monsignor can move even the stones!” His personal austerity included selling his mattress to give to the poor, and his charity especially to the orphans and the sick. He possessed a practical notion of charity, and strived to find work for the poor, making his alms fruitful. He wrote, “Charity is not just giving, rather removing the need of those who receive charity and liberating them from it when possible.” The money his cathedral chapter gave him to furnish his house was given to a hospital instead. “Our Lord will be better served by your money being spent on the poor in the hospital.” He wore the same habit that he had received in the novitiate, mending it himself. The canons and domestics were ashamed of him, but could not convince him to change. Several hundred poor came to Thomas’s door each morning and received a meal, wine, and money. When criticized because he was being taken advantage of, he replied, “If there are people who refuse to work, that is for the governor and the police to deal with. My duty is to assist and relieve those who come to my door.” He took in orphans and paid his servants for every deserted child they brought to him. He encouraged the wealthy to imitate his example and be richer in mercy and charity than in earthly possessions. As he lay dying, Thomas commanded that all his money be given to the poor. Mass was being celebrated when, after Communion, he breathed his last: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Prayer to Saint Thomas of Villanova. God our Father, we praise and thank you for giving us your faithful servant Saint Thomas of Villanova to be our model in humility and charity. Through his intercession, look kindly upon us, your children, bless us and keep us from all harm, deliver us from all evil and guide us to the path that leads to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORD Today. Luke 8:19-21. The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him. But they were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and wish to see you.” He said, “My mother and my brothers. are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Reflection. Jesus continued speaking with the people, and He loved the people and loved the crowd so much that He said, “These who follow me, that vast crowd, are my mother and my brothers; they are these,” and explained: Those who listen to the Word of God and put it into practice. These are the two conditions for following Jesus: listening to the Word of God and putting it into practice. This is Christian life, nothing more. Simple, simple. Every time we do this – we open the Gospel and read a passage, and ask ourselves: “Is God speaking to me with this, is He saying something to me? And if He is saying something, what is He saying?” – this is listening to the Word of God, listening to it with our ears and listening to it with our hearts. Opening our hearts to the Word of God. Jesus’ enemies listened to His words, but they stayed close to Him to try and find a mistake, to trip Him up, and to undermine His authority. Yet they never asked themselves: “What is God saying to me in this Word?” And God does not speak merely to everyone: yes, He speaks to everyone, but He speaks to each one of us. The Gospel was written for every one of us. The Lord sows His Word always; He merely asks for an open heart to hear it and a willingness to put it into practice. Let us make today’s Psalm: “Lead me in the path of thy commandments,” with Your guidance, I may learn to put it into practice. (Pope Francis, Homily, 23 September 2014)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us who truly belongs to His family: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Hearing God’s Word is not enough. It must become visible in the way we live – through honesty, humility, generosity, forgiveness, and love. Like good soil receiving a seed, our hearts must allow God’s Word to take root and bear fruit, transforming our choices and guiding our relationships. Every day, we are given opportunities to show that we are members of God’s family. Our homes, workplaces, communities, and relationships can become places where the Gospel is lived. Lord Jesus, help me not merely hear Your Word, but to love and live it faithfully, so that my life may truly reflect that I belong to Your family. Amen (Repost Maruja Paredes)
Dearest Father Almighty, thank You for calling me, even when I’m unworthy or imperfect. Like Saint Matthew, may I have the courage to leave behind what keeps me from You and simply follow when You call. Let me not judge others but see them with the same mercy and compassion You have shown me. Lord, heal my heart, help me to remember that You came for me because I need You. May I be more understanding, more forgiving, and more willing to welcome others with love. Jesus, have mercy on us and make our hearts more like Yours. Amen.
“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, WHO you leave it to, WHAT you leave, and WHY? 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 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. . .” the good news of peace and justice through Ester and my founding the Montinola Cumagun Care Foundation. Business Enterprises are not Legacy: It is the fruits of the wake you leave, and who you leave it to, and what you leave. Let your wake speak, not your name.
Ester and my state of health – vital stats are recorded by Ester’s everyday, 24 hr. PDNs.
Ester’s morning BP was 120/80. Hr. 64. O2sat 98%. Temp 36. 5
Last Night’s BP 110/70. HR 77. O2sat 96%. Temp 36.4
Tony’s morning BP was 110 /70. HR 62. O2sat 98%. Temp. 36.5
Last Night’s BP 120/70. HR 57. O2sat 98%. Temp 36.5
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/emotional stability 57. Johnny Ong’s youngest son, Richard, diagnosed with blood cancer. We pray the Memorare: Remember most gracious Virgin 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