A Beacon of Hope

A Beacon of Hope

by Niccolo Tuazon

The Greek philosopher Aristotle wisely said that it is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. This is exactly what transpires when The Blessed Community of Everest International Academy in Manila comes together as one to draw power in prayer.

March 18, 2020 was the fateful day when Fr. Luis Felipe Villalobos of the Legionaries of Christ first gathered five families to pray the Rosary for the healing of Edgar Gatchalian who was struck with the COVID-19 virus. Mr. Gatchalian was in critical condition in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and many prayer warriors were needed to storm the heavens in appeal for his recovery. The Zoom room that began with five families grew as more people wanted to join in saying the Rosary for Edgar. The light shined brighter among the group with constant prayer until it overcame the darkness. Edgar was miraculously able to return home from the hospital on May 11, 2020 and his body became completely healed from sickness.

With joy and gratitude filling their hearts, Edgar Gatchalian and his wife Cheryl continued what Fr. Luis Felipe started. The Blessed Community’s daily family Rosary resumed on June 1, 2020. “The TBC family rosary brought my family together, giving us the strength and unity to face any challenge,” Mr. Gatchalian shares. He wanted others to experience the wonders of such unwavering faith and gladly welcomed more to the group. From then until now, families come together online at 6PM everyday to pray together for different intentions. Due to the tough times brought about by the pandemic, there are always many critical requests being made through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.

“I think people at first didn’t realize how fragile we are, how weak we are, how needy we are. At the end of the day, no matter what, we need the presence of God and Mama Mary in our families. We need Our Lady’s protection, her blessing, her love. This is something the families discovered little by little and everyone learned to love the Rosary and look forward to it,” Fr. Luis Felipe says.

There are currently around fifty families praying the Rosary together daily. At times, the number has even reached a hundred. A designated family hosts per week and there is always a different leading family per decade who shares their own special intention. How wonderful to see little children, teens, teachers, students, moms, dads, grandparents and other people from all walks of life taking thirty minutes from each day to participate. Some even volunteer to share their enlightening stories, and a priest ends the Rosary with a blessing for all.

The Blessed Community members have witnessed many answered prayers through it all and have found much comfort, relief, and joy in being there for each other. Senator Miguel Zubiri who is an active member of the group reveals, “Coming home from work and seeing the difficulties so many of our people are suffering from this pandemic makes the Family Rosary a welcome respite where we can ask God to help heal all our family and friends. It heals me spiritually as well and has become food for my soul in these trying times.”

Fr. Luis Felipe says that he loves how all the families gather together as one family. “This is the most amazing thing because at the end of the day this is what God is asking from us - to be just one together in prayer. And whenever we pray together, we feel the presence of our Lord and our Blessed Mother in such an extraordinary way.”

Indeed, incessantly praying with and for one another has made The Blessed Community’s Family Rosary a radiant beacon of hope that greatly inspires all who participate to rise with perseverance from the bleakness of life’s troubles and bask in the glory of God’s love and mercy. As Saint Pius X declared, “The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the Family Rosary.”

About the Author

Niccolo Tuazon is a Grade 12 student at Everest International Academy. He has won 2 Gold Keys and 1 Silver Key for Poetry and Short Story Writing at the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards based in New York. He joins his family in regularly praying the Rosary with the The Blessed Community.