Digmaan

"ito ba ang KAPAYAPAAN?
ang sira-sirang mundo
ang gula-gulanit na pagkatao?
oo, tahimik nga ang mundo
dahil ginawa itong libingan
ng digmaang mala-impiyerno."

ang digmaan ay nasa ating mga puso
para itong apoy na nagliliyab
na ang bawat nasasaling ng nag-aalab na galit na ito
ay nadadarang sa apoy na pinapaningas ng ating galit at silakbo.  denmar

Digmaan

mauubos ang inyong mga bala
subalit hindi kaylan man ang aming mga luha
malagim na bakas ng DIGMAAN ay laging aalingawngaw
sa puso at isipan ng bawat kaluluwang nagdurusa

ang pait ay parang bala na nakabaon sa kalamnan
kumikirot kapag nasasaling ng lamig ng dilim
kasabay ng mga bangungot na nagmumulto sa gunita
na nanaghoy ng pagmamakaawa, ng katapusan at katahimikan. denmar

Digmaan

ang pinapasaya lamang natin
tuwing may nagaganap na DIGMAAN
ay ang mga uod na gumagapang
sa kaila-ilaliman ng lupa
na sabik at hayok na naghihintay
sa ating malagim na kamatayan. denmar

War

men of war are like children playing with their bombs and bullets in a war that they call a game. denmar

War

war is the displaced expression of the anger of man to his humanity. denmar

Peace

we cannot achieve true peace through war
because true peace is in the serenity of a loving heart. denmar

Letter to Sanctuario Eucaristico Youth

Dear Santuario Eucaristico Youth,

I really appreciate all your efforts to be with the Lord by adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament. I know that , most of you, have your hard times, most especially, with your schedules as of now.

Through our fervent prayer and through the grace of God, all of these hindrances to meet our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament will soon passed us by. I know, deep in your hearts, you long to be with us and with that, we also want you to know that we also miss you a lot and we are always praying for you as we wait for you to come.

As I reflect, the distance that divides us because of our priorities and our personal challenges which become our present reality in the 'nowness' of our life is just a stage. I always pray that, together, we will be steadfast and stay holding on for this darkness of separation that wounds our heart will soon be overshadowed by the light and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I see it as a sad phase of our life where we really needed to choose our priorities for the moment. We pray to God to be good students and in order for us to be good students, we also need to prioritize our studies. And I do really understand how you really strive for it. I am one with you in the belief that exams, quizzes and 'board examinations' should be prioritized and I encourage you, with my sincerest prayers, to do so. Education is a gift of God to us all. It is a gift of our parents to us; as you, yourself, are a gift to them. For us to return the glory to God, in our thankfulness, we study hard and we pray a lot.

Likewise, I also know the struggles of those who are working, those who are busy in their jobs. Or of the struggles of those who are still finding for their place under the sun. Hence, it is always a challenge to anyone to balance studies, works, handling personal problems and prayers-- this is our multi-faceted dimensions as a person. Your current situation, your struggle on keeping your hectic schedules, is your response in understanding your human dynamics. As of now, go on and discover your self. Go on and establish yourself. But I also earnestly pray that you would transcend all these worries and surrender all of them to God. Time will always run us short but you may take your time to have a grasp of fresh air and be alone for some time to reflect on what is transpiring.

As your brother, my only reminder, where ever you are and where you would be, do not forget to pray. Pray for us as we also always pray for you. Through our sincere prayers to one another, we become united, although separated for the meantime to us; but always united to our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

Your assurance is this, you always have a home in Santuario Eucaristico after your toil is done. All of us are like leaves in the air, we go where the wind of change carry us... but as Eucharistic Youth, we always go with the loving and guiding Spirit of God. Rest assured that we are always here and always waiting for you... so what if you come late, what is more important is that you exerted your effort and through that effort we feel that you love us. Your presence is more than enough... it is a gift of self that you share to us.

Love is the most beautiful action that binds us all as brothers and sisters in Christ. Love is so powerful that even in its silence it can move hearts to beat as one in the name of love. I encourage all of you to love one another as Jesus Christ did and told us. Being a teen-ager... being a youth is a very short stage in our life so we need to do all of what we can do to dedicate it in loving one another. Of course, sometimes, we will fail... but we will learn from all of our failures and we will realize that only love can make us stronger to stand again from our shortcomings in life.

Your whole self is your greatest contribution, much more, your prayers. Encourage one another to love in the name of Jesus Christ. Encourage one another to remind one another. Encourage one another to wait for one another. It is through our patience and sacrifices that we will be united once again... together as one family... as Santuario Youth family.

In prayer, we will never be apart. In prayer, we will always be connected.

Love and Care,
Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, SSS
September 8, 2013
Birthday of Mama Mary

Peace

we cannot achieve true peace through war
because true peace is in the serenity of a loving heart. denmar

Peace

we cannot achieve true peace through war
because true peace is in the serenity of a loving heart. denmar

Letter To Knights and Ladiest of the Altar

Dear Knights and Ladies of the Altar,

As Youth Ministry-Altar Servers, being a KNIGHT or a LADY OF THE ALTAR, we are now facing new challenges: 'to be a good ROLE MODEL to our apprentices is a MUST.' But, do not be afraid because the Holy Spirit is always with us. The Holy Spirit will purify us. The Holy Spirit of God will teach us through our hearts.

As their Knight or Lady, do not be afraid to entertain their questions. They are new in our organization and we encourage them to post their inquiries to us. Like most of us, I hope that you will not also be afraid, in times where we find ourselves incapable to answer their questions, to humbly admit that 'we don't know all the answers.' And tell your apprentices that they should not be be afraid to commit mistakes for their sincere prayers, dedication and commitment will perfect their ministry as time goes by.

It is in our sincerest humility that God works in our lives and I always encourage all of you to remind one another. Even me, your elder brother, I encourage you to remind me if ever I forget to love and serve you as your dear beloved brother.

Being an Altar Server is a gift coming from God. As Knight Dave always tell me: "many are called but few responded," I agree with him that only a few has heard the urgent call of God to serve Him. You have heard God's call and you urgently responded.

Knight Roussel, being the analyst of the group, always reminds me to be systematic in every way so we do it not too fast but systematically, and now, we are reaping the fruits of our prayers. Lady Maricar, our Coordinator and I, Br. Dennis, your Spiritual Director with Sister Marge Manabat will always try our best to implement what is needed. Of course, with Knight Paul being around with his team mate, my fellow Scout Knight Patrick who is always prepared to serve, I am sure that our every after session bonding with the little merienda that our Parish Priest, our Grand Knight, Fr. Joel, SSS has offered, will always be a delightful event to hang-around further for some chit-chat with one another to share our experiences. Through that sharing we become friends and through those common experiences we become brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our APPRENTICES still have their very long journey ahead of them. I am praying for you, being their Knight or Lady, as their Kuya or Ate... that you will not stop loving them and serving them... that you will not be tired of guiding them towards the perfection of our humble service, our ministry of Serving in the Altar of God.

Pass on the tradition to them with grace and love. Always pray for the intercession of Mama Mary. Mama Mary is the beloved Mother of Jesus, she will always lead us to Jesus. She will always lead us to God.

Love and Care,
Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, SSS
September 8, 2013
Birthday of Mama Mary

Prayer

September 8

message to Santuario Youth:

"in prayer we will never be apart, in prayer we will always be connected." denmar

Finding the Right Answer

September 8

everyday, we find newer solution to the same complex problems we encounter
in every newer solution... we make it easier and we make it more simple to work on

there are many possible solutions to a problem
and we tend to opt for the most simple solution among the options

but how simple it is?
that is the question. denmar

Progress

September 7

it is true that we can talk about progress and become rich without God
that we can create human laws and social doctrines and become orderly and peaceful without God
but at the end, we would realize that in our desire to make God absent in our lives because of our pride
we make ourselves bow to the 'gods' we have just created. denmar

Social Justice

September 7

there is a great gap between the rich and the poor in our society because the rich do not own the pains and the sufferings of the poor; while the poor are not given a chance by the rich to share in their blessings. denmar

Metanoia

September 7

i think, we need now to reform our thinking as a nation
instead of sending our children to school for their bright future
send them to school to help our nation
education would be the same mean of empowering the youth of today
but our motivation for them to learn for the nation would, hopefully, make a difference in the future. denmar

Old People

September 7

this morning, i visited a 97 year old sick grandmother. she told me, "you know brother... my centennial prayer is joy to the world." she's still laughing at her age despite of her hardship to stand and to talk.
and there's more! her 91 year old friend who accompanied me to her house told me that 'it is her apostolate to visit the elderly and the sick!'
i was really astounded! denmar

Decision Making

September 7

sometimes when we DECIDE
we make decisions as if there is only now
we don't think of the past
we forego of the future. denmar

Love

September 6

ang hindi ko kayang gawin
ay ang hindi kita IBIGIN. denmar

Langit

September 6

tatawagin kong LANGIT kahit na ang dagat-dagatang apoy na ito
kung kapiling ko sa bawat saglit ang nag-iisang IKAW ng buhay ko. denmar

I Admit My Mistakes

September 6

I ADMIT MY MISTAKES.
the LOVE OF GOD is the most appreciative... the most consoling... and the most securing presence in us. when you're alone and afraid-- no where to hide and nowhere to go... talk to God and admit your shortcomings. you can cry out loud to Him and you can tell God that you surrender to his will... God will be with us even in prison, He will suffer with us... and He will be with us even in our own death.

I am an Introverted Person

September 6

as an introverted person, i'm always ashamed of sharing my talents. kasi naman...it's so hard to be a composer na hindi naman ako mahusay kumanta.
some years ago, i asked God to allow me to interpret his love through the words and music of every prayer i can compose... i am so thankful to God for providing me always the voice-- through the people i encountered... this night, i heard God's voice singing those humble compositions through our youth ministry members during our Santuario Eucaristico Monthly Youth Adoration. thanks be to God.

Unity in Diversity

September 6

may mga tao na gustong maging simple ang buhay nila
pero ginagawang komplikado ang buhay ng iba
kung minsan yung simple sa isa e complicated sa iba
yung complicated naman sa iba, e napaka-simple naman sa iba...
RESPECT na lang and LEARN from one another...
THERE'S UNITY IN DIVERSITY. denmar

Preserve

September 5

if we cannot make the world a better place to live in
at least we should not make it a worse place for the next generation to come

>PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE NOW, it is is not for us alone. denmar

Crucifix

September 5

two people in front of a life size crucifix. one of them is a rich looking middle aged guy; and the other one, a crippled old lady patiently seated on her wheel chair praying. the guy told the old lady, "see... there's only pains and sufferings in this world." the old lady stop praying and gently told the guy, "if you focus only on the cross, you will see nothing but pains and sufferings; but if you look on Jesus crucified, you will see sacrifice and love." denmar

God

September 4

atheist: I don't believe in God because I can't see God.
old man: I am blind... but I believe that you exist.
atheist: but you can hear me!
old man: that's it... you can't hear God because you're not listening. denmar

Forgive

September 4

there is something good when you express your anger
but there is something better if you choose to FORGIVE. denmar

Generation Gap

September 4


generation gap?
old generation: "they always talk about themselves."
young generation: "they want to be heard."
>what is common is self-centeredness... no one wants to listen. denmar

Growing Old

September 4

grow old gracefully
and die peacefully. denmar

Mindset

September 4

our MINDSET dictates us to be who we are
but reality will tell us if that is fantasy or not. denmar

Love and Silence

September 3

LOVE is a powerful action even in its silence. denmar

Death

when we grow old... we will miss all the path we trailed from our lifetime
no matter how we wanted to return, we can not go back because we would not have enough strength
soon our memories will be forgotten
soon all of our monuments will be called graves
new generations will call some of us 'heroes'
but when we're gone... most of us wanted to be called a 'beloved person.' denmar

Self

i have been running for so long a time
until i stopped... 
when i looked back, i saw my own shadow chasing after me
then i realized that i have been running away from my self. denmar

Happiness

all we want is to be happy; but to be happy, we also need to let others to be happy. denmar

Love

the meaning of LOVE disintegrates as society's values also disintegrates...
the moral decay of a society starts with the moral decay of its families. denmar

Self

Sept 3

own your own shadow
own your own footprints
stop running away from your self
start embracing who you are. denmar

Basura

Sept 3

mayaman: "ibibigay ko ang lahat mawala lang ang basura sa lupain ko."
mahirap na scavenger: "akin na ang lahat ng mga basura mo."
mayaman: "ano ang gusto mong pabuya?"
mahirap na scavenger: "yung lupain mo. saan ko ilalagay ang mga basura mo kung wala akong lupa?" denmar

Love of Work

Sept 2, 2013

when you learn to LOVE your WORK
no matter how you hate it
it becomes a SACRIFICE
and it is no longer a punishment...

even hell will become heaven
even death will become life
even sadness will become joy
even hatred will become love. denmar

Death

August 29 ·

there is no beautiful death... only beautiful suffering.
>suffering is a sacrifice that makes death meaningful... denmar

Role Model

August 27

do not think more of your power but of your influence.
>change the world now... be a role model. denmar

Selfishness

August 27

when we ignore our brothers and sisters... we also ignore ourselves... they are who we are... we are the nation.
there is corruption because there is no love for our nation. there is greed because we ignore our brothers and sisters' needs... and we cannot talk about loving God without loving first our neighbors. denmar

Detachment

August 27

detachment from humanity is the dangerous tendency of man... where man acts and thinks not as man because he holds fast not to his heart but to his desires. denmar

Friend

August 26

a real friend is so hard to find... that's why your real friend has found you. denmar

Blood Letting

August 24

after 3 months, nag-donate uli ako ng dugo kanina
tinanong ako ng cook namin na si ate susan
"masakit ba ang mag-donate ng dugo?"
sabi ko, "a... oo, pero ang mas masakit e yung kahit na nasa bingit na ng kamatayan yung nangangailangan pero ang mga kapitbahay na qualified naman mag-donate e ayaw pa ring mag-donate." denmar

Facebook

August 23

sometimes, FB is... like a prison without bars. denmar

Sin to Humanity

August 23 

ang pinakamatinding kasalanan ng tao sa sangkatauhan ay ang pagiging gahaman. iniluluklok niya ang kanyang sarili sa kapangyarihan upang gumawa at magpatupad ng batas na maglilingkod sa makasarili lamang niyang pangangailangan. kahit patay na siya, marami pa ring buhay na kaluluwa ang nananatiling nagdurusa... at kapag naaalala ang kanyang pangalan, laging nasasambit ang mga mapait at karima-rimarim na salita: "siya ang tao na nagdala ng impiyerno dito sa lupa..." na animo'y isang malagim na sumpa na nakaukit sa puso ng bawat biktima at lapida ng kasaysayan. ang pinapatay niya ay hindi lamang ang ngayon... kundi maging ang kinabukasan.
>>>ganito ba ang gusto nating kamatayan... walang kapayapaan? denmar