Thanks to my parents, especially my father, because he was the first person to introduce me to the idea of God, to whom I should turn to when I was afraid as a child. He also taught me to make the sign of the cross before going to sleep and to pray the Our Father. I thank God for the gift of having such parents. Glory to God!
— Gloria Altarejos
My parents were the first to teach me about God. They taught me the importance of a prayerful life. They taught me how to pray the rosary, how to tell stories about God. God works through them. He had given my family one of the greatest gifts anyone could have given us. He has always made me feel safe.
— Miralyn M. Benagua
I met a stranger whose name I do not know, but for me she is the Good Samaritan who first showed me the goodness of God. I was an eight-year-old girl when I was suddenly attacked by a water buffalo and thrown about five metres. I don’t know what happened to me after that. When I opened my eyes, a woman holding my head was praying over me with tears in her eyes. I am always grateful to God for using her as an instrument to show that he is real and merciful.
— Renzi R.Derecho
The first person who created God for me was my mother. When I was young, I used to see pictures of God on my pillow every night, and as I grew up she always reminded me that God’s love is with us forever and that a mother’s love is from God. Her words remain with me to this day.
— Cecilia Dioquino
My earliest exposure to religious beliefs came from my mother. The foundation my mother gave me influenced my interpretation of the spiritual presence in life. My siblings and other close relatives also played an important role in shaping my memory and understanding of God and religious practices. We always go to Mass as a family. I was married in a church wedding for a lifelong partnership, putting God at the centre of our union. The love of a mother in a family has made us have a stronger faith in God.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
— Mary Jean Eugenio
My mother is the first person who created a memory of God for me. I still remember vividly the difficult times my parents went through in their marriage. Witnessing my mother’s struggles and heartache, and then her decision to forgive my father after the betrayal, had a profound impact on me. I always struggled with how someone could offer forgiveness to someone who had caused so much pain. I still hear my mother’s words echoing in my head: “Who am I not to forgive your dad? If God can forgive us our sins, who am I not to do the same? I want to give you a complete family.
This realisation opened my eyes to the incredible strength and humility of my mother. Her willingness to sacrifice for the sake of our family truly showed her godly nature.
— Cristi Salve B. Lim
