metanoia...

meta·noia (Merriam-Webster dictionary)
Pronunciation: \ˌme-tə-ˈnȯi-ə\
Function: noun. Etymology: Greek, from metanoiein to change one's mind, repent, from meta- + noein to think, from nous mind
Date: 1577: a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion.
My deep spiritual conversion was at this site in 1995...
Cradle Catholic like 80% of Filipinos, I took my Catholic faith for granted. Received the sacraments - baptism, confirmation, confession now called reconciliation, Holy Communion and matrimony. I bought and gave out the New American Bible as gifts when it was available but never read it. I was satisfied at the scripture readings at Sunday masses. Until apo #1 at age 7 asked me how many Psalms are in the bible. Well she told me 'its 150, Lola, don't you have a bible?' I didn't knew how many Psalms there are in the Old Testament. I skimmed through my pristine clean, uncreased, white fake leather covered 'New American Bible' to check out if her answer was right.
September-October, 1995...
My friend, dangs, ask me to go with her to Rome motherhouse of her biological sister-nun, Sr. Feliciana, to represent her neice entering her perpetual vow at the convent. I've been to France in 1990 when my favorite daughter was an exchange student in a school south of France, way up in the Alps - Annecy. I worked regular 40 hr week at that time and did not have enough vacation times. I went from Paris to Annecy and back. That's another story in itself.,.
Back to dangs. I planned our trip to as many places in Europe as she want to go. I only want to go to Lourdes, France. Sr. Feliciana's order - Daughters of Mary de Leuca - has a thriving house in Lourdes...

Pope Benedict XVI Plans European Visits

(24 Sept 09 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI will travel to the Marian shrine at Fatima, in Portugal, in May of next year.
from Radio Vatican...
ht: headlinebistro.com

Holy Mary of Guadalupe

blessed Image, the ever-virgin Holy Mary of Guadalupe...

Mexico City

We are in Mexico City, Mexico, as pilgrims of Our Lady of Guadalupe to personally thank her, her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ the many blessings He gave us for the past 40 years of our marriage.
Mexico City on first look from the airport taxi ride to Holiday Inn Trade Center at Revolucion Ave remind us of metro Manila of 1969 except the spicy food. Even the salad dressing that look like Thousand Island was spicy. A waiter overheard me that it's spicy hot brought me a saucer full of unspiced Thousand Island dressing.