A Heart for Mary

CEBU, Philippines —  During the stay of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, through his efforts a number of religious organizations were created while existing ones like the Legion of Mary were reinvigorated. Among the new groups which he created were the Paulinian Faith Defenders and the Carmelite Tertiaries of the Blessed Eucharist (now known as the Daughters of Saint Teresa).

In a written testimonial, his former Legionaries of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish attested to the Archbishop’s exemplary virtues of humility and deep love for prayer:

“Shortly after his arrival, he organized the Legion of Mary through a man named Doroteo Misa. But later, beyond our expectation, the archbishop himself came. The first time it happened, we could hardly believe it. There in our midst was the grand archbishop in his black prelate’s garb with a big golden cross hanging around his neck. An awesome figure! [But] he walked and moved around always with downcast eyes. He knelt down on the bare cement floor during the entire Rosary, praying fervently with us. He listened quietly to the spiritual reading then he gave the allocutio (exhortation) in a soft but clear voice.”

The good archbishop reportedly stayed until the end of the group’s meeting, and gave the members his blessing before he left.

Among the documents Archbishop Camomot left behind is an undated, lengthy discourse about the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, the mysteries of the Rosary, the importance of prayer in the family and community, and the significance of having a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

“The fitting way to quickly attain the conversion of our soul from wickedness to grace and purity of life is to turn back to God, from whom many people – in a great tragedy of the soul – have drawn away. Let us be inspired in our faith, set our hearts aflame and purify them through good confession and worthy communion. Let us always lift our souls to the Lord, sanctify our attitudes, and preach to all a good and praiseworthy example so that the aroma of virtue and grace will dispel the stink of tolerating the indignity that will murder the soul.

“The lack of proper dressing by our women, especially on entering the House of God and in receiving the Sacraments, (as well as) the ball dances that are currently popular but which are ways towards the defeat of purity and of the soul need to be abandoned. There is nothing on earth worthy enough in exchange for a soul; the prize of a soul is a God incarnated and who died on the Cross.

“Without a doubt, we can sanctify and purify our families if we allow Jesus and Mary to reign. The manner through which we can attain this is through constant prayer of the Holy Rosary. Husbands and wives should pray the rosary together with their children. Every bead of the rosary is a heavenly seed through which grace sprouts to your soul. It will bring about fear of the Lord in your children.

“We may be poor. We may not have treasures to leave our children. But do not be sad. The greatest treasure we can leave to children is by teaching them to love Mary. Since she is our good mother, Mary will surely take care of the children. Develop in your heart a profound love for Mary. If your children would learn to call Mary as mother, your faith to the Lord and the Most Holy Church shall be strengthened.” (FREEMAN)