CARRILLON OF PRAYERS

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


In general sense, prayer is said to be the application of the mind to Divine things, it is not merely an acquisition of knowledge about them but it is making use of such knowledge as a means for a strong and unique bond with God. Praying is done by acts of praise and thanksgiving.

By praying, we acknowledge God’s power and awesome goodness, as well as our own neediness and dependence on Him. It is therefore an act implying the deepest reverence for God and inspiring us to look to Him for everything, not because the things we ask are good in itself, or advantageous to us, but mainly because we sincerely wish it as God’s gift to us His faithful children.

Prayer strengthens our faith in God and energizes our hope in His magnanimous goodness. Hence, God, to whom we pray, moves us to fervent prayer. Our knowledge of God will always inspire us to look to Him for help, and positively dispose us to receive His loving graces.

According to some prayer experts, in hearing our prayer, God does not change His will or action in our regard, but simply puts into effect what He had eternally decreed in view of our prayer. It adds that, “this He may do directly without the intervention of any secondary cause as when He imparts to us some supernatural gift, such as actual grace, or indirectly, when He bestows some natural gift.”

“When we pray, we lift our thoughts, feelings, intentions and our hearts’ desires to God. When praying, we bow our heads with respect and surrender; with submission and gratitude; and with joy and sorrow. We look up to God with faith, hope and love.” These forewords from the latest publication of the Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation, the “Carrillon of Prayers”, becomes an invitation for all of us to commune with God in constant prayers.

Wikipedia says , a carillon (also spelled in Spanish as “carrillón” as in the Carrillón in the Basilica of the Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, from which the title of the book was partly derived) is a musical instrument which is played by striking a keyboard (with keys called “batons”) with the fists and by pressing the keys of a pedal keyboard with the feet. The keys mechanically activate levers and wires that connect to metal clappers that strike the bells, allowing the performer named carillonneur, to vary the intensity of the note according to the force applied to the key. A carillon’s sound comes from numerous bells (23 bells to be exact) to produce a musical melody. The “Carrillon of Prayers” book, therefore, is like an array of musical chimes offered to God in continuing praise and thanksgiving.

“Carrillon of Prayers” book, compiled by Professor Espie Chinel Aparis, is a compendium of chimes of prayers for God. The compilation encourages us to take our worries and aches to God in prayer. It said that we must remember that we are entrusting our cares to the One who hung the stars and set the planets in motion, who is also the One who created the earth and all that is in it.

The prayer book was made out of the knowledge that some people like to pray with the help of prayer books, which likewise inspired Espie Chinel Aparis to compile her very own “prayer collection” through all the years. Ms. Aparis said that the compilation is meant to be shared to everyone who needs a ‘prayer book’ companion that they can bring with them, wherever they go.

The Carrillon of Prayers book is composed of: Daily Prayers; Prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ; Prayers to the Holy Spirit; Eucharist Prayers; Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Holy Rosary; Prayers for Protection and Spiritual Warfare Prayers; Prayers for Healing; Prayer for the Sick; Prayer in Time of Illness; Novena Prayers; Prayers of Contrition; Prayers for Abundance; Prayers for the Church, for the Pope, for Priests, Religious and for Vocations; Prayers for our Nation and for Good Governance; Prayers for Families; Prayers for Personal Intentions; Prayers for Students, Workers and Professionals; Prayers for the Environment; Prayers for Near Journey’s End and for the Faithful Departed; Christmas Prayers; and, several Prayerful Quotes.

The Carrillon of Prayers book, with Nihil Obstat by Reverend Father Gene Gilos of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Imprimatur by Most Reverend Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso, the Bishop of Tagbilaran, is edited by Professor Greg A. Calamba, Jr. and Bro. Boie K. Jamisola.

The Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation welcomes sponsors and benefactors who may wish to become part of the propagation of the “Carrillon of Prayers” book. It is the prayerful wish of the Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation that a life of prayer and constant communication to God becomes the strongest part in the day to day living of all people.

Therefore, those generous people who may wish to share their gifts in the continuing reproduction and distribution of the “Carrillon of Prayers” book and be able share this blessed prayer book to their friends and loved ones may contact the following numbers: 286-8173; 297-0937; 0922-8866745 and 0917-6927915. Email messages can also be sent to mary_imm@yahoo.com. MIHEF official facebook account is: Mary Immaculate. Proceeds of the prayer book is for the educational scholarships of less fortunate youth and children, for the community health services in depressed areas, and special projects of the Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation.

“Let my prayer arise before You like incense, the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.” (Psalms 141:2)