XCVI. The Shrine of the Ascension, Part Three: Lounging with Angels

(Continued from Part Two.)

Because I couldn’t wait until the day itself, I decided to go back to the Family Mausoleum on October 31^st.

My primary (perhaps sole) objective was to ensure that the Christ of the Ascension was already hung up as specified.

After walking all around

and assuring myself that indeed it was not only fastened securely (by means of a metal bracket attached to the wall)

but was also surrounded by its new adobe arch,

I tried to momentarily ignore the fact that it was slightly off-center (Christ’s head should be a bit more to the right, I think)

because anyway our foreman assured us that this could be easily adjusted later.  After all, from most places, especially the entrance, it was just right.

The eight musical angels and their central cross were assuredly still in place.

Tables and chairs from the ancestral house and flower arrangements set on the floor

were also already on hand for the following day.

And I managed to take a last shot of all our newly-arrived residents (of celestial rather than mortal origin) – all together in the same shot.

- - - - - - - - - -

The following day was the big day. After a slightly-later-than-intended start, we managed to get the big family van through the mass of humanity on the road behind the San Rafael Church leading to the cemetery, and arrived at the family mausoleum shortly before noon. Needless to say, shadows were short.

Inside, the mausoleum was clean and serene (and even rhymed),

perhaps a marked contrast to the congestion right outside,

so much so that perfect strangers decided to wander in and check the place out. They’re quite welcome anyway.

One corner of the mausoleum was perfect for just keeping out of everyone else’s way and sitting quietly, so I set a chair there.

But someone else discovered it.

And soon enough the rest of the family gang had moved in.

We placed a pair of simple but appropriate votive candles beneath the devotional object of this Shrine, the image of the Ascending Christ.

And at least one of the party again thought this to be a great place to be seen and photographed,

even with inflatable companion.

Elsewhere, the musical but strangely quiet angels were much admired by all who cared to crane their necks even momentarily.

After a sumptuous lunch (with the family’s usual and unpretentious favorites of basic spaghetti and straightforward barbecue among others), we did what we enjoy doing together the most – we just lounged around

and discussed matters of great universal importance,

an especially opportune undertaking when divine advisers are on call,

and secure in the knowledge that our new permanent residents

were watching over us.

And so passed our thankfully uneventful second-ever All Saints’ Day in our final resting place – or, as this devotional family might prefer to think of it, the only named Shrine of the Ascension for many miles around.

Salamat sa Diyos!


Originally published on 22 November 2009.  All text and photos copyright ©2009 by Leo D Cloma. The moral right of Leo D Cloma to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.

Original comments:

jamaica1ph wrote on Dec 10, '09 Thanks for sharing Leo! You are a great storyteller!

rally65 wrote on Dec 11, '09 jamaica1ph said Thanks for sharing Leo! You are a great storyteller! Thanks for the visit and the appreciation!

dragonlion29 wrote on Dec 18, '09 Leo, I worked in Makati in the late 60s and one of my office mates was Celia Veron Perez, from San Rafael, and Angat. Any relation?

rally65 wrote on Dec 18, '09 dragonlion29 said Leo, I worked in Makati in the late 60s and one of my office mates was Celia Veron Perez, from San Rafael, and Angat. Any relation? I don't personally know anyone by that name, but she just might be related to us. San Rafael and Malolos have plenty of Veron relatives around.