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I Will Sing the Mercies of the Lord
by Ate Sally Santiago

I believe that I and my son Reggie are still here with you today because, through the intercession of Mama Mary, God has seen fit to grant my petitions. Allow me to share our stories with you, with my prayer that God touch you and bless you, as He has blessed me and my family.

This is my offering of thanksgiving to the Triune God and to Mama Mary!

God Spared Reggie's Life
My youngest son Reggie, then a 4th year high school student at Claret School, left home early one morning and took a jeepney to participate in his school's pass-in-review. Sometime later, one of his classmates called to notify me that Reggie had met an accident and that he had been taken to the East Avenue Hospital. With hands trembling, I took my Rosary and prayed all the way to the hospital. My mind was filled with all sorts of unimaginable horrors about my son' s condition. But even though I was distracted, I continued to pray just the same to plead with the Triune God to spare my son from any serious injury.

At the hospital, we found Reggie waiting near the entrance to the Emergency Room. His head was in bandages, but his injury was not serious! Praise the Lord!

On our way home, Reggie narrated his frightening experience. A drunk driver of a garbage truck had crossed the street and bumped their jeepney, causing it to turn turtle and fall into the ravine near the Iglesia ni Cristo along Commonwealth Avenue. Three of his co-passengers died on the spot (he stepped over them as he forced his way out). The following day we learned that two others, a young couple, also passed away.

God Granted Me a Second Chance at Life
Recently, while I was in a rush, I lost my balance and hit a post of our maid's quarter. At first, I thought nothing of the incident as I did not experience any pain or swelling. The memory of it came back to me two weeks later when, after examining myself, I felt a lump on my left breast. The three doctors I consulted all said the same thing: I had a stage II malignant tumor. Despite the terrible news, I found myself not questioning, but thanking God for having allowed me to discover my ailment early enough, and for granting me the gift of acceptance.

I immediately underwent a modified radical mastectomy. The operation was successful! On recovering from the anesthesia, the first thing that I asked for was my rosary. I prayed the rosary continuously during my waking hours; at night, before going to sleep, I would place it on the spot that had been operated on, hopeful that doing so will hasten my healing.

By the grace of the Triune God through the intercession of Mama Mary, I was granted a second chance to enjoy the fullness of life and to continue working in His vineyard for His greater glory.