San Kamilo Counseling & Healing Center

22/12/2025

When Catholics are discerning between two genuinely good choices, the Church teaches that discernment is less about finding a “hidden right answer” and more about freely choosing the good that best leads us to love God and others more. Here is how Catholics are encouraged to discern:

First, pray for interior freedom. Catholics ask the Holy Spirit for indifference in the Ignatian sense—not apathy, but freedom from selfish attachments, fear, or pride—so that the decision is guided by love rather than anxiety or pressure.

Second, examine intentions and fruits. Both options may be morally good, so the question becomes: Which choice better helps me grow in faith, hope, and charity? Which leads to greater service, peace, and responsibility? Jesus teaches, “By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:16).

Third, listen to consolation and desolation. Drawing from St. Ignatius of Loyola, Catholics reflect on which option brings deeper peace, joy, and closeness to God (consolation), and which brings persistent unrest or spiritual heaviness (desolation), while remembering that emotions must be weighed with reason.

Fourth, use reason and Church wisdom. Discernment involves practical reflection: circumstances, duties to family and community, long-term consequences, and guidance from Scripture, Church teaching, and trusted spiritual mentors.

Finally, decide in faith and entrust the outcome to God. When both choices are good, the Church affirms that God allows genuine freedom. Once a decision is made, Catholics are called to move forward with confidence, trusting that God will work through a sincere and prayerful choice (Rom 8:28).

In short, Catholics discern between two good choices by praying, reflecting on fruits, seeking peace and wisdom, and trusting God’s grace—knowing that choosing the good in love is already a way of following God’s will.

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Prayer for Discernment

Lord God, as I stand before two good paths, quiet my heart and free me from fear. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, purify my intentions, and lead me to choose what brings greater love, deeper peace, and faithful service to You and others. I trust that in choosing the good, I walk in Your will.
Amen. 💛

22/12/2025

Today we honor St. Peter Canisius, an important figure in the Catholic counter-reformation that responded to the 16th century spread of Protestantism. He is a priest and Doctor of the Church.

https://ow.ly/7vPR50X16Sj

21/12/2025

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917) was an Italian religious sister and the foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Though physically weak as a child, she possessed extraordinary courage and trust in God. Sent by the Pope to serve migrants, she dedicated her life to caring for the poor, especially Italian immigrants, through education, healthcare, and social services. She became the first U.S. citizen to be canonized and is recognized worldwide as the patron saint of migrants and missionaries. Her life reminds us that love rooted in Christ knows no borders.

Prayer:
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, faithful servant of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach us to trust God completely and to serve others with generous love. Intercede for migrants, families, and all who feel far from home, that they may find hope, dignity, and compassion. Inspire us to live our faith through humble service and courageous charity. Amen.

21/12/2025

Disyembre 21, 2025
Ika-anim Araw ng Misa De Aguinaldo

Punong Tagapagdiwang:
Rev. Fr. Bon Arimbututan, MI
Provincial Secretary
Camillian Fathers- Philippine Province
Guest Priest

"Dalawang paalala na baunin sa pagsalubong kay Kristo:
Una, gusto ng Diyos ay málapít tayo sa Kanya;
Ikalawa, magmahal katulad niya."

20/12/2025

Salamat sa inyo kaayo

MO Shi, Nyllachrish Castillo Mo-ong, Mieca Ella Macote, Patricia Ann Diaz, Joenel Sabaldana, Christine De la Paz, Angela Ogahayon Benzuela, Ping Gatoc, Tamie Conde, Jesse Pandes, Noel Legara II, Rechel Gay Sardon

for all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥! 💚

20/12/2025

“God's mercy seeks everyone, forgives everyone. The only thing He asks of you is to say: ‘Yes, help me’. That’s all."” - Pope Francis

20/12/2025

The Light in Little Mateo’s Room

Once upon a time, in a small house filled with laughter and prayer, lived four brothers. The three older ones—Lucas, Noah, and Eli—were tall, strong, and full of playful energy. Their youngest brother, Mateo, was small, gentle, and loved bedtime stories more than anything else.

One day, everything changed. Mama and Papa gathered the boys and spoke with soft voices. Mateo had a rare sickness, one that made him tired very easily and needed many doctor visits. The room grew quiet. Lucas clenched his fists, Noah felt tears in his eyes, and Eli held Mateo’s hand tightly.

That night, the brothers made a promise.

Lucas, the eldest, said, “I will be strong for Mama and Papa.” He helped with chores, cooked simple meals, and reminded everyone to rest.
Noah said, “I will be the joy.” He told silly jokes, drew funny pictures, and made Mateo laugh even on hard days.
Eli, the third brother, whispered, “I will stay close.” He read stories to Mateo, prayed with him, and never left his side at night.

Mateo, though small, had a big heart. “I will hope,” he said with a smile. “And I will believe that God is with us.”

Every evening, the family gathered in Mateo’s room. They prayed together—sometimes with words, sometimes with tears, and sometimes with quiet smiles. They believed that love was stronger than fear, faith brighter than sadness, and hope bigger than any sickness.

On the hardest days, when Mama felt tired and Papa felt worried, the brothers stood together like a shield of love. They reminded one another, “We are not alone.”

And somehow, in that little room, there was always light—
in helping hands,
in shared prayers,
in laughter after tears.

Mateo still had hard days, but he was never alone. He was surrounded by love that healed hearts, faith that lifted spirits, and hope that carried them forward—one day at a time.

And the brothers learned something very important:
that when a family chooses love,
trusts in God,
and holds on to hope,
even the smallest light can shine very brightly. 🌟

20/12/2025

19/12/2025

The Story of the Pencil ✏️

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point, he asked:
'Are you writing a story about what we've done? Is it a story about me?'

His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson: I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I'm using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up!

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn't seem very special. ‘But it's just like any other pencil I've ever seen!'

'That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities which, if you manage to hang on to them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world.

'First quality: you are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will.

'Second quality: now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he's much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.

Third quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.

'Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.

'Finally, the pencil's fifth quality: it always leaves a mark. In just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action.’

by Paulo Coelho

Also read https://s.shopee.ph/4At0yTmKp8

18/12/2025

Disyembre 18, 2025
Ika-apat na Araw ng Simbang Gabi

Punong Tagapagdiwang:
Rev. Fr. Almar Roman, MI
Chaplain - Philippine Heart Center
Bisitang Pari

"MAKINIG dahil nagsasalita ang Diyos sa katahimikan;
MAGTIWALA dahil tapat ang Diyos sa Kanyang pangako;
MAGPAUBAYA dahil alam ng Diyos ang Kanyang ginagawa."

18/12/2025

💚

18/12/2025

The Catholic Church teaches that family conflicts should be addressed through charity, which is the greatest of the virtues and the foundation of all Christian relationships (CCC 1822). Respect for the dignity of each family member, created in the image of God, calls for patient listening and restraint in speech (CCC 1700). The Church strongly emphasizes forgiveness and reconciliation, following Christ’s command to forgive without limit and recognizing forgiveness as essential to peace in the home (CCC 2840–2845). The practice of the moral virtues, especially patience and self-control under temperance, helps family members govern emotions and avoid sinful anger (CCC 1809). Honest and humble dialogue, rooted in truthfulness, is encouraged as a way of preserving trust and unity (CCC 2468). Finally, the Church teaches that prayer, frequent reception of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and seeking guidance from pastors or wise counselors provide the grace and support needed for healing, enabling the family to live fully as a domestic church (CCC 2204–2206).

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A Prayer for Peace in the Family

Lord God, source of all love and mercy,
grant our family the grace to love as You love. Teach us patience in moments of tension, humility in dialogue, and courage to forgive as You forgive. Heal our wounds through Your mercy, guide our words with charity and truth, and strengthen our home through prayer and the sacraments. May our family grow as a true domestic church, reflecting Your peace and unity each day.
Amen.

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Here are three key Church documents that are especially strong and practical references for guiding Catholics in addressing family conflicts:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)
This is the primary reference for Catholic teaching on charity, forgiveness, human dignity, moral virtues, and family life. It clearly explains duties within the family, respect for persons, reconciliation, and the family as a domestic church (especially CCC 1700, 1822–1829, 2204–2206, 2840–2845).
2. Familiaris Consortio – Apostolic Exhortation of St. John Paul II (1981)
This document focuses specifically on the Christian family, emphasizing love, dialogue, forgiveness, and mutual self-giving within marriage and family life. It provides pastoral guidance on resolving tensions through sacrificial love and highlights the family as a community of persons called to reflect Christ’s love.
3. Amoris Laetitia – Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis (2016)
This pastoral document offers concrete, realistic guidance for everyday family life, including handling conflicts with patience, tenderness, mercy, and accompaniment. It strongly stresses the importance of dialogue, gradual growth, and mercy in family relationships, making it especially helpful for modern family challenges.

Together, these documents provide a solid doctrinal, moral, and pastoral foundation for understanding and practicing the Church’s teachings on managing conflicts within the family.

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Read the following

Amoris Laetitia
https://s.shopee.ph/qcXVKROK0

Catechism of the Catholic Church
https://s.shopee.ph/6KxU3ZcYaY