The Breviarian Hours

                 Good evening. As you've heard I am Maureen Leuzzi. But to those who know me years back I am Maureen Tanseco. I have three children: Mary Therese, Ricardo, and Quintin. And with each of these children I have a grandchild: Tron Isis, Raziel Qin, and Oren Kai. And this is why I say, I am a fulfilled grandma. "Thank You, Lord." I am a professed Benedictine Oblate for 26 years now. Benedictine Oblate is the third order of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. These two saints by the way are twins.           My two sons, Ricardo and Quintin, got involved with the Brevs when the Brevs was just starting. Ricardo who is now 41 years old was one of the brave pioneers. I say brave because to start or to found a group or congregation isn't a joke. We need a tremendous light from the Holy Spirit. And for it to be successful we need tons and tons of prayers, courage, motivation, and inspiration. And I believe that's ex...

There are moments in life when we just need a little taste of sweetness to remind us we’re still in the right direction. For us, it came in the form of champorado last Sunday. It was a simple gesture — a comeback Brev named Yusoff,  invited us for a treat, and being the lovers of food (and fellowship) that we are, we said yes with grateful hearts. We sat there, sharing a bowl of hot champorado, unaware that the Lord was preparing a surprise course far sweeter than the sticky rice before us. While we were eating, a man stood beside the champorado stall, looking intently at our Bro. A and softly saying the word, "Brevstock." Now, if you’ve been in Brevs long enough, you’d know that Brevstock is one of our legacy events. It’s where music meets mission. Where talents are offered as incense to God. So naturally, Bro. Alex, the founder of Brevstock, approached the man, thrilled to be hearing the word, and — in true Brev hospitality — offered him a bowl of champorado. The man smiled...

Some days, faith feels like fire. Other days, it feels like you're just holding on. And then comes Easter—a day that reminds us that even our weakest yes is not wasted. Because Jesus didn’t wait for us to be worthy. He made us worthy. And this Resurrection story? It’s not just history. It’s ours . Why Did Jesus Need to Suffer? We ask this, not just out of theology, but sometimes out of confusion and pain. "Lord, why the Cross? Why all that pain? Why not just wave Your hand and make things right?" But here’s what we’re learning—through prayer, through the Breviary, through life: 1. Because Love Without Sacrifice Isn’t Real Love Jesus didn’t suffer because He had no choice. He suffered because He wanted to show us how deep love can go. The world today teaches us to love from a distance—to "love without getting involved," to "protect your peace" and stay comfortable. But Jesus didn’t love from afar. He didn’t stay in heaven and say, “Well, they sinned, l...

There’s something about moving to a foreign country that shakes you to your core. The comfort of home disappears. Familiar faces fade into the background. And suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by a culture, a language, and sometimes even a  faith  that feels different from what you’ve always known. Some let go. Some adjust. But some hold on even tighter. And that’s exactly what  Brev Jeff in Canada  and  Brev Patrick in Vietnam  did. Brev Jeff: The Rosary That Kept Them Rooted Canada wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Jeff and his family. The struggles of settling down, the pressure of making ends meet, and the silent battles of being far from home—it was overwhelming. And yet, in the midst of it all, they never lost their center. They kept the faith.  Literally. Every night, as the world outside continued to test them, they turned to  prayer.  The Rosary wasn’t just a devotion; it became their lifeline.  It held them together wh...

           One of the biggest “Did He just say that?!” moments in Scripture happens when Jesus turns to Peter—yes, that Peter, the rock, the chosen one—and calls him Satan. Ouch. One minute, Peter is getting praise for recognizing Jesus as the Christ, and the next? Boom. “Get behind me, Satan!” Imagine the whiplash.      But let’s be honest. Don’t we all have Peter moments? Times when we think we’re saying the right thing, doing the right thing—only for Jesus to tell us, “You don’t get it.”        Think about it: We’ve been in this community for 25 years (and counting). Some of us have been here from the start, others joined along the way, and some are still discerning if this is where they belong. But at some point, the question comes: “Am I still meant to be here?”        And let’s be real—it’s tempting to think, “Maybe I’ve done my part.” Maybe we’re tired, disillusioned, or even just… comfortable. “...