Now A Yearly Bestseller, this diary was first put together in 1989 by then SSP Regional Superior Fr. Apolinar Castor and Fr. Domie Guzman who was then a student in theology at the Loyola School of Theology. Earlier, Fr. Castor had also tasked Fr. Guzman with the foundational works for the Sunday Missalette “Sambuhay.” Fr. Castor and Fr. Guzman gave the name 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD for this new product of ST PAULS, following a similar product published in Latin America by the Pauline priests and brothers.
The 1990 Maiden Issue of this publication had: a “Welcome letter” intended to introduce the new diary to readers; a catechetical article on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; the daily Gospel readings rendered in the language of the “New American Bible,” the bible translation used at Mass; a daily reflection section called “The Word Today” which highlighted a very important term or verse from the Gospel of the day; “Think” which suggested a number of Gospel-based guide questions for personal prayer and reflection; and a facsimile of the handwritten greeting of Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Archbishop of Manila.
The first editorial staff of 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD were: writers for the daily Gospel commentaries and guide questions – Fr. Domie Guzman, Manny Degoma, and Fr. Apolinar Castor; writers for the Sunday Gospel reflections – Frs. Tim Melliza and Gil Alinsangan; page designer – Fr. Andres Arboleda, Jr.; artists – Nars Ailes and Fr. Armand Tangi. Subsequent editions of the 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD were painstakingly edited by Pauline priests Apolinar Castor and Gil Alinsangan and by lay copy editors Faye Bautista and Manny Degoma.
A well-researched Liturgical-Biblical Approach, rather than a reflective and “experience-sharing” way, has been kept through these years as a unique tone and standard of the Sunday and daily Gospel write-ups. Hence, the 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD has continuously enjoyed the patronage of the clergy, the religious, and lay leaders in the Philippines and abroad.
Pauline priests, brothers and juniors were among the pool of writers and contributors for the Sunday and daily reflections: Albert Bernal, Cris Cellan, Rollin Flores, Alan Gamutan, Joven Lagdamen, Feliciano Marquez, Ulysses Navarro, Reynaldo Reyes, Ramil Tapang, Felino Quitalig, Rene Taneza, Angel Quitalig, Ruben Areno, Jerome Palma, Joel Baguna, Angel Borlaza, Paul Marquez, Arnold Martinez, Celso Godilano, Jose Aripio, Ludovico Tacdoro, and Dante Lumabas.
The 2001 Commemorative Edition of the 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD is a “collector’s item.” It carried the double logo indicating a double celebration for that year: on the part of the Philippine Church, the 10th year anniversary of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP-II); for the Society of Saint Paul, the 100-year celebration of the birth of the Pauline Charism that started out with “night of adoration” at the Cathedral of Alba. The 2001 Edition was also a compilation of the best Sunday and daily reflections featured in the Diary for the last 10 years.
The 2002 St. Therese Millennium Limited Edition of the 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD was a collaborative work by STPAULS and the Missionaries of St. Therese. It was a fitting tribute five years after Pope John Paul II declared her as the youngest Doctor of the Church (October 19, 1997), and for which the Holy Father expressed his desire that St. Therese be the teacher of holiness for the men and women of the third millennium. Besides the regular features of the bible diary, it also included treasured pictures of the Little Flower, daily short sayings and excerpts from her spiritual works.
The 2004 Edition of the 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD was the first “colored” printing of the diary. With the Filipino Paulines’ decision to close their printing press in Makati, this edition was also the Filipino Paulines’ first experience of supervising the printing of the diary… “from afar.” The diary was produced by Amity Printing Press in Nanjing, China.
The first “full-color” edition of 365 DAYS WITH THE LORD came out in 2005. It was the labor of love of Fr. Ulysses Navarro who gathered the graphic decorations from various public domain in the Internet.
