THIS time he walked instead of run.
Leading thousands of urban poor, running priest Fr. Robert Reyes walked and pushed his famous Kariton ni Maria in a 28-hour pilgrimage called “Lakbay Dalangin” which started at 8 a.m. yesterday morning in Navotas City.
“The 28-hour pilgrimage or the Lakbay dalangin is my humble contribution to the commemoration of EDSA and to thank God that Kariton ni Maria has been part of our history for about ten years bringing light and blessings for us forever. It is toward this light that Kariton ni Maria will always journey,” Reyes said.
Joining Reyes in his pilgrimage were the urban poor affected by a road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways and a coalition of people’s organizations and NGO’s such as Urban Poor Associates (UPA), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM) and Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation, a housing rights organization supporting the cause of the urban poor and Kubol Pag-asa.
Reyes and his co-pilgrims were doing the sacrifice “to remember, repeat, reflect, renew and realize the lessons, values and spirit of EDSA.”
Retracing Reyes’ 28 years in priesthood, the pilgrimage passed through parishes where he was ordained and worked as parish priest. Reyes also visited the Cardinal Sin Retirement Home for Priests and paid tribute to the retired priests who inspired him to take up the cause of the poor.
The running priest and co-pilgrims also passed through government offices which Reyes in various times in the past, have engaged in protest and dialogue, making them aware of their responsibility to help the people whom they vowed to serve.
Reyes said Mass outside the Comelec office yesterday, praying that the poll body will “bring genuine and profound change in the electoral exercise and the poll automation.”
He urged the people to be extra vigilant in the upcoming May polls even as he advised them to “act according to what we have learned so that the light will finally shine and free us from all that enslaves and brings us all down.”
“This is a call to various institutions which have the resources to be vigilant and ready to take the appropriate action and for every sector and individual to guard the ballots and to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process,” the Palawan-based priest said.
He also called on the Comelec to impose a demolition moratorium so as not to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of urban poor from exercising their right to suffrage.
“Demolitions and evictions are gravely abused by those in position to get the votes of the informal settlers,” Reyes said, adding: “We hope that Comelec through this Mass will heed our call.”
The activist priest said their pilgrimage hoped to bring back the value and relevance of EDSA that 24 years ago, gave the country back its freedom and democracy.
“May our leaders re-learn the lessons and start a truly meaningful journey with the poor, before, during and most especially after elections,” he said.
The 28-hour journey ended Feb. 25 noontime, at the Historical Shrine People Power Monument along EDSA avenue.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Bishop urges Taize pilgrims to keep flame burning
CHAIRMAN of Episcopal Commission on Youth and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon has urged the Taize youth pilgrims to carry on the spirit of the pilgrimage of trust in their lives.
In a letter he wrote to group contact persons of the Philippines, the bishop encouraged the co-pilgrims to keep the flame of love burning in their hearts as they continue “to search for life in fullness” and seek “to transform the world” amid challenges.
“One week has almost passed since we have ended our encounter in Makati, but we hope that, together with you, we will keep the flame burning: rooted in and guided by the Gospel, we continue in our search for life in fullness, we hasten to respond to the call to transform the world,” Baylon wrote.
He encouraged the young pilgrims to meet in groups and plan some concrete actions to respond effectively to urgent concerns facing Church and society, especially the upcoming May elections.
Baylon also exhorted them to keep on “living in the spirit of the pilgrimage: in simplicity, communion, serene joy and trust.”
He likewise advised them to pray for the devastated country of Haiti every 12th of the month as requested by a youth from Haiti.
On February 27, the Taize brothers will meet again the young people from the local preparation groups, foster families and other volunteers for sharing, prayers and thanksgiving.
In a letter he wrote to group contact persons of the Philippines, the bishop encouraged the co-pilgrims to keep the flame of love burning in their hearts as they continue “to search for life in fullness” and seek “to transform the world” amid challenges.
“One week has almost passed since we have ended our encounter in Makati, but we hope that, together with you, we will keep the flame burning: rooted in and guided by the Gospel, we continue in our search for life in fullness, we hasten to respond to the call to transform the world,” Baylon wrote.
He encouraged the young pilgrims to meet in groups and plan some concrete actions to respond effectively to urgent concerns facing Church and society, especially the upcoming May elections.
Baylon also exhorted them to keep on “living in the spirit of the pilgrimage: in simplicity, communion, serene joy and trust.”
He likewise advised them to pray for the devastated country of Haiti every 12th of the month as requested by a youth from Haiti.
On February 27, the Taize brothers will meet again the young people from the local preparation groups, foster families and other volunteers for sharing, prayers and thanksgiving.
2 archdiocesan shrines elevated to national status
TWO well-known shrines in the archdiocese of Manila have recently been elevated as national shrines through a decree of establishment issued by the CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar.
The elevation of the status of the Shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Jude Thaddeus into national shrines, were unanimously approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines during its 100th plenary assembly on January 23.
The parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe, Makati City was proclaimed Archdiocesan Shrine by Cardinal Jaime Sin in 2001.
The increase of devotion to the Lady of Guadalupe especially by Pro-Life groups against the onslaught of anti-life values encouraged the devotees to launch a petition for a national shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe citing the urgency to promote Pro-Life values under the patronage of Our Lady.
Meanwhile, St. Jude’s Shrine in San Miguel, Manila is frequented by numerous pilgrims and devotees asking the intercession of the saint for various needs.
“Through the years, the Shrine has been providing solace to the destitute, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the desperate, and the lonely,” the petition read.
“Even without asking for special favors or after obtaining their answered prayers, they maintain their personal relationship with St. Jude Thaddeus as a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength in their daily lives,” the petition further said.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales endorsed both petitions at the plenary assembly giving assurance “that all canonical and liturgical requirements for the elevation to the status of being a National Shrine have been complied with.”
Current rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine is Fr. Edwin Mercado, while St. Jude Shrine is under the leadership of Fr. Roland Aquino, SVD.
The elevation of the status of the Shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Jude Thaddeus into national shrines, were unanimously approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines during its 100th plenary assembly on January 23.
The parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe, Makati City was proclaimed Archdiocesan Shrine by Cardinal Jaime Sin in 2001.
The increase of devotion to the Lady of Guadalupe especially by Pro-Life groups against the onslaught of anti-life values encouraged the devotees to launch a petition for a national shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe citing the urgency to promote Pro-Life values under the patronage of Our Lady.
Meanwhile, St. Jude’s Shrine in San Miguel, Manila is frequented by numerous pilgrims and devotees asking the intercession of the saint for various needs.
“Through the years, the Shrine has been providing solace to the destitute, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the desperate, and the lonely,” the petition read.
“Even without asking for special favors or after obtaining their answered prayers, they maintain their personal relationship with St. Jude Thaddeus as a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength in their daily lives,” the petition further said.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales endorsed both petitions at the plenary assembly giving assurance “that all canonical and liturgical requirements for the elevation to the status of being a National Shrine have been complied with.”
Current rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine is Fr. Edwin Mercado, while St. Jude Shrine is under the leadership of Fr. Roland Aquino, SVD.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sibuyan island communities decry midnight mine deal
COMMUNITIES of Sibuyan Island in Romblon province have criticized the government for granting a license to a Canada-based firm to mine in the island.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has granted the Canada-based Altai Resources through its Philippine subsidiary Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) a permit to mine nickel on 1,822 hectares in the island.
DENR secretary Lito Atienza signed the accord last December 23, 2009, five days before he left the post on December 28.
Anti-mining groups censured the government’s deal with the mining companies saying the agreement will destroy the island’s diverse ecosystem.
“Sibuyan folks are disgusted and annoyed with this kind of development. We were not even informed about the approval and no news whatsoever. We just knew about it when a statement was published on the internet,” said Domingo Marin, president of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) a Sibuyan-based advocacy group.
Sibuyan communities got hold of news of the mining agreement January 8 this year, when it was announced in Australia by Pelican Resources Ltd., parent company of Sunshine Gold Pty., Ltd, which has a stake at Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corporation (SNPDC), a company owned by APMC.
The agreement between the government and mining company was confirmed in a letter sent by Engr. Roland de Jesus of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region IV-B to the Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE).
“This is a clear disrespect to Sibuyanons, the government through the DENR has proven again itself as an agent of destruction,” said Rodne Galicha, Sibuyan ISLE executive director.
Galicha lamented that the island’s environment is already being endangered because of destruction brought by natural and man-made calamities.
“There were typhoons Frank, Nina and Feria coupled with three months of food shortage brought by endosulfan scare. Pending cutting of 70,000 trees, illegal logging, illegal mining, illegal fishing, name it we have it,” he said, adding: “the DENR cannot even address these issues.”
“Now, large-scale mining? Whether pro-mining or anti-mining [we] are all victims here, we are being stabbed behind our backs,” he further said.
Marin said Atienza’s action was reminiscent of his predecessor former DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes who approved the cutting of 70,000 trees before he was transferred to the Department of Energy.
“Is this the kind of justice they want to give to my son, to my fellow Sibuyanons, to our children’s children?” Marin asked.
Marin was the father of anti-mining Sibuyan councilor Armin Rios-Marin who was killed by SNPDC security.
Anti-mining advocacy group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) also denounced the MPSA approval, saying it will imperil the livelihood and biodiversity on the island.
The island, dubbed as Galapagos of Asia by international scientists because of it rich and diverse marine ecosystem is also home to rare species of flora and fauna.
“Sibuyan island is an important bird and biodiversity area (IBA), the flora and fauna are so unique and diverse, the fact that the island has been separated from any other islands since ice-age,” said Blas Tabaranza, executive director of HARIBON, an environmental group.
Environmentalists furthered argued the island’s geographical make-up, being isolated from other islands, is not ideal for mining activity.
Ronald Gregorio, an official of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Centre-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils) said Sibuyan is similar to Bicol region’s Rapu-rapu island in geographical landscape.
In 2006, Rapu-rapu landed in the news when mine spill from Lafayette Mining Corporation caused massive fish kill and environmental destruction on the island and environs.
“This experience shows that small islands cannot hold the pressure of massive earth moving activities like mining,” Gregorio said, adding: “it’s like punching a hole into a floating life raft.”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Taize Pilgrimage of Trust
A call to a fullness of life … to transform the world
THE big crowd of young people who came for the Pilgrimage of Trust held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City was a revealing testament of the desire of today’s young people to satisfy that innate human longing for the Divine and the need to reach out to others.
Around 3,000 pilgrims from all over the world converged at the Don Bosco stadium from February 3-7 for the 5th Asian pilgrimage of trust on earth. Young adults aged 16-35 representing the five continents participated in the pilgrimage with the desire to quench their “thirst for life in fullness.”
Bro. Alois Lổser, prior of Taize community, in one of the meditations he gave to the pilgrims during the five-day pilgrimage, mentioned that in his meeting with the youth from various countries he noted that among young people today there is that spiritual longing to live a meaningful life.
“In every human heart there is a longing, the longing to be loved and to love. At the same time, we all experience that this longing is only rarely satisfied, and never for all time. Far from discouraging us, this can allow us to discover over and over again a personal communion with God,” he said.
The pilgrimage centered on the theme “a thirst for lie in fullness… a call to transform the world” challenged the youth to make a difference in today’s society marked by inequality even as he said that societal change can only be possible if it starts from one’s heart.
“We all feel that there needs to be major changes in our world. The structures of our societies and patterns of thought from the past are proving to be inadequate and insufficient to create greater justice on earth, to reduce poverty, to ensure that persons and peoples can live together in peace,” the Taize prior said.
“But we also discover that necessary change, particularly an overhaul of the world economic and financial system, is not possible without a change in the human heart,” he added.
Witnesses of peace and reconciliation
Brother Roger Schutz, founder of the Taize community began the Pilgrimage of Trust on earth 30 years ago to encourage young people to become witnesses of peace and reconciliation in their local communities and churches.
Since then, the Taize brothers go to different countries and cities to hold prayer meetings with young people of diverse backgrounds to let them experience the universality of the Church.
“It’s a pilgrimage of reconciliation,” Bro. Alois said. “We try to bring people together from different backgrounds to listen to each other and to share.”
Attracted by the witness of unity and life of prayer, young people from all over the world come to Taize, and stay with the community for few months.
“In Taize, we welcome young people from all over the world every day. And each year, there are also young people from the Philippines coming and staying with us [for] two or three months,” he said.
There the young pilgrims immersed themselves in the community’s way of life, joining the community prayer, observing silence on proper times, sharing with co-pilgrims their faith and working with the brothers at the workshop halls.
5th Asian meeting
The recent meeting in Manila was the fifth of its kind in Asia and the second in the country following the first pilgrimage of trust held also in Manila in 1991. The first and second Asian meetings were held in Chennai (Madras) India in 1985 and 1988, followed by Manila in 1991 and Kolkata, India in 2006.
At the heart of the youth pilgrimage of trust are prayers and sharing where young people in a spirit of solidarity learn to overcome barriers and differences to learn from each other.
During the Manila meeting, the pilgrimage started daily with a morning prayer which the pilgrims did in the parish Churches together with the parish community. In the afternoon, the pilgrims trooped to Don Bosco for the afternoon activities that include prayer, group sharing and meditation by Bro. Alois. Each day ended with an evening prayer where host families and the public were invited to participate.
Sharing… to transform the world
Bro. Alois told young pilgrims that simplicity of life opens oneself to sharing and solidarity with others even as he emphasized to the youth to share “what we have to contribute to the transformation of the world.”
“We see here in Manila so many people who undertake initiatives in sharing and are committed alongside the poor, who act with integrity and for the good of all,” said Bro. Alois.
He said this is an inspiring anecdote he hopes to share with the young people who come to Taize to lead them further into a life of sharing and solidarity with others.
“By living in simplicity, we will better discover how to share what we have and in that way we can participate, even very humbly, in an effort to change the world,” he said.
Listening to one another’s experiences and struggles to become a witness of peace and reconciliation in their respective communities, each pilgrim realized how much they have to learn from each other.
Those who experience a life of conflict can understand the desire of a young girl from war-torn Mindanao who longed for peace to reign in her region.
“In 2008, we saw conflict very close to home. Many homes were burned and people killed. So we thirst for peace; we have decided to be peacemakers in our school and in our community. It takes a lot of courage, and sometimes we despair, but we hold on to hope.”
Many of the international pilgrims have come earlier and stayed for sometime in other parts of the country for an immersion experience. A pilgrim from Sweden also shared her experience of being welcomed openly by a family and allowing her to join them in harvesting their crops.
The pilgrimage goes on
The five-day pilgrimage ended with a Eucharistic celebration led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
The pilgrims went home to their respective countries and communities with their faith nourished and deepened by what they have experienced during the meeting.
But they also realized that pilgrimage does not end there since life with all the various challenges is a continuous journey in faith.
“Here, in such a different place, it is very easy to see God, in the little gestures of everyday life; it is very easy to experience the joy of sharing. What we now need is to bring this back into our daily lives at home,” a pilgrim from Portugal said.
Back to their own communities, in the face of life’s daily struggles they are called to become witnesses of peace and unity, to become bridges that encourage understanding and dialogue.
THE big crowd of young people who came for the Pilgrimage of Trust held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City was a revealing testament of the desire of today’s young people to satisfy that innate human longing for the Divine and the need to reach out to others.
Around 3,000 pilgrims from all over the world converged at the Don Bosco stadium from February 3-7 for the 5th Asian pilgrimage of trust on earth. Young adults aged 16-35 representing the five continents participated in the pilgrimage with the desire to quench their “thirst for life in fullness.”
Bro. Alois Lổser, prior of Taize community, in one of the meditations he gave to the pilgrims during the five-day pilgrimage, mentioned that in his meeting with the youth from various countries he noted that among young people today there is that spiritual longing to live a meaningful life.
“In every human heart there is a longing, the longing to be loved and to love. At the same time, we all experience that this longing is only rarely satisfied, and never for all time. Far from discouraging us, this can allow us to discover over and over again a personal communion with God,” he said.
The pilgrimage centered on the theme “a thirst for lie in fullness… a call to transform the world” challenged the youth to make a difference in today’s society marked by inequality even as he said that societal change can only be possible if it starts from one’s heart.
“We all feel that there needs to be major changes in our world. The structures of our societies and patterns of thought from the past are proving to be inadequate and insufficient to create greater justice on earth, to reduce poverty, to ensure that persons and peoples can live together in peace,” the Taize prior said.
“But we also discover that necessary change, particularly an overhaul of the world economic and financial system, is not possible without a change in the human heart,” he added.
Witnesses of peace and reconciliation
Brother Roger Schutz, founder of the Taize community began the Pilgrimage of Trust on earth 30 years ago to encourage young people to become witnesses of peace and reconciliation in their local communities and churches.
Since then, the Taize brothers go to different countries and cities to hold prayer meetings with young people of diverse backgrounds to let them experience the universality of the Church.
“It’s a pilgrimage of reconciliation,” Bro. Alois said. “We try to bring people together from different backgrounds to listen to each other and to share.”
Attracted by the witness of unity and life of prayer, young people from all over the world come to Taize, and stay with the community for few months.
“In Taize, we welcome young people from all over the world every day. And each year, there are also young people from the Philippines coming and staying with us [for] two or three months,” he said.
There the young pilgrims immersed themselves in the community’s way of life, joining the community prayer, observing silence on proper times, sharing with co-pilgrims their faith and working with the brothers at the workshop halls.
5th Asian meeting
The recent meeting in Manila was the fifth of its kind in Asia and the second in the country following the first pilgrimage of trust held also in Manila in 1991. The first and second Asian meetings were held in Chennai (Madras) India in 1985 and 1988, followed by Manila in 1991 and Kolkata, India in 2006.
At the heart of the youth pilgrimage of trust are prayers and sharing where young people in a spirit of solidarity learn to overcome barriers and differences to learn from each other.
During the Manila meeting, the pilgrimage started daily with a morning prayer which the pilgrims did in the parish Churches together with the parish community. In the afternoon, the pilgrims trooped to Don Bosco for the afternoon activities that include prayer, group sharing and meditation by Bro. Alois. Each day ended with an evening prayer where host families and the public were invited to participate.
Sharing… to transform the world
Bro. Alois told young pilgrims that simplicity of life opens oneself to sharing and solidarity with others even as he emphasized to the youth to share “what we have to contribute to the transformation of the world.”
“We see here in Manila so many people who undertake initiatives in sharing and are committed alongside the poor, who act with integrity and for the good of all,” said Bro. Alois.
He said this is an inspiring anecdote he hopes to share with the young people who come to Taize to lead them further into a life of sharing and solidarity with others.
“By living in simplicity, we will better discover how to share what we have and in that way we can participate, even very humbly, in an effort to change the world,” he said.
Listening to one another’s experiences and struggles to become a witness of peace and reconciliation in their respective communities, each pilgrim realized how much they have to learn from each other.
Those who experience a life of conflict can understand the desire of a young girl from war-torn Mindanao who longed for peace to reign in her region.
“In 2008, we saw conflict very close to home. Many homes were burned and people killed. So we thirst for peace; we have decided to be peacemakers in our school and in our community. It takes a lot of courage, and sometimes we despair, but we hold on to hope.”
Many of the international pilgrims have come earlier and stayed for sometime in other parts of the country for an immersion experience. A pilgrim from Sweden also shared her experience of being welcomed openly by a family and allowing her to join them in harvesting their crops.
The pilgrimage goes on
The five-day pilgrimage ended with a Eucharistic celebration led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
The pilgrims went home to their respective countries and communities with their faith nourished and deepened by what they have experienced during the meeting.
But they also realized that pilgrimage does not end there since life with all the various challenges is a continuous journey in faith.
“Here, in such a different place, it is very easy to see God, in the little gestures of everyday life; it is very easy to experience the joy of sharing. What we now need is to bring this back into our daily lives at home,” a pilgrim from Portugal said.
Back to their own communities, in the face of life’s daily struggles they are called to become witnesses of peace and unity, to become bridges that encourage understanding and dialogue.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Second National Congress of the Clergy
A call to spiritual renewal and deeper commitment
It was breathtaking.
Thousands of priests, their white garments flailing against the wind, marched the 1.2 kilometers stretch of Roxas Boulevard from World Trade Center to Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City for the 3:30 p.m. closing Mass of the Second National Congress of the Clergy.
Visibly energized by the inspiring conferences given by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, who guided the five-day retreat congress, the priests were all praises with what transpired during the congress.
“[It is] very exciting to see 5,500 or so priests gathered solely to pray, celebrating the Eucharist, reciting the Holy Rosary and going to confessions and observing the Holy Hour,” said Fr. Joey Faller, a priest from the Diocese of Lucena and famous for his healing ministry.
Fr. Fidel Penafiel, parish priest of Coron, Palawan said the challenging talks and the spirit of camaraderie among brother priests have boosted his feelings and increased his desire to serve his flock and God more faithfully.
The clergy congress, held at the World Trade Center from January 25-29 has assembled 5,542 priests across the country. Some priests from abroad also came to participate while others who were here for one reason or another at the time of the congress took the opportunity to join. Close to a hundred bishops also participated in the congress as the event was held right after the 100th plenary assembly of the bishops’ conference.
Organized by the Episcopal Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the event was the highlight of the Philippines Church’s celebration of the Year for Priests centered on the same theme: “Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests.”
Msgr. Gerardo Santos, a member of the program committee said the basic objective of the congress was to provide the priests a deep and religious experience that will hopefully lead to a spiritual conversion and greater commitment.
Record-breaking
Speaking before the 5,542 priests-participants that filled the massive hall of World Trade Center during the opening of the second congress on January 25, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales noted the surge in number of participants. The first congress, considered historical and unprecedented because of its 4,000 participants paled in comparison with the second congress at least in terms of attendance.
“…we have broken our own record by filling this hall with more than 5,000 priests,” the cardinal exclaimed.
Former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, chair of the NCC II Central Coordinating Committee said they ran out of kits and other materials since they only prepared 5,300 of these. So those who came late had to make do with what were given them, prepared at the last minute.
But like a mother speaking fondly of her children, De Villa was all praises for the clergy.
“The priests are so very nice. They understood, nobody complained that one has none what the other got. I guess that’s also a gift of the spirit,” De Villa said.
An event waiting to happen
Cardinal Rosales said the convening of a second congress for the clergy was an event waiting to happen since it has been thought of many times as soon as the first congress in 2004 concluded.
The first congress was held at a time when controversies hounded the Church because of the accusations of sexual misconduct among some of her priests, particularly in America and Europe.
It was different this time though, as it was convened as a response to the call of the Holy Father for the entire Church to celebrate meaningfully the year for priests which the Vatican has promulgated to mark the 150th death anniversary of the saintly cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney.
According to the cardinal, two attempts have been made since 2004 to assemble the clergy once again since many of the participants of the first congress had asked for a follow up of the first congress.
“There is spiritual hunger in the priests and that passion among them to meet brothers again and that desire must be encouraged and sustained,” the cardinal said during the opening of the second national congress.
Another try was made when the Holy Father went to Sydney, Australia to preside the World Youth Day celebration. The thought of having the pope very near to the Philippines again inflamed the desire to hold the congress of clergy. But as divine providence would have it, again the effort did not materialize.
Nonetheless, the grace of God indeed strikes when the time is right. On March 16, 2009, in a meeting with members of the Pontifical Congregation for Clergy, Pope Benedict XVI announced a special year for priests beginning June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 to commemorate the 150th death anniversary of St. John Mary Vianney.
Year for Priests
In establishing a year dedicated to the clergy, the Holy Father wanted to lead the priests into a deeper reflection of the greatness of their priestly vocation. At the general audience on June 24, 2009, the pope explained that the celebration aimed to encourage the priests in their striving for spiritual perfection.
“The purpose of this Year for Priests, …is therefore to encourage every priest in this striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends, and first and foremost to help priests—and with them the entire People of God—to rediscover and to reinforce their knowledge of the extraordinary, indispensable gift of Grace which the ordained minister represents for those who have received it, for the whole Church and for the world which would be lost without the Real Presence of Christ.”
The Vatican proclamation signaled the right time for the CBCP Commission on Clergy to put into action the congress plan that has been long prepared, merely waiting for the right time to be implemented. The plan for a second clergy congress was ratified during the CBCP Plenary Assembly last July 2009.
A call to renewal and deeper commitment
Chosen preacher for the five-day congress was Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap, who electrified the clergy with his charismatic preaching punctuated with singing of songs Amazing Grace (obviously his favorite hymn) and Lord, Here I Am, and inviting participants to resounding proclamations of God is love, Christ is risen, etc.
During the congress, Cantalamessa delivered five meditations which he always began with a solemn invocation to the Holy Spirit.
Iba Bishop Florentino Lavarias, who currently sits as the chair of the Commission on Clergy said, “Fr. Raniero invited us to call upon the Spirit, precisely because the congress is focused on interior renewal and every renewal is the work of the Spirit.”
Cantalamessa’s conferences delved on the three important elements in the life of the priests—the Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation and the gift of celibacy.
The Capuchin monk expounded on the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the priests, urging them to be focused on the person they are representing, who is Jesus.
He also led the clergy to realize that relationship with Jesus is also a relationship with the Holy Trinity which eventually flows out to others.
Cantalamessa led the clergy to meditate on the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation on the third day, guiding the priests to look into themselves and their unworthiness, not to devalue themselves, but to acknowledge the failures committed and receive the gift of forgiveness.
The penitential service followed by the sacrament of confession was one of the highlights of the five-day congress. The entire plenary hall with lights dimmed and entirely quiet, conjured in mind the imagery of the prodigal son seeking the loving forgiveness of the father, as priests lined up to confess their sins to fellow priests.
“It takes a priest to understand his fellow priest,” Faller said of the confession.
Capping his talks on the last day, Cantalamessa focused on the gift of celibacy which according to him is founded in a special relationship and trust in and with Jesus.
The life of celibacy gives the priests wings to fly. Because of celibacy, the priest is able to give his undivided attention to the Lord. It is not a burden, he said.
“As a marriage without love is an empty shell or even hell, so is celibacy without love for Jesus can be an empty shell,” Cantalamessa said.
“This state of life is best of all a relationship with Jesus. We are not an unmarried people. We are married only not to a creature, but to the Creator,” he stressed.
Relationship in the life of the priest is relationship with God the Trinity, relationship with the Church and relationship with himself.
Bishop Lavarias, reflecting on the issue said that alongside recognizing one’s lack of fidelity is the acknowledgment of God’s fidelity toward us. Speaking on a personal note, he said, “I believe that for us priests, Jesus is fidelity… that I often take for granted, but taking that for granted I lose sight of my ministry, the fidelity of one who called me that I need to manifest and share to his people.”
A graced moment
Preacher to the Papal household since 1980, Cantalamessa gives meditation every Friday during seasons of Advent and Lent to the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and Prelates and General Superiors of Religious Orders.
“This is really a graced moment,” De Villa said of the retreat. “…Fr. Cantalamessa is such a spiritual man, and yet very human also in his approach. He just really came precisely for the congress upon the invitation of Cardinal Rosales,” she added.
De Villa said Fr. Cantalamessa was also moved by the big assembly of priests that he remarked, “Only in the Philippines can these things happen, so many priests in one gathering.”
The former ambassador said NCC II surpassed the international gathering of priests in Ars, France held August last year in terms of number of participants. That international retreat assembled only about 1,500 priests worldwide.
Challenges
To the participants, the words of Fr. Cantalamessa evoked a refreshing newness, challenging them to a creative response to their priestly commitment.
According to Fr. Fernando Suarez of the Companions of the Cross, also known as the healing priest, the greatest challenge for priests is how to be sensitive and relevant and make people listen, attract and influence them to go back to God.
Holding up banners bearing names of their respective dioceses, the sight of chasuble-clad clergy in procession for us members of the flock was a quite a statement. We come face to face with the reality that our clergy whom we often put up on a pedestal are but human beings like us. They too have feet of clay. But the realization should not stop there.
Just as they minister to our various needs and walk with us in our spiritual journey, we too ought to accompany them with our prayers that they remain faithful to their priestly commitment.
This was what Cardinal Rosales stressed once again in his homily during the closing Mass calling on priests to live steadfastly their priestly vocation.
“The priest will, therefore, start his renewal on what is essentially priestly. The priest is a creature of the Holy Spirit by virtue of his anointing… Once anointed, the priest shouts to the entire world that he already belongs completely, and for all times, to God!”
It was breathtaking.
Thousands of priests, their white garments flailing against the wind, marched the 1.2 kilometers stretch of Roxas Boulevard from World Trade Center to Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City for the 3:30 p.m. closing Mass of the Second National Congress of the Clergy.
Visibly energized by the inspiring conferences given by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, who guided the five-day retreat congress, the priests were all praises with what transpired during the congress.
“[It is] very exciting to see 5,500 or so priests gathered solely to pray, celebrating the Eucharist, reciting the Holy Rosary and going to confessions and observing the Holy Hour,” said Fr. Joey Faller, a priest from the Diocese of Lucena and famous for his healing ministry.
Fr. Fidel Penafiel, parish priest of Coron, Palawan said the challenging talks and the spirit of camaraderie among brother priests have boosted his feelings and increased his desire to serve his flock and God more faithfully.
The clergy congress, held at the World Trade Center from January 25-29 has assembled 5,542 priests across the country. Some priests from abroad also came to participate while others who were here for one reason or another at the time of the congress took the opportunity to join. Close to a hundred bishops also participated in the congress as the event was held right after the 100th plenary assembly of the bishops’ conference.
Organized by the Episcopal Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the event was the highlight of the Philippines Church’s celebration of the Year for Priests centered on the same theme: “Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests.”
Msgr. Gerardo Santos, a member of the program committee said the basic objective of the congress was to provide the priests a deep and religious experience that will hopefully lead to a spiritual conversion and greater commitment.
Record-breaking
Speaking before the 5,542 priests-participants that filled the massive hall of World Trade Center during the opening of the second congress on January 25, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales noted the surge in number of participants. The first congress, considered historical and unprecedented because of its 4,000 participants paled in comparison with the second congress at least in terms of attendance.
“…we have broken our own record by filling this hall with more than 5,000 priests,” the cardinal exclaimed.
Former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, chair of the NCC II Central Coordinating Committee said they ran out of kits and other materials since they only prepared 5,300 of these. So those who came late had to make do with what were given them, prepared at the last minute.
But like a mother speaking fondly of her children, De Villa was all praises for the clergy.
“The priests are so very nice. They understood, nobody complained that one has none what the other got. I guess that’s also a gift of the spirit,” De Villa said.
An event waiting to happen
Cardinal Rosales said the convening of a second congress for the clergy was an event waiting to happen since it has been thought of many times as soon as the first congress in 2004 concluded.
The first congress was held at a time when controversies hounded the Church because of the accusations of sexual misconduct among some of her priests, particularly in America and Europe.
It was different this time though, as it was convened as a response to the call of the Holy Father for the entire Church to celebrate meaningfully the year for priests which the Vatican has promulgated to mark the 150th death anniversary of the saintly cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney.
According to the cardinal, two attempts have been made since 2004 to assemble the clergy once again since many of the participants of the first congress had asked for a follow up of the first congress.
“There is spiritual hunger in the priests and that passion among them to meet brothers again and that desire must be encouraged and sustained,” the cardinal said during the opening of the second national congress.
Another try was made when the Holy Father went to Sydney, Australia to preside the World Youth Day celebration. The thought of having the pope very near to the Philippines again inflamed the desire to hold the congress of clergy. But as divine providence would have it, again the effort did not materialize.
Nonetheless, the grace of God indeed strikes when the time is right. On March 16, 2009, in a meeting with members of the Pontifical Congregation for Clergy, Pope Benedict XVI announced a special year for priests beginning June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 to commemorate the 150th death anniversary of St. John Mary Vianney.
Year for Priests
In establishing a year dedicated to the clergy, the Holy Father wanted to lead the priests into a deeper reflection of the greatness of their priestly vocation. At the general audience on June 24, 2009, the pope explained that the celebration aimed to encourage the priests in their striving for spiritual perfection.
“The purpose of this Year for Priests, …is therefore to encourage every priest in this striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends, and first and foremost to help priests—and with them the entire People of God—to rediscover and to reinforce their knowledge of the extraordinary, indispensable gift of Grace which the ordained minister represents for those who have received it, for the whole Church and for the world which would be lost without the Real Presence of Christ.”
The Vatican proclamation signaled the right time for the CBCP Commission on Clergy to put into action the congress plan that has been long prepared, merely waiting for the right time to be implemented. The plan for a second clergy congress was ratified during the CBCP Plenary Assembly last July 2009.
A call to renewal and deeper commitment
Chosen preacher for the five-day congress was Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap, who electrified the clergy with his charismatic preaching punctuated with singing of songs Amazing Grace (obviously his favorite hymn) and Lord, Here I Am, and inviting participants to resounding proclamations of God is love, Christ is risen, etc.
During the congress, Cantalamessa delivered five meditations which he always began with a solemn invocation to the Holy Spirit.
Iba Bishop Florentino Lavarias, who currently sits as the chair of the Commission on Clergy said, “Fr. Raniero invited us to call upon the Spirit, precisely because the congress is focused on interior renewal and every renewal is the work of the Spirit.”
Cantalamessa’s conferences delved on the three important elements in the life of the priests—the Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation and the gift of celibacy.
The Capuchin monk expounded on the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the priests, urging them to be focused on the person they are representing, who is Jesus.
He also led the clergy to realize that relationship with Jesus is also a relationship with the Holy Trinity which eventually flows out to others.
Cantalamessa led the clergy to meditate on the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation on the third day, guiding the priests to look into themselves and their unworthiness, not to devalue themselves, but to acknowledge the failures committed and receive the gift of forgiveness.
The penitential service followed by the sacrament of confession was one of the highlights of the five-day congress. The entire plenary hall with lights dimmed and entirely quiet, conjured in mind the imagery of the prodigal son seeking the loving forgiveness of the father, as priests lined up to confess their sins to fellow priests.
“It takes a priest to understand his fellow priest,” Faller said of the confession.
Capping his talks on the last day, Cantalamessa focused on the gift of celibacy which according to him is founded in a special relationship and trust in and with Jesus.
The life of celibacy gives the priests wings to fly. Because of celibacy, the priest is able to give his undivided attention to the Lord. It is not a burden, he said.
“As a marriage without love is an empty shell or even hell, so is celibacy without love for Jesus can be an empty shell,” Cantalamessa said.
“This state of life is best of all a relationship with Jesus. We are not an unmarried people. We are married only not to a creature, but to the Creator,” he stressed.
Relationship in the life of the priest is relationship with God the Trinity, relationship with the Church and relationship with himself.
Bishop Lavarias, reflecting on the issue said that alongside recognizing one’s lack of fidelity is the acknowledgment of God’s fidelity toward us. Speaking on a personal note, he said, “I believe that for us priests, Jesus is fidelity… that I often take for granted, but taking that for granted I lose sight of my ministry, the fidelity of one who called me that I need to manifest and share to his people.”
A graced moment
Preacher to the Papal household since 1980, Cantalamessa gives meditation every Friday during seasons of Advent and Lent to the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and Prelates and General Superiors of Religious Orders.
“This is really a graced moment,” De Villa said of the retreat. “…Fr. Cantalamessa is such a spiritual man, and yet very human also in his approach. He just really came precisely for the congress upon the invitation of Cardinal Rosales,” she added.
De Villa said Fr. Cantalamessa was also moved by the big assembly of priests that he remarked, “Only in the Philippines can these things happen, so many priests in one gathering.”
The former ambassador said NCC II surpassed the international gathering of priests in Ars, France held August last year in terms of number of participants. That international retreat assembled only about 1,500 priests worldwide.
Challenges
To the participants, the words of Fr. Cantalamessa evoked a refreshing newness, challenging them to a creative response to their priestly commitment.
According to Fr. Fernando Suarez of the Companions of the Cross, also known as the healing priest, the greatest challenge for priests is how to be sensitive and relevant and make people listen, attract and influence them to go back to God.
Holding up banners bearing names of their respective dioceses, the sight of chasuble-clad clergy in procession for us members of the flock was a quite a statement. We come face to face with the reality that our clergy whom we often put up on a pedestal are but human beings like us. They too have feet of clay. But the realization should not stop there.
Just as they minister to our various needs and walk with us in our spiritual journey, we too ought to accompany them with our prayers that they remain faithful to their priestly commitment.
This was what Cardinal Rosales stressed once again in his homily during the closing Mass calling on priests to live steadfastly their priestly vocation.
“The priest will, therefore, start his renewal on what is essentially priestly. The priest is a creature of the Holy Spirit by virtue of his anointing… Once anointed, the priest shouts to the entire world that he already belongs completely, and for all times, to God!”
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Youth worldwide gather for ‘Taize Pilgrimage of Trust’
THOUSANDS of youth all over the world are set to converge for a five-day “Taize Pilgrimage of Trust”, at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City starting February 3.
The second time to be held in Manila, the international youth meeting themed “A thirst for life in fullness… a call to transform the world”, expects to gather around 5,000 young pilgrims from various countries.
Activities of the five-day pilgrimage will include prayer, meetings and encounters of young people in various parishes that serve as local welcome centers for pilgrims.
Pilgrims will gather at Don Bosco for their afternoon and early evening activities that include midday prayer, workshops and evening prayer.
The afternoon workshops will dwell on themes concerning faith and social commitment, according to Bro. Alois, prior of Taize community. The Taize prior is in town to facilitate the youth pilgrimage together with other Taize brothers.
The main event of the gathering, which is open to the public, is the daily evening prayer coupled with meditation to be given by Bro. Alois.
“During evening prayers we will sing a lot because our prayers are very much based on singing together, on worshipping God. There will always be long moments of silence together,” he said.
Taize prayers consist of solemn chanting of psalms and meditating on Scriptures passages punctuated with long moments of silence.
“We think young people today are looking also for interiority, for spirit of adoration in prayer,” Bro. Alois said.
“Prayer should lead us to inspire ourselves, enjoy but also to listen with our hearts when God speaks, and that’s why will have long moments of silence with thousands of people together,” he added.
On the fourth day of pilgrimage, the young pilgrims will meet by provinces, regions and countries to reflect and share together on how their experience of the meeting can continue in their life when they go back to their respective communities.
Witnesses of peace and reconciliation
The Pilgrimage of Trust on earth was started by Bro. Roger, founder of Taize community 30 years ago, to encourage young people to become witnesses of peace and reconciliation in their local communities, and churches.
The Taize brothers go to different countries and cities to hold prayers meetings with young people to let them experience the universality of the Church.
“It’s a pilgrimage of reconciliation,” Bro. Alois said. “We try to bring people together from different backgrounds to listen to each other and to share,” he added.
Attracted by the witness of unity and life of prayer, young people from all over the world come to Taize, and stay with the community for few months.
“In Taize we welcome young people from all over the world every day. And each year, there are also young people from the Philippines coming and staying with us [for] two or three months,” said Bro. Alois.
Increased preparations
Since last year, the Taize brothers in coordination with the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have started laying the groundwork by organizing retreats for youth leaders and volunteers to prepare them spiritually for the pilgrimage.
Volunteers and representatives of parish welcome centers have also been given orientations to make them ready for any eventuality when pilgrims arrive.
The youth pilgrims will be housed by host families in the parish. According to Bro. Andreas, 100 parishes in the Manila area have agreed to become welcome centers. As welcome centers these parishes took charge of looking for host families to take in pilgrims.
Like a pilgrim in the true sense of the word, the youth can expect to sleep on the floor since many of the host families are poor and may not have an extra room for guests.
“Simplicity is the key word,” Bro. Andreas said. The host family will only provide the pilgrim with breakfast and a space to lay down his/her head in the evening.
“The pilgrims will go to the venue by public transport. When they come on February 3, by public bus or by plane, they will have contact with the host parish already, and should know how to go there from the airport and bus terminals,” said the Taize brother.
The five-day pilgrimage will conclude on February 7 with a Eucharistic celebration to be led by the Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
“After the five-day meeting, the pilgrims go home, but the pilgrimage continues because it is something that is for life. Our life is a journey,” Bro. Andreas said.
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