FILIPINO CATHOLICS: YOU ARE A NEW DAWN OF HOPE!
Papal Legate Praises Filipino Catholics’ Strong Faith and Urged Them to “Go To All The Corners Of The Earth” “to Be A Prophet To The Nations.”
Dear kababayans, we have just witnessed the conclusion of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress and as a Filipino living outside the country, I just can’t help but thank God that all things went well during the congress and that there was a massive show of love and adoration to Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist during the various Masses held and in particular during the Procession.
I wish to take advantage of this post to thank as well all the Filipino Catholics spread throughout the world who keep and share their faith, being missionaries of Christ with their firm faith, piety, cheerfulness and friendship.
The following words of the Papal Legate, Cardinal Charles Bo, during the “Statio Orbis” Mass in Cebu, Philippines, are for us an important reminder of our VOCATION AS MISSIONARIES OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH WHEREVER WE MAY BE. A lot of people have discovered God and the Catholic faith through the piety and apostolate of Filipinos, especially of the Filipinas, all over the world. Many parishes all over the world are thriving and full of Catholic Filipinos.
Let us keep on doing God’s Work so that through our faith and works, through our prayer and good example, we may be able to gain more souls for Christ!
As Cardinal Bo reminded us in his homily:
“Filipinos and Filipinas, you are a favorite daughter in Asia. You are the eldest daughter of Asia…Are you ready to be a prophet to the nations? You are chosen not only for Asia but for the world,” Cardinal Bo says. “Youth, are you ready to be Paul of Tarsus?”
He points out that Christianity is a big challenge today. But an opportunity is visible because of the Filipinos; an exciting new dawn of Christianity is in the offing.
“Paramihin ninyo ang inyong mga anak. Paramihin ninyo ang mga misyonero. Pumunta kayo sa Europa; doon walang bata kundi mga pusa at aso.” [Have a lot of children so you will increase the number of missionaries. Go to Europe where people have few children but have many cats and dogs].
“You made us proud to be Catholics… God will give you a greater future. Your sons and daughters will be blessed a hundred-fold. You will be called a blessed nation.”
The Papal legate underlined the importance of the family and youth in the Church, stressing that families need to be protected and nurtured, and the youth to be understood.
“The death of the family is the death of humanity… The future of the church depends on the Catholic family,” he said. “You must keep the family intact. You the words ‘May I,’ ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Sorry.’ These are words of mercy. Strengthen your family with mercy and love.” he added.
“Go to all corners of the earth, and go back in hope because you have a strong faith,” he said.
Dear Filipino Catholics, let us then KEEP THE FAITH, PERSEVERE IN IT, LET IT GROW AND MULTIPLY with CONSTANT PRAYER, GOOD WORKS AND APOSTOLATE OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD EXAMPLE.
Wherever we may be, let us be vigilant so as not to be swayed away by the false prophets of this world, and by the hedonism and materialism which predominate in a secularized society.
May the Most Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Our Mother Immaculate, Mother of Filipino Catholics, keep us in his fold and increase in us our faith, hope and love for Him, His One True Church, and for our neighbors as well!
Cordially inviting you to visit and like our FB page in www.fb.com/CatholicsstrivingforHoliness or sign-up to our website,www.catholicsstrivingforholiness.com, so we can have a wider apostolic reach and thus help more people in their Christian life. Thanks! Fr. Rolly A., priest of Opus Dei.
P.S. Favor please: to help more people and to avoid being restricted again by FB to share my posts to groups, kindly help me share them to your Catholic groups. God bless you for your kindness!
PHOTO SOURCE/CREDIT: https://kabyahe.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/image09.jpg