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by Mar Go Did you know that St. John Paul II himself visited the San Carlos Seminary back in 1995? Yes, no less than Pope John Paul II, now Saint John Paul 2, visited San Carlos Seminary on January 15, 1995, when he visited the Philippines for World Youth Day Manila. The photo above shows then Pope now Saint John Paul II praying at the Seminary Chapel. This was exactly 25 years ago! Did you know that the San Carlos Seminary also has some of Saint Pope John Paul II's relics and memorabilia? The public is welcome to visit and view. Here is Fr. Jade Licuanan, head of the Archdiocese of Manila's Commission on the Youth and host of Catechism on the Go, showing the very chair used by Pope John Paul II when he addressed the 6th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences at San Carlos Seminary Auditorium as well as the Chasuble used by Pope John Paul II when he celebrated Mass at the Philippine International Conference Center (PICC) grounds to mark the 4th centenary of the Archdiocese of Manila and the dioceses of Cebu, Caceres, and Nueva Segovia. *Follow @jadelicuanan on Instagram. Pope John Paul 2 loved the Philippines and visited a total of 3 times! Not a lot of people know that he already the visited the Philippines even before he became Pope, as Kraków Archbishop Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, in 1976. Then as Pope, he visited the Philippines in February 1981, when he beatified the first Filipino martyr, Lorenzo Ruiz, and then again in January 1995. An estimated 4 million Filipinos attended the Mass he celebrated at the close of World Youth Day in 1995. Today he continues to be an inspiration to many Filipinos, especially the youth, and the patron saint of Team Dominus Est, a website that hopes to continue Saint Pope John Paul II's advocacy for new evangelization.

by Margaux Salcedo 2020 will be more than a new year or a new decade for the Roman Catholic Church. If Pope Francis is successful in his reorganization of the Curia, it marks a whole new era. As you may know by now, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide. The announcement was made last December 8 and Cardinal Tagle is set to leave for Rome by the end of the month or on the first week of February. Roman Curia The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities. It is also called the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of Faith or Propaganda Fide. At the outset it sounds like just a lot of missionary work, specifically evangelization, which is right up the alley of Cardinal Tagle, as he is considered one of the world's greatest evangelizers today, with his down-to-earth charisma and humor combined with his strong theological and academic background. But the job is more than just simple evangelization. The appointment means that Cardinal Tagle has been promoted to become part of the Roman Curia. The Curia is the central body through which the affairs of the Catholic Church are conducted; the central organization through which the church advances its objectives, and hence its heads act with the Pope's authority. And Propaganda Fide is one of the largest curial departments. As it is charged with the Church’s missionary works and territories, the Cardinal will reportedly oversee roughly a fourth of all dioceses in the world or around 1,100 ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The office also controls the jurisdiction's financial resources and property holdings, including 957 real estate properties. Praedicate Evangelium The appointment of Cardinal Tagle is said to be only the first of what will be a series of appointments that will revolutionize the Curia, marking only the beginning of what appears to be major reforms for the Catholic Church. A new curial constitution, Praedicate evangelium, is being prepared. It is expected to place an even further emphasis on evangelization as the structural priority of the Church’s mission. Propaganda Fide will possibly also absorb the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, whose president is currently Archbishop Rino Fisichella. This combined Congregation that will be headed by Tagle will reportedly be the "first dicastery", called the Dicastery for the Evangelization. Challenges The appointment of Cardinal Tagle brings a breath of fresh air to the recent years' scandal-ridden image of the Catholic Church. The past two years were especially full of challenges. In 2018, a grand jury in Pennsylvania issued an 884-page report revealing that there were over a thousand identifiable child victims of sexual abuse by over 300 priests in six of eight Roman Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania alone. Also in 2018, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former Vatican ambassador in the United States, shook the church by making accusations of a cover up of sexual abuse. In August 2019, Australian Cardinal George Pell, who was Archbishop of Melbourne from 1996 to 2001 and Archbishop of Sydney from 2001 to 2014 before becoming inaugural prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, i.e., running the Vatican finances, became the world's most senior Catholic convicted of child sexual abuse. These are only some of the challenges the Catholic Church had to deal with at the end of the decade. Pope Francis has shown, though, that the cries for justice and reform would not fall on deaf ears under his papacy. In February 2019, a historic Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church, or what was essentially the Vatican sexual abuse summit, was attended by 190 delegates, including 114 presidents of bishops' conferences and 14 members of the Vatican curia. The first speaker was Cardinal Tagle. Restoring Faith In his reflection, Cardinal Tagle boldly admitted the Catholic Church's poor handling of the situation and emphasized the need to acknowledge the abuse. "This is what is at stake at this moment of crisis brought about by the abuse of these children and our poor handling of these cries. Our people need us to draw close to their wounds and acknowledge our faults if we are to give authentic and credible witness to our faith in the resurrection." He also dared to speak of accountability: "This means that each of us ... must take personal responsibility for bringing healing to this wound in the body of Christ and make the commitment to do everything in our power and capacity to see that children and vulnerable people are safe - are cared for - in our communities." He emphasized, "We need to recover and maintain a faith and ecclesial perspective to guide us, as stressed many times by Pope Francis." He also added, quoting a study, "Faith that would like to close its eyes to people's suffering is just an illusion." He posed the challenge, "How can we profess faith in Christ when we close our eyes tso all the wounds inflicted by abuse?" Finally, he proposed: "We need to set aside any hesitation to draw close to the wounds of our people out of fear of being wounded ourselves." Smell of the Sheep It is this voice of sincerity, so aligned with the basic tenets of Christianity, that makes Tagle perfect for his role as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or the future Dicastery for Evangelization. On top of this is the sheer joy that he finds and exhibits when he is "among the sheep" - among refugees, among children, among the poor, among victims of calamities, among the physically helpless yet spiritually hopeful. Truly a "shepherd with the smell of the sheep", his empathy, beyond compassion, is so imminent, practically beaming with the Holy Spirit, that his presence alone brings a contagious joy to those he visits. It was probably inevitable, then, that Pope Francis would appoint Cardinal Tagle to this position of honor. Although Cardinal Tagle, probably realizing the responsibilities the office would carry, not to mention having to be so far away from home, seems to consider it a position of horror and even wept openly, clearly overwhelmed, not with joy but with anxiety, at the Manila Cathedral, when then- Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia announced and tenderly explained the new role of Cardinal Tagle after the mass on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. Evangelization It is therefore imperative that we, the Filipino faithful, pray hard for Cardinal Tagle - for his protection and success, for his wisdom and inspiration, for his health and strength - as he embarks on this new role of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church. Let us pray that his leadership is welcomed, especially by the Curia, but let us also pray that he may always remain humble so as to always hear and respond to the voice of the Lord in these troubled times. We must also pray for Pope Francis as he embarks on this major overhaul of the Curia. It is said that there may be more changing of the guards, possibly by the Feast of the Chair of Peter on February 22, possibly by the end of June yet. Whatever the date, let us pray that the appointments bring forth a new church leadership marked by sincerity, truth and accountability. And pray that the new leadership becomes a force that can successfully restore the faith of the public in our one holy Catholic and apostolic church. New Era May 2020 mark the beginning of not only of an inspired new year or new decade but a new era for the Catholic Church: that the Church may move forward in faith as its new leaders bring it back to the basics of Christ's lessons and love.

Words by Clyde Ericson Nolasco Photo by JP Gonzalo What is TRASLACION? TRASLACION is a Spanish word that means “moving something from one place to another.” The original image of the Black Nazarene was brought to the Philippines from Mexico. Tradition says that it was first enshrined in Intramuros and then eventually moved, presumably in a festive traslacion, to Quiapo. In spite of the inaccurate details of its history, whether the Black Nazarene originally came from Intramuros or from Quiapo, thousands to even millions of people have gathered and continue to devotedly gather every January 9 to join the Translacion, a procession enacted to commemorate the first “transfer” that happened on January 9, 1787.

by Margaux Salcedo Devotion, not obligation. This was the message of His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in his homily for the Traslacion mass held on the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. The Traslacion 2020 theme is "Iba’t ibang kaloob, Isang Debosyon, Tungo sa Isang Misyon" (Different Gifts yet One Devotion towards One Mission). Tagle first reminded the public that the celebration centers on Christ - Jesus from Nazareth: Pinagnilayan ko po (ang tema) batay sa ating mga pagbasa. At ang aking atensyon ay natutok kay Jesus. Siya naman ang sentro ng ating pagdiriwang - si Jesus na taga Nazareno; papaano niya isinabuhay ang ating tema. I reflected on the theme based on our readings. And my attention zoned in on Christ, who is the center of our celebration: Jesus of Nazareth. How did he embody our theme? Tagle reminded the crowd of Christ's own devotion: Christ died on the cross because he was devoted to God, His Father. (Si) Jesus ...ang kaniyang loyalty ay sa Diyos Ama. Mayroon siyang debosyon sa Diyos na tinatawag niyang Ama. At ayon kay San Pablo ang kaniyang debosyon sa Ama ay ipinakita niya sa pagiging masunurin sa Ama hanggang kamatayan. Hindi lang ito kamatayan para kay Jesus. Ang kamatayan niya ay bunga ng kaniyang debosyon pagiging tapat masunurin sa Ama. Jesus ... his loyalty was to His Father. He had a devotion to God whom he called Father. And according to St. Paul, Christ showed this devotion through being obedient to his Father until his death. This was no ordinary death; this was a death borne out of his devotion, loyalty and obedience to his Father. But, Tagle adds, Christ was also devoted to us. Pero sinabi din sa Ebangheliyo na si Jesus ay may debosyon sa kapwa tao, sa atin. Sa katunayan, hinubad niya ang katangian ng pagiging Diyos para maging kapiling natin, maging kaisa natin. ... At dahil sa kaniyang debosyon sa kapwa tao binitawan niya ang kaniyang karangalan para lang makapiling tayo. But the Gospel also says that Jesus was also devoted to mankind. In fact, he disrobed his godly stature just to be with us; he let go of honor just to be with us. Our relationship with Christ should be one of devotion, not obligation Debosyon hindi obligasyon. Ang taong kumikilos dahil lang sa obligasyon, masama ang loob mabigat ang loob; gagawin nga ang isang bagay (pero) kaladkad ang paa. Devotion, not obligation. One who acts out of obligation does so with a heavy heart, dragging his feet. (Ngunit) kahit hindi ako inaasahan ng obligasyon, kapag ako ay devoted, gagawin ko. Kahit hubarin ang karangalan ay susunod ... dahil ang Ama ko ang nagsabi. Yet even if I have no obligation, if I am devoted, I will do it, even if I am stripped of honor, I will obey ... because My Father said so. Finally, Tagle shared the most humbling reflection of all: that God himself is devoted to us ... that He gave up His only son. Sabi po sa Ebangheliyo, si Jesus ay ipinadala ng Ama, isinugo ng Diyos ang kaniyang anak. Si Jesus ay may misyon mula sa Ama. Bakit isinugo ng Diyos ang anak ? Sabi po dito: gayun na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa Sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay Niya ang kaniyang bugtong na anak. Ganiyan na lang ang deboyson ng Diyos Ama sa atin: pati ang kaniyang bugtong na Anak, ibinigay niya. The Gospel says that Christ was sent by the Father. Christ had a mission. Why did God send his only son? It says here: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. That is the devotion of the Lord to us. That he sacrificed even his only begotten son. Watch the full homily here:

by Clyde Ericson Nolasco Most often than not, whenever I would open my social media, I would certainly see Korean groups on my news feed posted by friends. I would see them sing along with the music I don't understand. Their fashion would be K-Pop-inspired. Some would really spend a big chunk of money to watch concerts. They would even fly abroad to follow their biases. And moreso, whenever I would ask my students what is their dream vacation, they would answer: “To go to Seoul, Korea.” KPop Idols: Suzy Bae, V (BTS), IU and DO (Exo) IS BEING A K-POP FAN A FORM OF IDOLATRY? I may not be a K-pop fan but I have my fair share of fanboy-ing. I can still remember how I would be late for my classes in college just to finish the season finales of the US versions of Survivor and The Amazing Race. While others would go gaga with milk tea, tasting every variant there is, I would spend for samgyupsal and iced coffee. With all these fads, crazes and trending cultures around us, how can we still identify what is idolatrous and what is not? For Catholics, this month of January is but as colorful as December. January 9 is Traslacion. Millions would flock to “the” Quiapo Church and express their tireless devotion to the Black Nazarene or the Nazareno. The image of Christ carrying His cross would draw millions of devotees from different parts of the country. The image has been a symbol of hope, mercy and healing. That’s in Metro Manila, while in the islands of Visayas would be the colorful festivals on the third Sunday of January. In honor of the feast of Sto. Niño or the Child Jesus, Cebu will hold its annual Sinulog; Aklan would have their Ati-atihan; Iloilo would have their Dinagyang. Philippine history would tell us that Magellan offered the image of Sto. Niño as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Cebu’s Rajah Humabon who will eventually be known as Queen Juana. These religious traditions are both loved and criticized. Loved as concrete expressions of Filipino faith but criticized for their tendency to promote mere fanaticism that may lead to idolatry. WHAT IS IDOLATRY? The First Commandment tells us that there is only ONE God and He must be the only one to be worshipped. If we will be religiously faithful to this commandment, it is to protect us from committing idolatry. Catechism of the Catholic Church or CCC 2113 tells us, “Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Basically, idolatry is putting anything or anyone above God. Why do Catholics have statues and images? Why have the Nazareno and the Sto Niño images? Many would presume that having graven images is by itself committing idolatry but in the Scriptures, God Himself commanded making statues, such as the two golden cherubim (Exodus 25:18-20), David’s ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 28:18-19) and Moses’ bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9). Catholics use statues and images only as a reminder of their longing for heaven and desire to be holy like Mary and the saints. They serve as catechetical tool. In the early Church, these were used as instructional tools for the illiterate. Catholics do not adore statues, we only venerate them. We respect them as adoration is only reserved for God. A Good Friday procession at the Taal Basilica. HOW CAN ONE PREVENT COMMITTING IDOLATRY? Embrace temperance. Temperance is consciously being moderate with “created” things. As the old cliche goes, “Too much of anything is bad.” Controlling our worldly desires is the key. Be Christ-centered. Be always reminded that in everything we do, it should always glorify Jesus. Otherwise, forget it. To be a K-Pop fan is okay, to love milk tea is ok ... but to lavishly offer all your time and energy to these created things and forget about God, then it becomes idolatry. Let us always remember what Pope Francis said: “Worshipping God means learning to be with Him, to strip ourselves of our hidden idols and choose God as the centre of our lives.” That in all things God may be glorified!

by Fr. Jason Laguerta and Margaux Salcedo with Clyde Nolasco, Jefferson Quintero, Bro. Jesus Madrid To see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly. - Day by Day This 2020, let us see the Lord more clearly. Let us have 20/20 vision! It may not mean having "perfect" vision but it does mean having a clear vision of what lies ahead. In the words of Father Jason Laguerta, head of the Archdiocese of Manila's Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization: "We do not have the power to predict the future. But we can see the horizon. It is thus crucial to know where we stand and which direction we must go." Here are 20 things we want to see more of and more clearly this 2020: A 24/7 Church for the Poor The Church as a Safe Space Dialogues Towards Harmony Action from the Laudato Si Generation Evangelization from the Evangelii Gaudium Generation See the Full 20/20 Vision Below ... 1. A 24/7 Church for the Poor Is it possible to have a church that never closes its doors? That does not have opening and closing hours? It is! Just last December 9, 2019, the first church in Italy that is now open 24/7 was inaugurated: The church of the Santissime Stimmate di San Francesco, or Holy Stigmata of St. Francis. It is the site of a new initiative by Spanish Catholic NGO Mensajeros de la Paz (“Messengers of Peace”) with Father Angel Garcia Rodriguez. Pope Francis' dream for a 24/7 "church for the poor" came true with this effort, noting in his letter to Fr. Angel that "churches with closed doors should be called museums.” "I wish that the doors to the House of God are always open because it walks among the peoples, in the history of men and women”, Pope Francis said in a letter to Fr. Angel. The Pope added, “I want God’s House to always have open doors, because it walks among the peoples, in the history of men and women; on the contrary, churches with closed doors should be called museums.” The Pontiff also noted noted that it is said in the Gospel that “the ecclesial community is a tent able to enlarge its space so that all can enter, an oasis of peace, of the love of God, a place of hospitality, reconciliation, and forgiveness.” See full story here: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/church-for-romes-homeless-opens/ Watch: Pope Francis gets a sneak peek at the 24/7 "oasis of peace" and breaks bread with the homeless before its official opening. 2. A Safe Space for the Abused More than ever, we need a church that is welcoming and healing, a safe space for the abused and even the accused, a sanctuary for the hurt and the lost. It can be done! Remember the woman caught in adultery whom the Pharisees brought to Jesus? Instead of condemning her, he said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” The Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) continue this kindness that Christ showed. They offer a hand to prostitutes to help them back to the right path and "sin no more". To date, they have helped prostitutes from Pampanga to Metro Manila (Quezon Avenue, Pasay, Ermita, P. Burgos in Makati), to Batangas and Cagayan de Oro by helping with medical check-ups, legal services, and counselling. They have also tied with with Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Makati where, through Martha's Kitchen, prostitutes and victims of sexual abuse are fed and assisted. The Good Shepherd nuns also have drop-in centers, shelter care and after care programs. Watch how they do it in this feature by TV Maria: 3. A Sanctuary of Hope for Drug Addicts Imagine a drug addict who, after going through not only rehabilitation but also spiritual formation, later becomes a priest? It is possible! Fr. Bobby dela Cruz was once an addict. Today, he leads the Sanlakbay para sa Pagbabagong Buhay, a pastoral accompaniment program helping addicts in their healing, recovery, & restoration from the enslavement of illegal drugs - a program launched by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle in October 2016 in response to the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's "war against drugs". Through this program, drug addicts undergo spiritual formation, counseling, livelihood projects, skills formation training, as well as arts and cultural program and sports activities to help them develop holistically. Watch what the Sanlakbay program is all about here: In fact, just last December 6, 2019, another batch of rehabilitated and now spiritually formed addicts graduated from the Sanlakbay program. We pray for a church taht will continue to help drug addicts recover and become restored members of society. 4. A Place of Love: Welcoming the LGBTQ+ Faithful We envision a church that is welcoming, not polarizing, guiding us to become our best selves, living morally upright lives in the fullness of faith and filled with love for the Lord. We take the lead from Courage Philippines, who is incidentally celebrating its 25th year in the Philippines this 2020. Watch this video to know how Courage Philippines helps the LGBTQ+ rekindle and strengthen faith in the Lord. 5. A Source of Joy: Addressing Mental Health With the rising number of people struggling with mental health issues, we need to explore a spiritual solution to the psychological concerns. During times of personal darkness, our faith community can be an important source of support. Churches and church-related organizations can also provide educational resources, programs, and connections to qualified help. Pastoral care should include assisting the flock to live life to the fullest! So we pray for a church that leads and inspires in recognizing the incomparable worth of each human person. 6. A Common Home: Sharing the Journey with Refugees We can open not only our minds and hearts but also our homes to refugees. “Share the Journey” was launched by Pope Francis in September 2017 as part of Caritas’ response to his vision of a “culture of encounter”, bringing migrants, refugees and host communities closer together to strengthen them, confront prejudice and to recognise our common humanity. Helping refugees has been a big advocacy of Caritas Internationalis. Cardinal Tagle, as its President, has argued that refugees who becoe migrants can be bridges of peace instead of a threat to the economy. We take inspiration from those who have opened their door, among them: In Brazil, a report showed that Venezuelan refugees found sanctuary and later even jobs in Brazil, thanks to Catholic efforts. In the United Kingdom last Christmas, a report revealed that there are now 65 Catholic-led projects for hosting the United Kingdom's Syrian Resettlement Program, with 23 groups having already welcomed families. Now isn't that the true Christmas spirit? 7. An Open Mind and Heart: Dialogues towards Harmony ECUMENISM. 2020 was declared by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines as the Year of Ecumenism, Inter-religious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples (logo above). This is part of the nine-year “spiritual journey”, which started in 2013, to prepare for the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021. The CBCP's objectives for this year are: (1) to celebrate the human fraternity by promoting the culture of dialogue as a path to peace; (2) to work for unity and harmony while respecting diversity; and (3) to recognize indigenous peoples’ identities, spiritualities and ancestral domain. Cardinal Tagle, in a 2014 talk in Australia, mentioned the importance of having a three-fold dialogue: with cultures, with religion, with the poor. We can also follow the example of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, created to promote a culture of dialogue as a path to peace. They seek to delve into a deeper understanding and create better relations among people of different faiths, cultures and traditions. (For more info, visit http://www.silsilahdialogue.com/) The movement was founded by Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra PIME, with a group of Muslim and Christian friends, in Zamboanga City on May 9, 1984. Today they continue to reach out and hold courses on Muslim-Christian dialogue. Recently they opened a theological school with the end in mind of educating people on harmony among religions. 8. Action from the Laudato Si Generation Hey Millennials, Feelenials and even you Boomers! It's time to take action to save the earth! This 2020, let's respond to the call of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si and do our part to end consumerism and environmental degradation! Let's remember that, as Pope Francis emphasized, widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems so we must do our part! If someone as young as Greta Thunberg can fight for the environment, we can do it too! Bravo as well to the dioceses who are taking the lead such as the Diocese of The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan which has banned the use of plastic, in support as well of a city ordinance against plastic use. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said his diocese is discouraging the use of plastic utensils, plastic flowers as decors in parishes, as well as tarpaulins. 9. Evangelization from the Evangelii Guadium Generation Evangelii Guadium, the first encyclical of Pope Francis, translates to the Joy of the Gospel. In today's world of social media, let us share the joy of the Gospel online. May the Evangelii Gaudium generation lead in digital evangelization! Remember the Samaritan woman at the well mentioned in John 4: 4-30? As she came to draw water, Jesus asked her for a drink and she was shocked because she was not a Jew yet he spoke to her. Jesus then revealed himself to her as the Messiah. She then went to town and told the people about him. If she lived today, she would probably have posted about her experience immediately on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter! That's what we do when we hear good news: we proclaim the joyful message! That's what we are inspired to do with DominusEst.PH. Watch and don't forget to like,follow and subscribe! :) 10. Everyday Saints Pope Francis once tweeted, The Church needs everyday saints, those of ordinary life carried out with coherence. A fine example of this was Darwin Ramos, a disabled street kid who found God. Ramos was born to a poor family from the slums of Pasay City and suffered muscular dystrophy so he could not stand or walk. His father abused his disability and forced hm to beg in the streets. Thankfully, street educators from Tulay ng Kabataan (TnK) found Ramos and took him in, where he lived with other children with disabilities. The staff at Tulay ng Kabataan recall that Ramos was like a living saint, always gracious and grateful, even amidst his suffering. Although ill, the child insisted on leading others in the center in evening prayer. Ramos died on Sept. 23, 2012, at the age of 17 but was declared by the Vatican last March 29 as a “Servant of God,” the first step in the process for sainthood. Let us, each and every one of us, do our best to be like the saints. If a disabled street kid who was forced by an abusive father to beg in the streets could find it in his heart to live with gratitude and be Christ-like, all the more should we!! Let 2020 be the year that we have more everyday saints! 11. The Return of the Magi: more and better priests! We pray for more priests who will guide us to living truly Christian lives. And we pray for our priests, that the light of Christ continue to shine through them. Here's a little reminder from His Eminence Cardinal Tagle to aspiring priests, though, on what this mission is about and not to have any illusions! 12. More Volunteers Let the spirit of volunteerism come alive this 2020! Here are a few groups that you might be inspired to join or that might inspire you to volunteer otherwise: Cora https://www.facebook.com/WeAreCORA/ CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) CORA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable programs to help solve global issues centered on hunger, poverty, inequality, climate change and the mission to beat plastic pollution. iVolunteer Philippines https://www.facebook.com/ivolunteerphils/ iVolunteer is the Philippines' 1st volunteer website built by volunteers for volunteers to spread the passion of volunteerism. Reach Out Volunteers PH (ROVies) https://www.facebook.com/ROVolunteersPH/ Reach Out Volunteers is a community engaged in positive change through volunteerism for fellow Filipinos. 13. More Youth Missionary Disciples Remember that when we were baptized, we were consecrated to God, so we became missionaries, sent to share in the joy of Christ and spread the Good News of the Lord. So it's never too early to become a missionary disciple. Take the example of Allendale Lasibal, a youth missionary disciple. Watch her story here: If you want to be more active as a youth missionary disciple, check out and be inspired by these sites: https://www.focus.org/ and https://cco.ca/. 14. Solidarity: Going Beyond Charity This year, let charity be not simply about giving money or goods but about truly being one with the poor or the needy. Let it be about solidarity. Remember the teaching of Black Saturday on solidarity: that to conquer death, Jesus descended to the dead. Take inspiration from this video (albeit shaky) wherein Cardinal Tagle shares his encounter with Mother Teresa. Find out what her response was when he asked how she is able to practice solidarity the poor: 15. Community: Thriving Basic Ecclesial Communities The Basic Ecclesial Community or BEC is a ministry of pastoral leadership and communion wherein priests are challenged to "become good shepherds close to the flock and with the 'smell of the sheep', collaborating with pastoral workers, lay workers and reoligious who make up parish formation teams for fellowship, evangelization and missionary and charitable efforts. This year, we hope that around globe, parishes are able to build strong faith communities truly immersed in the lives of its people. 16. Humility: Following the Pope's Example It takes wisdom and courage to have humility. May we, especially our leaders, including church leaders, follow in the example of Pope Francis and have the humility to admit it and apologize when we lose our patience or our temper or when we are simply wrong. 17. Sincerity: Shepherds with the Smell of the Sheep In the past couple of years, the Catholic Church was challenged with scandals relating to the abuse of minors. A summit or Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church was held last February 2019. His Eminence Cardinal Tagle was first speaker at this summit and he said, ""We need to recover and maintain a faith and ecclesial perspective to guide us, as stressed many times by Pope Francis." He proposed: "We need to set aside any hesitation to draw close to the wounds of our people out of fear of being wounded ourselves." Let us pray for the success of Pope Francis as he reorganizes and revitalizes the organization of the Catholic Church! Let us pray for our priests, that they may remember their true calling and have the courage to be shepherds with the herds with the smell of the sheep! 18. Peace 2019 saw the tragic bombings in various churches of different religions and the killing of innocent people, including the March mosque attack in New Zealand. The first week of 2020 saw tension escalate between the United States and iran, with the US killing Iran's top general Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iran responding with threats of retaliation and nuclear proliferation. In this year of ecumenism, we want to see a church that follows the lead of Pope Francis, who called on Christians to unite in prayer for the victims of two mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead and dozens wounded in one of the worst mass shootings in the country’s history. Remember the words of Pope Francis: “I am close to our Muslim brothers and sisters and their entire community. I renew my invitation to unite with them in prayer and gestures of peace to counter hatred and violence,” the pope said in his address. We hope to see a world where people come together in peace! 19. Asia: Spreading the Love of and for Christ in Asia After the Pope's visit to Thailand and Japan, we look forward to seeing a more thriving Catholic community in Asia. 20. New Evangelization As Cardinal Tagle assumes the position of Prefect for the Congregation on the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide, and the possible creation of a Dicastery on Evangelization, we look forward to a more dynamic, more enthusiastic, more joyful sharing of the Word, with "inactive" Catholics returning to the fold and Catholics the world over inspired more than ever! May we achieve this 20/20 Vision for 2020!!! Happy New Year!!!

Inspiring the Youth to Live Pure by Clyde Ericson Nolasco Fr. Juvelan is one of the younger priests in Manila. He is only 34 years old as of writing. Ordained in 2016, the 34-year old Salesian juggles his time as spiritual moderator of the Elementary Unit of Don Bosco Makati, animator of the Salesian Youth Movement of Luzon, member of the Salesian Commission on Social Communication and Vocation Promotion Team and a supporter of the Live Pure Movement. Young Juvelan wasn’t a sacristan or part of any organization in his parish but his family’s regular attendance in liturgical services inspired him to become a devout Catholic. FAMILY-INSPIRED VOCATION Young Juvelan wasn’t a sacristan or part of any organization in his parish but his family’s regular attendance in liturgical services at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Poblacion, Makati inspired him to become a devout Catholic. Knowing that his father is a Bosconian and his uncles active in the Don Bosco Youth Center in the 1960s as well as being a student of San Felipe Parochial School, Boni, Mandaluyong for Grade School and Don Bosco Mandaluyong for High School also helped in making him consider entering the priesthood. After fulfilling his father’s wish, Juvelan entered the seminary, joining the Salesians of Don Bosco. INSPIRING IMMERSION The summer before his fourth year of high school, the aspiration to become a priest became more explicit. After joining a week-long immersion camp in Mambukal, Negros Island where he lived in a community of sugarcane farmers, he was overwhelmed with the experience he gained from living in a rural set up, having lived all his life in an urban area. Aboard the ship on his way back home, he approached their group’s priest and expressed his desire to become a priest, to serve the marginalized. OBEDIENT SON In spite of his arduous aspiration to be a priest, his parents, especially his father, did not agree with him. His father, being practical, suggested that it might be a better idea to finish a degree first before entering the seminary. His father thought that it might be wise to have a backup plan in case Juvelan would realize that priesthood isn’t his vocation. All along, Juvelan knew that this was his father’s way to change his mind, because he was their only child and the sole bearer of their family’s name. The young Juvelan knew that his father thought he would lose interest in entering the seminary if he went to college instead. Being an obedient son, Juvelan enrolled in the University of the Philippines (U.P. DIliman). Although his father died while he was in his 2nd year in UP, he graduated with a degree in Speech Communications. “Be happy! Young people are captivated by the joy of the evangelizer.” INDEFATIGABLE SALESIAN After fulfilling his father’s wish, Juvelan entered the seminary, joining the Salesians of Don Bosco. Initially, he was thinking of joining the Jesuits, whose charism is on social justice, in order for him to achieve his aspiration to serve the least, the last and the lost. But truly God works in mysterious ways. Juvelan was not given by any chance to meet a Jesuit that might help him pursue his dream to help the poor. Although he planned to enter Ateneo for college, he lacked the funds to even take the entrance exams. But Juvelan pursued his calling and joined the Salesians of Don Bosco. SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR Today, Fr Juvelan is the Spiritual Moderator of the Elementary Unit of Don Bosco Makati. In between deadlines for schoolwork, he meets the Salesian Youth Movement as the animator of the group in Luzon. He makes sure that the Salesian Youth follow the thrust of the congregation. LIVE PURE As a supporter, Fr Juvelan would sometimes be seen as the cover priest of the Live Pure Movement. Live Pure aims to promote a pure and chaste life to our young ones through catechisms and gatherings. Fr Juvelan participates in the Live Pure’s formation programs, preaching that to live pure is to dedicate one’s heart solely to God. When asked for his message to those who are ministering to the youth, he replied: “Be happy! Young people are captivated by the joy of the evangelizer.” He further explained that the joy he was pertaining to is joy marked by moderate but consistent cheerfulness. Joy that comes from a calm, satisfied and content life; joy that is consistent and of moderate cheerfulness, which is taught in Salesian spirituality.

by Fr. Jason Laguerta and Margaux Salcedo 1. A Filipino Cardinal from Imus, Cavite was appointed to the Roman Curia His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, was appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione. Also known as the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide), or simply the Propaganda Fide, this is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities. 2. A Filipino Archbishop from Talibon, Bohol was appointed nuncio to Spain Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who has represented the Vatican at the United Nations since 2014, was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra in October 2019. ​ 3. A Filipino priest from Daet, Camarines Norte, became head of the Dominicans Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III became the 88th Master of the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans on 13 July 2019, the first Asian to hold the position. 4. The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, who has become part of our large Filipino Catholic family, was appointed permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.​ Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, papal nuncio to the Philippines, was appointed by Pope Francis to as the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, replacing Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra. Another 2019 Hallelujah moment comes from Archbishop Caccia himself, as a record 18 bishops were appointed during his two-year stint in the Philippines. 5. An inspiring and always grateful Filipino street kid who died at age 17 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy was declared Servant of God. Darwin Ramos, a Filipino street child who died in 2012 due to a serious degenerative disease was declared by the Vatican as a "Servant of God". This means that the Vatican has recognized the heroic virtues of Ramos and he becomes a candidate for sainthood. The Diocese of Cubao received the green light to start the process of beatification and canonization as Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, signed the nihil obstat at the start of the cause on March 29th. 6. A Filipina from Iloilo was also named Servant of God. Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, also known as venerable Maria Rosario of the Visitation, who is the founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary, was recognized by the Vatican as a Servant of God. The pope authorized the promulgation of a decree on her heroic virtue last June 11. With the promulgation of the decrees of martyrdom and of heroic virtue, the Servants of God are granted the title “Venerable”. The next stage in the “causes”, would be beatification, followed ultimately by canonization. 7. The relic of Saint Pope John Paul II, the Pope who created World Youth Day, was brought around the country on a pilgrim tour as part of the celebration of the Year of the Youth. 2019 was the Philippine Catholic Church's Year of the Youth. This was inspired by the World Synod of Bishops on Young People from October 3 to 28, 2018 which had as its theme "Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment". The year-long celebration was officially kicked off on the feast of Christ the King on November 25, 2018, followed by a launch by the Diocese of Cubao at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral with a celebration of Diocesan Youth Day on December 1, 2018. The Year then officially started on the first Sunday of Advent or December 2, 2019 and carried the theme "Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered". A highlight of the celebrations was the pilgrim tour of the blood relic of Saint Pope John Paul II who was a champion and inspiration for the youth. His relic went to parishes around the Bicol Region, Northern Luzon Region, Southern Tagalog Region, National Capital Region, then last November 20, the end of the nationwide pilgrimage, the relic of Saint John Paul II was returned to the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan. For the first time, a National Youth Cross was also designed and joined the pilgrimage, after which it was returned to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Chapel in Manila. The relic of Saint Pope John Paul II and the Youth were both presented at the Thanksgiving and Commissioning ceremony that closed the Year of the Youth held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary last November 23 - 24. 8. Radio Veritas celebrated its 50th Anniversary As part of its jubilee celebration, the radio station launched the Radio Veritas Museum and a coffee table book on the historical role of Radio Veritas in Philippine history. 9. The Manila Ecclesiastical Province Schools System Association (MAPSA) celebrated its 60th Anniversary. The 60th Anniversary of MAPSA was launched at The Manila Cathedral, on November 15, 2019. MAPSA celebrates “60 years of deepening the life of faith in children and young people, of becoming centers of excellence of learning, and creating that environment in our schools where justice and development are emphasized and realized.” Cardinal Tagle who is also the President of MAPSA, said that education plays a significant role in the mission of the Church. He added that in the Bible, Christ is called “Rabbi” or teacher whose mission is to guide, mold and teach the people of God. “According to Vatican II, the schools of the Church are supposed to form men and women through the development of their intellectual capacities, the development of their values, the development of their missionary engagement that the educational institutions form good citizens of society and also good Christians,” he said. 10. The Archdiocese of Manila launched this website, Dominus Est, for digital evangelization. More about Dominus Est here: https://www.dominusest.ph/connect. Follow us on Facebook: Dominus Est PH. 11. The 6th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization was successfully held. A brainchild of His Eminence Cardinal Tagle, PCNE annually gathers over 5,000 attendees for a weekend of praise, worship, catechism and sharing to strengthen our love for the Lord 12. The first ever Pista ng Misyon (Feast of the Mission) was held. The Pista ng Misyon (Feast of the Mission) was a grand celebration of the Extraordinary Missionary Month declared by Pope Francis, organized by the Archdiocese of Manila and the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines, held on 18 October 2019 with over 3,000 in attendance at the Cuneta Astrodome. *** These are only some of the many Hallelujah moments we had in 2019. It has been a year of great blessings for the Catholic faithful of the Philippines and we can only say Thank You Lord! Now we pray for 2020 ... may this coming year be blessed as well as we continue to love and serve the Lord. Praise be to God! Hallelujah!

by Clyde Nolasco Music, Tears Overflowed at Patron 2019 It was worth going through the heavy traffic of Ortigas and EDSA to watch the musical production Patron of the Arts 2019 last December 12 at the Meralco Theater. This is an annual concert organized by Jesuit Communications for the benefit of the Archdiocese of Manila. Panunuluyan This year’s theme was Panunuluyan. Panunuluyan is a Filipino religious tradition that portrays how Joseph and Mary sought an inn during Christmas eve. In the concert, the audience was invited to open their hearts to fully receive Jesus this Christmas. OPNE The Office for the Promotion of the New Evangelization or OPNE is the beneficiary for this year’s concert. OPNE is in charge of propagating the New Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Manila. One of OPNE’s projects is the annual Philippine Conference on New EVangelization (PCNE). And to reach out to more faithful, the website Dominus Est.Ph was launched under this office. Awardee Part of the program is awarding a notable artist from different fields of the arts. This year, it was Sr. Maria Annunciata Sta. Ana, SPC who received the Catholic Award for the Arts. Sr. Annunciata is known for her notable contributions to liturgical music. Her most popular composition is “Sinong Makakapaghiwalay.” She has been serving the Catholic church by conducting different choirs for special Catholic gatherings in the country. Up to this day, she serves as Dean of the College of Music and Performing Arts of St. Paul University Manila. Stars The stage was glittered with celebrities and choir groups. Tim Pavino, Gian Magdangal, Bituin Escalante and Piolo Pascual graced the event. With them were the Ateneo Chamber Singers, Baihana, Eli Estrella and the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir. Goodbye Before the program ended, a surprise number for the Cardinal was rendered by his close friends. Cardinal Tagle was joined onstage by Fr. Ronel Ilano and Fr. Perci Sapin of the Diocese of Imus. His classmates, Fr. Cesar Vergara and Fr. Ed Abaño, also joined the singing. The night closed with teary eyes as Cardinal Tagle spoke for this might be his final bow for Patron of the Arts. Cardinal Tagle was recently appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide and is scheduled to move to the Vatican to take his role as part of the Roman Curia in February 2020. RELATED: Cardinal Tagle appointed Prefect for the Evangelization of Peoples What is Propaganda Fide Cardinal Tagle and the Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization

by Clyde Nolasco Over a thousand persons with disabilities (PWD) gathered at Don Bosco Makati last December 7 for the 20th PWD Day organized by the Archdiocese of Manila. #GoUnliServe Entitled and given the hashtag #GoUnliServe, the celebration saw the incredible energy of our brothers and sisters with disabilities who took part in various activities such as song and dance numbers, art activities, a magic show, and photo ops. They were also provided medical, dental and even reflexology services, thanks to volunteer doctors, dentists and reflexologists. Free legal services were likewise offered by volunteer lawyers. There was also a raffle for flat screen tvs, washing machines, and other prizes. A mass was led by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle who stressed that God is near to those who are suffering not just physically but most especially to those who are emotionally hurt. Awards The Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on Persons with a Disability or AMMPD also awarded groups and individuals for their unwavering support for PWD Day. The awardees are Tenth Journey Volunteers Society Incorporation, TV Maria, Philippine Friendship Dental Team (PFDT), Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc, PUP College of Communication Department of Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR), National Council on Disability Affairs, Mrs. Elva Espino, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Don Bosco Alumni Office and Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Nonato Legaspi. Annual Celebration The Archdiocese of Manila, through its Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on Persons with Disabilities (AMMPD), celebrates PWD day every first Saturday of December, gathering all the PWD ministries from different parishes, institutions and schools in the Archdiocese.

"When people tell me, 'You just got a promotion.' Hindi. I will now be an Overseas Filipino Worker." - Cardinal Tagle His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle held his first Advent Recollection for 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, organized by Jesuit Communications (JESCOM), last Sunday, December 15 at 9:00 a.m. After the mass but before the final blessing, Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ, Executive Director of JESCOM, surprised Cardinal Tagle with a tribute and words of thanks for the many years that the Archbishop of Manila was Recollection Master of the Jescom Advent Recollection and for his many years as host of the show The Word Exposed. Fr. Nono said this is probably the last time that Cardinal Tagle would be the Advent Recollection Master, to which the audience pleaded, "No!" and the new Prefect for the Evangelization of Peoples likewise chimed in. Referring to Cardinal Tagle, Fr. Nono said, " ... this tireless, brilliant, holy servant of God is not ours to keep." The audience was then requested to raise their right hand as a blessing was led by Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao, after which Cardinal Tagle was in tears. Many in the crowd of almost 2,000 were also in tears, as His Eminence will soon be leaving for the Vatican where he will be based as head of Propaganda Fide. Sharing his sentiments about having to leave soon for the Vatican after being appointed by Pope Francis to be the new Prefect of Propaganda Fide or the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Tagle with classic humility said in closing, "When people tell me, 'You just got a promotion.' Hindi. I will now be an Overseas Filipino Worker." But the Cardinal was quick to bring the audience's attention back to Christ, reminding the audience to remember that the recollection was not about him. "Merry Christmas muna!" (Merry Christmas first!) he said earnestly. "And please continue supporting the evangelization programs of your parishes, dioceses, your religious orders, in whatever form. We come together and we are united in proclaiming through word and deed and through our persons the nearness of God. Emmanuel! God is with us." The audience included the Cardinal's parents, Manuel Tagle and Mila Gokim Tagle, who joined in blessing His Eminence as he prepares for this new chapter in his life of service to the Lord.

"When people tell me, 'You just got a promotion.' Hindi. I will now be an Overseas Filipino Worker." - Cardinal Tagle by Margaux Salcedo His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle held his first Advent Recollection for 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, organized by Jesuit Communications (JESCOM), last Sunday, December 15 at 9:00 a.m. After the mass but before the final blessing, Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ, Executive Director of JESCOM, surprised Cardinal Tagle with a tribute and words of thanks for the many years that the Archbishop of Manila was Recollection Master of the Jescom Advent Recollection and for his many years as host of the show The Word Exposed. Fr. Nono said this is probably the last time that Cardinal Tagle would be the Advent Recollection Master, to which the audience pleaded, "No!" and the new Prefect for the Evangelization of Peoples likewise chimed in. Referring to Cardinal Tagle, Fr. Nono said, " ... this tireless, brilliant, holy servant of God is not ours to keep." The audience was then requested to raise their right hand as a blessing was led by Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao, after which Cardinal Tagle was in tears. Many in the crowd of almost 2,000 were also in tears, as His Eminence will soon be leaving for the Vatican where he will be based as head of Propaganda Fide. Sharing his sentiments about having to leave soon for the Vatican after being appointed by Pope Francis to be the new Prefect of Propaganda Fide or the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Tagle with classic humility said in closing, "When people tell me, 'You just got a promotion.' Hindi. I will now be an Overseas Filipino Worker." But the Cardinal was quick to bring the audience's attention back to Christ, reminding the audience to remember that the recollection was not about him. "Merry Christmas muna!" (Merry Christmas first!) he said earnestly. "And please continue supporting the evangelization programs of your parishes, dioceses, your religious orders, in whatever form. We come together and we are united in proclaiming through word and deed and through our persons the nearness of God. Emmanuel! God is with us." The audience included the Cardinal's parents, Manuel Tagle and Mila Gokim Tagle, who joined in blessing His Eminence as he prepares for this new chapter in his life of service to the Lord. RELATED ARTICLES: What is Propaganda Fide Cardinal Tagle's Commitment to New Evangelization Cardinal Tagle Named Prefect for the Evangelization of Peoples