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by Fr. Jason H. Laguerta This is how we can describe the recent events which placed the Church in the Philippines front and center of ecclesiastical as well as mainstream news and conversations. We don’t say this with triumphant haughtiness but with overflowing gratitude and joy. As we are about to celebrate the five hundred years of Christianity in the Philippines, we are awed and humbled by the appointments of Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra and His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Two Filipinos, now serving the universal church with key responsibilities. It also warms our hearts to hear no less than the outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia talking about us this way, “I don’t think I will find anywhere in the world people as friendly, as smiling, as open, as affectionate, and as devoted as here in the Philippines.” To put things in context, Spain brought Christianity to the Philippines 500 years ago. And now, Spain’s papal representative is a Filipino. The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (formerly Propaganda Fide or Propagation of the Faith), established 400 years ago, was tasked to take care of the territories that were “discovered” by Spain and Portugal, the islands of the Philippines included. Now, it will be headed by a Filipino. How do we make sense of all these? Surely, the Lord has a message to us somewhere that we must discern and tease out beyond congratulatory greetings and jubilant messages. Although the designations are personal to Archbishop Auza and Cardinal Tagle, their significance and impact involve all of us. What they carry with them is a history of a colonized people and a culture shaped by the Christian faith. What it means is a challenge that we have to start unpacking and exploring. JEWELS OF THE PAUPER “But as poor as we are, we yet have something,” wrote Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ in the 1940s. We have music and faith. They have kept us afloat and enabled us to hold our ground come what may. From lullabies to funerals, we sing, we say Mass, we give thanks. We do not glorify poverty. But even the poor have some good news to tell. And in fact, the poor are the privileged recipients of God’s preferential love. They are the first proclaimers of God’s boundless mercy. This is how we make sense of what is happening today, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike (Mt. 11:25)”. What we lack in economic capital or military strength, we more than make up in our happy and gentle people, our songs and traditions, our faith and devotion. Indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines. Not because we love fiestas and pageants. But because we don’t miss the forest for the trees. Archbishop Caccia exhorted us to wholeheartedly give Cardinal Chito to the “bigger Church”. Who would have thought centuries ago that one day we would be asked to give and not just receive? Cardinal Chito is one of our jewels, a jewel of the pauper. His music. His faith. Our gift to the world. FROM EAST TO WEST When the 16th century adventurers circumnavigated the world, they moved from west to east. Historians can better explain or perhaps debate on the motives and intentions of the conquests and explorations. But one thing was clear, they were seekers. They were searching for new lands, new routes, and yes treasure and spices. When they came to our islands, they had with them their flourishing culture and civilization. They carried with them the Christian faith, specifically the Western Iberian form of faith. Give and take we could say that some things they brought were good for us and some things were not. Depending on which side of the fence you are, Christianity could be one of the good or it could be one to be blamed for many of the ills that afflict our country today. The meeting of the west and the east produced a culture that is so unique in Asia. Compared to our immediate neighbors, we look and sound Castilian than Austronesian. This unique fusion of the west and the east in us is an identity issue that we have yet to settle and fully integrate. My opinion is that many of our societal problems spring from our inability to face our identity crisis - not in the personal but social sense of identity. Nevertheless, the West have to realize that the tides of change have been reversed. This is not 16th century anymore. The east is coming. It has been since Enrique of Malacca. Filipinos have long “conquered” the world. And now, Archbishop Auza and Cardinal Tagle, by their person and ethnicity, are like Joseph in a foreign land occupying an "amoris officium", a task and duty of love, for their elder brothers in faith and history. PRIMACY OF MISSION Personally, it breaks my heart to see our beloved Archbishop go and be uprooted from our midst. In a massively divided country, his is a calming presence. In an environment full of vitriol and empty rhetoric, his language is a call to listening and dialogue, respect and acceptance for both the one lost sheep and the ninety-nine others who have no need of repentance. His leadership, often misconstrued and underappreciated, is to bridge and not to alienate, to reach out and not to judge, to seek conversion than condemnation. His gestures of empathy and compassion always point to Matthew at his table and Peter by the Sea of Galilee. His smile, even in the midst of pain, speaks of courage and strength, humility and childlike simplicity. Explaining why he laughs all the time, he told a roaring crowd, “I take myself lightly but I take my God seriously.” His tears are reflections of his deep intimacy with God and the human condition. He once said, "I cry easily. I guess when you're before a great mystery that you know is beyond you - a calling, a grace, a mission - then you tremble and at the same time you're happy.” For so many years, ever since he was an unassuming young priest from Imus, we have listened to his powerful homilies and inspiring reflections. We often leave his conferences and lectures shaking our heads, “Galing talaga ni Chito!” (Chito is so good!). In the past few days, we have been seeing the same tender priest, now a Cardinal Prefect on his journey to Rome, like the apostles Peter and Paul. He is trying very hard to be his old jovial self. But we know he is going through his paschal mystery. His Gethsemane. His Peniel. He wrestles with God. He struggles with his doubts like Mary of Nazareth. But he’ll come through. As he always does. Because in the end, in the midst of the darkness and uncertainties, he remains faithful to his life statement, “It is the Lord.” Dominus est. And this is also true for us, especially in the Archdiocese of Manila. The cloud of anxiety and fear is before us. But at first light we shall surely see someone standing at the shore of our parishes and communities, “It is the Lord.” Dominus est.

Cardinal Tagle has been appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide WHAT IS PROPAGANDA FIDE It is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities. Its former title was the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith or Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide or simply the Propaganda Fide. According to the Propaganda Fide Historical Archives, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, historically known as De Propaganda Fide, is one of the Dicasteries that make up the Roman Curia, ie, all of the Dicasteries and organisms that help the Roman Pontiff in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office for the good and the service of the universal Church and the particular Churches. It thus strengthens the unity of faith and communion of the People of God and promotes the mission of the Church in the world as defined by Pope John Paul II Article 1 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus. HOW EXTENSIVE IS THE WORK The Congregation has jurisdiction over countries in almost every continent including Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and North America. According to Fernando Cardinal Filioni (2016), “The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples has jurisdiction over 186 archdioceses, 785 dioceses, 82 vicariates apostolic, 39 prefectures apostolic, 4 apostolic administrations, 6 missiones sui iuris, 1 territorial abbacy, and 6 military ordinariates. FIRST FILIPINO PREFECT Cardinal Tagle is the first Filipino prefect of this Congregation.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is indeed the perfect choice for the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. His Eminence was appointed to the post on December 8, 2019. Evangelization has always been in Cardinal Tagle's heart and in his various talks around the world, he does not fail to mention that at the end of the day, he remembers that he is still, at his core, a pastor. PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE ON NEW EVANGELIZATION In fact, after being appointed Cardinal on October 24, 2012, one of the first things that Cardinal Tagle did was to launch the very first Philippine Conference on New Evangelization (PCNE) which was held in October 2013. This was attended by almost 10,000 attendees and was so successful that the following year, the Archdiocese of Manila created the Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization and the PCNE has been an annual program of this office ever since. Watch: Cardinal Tagle in 2013 inviting everyone to the first ever Philippine Conference on New Evangelization: In this invitation he pointed out three reasons why it would be a worthwhile conference: First, to once again experience the beauty of an encounter with Christ ("Una, maranasan natin muli ang ganda ng makaulayaw si Hesus"). Secondly, to experience the beauty of being one church, a living community ("Pangalawa, maranansan ang kagandahan ng pagiging isang simabahan, sambayanang buhay") Third, to experience the fire of the mission or evangelization in a changing and wounded world but a world that the Lord loves nonetheless ("Pangatlo, upang maranasan natin ang pagaalab ng misyon o evangliezation sa mundong nagbabago at sugatan subalit mundo na mahal pa rin ng Diyos".) He ends by reminding his audience, "God will make all things new. Let us participate in the New Evangelization where God will act so that the world and humanity will be renewed." FULFILLING POPE FRANCIS' VISION OF A MISSIONARY CHURCH Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, in a letter to Cardinal Tagle dated October 15, 2013, lauded PCNE, noting: "The three major movements of the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization -- a personal encounter with Jesus, encountering Jesus in the Church through the Word and the Eucharist, and the command to 'go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation' -- will assist the Church in the Philippines to correspond to Pope Francis' vision for the Universal Church which he expressed so clearly in his address to seminarians, novices and others in vocational discernment this past July in Rome: 'I would like a more missionary Church, one that is not staid. This beautiful Church that makes progress.'" (From the Vatican, October 15, 2013; Prot. N. NE/830/2013/P) OFFICE FOR THE PROMOTION OF NEW EVANGELIZATION (OPNE) The Philippine Conference for the Promotion of New Evangelization, now under the Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization headed by Father Jason Laguerta, is successfully on its seventh year and continues to be attended by thousands. Cardinal Tagle is always the main speaker and homilist at this conference, doing what he does best - inspiring those who hear him to rekindle and renew their love for the Lord. DIGITAL EVANGELIZATION It was also Cardinal Tagle who inspired the creation of this very website, DominusEst.PH, with the end in mind of evangelization through this digital platform and various social media. The website was launched by His Eminence at the Pista ng Misyon (Feast of the Mission) celebrating the Extraordinary Month of Mission last October 22, 2019. /MS

His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has been appointed by Pope Francis to be the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The appointment was announced Sunday, December 8. Cardinal Tagle is only the second Asian cardinal appointed to the post, the first being Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias (2006-2011).

by Margaux Salcedo Our Catholic community is blessed with two new deacons! Rev. Christian John Serrano and Rev. Earl Valdez were ordained last December 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Sampaloc, Manila. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxilllary Bishop of Manila, presided over the holy rites. Rev. CJ, as he is called by friends, graduated from the UST Central Seminary while Rev. Earl graduated from the San Jose Seminary. Now that they are deacons, they are one step closer to becoming priests. Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, perform funeral and burial services outside of Mass, and distribute Holy Communion. After six months to one year as deacons, they may be ordained as priests as well. Congratulations to Rev. CJ and Rev. Earl! May you always be blessed with wisdom, strength and joy as you continue to grow in the service of the Lord!

by Fr. Jason H. Laguerta And the countdown begins! Without intending to be too excited, we happily start our journey to the Great Jubilee of 2021. Five hundred days of preparation. Five hundred days of tracing the footsteps of our forebears in history as well as spotting the contemporary manifestations of grace and God’s fidelity. The quincentennial calls for a celebration, no doubt. But it also offers us an opportunity to look back at the past, take stock of the present, and carve a path for a future of Christianity in the Philippines. There is always the danger of overemphasizing one element over another. But I think it is fairly understandable given the magnitude of the occasion. What is important is we walk together, hand in hand in synodality and solidarity. There have been many (and surely there will be more) reflections offered to explain the significance of the 500 YOC (Years of Christianity). Going beyond the debates on whether it is worth celebrating or whether the first mass or baptism is the basis of the historical marker, it is I think more worthwhile to discuss the dynamic relationship of Christ-Culture and the critical challenge of Church-Relevance. How did the gospel of Jesus Christ influence and change our local culture? How did and does our indigenous culture give a particular form and shape to Christianity? How do we, as Christians of today, understand and express our faith? How effective are our efforts and methods in transmitting the faith to the new generations? In other words, how do we unpack the theme of 500 YOC, Gifted to Give? We can parse the theme in two halves. The Gift: How did we receive and appropriate the gift of faith throughout history? The Giving: What kind of faith do we give to the world? To my mind, these are the more salient issues and perhaps the hard questions that we should be asking ourselves as we prepare for 2021. CHRIST AND CULTURE Although it is necessary to commemorate the “arrival” of Christianity, it is also equally important to focus on the “reception” of Christianity. The “arrival” focuses on events, history and the original “givers”. The “reception” focuses more on culture, meaning and the “receivers”. From what I gather, we seem to be busy with the “arrival”, we tend to overlook the “reception”. How did we receive Christianity? There is no simple explanation. And we cannot remain in stereotypes. The best way, therefore, to inquire is to look at culture, its concrete manifestations and expressions. Looking at the present face and form of Filipino culture and society, we cannot help but notice the ambivalence and irony of everything. The only Christian country in Asia yet one of the most corrupt. A predominantly Catholic population and yet one of the most unequal. A fun-loving, hospitable people and yet lately has become mean and hateful of one another. We have to try to uncover why we are what we are today - incurably resilient but tragically divided. Pope Francis says that we are in urgent need of self-criticism. Not to be cynical or self-defeating but to understand the truth about ourselves. For a meaningful 500 YOC, this should be our starting point and we should not be afraid of it. The vital question that begs for an answer is: Has the core message of Jesus become constitutive of our identity and culture? If yes, in what forms? If not, how do we let Jesus in, no matter how late it is? Reception of Christianity is not just about being transformed by the values of the Gospel. It is also about appropriating the faith in a unique Filipino way. Christianity changes the culture. But culture also “changes” Christianity. In the more obvious realm, the Filipino brand of faith charms the world. Our fiestas, devotions, music, exuberance always create an impression on others. But in the more implicit realm of attitudes and spirituality, we have a lot of critical thinking to do. If the Filipino faith is flourishing, how come we have very little to show in the works of mission, justice and social transformation? CHURCH AND RELEVANCE Another aspect that must not be forgotten is the present situation of evangelization especially of the young generations. What good is 500 if it also ushers in a decline of fervor and rise in religious indifference? The nine-year preparation with different themes would be wasted if we don’t take an honest look at the state of evangelization in our parishes, schools and other ecclesial communities. Relevance is calling us out of our complacencies and business as usual stance. Pope Francis talks about personal and pastoral conversion as a key component of new evangelization. Many of our structures and ways of doing things have been drastically disrupted by the “new things” of the twenty-first century. Technology, megatrends and “rapidization” of lifestyle have created new realities we have never even thought of. And yet we act as if things are the same as when the Church was still the center of people’s lives and our doctrinal instructions followed without question or doubt. A nostalgic and romantic remembering of our glorious past is good. It gives us a sense of pride and joy. But it would be tragic if we limit ourselves to symbolic re-enactments, rituals and coffee table books. Let us use 500 YOC as an impetus for a real pastoral conversion and missionary option. And conversion happens when we encounter the person of Jesus of Nazareth who can give our lives “a new horizon and a decisive direction.” At all levels and sectors of our ecclesial life, in every sacristy and pockets of poverty, we need Jesus, the real Jesus who turned things upside down for the people of his time. For 500 years we have been living as cultural catholics. We were born, baptized, confirmed, married and grew up Catholics. We are like the fish who does not know what an ocean is, because all his life he has breathed and lived in it. It is easy to take things for granted when there is not much effort to have them. But if we take Jesus seriously, we will begin to understand that he “means business”. His message of love of God and love of neighbor requires a response and a commitment. It may even push us to make daring choices and bold decisions. This is the risky adventure of faith. And this is where we should focus our energies on. Elsewhere they call it intentional discipleship. Pope Francis calls it missionary discipleship. Faith and conversion should not be assumed when one is baptized. Faith is primarily a gift offered by God. But it necessitates an assent, a fundamental option to make Jesus the center of one’s life. There is a very good case for the statement, “We have been sacramentalized but not evangelized.” The 500 YOC is a crucial moment in our history. Shall we continue with our default systems and modus vivendi or should we radically accept that things have to change? And they must happen immediately. And the catalyst for change is not a plan of action but a loving and intimate relationship with a person: the person of Jesus Christ. GIFTED TO GIVE Let us not allow the gift of faith to remain stuck in the trappings and the ephemeral. Let us open it and treasure what is inside of it. A person who has fully embraced the gift of faith cannot but be a giver of the same gift. One who has been evangelized shall be an evangelizer in the end. A disciple who has fallen in love with Jesus will be a missionary of his love. This is what Project 2021 is about. To call out new spirit-filled evangelizers who will carry the torch of the Good News to 500 YOC and beyond. Recently, I heard a speaker say, “The church is not something we inherit from our past. The church is a gift on loan to us by the future generations. The question is: what kind of church are we leaving them?” As we start our countdown to 500 YOC, let our journey to the past embolden us to transform the present and make us courageous missionaries of hope.

A Bicolano for the Bicolano Faithful by Clyde Ericson Nolasco His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Alan Dialogo is a Manileño priest but he hails from Naga, Camarines Sur so his appointment as the 5th bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon, replacing retired Bishop Arturo Bastes, is like a homecoming. During his grade school years at Naga Parochial School, the young Alan Dialogo would serve at the mass at the Cathedral of Naga CALLING During his grade school years at Naga Parochial School, the young Alan Dialogo would serve at the mass at the Cathedral of Naga. Because of his enthusiasm, he entered the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary before entering college for Philosophy. However, he transferred to Christ the King Seminary of the Societas Verbi Divini (Society of the Divine Word or SVD) with the intention of becoming a missionary. HIATUS His father died when he was just two years old. After a year with the SVD, his mother passed away. Orphaned of both parents, he decided to file for a two-year regency (a term used when a seminarian takes a break from formation within the seminary structure) to accompany his sister. However, he was not able to stick to his plan to go back to the seminary after two years. The orphaned seminarian could no longer continue his seminary formation. Instead, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Nueva Caceres. After graduation, he started teaching at Peña de Francia College in Naga City. VACUUM In his ten years outside the seminary, he finished a Master’s Degree in Psychology, became a high school principal, and was almost convinced to get married. Yet in spite of all these accomplishments in his career and a “perfect” relationship, on his tenth year outside, he still felt empty. COMEBACK After discerning, he decided to enter St. Camillus Seminary in Marikina. After a year, he transferred to Military Diocese and studied at the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (HASS). Groomed to be the next spiritual director, he was ordained for the Archdiocese of Manila on July 31, 1996. ASSIGNMENTS After ordination, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of San Roque, Mandaluyong. A year later, he was sent to Rome to study Spirituality to prepare him as spiritual director of HASS although upon return, he was instead appointed vice rector. In 2002, he was appointed rector of HASS then became vice rector of EDSA Shrine in 2005. He became the parish priest of St. John of the Cross Makati in 2008. Also in 2008, he became a member of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Manila. After seven years of focusing on the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) of the parish, he was assigned as director of Cardinal Sin Welcome Home, the retirement facility for priests of the archdiocese. RETIREMENT PROJECT Two years ago, he started putting up Manto Nin Pagkamoot (Mantle of Love) Children’s Foundation, Inc., a foundation for underprivileged children in Naga. Although only in his 50s, this was actually his retirement project. He had no idea that God had bigger plans for him. Appointed bishop at 57, now he needs to adjust his plans as he assumes the office of the prelate of the Diocese of Sorsogon. But Bishop Alan is excited to be one with the people of the Diocese of Sorsogon again. His appointment is but a homecoming. He is a Bicolano for the Bicolano faithful. Two years ago, he started putting up Manto Nin Pagkamoot (Mantle of Love) Children’s Foundation, Inc., a foundation for underprivileged children in Naga. Although only in his 50s, this was actually his retirement project. He had no idea that God had bigger plans for him.

I started working in the printing office of San Carlos Seminary (SCS) year 1995. After two years, I was then transferred in the SCS Library, which of now I am the Head Librarian. Being on a wheelchair is not easy. It’s quite difficult in finishing studies and finding a job. Fortunately for me, I met the right people at the right time in my life who helped me along the way. In my 20 years in the seminary, I realized that there is no single word to describe what a seminary should be. In the seminary formation you could see the kind of faith and sturdiness these people have. I had to admit, I thought I have a vocation too that’s why I took up Philosophy. But then, there are physical requirements. But being here leads me to further know more about my faith. To take it where I could take it as far as I can being in the limited state that I am. The people in the seminary contributed to my faith, witnessing their struggles and efforts, I realized that faith in the Lord helped them to continue and more importantly His grace.

I started working in the printing office of San Carlos Seminary (SCS) year 1995. After two years, I was then transferred in the SCS Library, which of now I am the Head Librarian. Being on a wheelchair is not easy. It’s quite difficult in finishing studies and finding a job. Fortunately for me, I met the right people at the right time in my life who helped me along the way. In my 20 years in the seminary, I realized that there is no single word to describe what a seminary should be. In the seminary formation you could see the kind of faith and sturdiness these people have. I had to admit, I thought I have a vocation too that’s why I took up Philosophy. But then, there are physical requirements. But being here leads me to further know more about my faith. To take it where I could take it as far as I can being in the limited state that I am. The people in the seminary contributed to my faith, witnessing their struggles and efforts, I realized that faith in the Lord helped them to continue and more importantly His grace. In their own way they have enriched my life, and I, on the other hand, impart my own struggles. As a lay person, my struggles are evident like going up a stairs or transportation. Do I struggle in my faith? Oh yes. Questions like, in my youth, why did this happen to me? Why me? Why not them? But I have to set those things aside because I need to realize that I’m alive, I’m breathing and working. Those are GRACES. Those are GIFTS… what we have. Missionary of Grace Here in the library, I tried to provide the seminarians all that they need: books, academic materials they need, assistance they need, and advises. My mission here in the seminary is to provide guidance especially to the seminarians, because after all, I did aspire to become a priest.

by Jason Molinas, Archdiocese Commission on the Youth Over 3,000 young people from the Archdiocese of Manila gathered at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati City last weekend, November 23 to 24, to conclude the Year of the Youth with a thanksgiving and commissioning event. INSPIRED BY POPE FRANCIS The event, entitled “Sent! No Borders. No Limits.” was inspired by Christus Vivit. This is a document - the post-synodal apostolic exhortation - by Pope Francis in response to the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on young people, faith and vocational discernment, held in October 2018. Christus Vivit 177 calls on the youth to spread God’s love to everyone - 177. “Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us everywhere. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away and most indifferent. The Lord seeks all; he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love”. He invites us to be fearless missionaries wherever we are and in whatever company we find ourselves: in our neighbourhoods, in school or sports or social life, in volunteer service or in the workplace. Wherever we are, we always have an opportunity to share the joy of the Gospel. That is how the Lord goes out to meet everyone. He loves you, dear young people, for you are the means by which he can spread his light and hope. He is counting on your courage, your boldness and your enthusiasm. While Christus Vivit 245 is a call for youth leaders for the church - 245. There is also a special need to accompany young men and women showing leadership potential, so that they can receive training and the necessary qualifications. The young people who met before the Synod called for “programmes for the formation and continued development of young leaders. Some young women feel that there is a lack of leading female role models within the Church and they too wish to give their intellectual and professional gifts to the Church. We also believe that seminarians and religious should have an even greater ability to accompany young leaders”. SENT, therefore, had the objective of motivating young people to be fearless missionaries everywhere they go - without any borders or limits. BLOOD RELIC OF ST JOHN PAUL II The youth had the rare opportunity to venerate for the last time this year the Blood Relic of St John Paul II. The relic of the saint who championed the youth stayed onstage even as the program started with an opening number of different animation songs, followed by the grand entrance of the Archdiocesan Youth Cross. It was as if St John Paul II was once again with the youth of the Philippines, just as he was at the World Youth Day of 1995. KA-TALK 72, YFest Another highlight of the event was Ka-Talk 72 where Rev. Msgr. Bong Lo, LRMS talked about being sent on a mission through the examples of different sharers. This was followed by Praise and Worship led by The Lord’s Flock, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and YFest – a youth concert by different youth groups in the archdiocese. While all these were happening, six interactive spaces and seven mission walkways were open to accommodate young people in doing mission works. Among the mission partners present during the event were Dominus Est, Word Riders Philippines, Philippine Mental Health Association and Angat Katutubo. BISHOP PABILLO The event was concluded with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by His Excellency, Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo DD, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. He also led the commissioning of these young people, sending them off to do their mission in their own communities. WHAT’S NEXT FOR ACY? When asked what would happen next with the youth, Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan, Commissioner of the Archdiocese Commission on the Youth said that the Year of the Youth will not close but would continue to accompany young people. We look forward to more activities for the youth in the coming years!!

by Clyde Ericson Nolasco November 24, 1996, exactly 23 years ago when I first wore my cassock as a sacristan. It was still dark when I left our house with excitement going to our parish to join the dawn procession. It took weeks of observations, practices and memorizations before I was totally accepted to serve at the altar. I can vividly remember that the cassock I received was not new. There was nothing special with it. It even needed a lot of detergent to at least pass as a new one. It was even too long for me that I even had it altered. It was nothing, the cassock was nothing to be special. I continued to be a sacristan in our parish for the next six years, then became a youth minister and eventually entered the seminary and be involved in our parish formation programs. It’s just after so many years when it dawned on me that that day was not just an ordinary Sunday but an extraordinary one. It was the Solemnity of Christ the King. In 1925, Pope Pius XI proclaimed “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (“The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ”) as he instituted a feast honoring Christ “the King” to celebrate the Jubilee Year and the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea. But more than these reasons, the feast was instituted to reverse the effects of World War I and the exploitative consequences of consumerism, secularism and injustice. Powers were misused and Jesus the true King was being forgotten. The solemnity aims to remind us that He has sovereignty over all of us, that no ruler is above the Christ. November 24, twenty-three years ago, on the feast of Christ the King, little did I know that that day would be the start of great and new things in my life. Christ the King is on the week before the liturgical year ends. It signals the start of the new liturgical cycle. Let us be thankful for the year that passed and be hopeful for the year that the Lord will bless us. This is the more proper time for Catholics to have a resolution as we prepare for the new liturgical year. The year may have been very bountiful for us — successful relationships and flourishing careers, may we be reminded that above all these, it is Jesus who must always reign in our lives. Nothing should replace Him on the throne of our hearts. I may have had a lot of accomplishments, but I must always remind myself that it is through Him that I have received all these. He is the cause of all these great things in my life. Without Him, I am nothing. Let us stop crowning and crucifying Him on the same day as what is told in the Scripture. Let our lives continue to glorify the one and only King! “Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!”

This may very well be Cardinal Tagle’s last concert in the Philippines as Archbishop of Manila so don’t miss this!! Patron of the Arts is an annual thanksgiving concert organized by Jesuit Communications for the benefit of various projects of the Archdiocese of Manila where Cardinal Tagle performs a few songs along with special guest performers. With his appointment as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide, wherein he becomes the representative of the Pope worldwide in evangelization, he may have to move to Rome soon. So this may be a historical show where Cardinal Tagle performs as Archbishop of Manila for the last time. Let’s all say thank you to Cardinal Tagle for all the love he has shown us and the inspiration he has been and with him let us thank the Lord for the time he has spent as Archbishop of Manila by joining him in this farewell concert. Patron of the Arts will be this Thursday at 7:00 pm at the Meralco Theater. Featuring the performances of Tim Pavino, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Baihana, Bituin Escalante , Elai Estrella, Gian Magdangal, Mandaluyong Children's Choir and Mr. Piolo Pascual. Ticket prices are as follows: RESERVED SEATING SCHEME Orchestra Seats Left and Right : P3,000.00 Loge seats Left and Right : P3,000.00 Loge Seats Center - P4,000.00 Balcony - P500 Tickets are available at the following outlets: •Tanging Yaman Store, Sonolux Building, Seminary Drive, Ateneo de Manila University, 8426-5971 local 110 or 0908-886-8447 LOOK for Alice •Tanging Yaman Store, SM Megamall, 5/F Atrium For generous souls who would like to know more about sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Ms. Dit Sablan at 8426-5971 local 121 or 0908-886-8447. For those would like to make a donation to the Office of the Promotion of the New Evangelization (OPNE), kindly make a deposit at the following banks and fax the deposit slip with your name to (02)8426-5970. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Account name: Jesuit Communications-Patron of the Arts or Jescom-Patron of the Arts Account number: 3081-1145-19 Eastwest Bank Account name: Jesuit Communications-Patron of the Arts or Jescom-Patron of the Arts Account number: 20000-738-1521