The Jan. 31, 2016, pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), titled “Being Eucharistic in Life and Deeds,” urges Catholics to put their devotion to the Holy Eucharist in action through correct conduct in the coming elections.
Signed by CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on the day the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City ended, the pastoral letter exhorts Catholics to live Eucharistic lives:
“We should now ask ourselves, ‘Has our celebration, adoration and reception of the Eucharist borne fruit in Eucharistic lives that manifest and extend to others and to the world the life and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ whom we celebrate, adore and receive in the Eucharist?’”
Eucharist in polls
Philippine bishops likewise urged for “Eucharistic action in the electoral process”:
“Let all of us be guided by a sense of the common good when we elect leaders for those for whom Christ died. Let us choose those who are truly upright and self-sacrificing, respectful of the dignity of all and compassionate toward the poor. Let us reject those who are dishonest, deceitful, self-seeking and unmindful of the poor. Not voting for a particular position when there is no one fitted for it is also a valid Christian political choice. Voting for the ‘lesser evil’ is still voting for evil.”
New book on Eucharist
Author and publisher Gilbert Joseph R. Pantaleon said Edufund Books and St. Pauls have just released “The Power of the Eucharist and the Wisdom of the Cross.”
The book is a compilation of writings, statements, stories and images from saints and Church authorities through the ages on the Holy Eucharist.
“This compilation,” says the blurb, “is aimed primarily at ordinary Catholics who will encounter here reasons for belief which they cannot express in syllogistic or theological language. It therefore takes the form of a spiritual medley (a song in the heart) which helps them steady their faith, raise their hope and increase their love. Stories, sayings, doctrinal bits, scriptural quotes, images, prayers and poems are often the effective means which the Holy Spirit uses to inspire and revitalize belief among the common faithful. They are facets of the same diamond which we call our Catholic Faith.”
The book is available in all St. Pauls stores nationwide. Call 0927-8511555 or e-mail edufund.books@gmail.com
Radio Vaticana’s ‘half-Pinoy’
At the 51st IEC, basking in devoutly Catholic Cebu was Sean Patrick Lovett of Radio Vaticana, who had covered the papal visits to the Philippines in 1995 and last year.
Lovett, an Irishman in charge of the English-language programming of Radio Vaticana, said he considers himself “half-Filipino.”
It was Lovett’s first time in Cebu, and he marveled at the province’s vibrant Catholicism.
Last year, when he covered the Philippine visit of Pope Francis, Lovett joked about the papal frenzy: “We Filipinos are excitable people, and it doesn’t take much for us to be excited.”
Marian seminar
The Missionaries of Mary, a lay Marian community, joins the Catholic Church in celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy and Eucharist by holding the seminar “Mary and the Church,” on Feb. 28 at the University of Sto. Tomas Tan Yan Kee Student Center, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Msgr. Sabino Vengco Jr., president of the Kadiwa sa Pagpapari Foundation, will talk on “Mary, Virgin Most Merciful”; Msgr. Claro Matt Garcia, parish priest of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati City, on “Mary, Model Disciple”; Fr. Benjo Fajota, parochial vicar of the Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, on “Mary and the Church.”
Seminar will close with Holy Mass by Fr. Manny Zagada of the Nstra Sra. del Perpetuo Socorro Parish in Calamba Street, Sampaloc, Manila.
The Mariology series is conducted in coordination with Radio Veritas (846 AM). Seminar fee is P150. Call 7412830.
E-mail announcements to lzulueta@inquirer.com.ph or noelmogate11@gmail.com.