On Dec. 15, The pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus will arrive in the Philippines to begin a four-month tour that will include visits to more than 48 archdioceses and dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The relics, which are bone fragments of the beloved saint housed in a special reliquary and venerated by the faithful, will travel from the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France, and will arrive in Manila, with the Shrine dedicated to her in Newport City, Pasay City, as its first stop.

There will be a procession at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15 from Kalayaan Hall, Villamor Airbase, to the Shrine of St. Thérèse, which will be immediately followed by a welcome Mass.

The Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, led by Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak, D.D., is the official host of this year’s visit. This is the third time the pilgrim relics of St. Therese will visit the Philippines. The first two visits in 2000 and 2008 were marked with miracles, and thousands of devotees gathered to pray in its presence.

“It is my hope that as she tours the country, we would welcome her with deep faith and boundless love so that we may remember her and her teachings as we strive to live according to the example of Christ,” says Bishop Tumulak.

The theme for this year’s visit is “Witnessing Christ through the Little Way of St. Therese.” St. Therese is renowned all over the world for preaching God’s unconditional love and showing everyone a simple yet meaningful way of deepening their faith, known as the Little Way. St. Therese taught that great deeds are not needed to please God. Small acts of sacrifice done with the greatest of love shall suffice.

For updates on the schedule and itinerary of the visit, please log on to www.ThereseRelics.ph and like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ThereseRelicsPH. You may also contact the Relics Secretariat at 853MARY (6279) loc. 124, 0917-5060806 or [email protected].

Girls are fashion stars at Festival Supermall

Adored since Mattel launched her in 1959, Barbie has made generations of young girls fall for her beauty and go-getter attitude. Then, of course, there’s her fabulous wardrobe. Now, little girls can also be a fashion queen for the day as Festival Supermall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, hosts the Barbie Play with Fashion Event on Dec. 15 and 16 at 2/L, Carousel Court.

Avail of the Barbie Play with Fashion Event pass valid for one day with every P1,500 purchase of Barbie apparel at Robinsons Department Store. Girls, get ready to get all dolled-up like a model with fabulous activities.

Barbie Play with Fashion Event pass holders can also avail themselves of a 15-percent discount on Barbie apparel and merchandise at the event venue.

Festival Supermall is a premier development in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It is the only mall with five anchor stores: Shopwise Supercenter, SaveMore, Robinsons Department Store, Ace Hardware and Handyman. It has over 700 shops, a total of 2,300 multilevel parking slots, various food outlets and indoor amusement rides.