WelCom November 2019
Christianity was brought to the Philippines in 1521 when the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, landed there, heading a Spanish expedition in his bid to reach the East Indies, sailing west.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has released the official theme and logo for the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity, which will be marked in 2021.
‘Gifted to Give’, taken from Matthew’s Gospel (10:8), is the theme. The theme and logo of the celebration, dubbed ‘500YOC’, was approved by the members of the permanent council of the CBCP on September 18, 2019.
The various elements of the logo include a cross, a ship, the sun, a rosary, among others. The cross planted by Magellan on the island of Cebu signifies Christianity and serves as the mast of a ship. The ship represents the navigators of the expedition that brought the faith to the island. It also signifies the Church and its sacraments. A dove symbolises the Holy Spirit, which shares the ‘Divine Life’ in the sacrament of baptism. It also looks like a cloud that manifests the presence of God.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity, said the 2021 observance ‘is a reminder of how Filipinos embraced the Catholic faith.’
‘It is not a reminder of how we were colonised but of how Filipinos embraced Catholicism,’ and that ‘colonisation and the arrival of Christianity in the country are two different things.’
After Magellan, landed there in 1521, the Philippine archipelago, which was named after King Philip II, became a colony of Spain until 1898.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
‘As has been the custom for many years an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on our diocesan feast day, 7pm, Thursday 8 December, at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. The archdiocese will again be entrusted to the care of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception at this Mass. Parishes are asked to renew that Consecration on the following Sunday, 11 December, at All parish Masses.’ – Cardinal John Dew
Dates and events – what’s on
December 2022
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Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis registered for the next World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Assisted and accompanied by Portuguese university students studying in Rome, the Pope tapped his way to becoming the first officially registered pilgrim for World Youth Day.