By CBCP News Pope Leo XIV urged unity and service to the poor as Cebu Catholics gathered for the annual Fiesta Señor at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. In a message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, the pope said the annual feast should inspire believers to live their baptism through service. Parolin said the pope hopes that the celebration will inspire the devotees “a greater desire to embrace the baptismal call to live a grace-fill

Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, newly installed Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), begins his term with a seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the first day of the CBCP Plenary Assembly. Held last Tuesday, January 20, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, Alarcon cited the Vatican document on AI, Antiqua et Nova, in his message, highlighting the importance of

By Edward Pentin/CNA Pope Leo XIV will be hosting a second consistory of cardinals at the end of June and wants to hold such meetings annually. The Vatican made the announcement at the conclusion of the Holy Father’s first extraordinary consistory of cardinals that lasted two days. The next such meeting is expected to be held on June 27–28, the vigil of Sts. Peter and Paul. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope would like to hold annual meetings lasting three to four d

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 R/ (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Gospel Reading: John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him,

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “The Black Nazare is a symbol of a new beginning." This was the message of Caceres Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D. as he celebrated the mass on the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Holy Cross Parish in Tabuco, Naga City, January 9. "We enter a New Year with the Black Nazarene as our inspiration," he said. "We are invited to accept Jesus Christ as our guide as we cross this New Year." The image of the Black Nazarene, the Ca

By Sem. Samuel Jed Llorin It was my very first time to experience Manila’s celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno. Several of us who had just arrived after the Christmas break volunteered to give communion during the Mass held at the Quirino Grandstand prior to the Traslacion, Present were thousands of devotees. Our group from UST is one of the several religious congregations and seminaries enjoined to render such service. There is a question I ask myself all the time: “W

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú / Catholic News Agency VATICAN --- Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree

The Baptism of the Lord First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace. Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righte

Time keeps moving, whether we’re ready or not. We can’t stop it, and we can’t stop a new year from beginning. But what we can choose is how we begin this year—and what we decide to pursue as it unfolds. We also can’t undo the past. We can remain stuck in regret, or we can choose gratitude. We may not be able to erase our mistakes, but with God’s grace, we can learn from them and allow them to shape us into better, more loving people. This past year has not been easy. There ha

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Bishop Jose Bantolo passed away on Dec. 13, 2025 after battling a chronic illness. He was 65. Born in Antique and ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique in 1986, Bantolo was appointed by then Pope Benedict XVI as the 3rd Bishop of Masbate in 2011. He was ordained a Bishop on Aug. 22, 2011 and was installed as the prelate of Masbate on Sept. 6, 2011. He chose the motto: “Vivere Christus est” (To live is Christ). His pastoral leadershi

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “What are you searching for this 2026?”, asked Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres in his homily last January 4 at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. “Social media users search for people, topics or songs,” he said. “Alternatively, they post photos, achievements or comments to express themselves.” In his homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord, however, the Caceres prelate reminded everyone of what to truly search for and share with oth

The Epiphany of the Lord (January 4, 2026) First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

Dear Father Bill, Kada bagong taon, naggigibo nin New Year's resolution. Kaipuhan daw na gibohon ini? Pano kun dai man naggigibo? Kasalan daw kun dai māotob? An minagalang, Cora Dear Cora, An New Year's resolution sarong tradisyon na pinaggigibo, orog na sa western world. Ini lista kan mga maray na gawe na gustong ipadagos, sanglean an mga salang gibo o katangian, aboton an sarong personal na objeto, o pakarayon an ugali sa pagpoon kan bagong taon. Halimbawa, ngonyan na taon

By Mimilanie Oliver Orbon On December 20, 2025, the Caceres Office for Women and Children Protection (COWCP) brought the spirit of Christmas to the Naga City Children's Home. For me, the day was very significant. As the outreach unfolded for the 20 resident boys, I was also celebrating my own birthday—not by receiving, but by embracing the privilege of being a Ninang. Behind the joy of that day also was the quiet but determined effort of the COWCP advocates and friends who ch

By CBCP News An international media executive has been appointed the first lay communications officer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Edwin Lopez, 65, a married layman, was named executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC), a position previously held by clergy. Lopez has been the international manager for Asia-Pacific of the Eternal Word Television Network, a global Catholic media organization, for the pa