M E S S A G E

ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES

OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP

Pilgrim City of Naga

Our Peñafrancia Festivities 2021 coincides with the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines and the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. We reflect on the theme, “Sharing the Gift of Faith in the Spirit of Faithful Obedience of Mary and Joseph”.

Through the efforts of the European missionaries, our ancestors received the faith in Jesus. We, who inherited the gift, are called to share it with others. Saint Paul, in his letter to the Romans, underlines “the privilege and the authority to tell others about the saving action of God” (Rom.1:5).

Mary and Joseph serve as our models in evangelization. Both of them received and brought Jesus, the Good News. The plan of God was fulfilled also through them. Saint Thomas of Villanova writes, Mary “never, in either thought or word or deed, contradicted the Most High; but entirely despoiled of her own will, she lived always and in all things obedient to that of God.” Obedience comes from the Latin ob-audire which means to listen or to hear. With Mary, Joseph listened and followed God’s will.

May our devotion always lead us to intimacy with the Lord. May we continue to be a part of God’s plan by listening to Him and leading others to Jesus.

Viva la Virgen! Viva La Virgen!

ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, OCD., DD

Archbishop of Caceres

Peñafrancia Fiesta 2021