Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – “We welcome the Year of St Paul with great joy. We open our hearts and minds to the light of grace which will lead us to a better understanding of the life and writings left to us by the beloved Apostle ”: This was part of an address given by Fr Genaro Diwa, head of the Liturgy Office in the Archdiocese of Manila, when he announced that the Year of St Paul would open with a special Mass in Manila Cathedral on June 30 presided by the Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.
For the Year of Paul a special booklet, "The Apostle of the Nations" on the life and mission of St Paul prepared by Fr Gil Alinsangan, has been distributed to parishes and institutes across the country”.
Fr Frank Vargas, Vincenzian priest, rector of St Vincent de Paul College spoke of the year of St Paul in a message to Fides. Fr Frank has spent 40 years of priesthood giving popular missions in villages, formation for seminarians, and retreats for priests, religious and lay people.
“In these 40 years St Paul has played a special role in my life. In the conversion of Paul I find the elements necessary for being a good missionary and a good Vincenzian priest: every day is a time for conversion, and for remembering that the priest is sent to do the work of the Father”, said Father Frank.
Fr Frank concludes: "St Paul continues to inspire us to be men and women of forgiveness and reconciliation”. This year the whole Church in the Philippines will strive to become more familiar with the spirituality of Paul. “I hope every lay person, priest and religious will decide to take St Paul as a model for life ” and that the Church and society in the Philippines will benefit from a year of reflection on the figure of the Apostle ”. For this special Year various dioceses in the Philippines have organised pilgrimages to Christina places in Turkey, Greece and Egypt, in the footsteps of the Apostle of the Nations. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2008 righe 31 parole 328)
