ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Initiatives and activities for a special national Eucharistic and Marian Year opened by the Church in the Philippines

Tuesday, 31 August 2004

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Manila (Fides Service) - The Church in the Philippines has just opened a special Eucharistic and Marian Year August 2004 to September 2005. The announcement of the Year was made by the Bishops after a plenary assembly in July. The purpose of the local Church is to unite the two pillars of Catholic faith, and encourage devotion to the Eucharist also through veneration of the Blessed Mother of God, in harmony with the Year of the Eucharist convoked by Pope John Paul II October 2004, October 2005 and to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary by Pope Pius IX on 8th December 1854.
This new year of special devotion in the Church in the Philippines was opened on 15 August the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in every diocese. Among those present for the occasion in the diocese of Tarlac, Archbishop Antonio Franco, papal Nuncio to the Philippines. According to report on the event sent to Fides the Nuncio said “the Pope calls Mary the women of the Eucharist and he urges us to contemplate Christ through the eyes of Mary”.
Thousands of people gathered in Manila the opening Mass held at the church of Our Lady of Guia one of the oldest images of the Blessed Virgin Mary brought to the archipelago in 1571. On September 8 the venerated image will start a nation-wide pilgrimage as part of initiatives for this special year. Everywhere it will be welcomed and celebrated with reflection on Eucharistic and Marian themes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2004 lines 23 words 273)