“And they shall look at him whom they have pierced” (Jn. 19:37 )

We have experienced five extraordinary days of grace. We, almost 4000 bishops, priests and deacons from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have participated in the first National Congress of the Clergy. The big number of participants is a sign that we love our vocation. These days have been an intense experience of union with the Lord and with each other in the Lord, most of all in common prayer and the Eucharist, common study and reflection, shared meals, laughter, tears and dreams. We have been confirmed in priestly brotherhood. We are grateful to God for showing once again His love and mercy to His priests. We thank the CBCP Commission on the Clergy, the Congress organizers, their collaborators and staff, the benefactors and host families, and the multitudes that prayed. Your love has given us more reason to persevere in hope.

At the Congress, we looked closely at the priestly ministry and life in our time while looking at Jesus who was pierced on the cross (Jn 19:37 ). Having seen, we were invited to make judgments and decisions about ourselves as priests. We now challenge ourselves to act on what we have seen and judged.

We commit ourselves to a joyful embrace of the underserved gift of our vocation. We believe that we are called to holiness, to union with God through following Jesus in openness to the Holy Spirit's power. We will strengthen our communion with the Church and humanity through conscientious proclamation of the Gospel, faithful celebration of the sacraments, and humble shepherding of the community. The gift we have been given is for optimal service of the communion of God's people and not for personal gain.

We commit ourselves to a style of life in harmony with our vocation. We will develop a vibrant life of prayer that will nurture a Christ-like lifestyle, marked by discipline, self-offering and single-heartedness. As we render loving service to the poor, we will assume a lifestyle of simplicity, generosity and freedom. We will focus our energies on the Church's mission so that we may live by clear priorities. We will deepen the spirit of community and fraternal life among bishops and priests.

We commit ourselves to our on-going formation and renewal so that we may correspond to the ever renewing grace of God. The bishops among us are committed to developing and supporting programs for the renewal and care of the priests and of ourselves too. The priests among us will embark of continuing formation, not only for our personal growth, but also for the optimal service God's people deserve from us..

The priesthood is a gift that the Lord does not take back despite our brokenness and sins. In response to God's fidelity, we renew our commitment to serve wholeheartedly. We invite all sectors in the Church and Philippine society to join us in the common pursuit of individual and communal renewal so that as one people we may experience fullness of life and peace! Let us open ourselves to God who unceasingly renews us. Through the prayers of Mary may we priests put on the mind and heart of Jesus so as to become a RENEWED CLERGY in a RENEWED CHURCH for a RENEWED COUNTRY!