CBCP News) A2 NEWS January 31, 2016 Vol
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VOLUME 20, NUMBER 8, JANUARY 31, 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: Evangelization through clothing, A2 Jaro Archbishop calls for ‘friendly competition’ of love, A3 Tantum Ergo: back to the heart of the Eucharistic Hymn, A6 5k kids receive 1st Communion in Cebu THE BODY OF CHRIST. A boy receives his First Communion from Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal during a Mass for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at the Cebu City Sports Center on Jan. 30, 2016. Nearly eight decades ago, Vidal was also among the first communicants when Manila hosted the IEC in 1937, the first in Asia.ROY LAGARDE CEBU City, Jan. 30, 2016 – The Cebu City Sports Complex was filled to capacity Saturday as 5,000 Catholic boys and girls marked a milestone in their spiritual lives by receiving their First Communion. “I’m happy and glad [to be in this Mary, key to Eucharistic event],” said eight-year old Maryst Norña Donque of Cebu South, one of thousands of little ladies dressed in white for the special occasion, when asked how she felt like as she was about to have what St. Thérèse of Lisieux called the first “kiss of love” with the Lord. devotion – Dolan “I’m glad that the First Communion of my daughter is during the 51st By Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz What Mary’s ‘fiat means International Eucharistic Congress According to Dolan, the Eucharist (IEC),” commented Marsyt’s father, CEBU City, Jan. 30, is possible precisely because of Marbien, an instructor at the Holy 2016 – To fall in love the Virgin Mary’s “Yes” to divine Trinity College. with Jesus in the action. “The first Incarnation happened ‘Children’s Mass’ Eucharist, the faithful with Mary’s cooperation. The “It took 79 years and it [IEC] went need to go back to Incarnation goes on now as Jesus- back to the Philippines. Before it was the first Eucharistic is-with-us, Emmanuel, in the Manila. This time, it’s Cebu. We’re proud adorer, Mary, said Blessed Eucharist… The Real Cebuanos,” he added. New York Archbishop Presence of Christ in the Blessed Meanwhile, Christopher Rago, the Timothy Cardinal Sacrament, as the Incarnation, father of third-grader John Chrismar the Word Made Flesh goes on, Rago, another communicant, of Brgy. Dolan, who gave the as it started with Mary’s fiat, Pamutan, was thankful Cebu is hosting Jan. 30 catechesis at when she provided Him a human IEC, and that his son was finally having the 51st International nature,” he explained. his First Communion. Eucharistic Congress Dolan reveals Mary as the first New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan gives the Jan. 30 catechesis on “The Eucharist and “We are so happy we are able to come (IEC) in this city. one to be privy to the immensity Mary” at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu City, Jan. 30, 2016. ANA PERCUHO here,” added the multi-cab driver. “You want to be closer to Jesus on of God’s gift to mankind in the Presiding over the “Children’s Mass” the cross at the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist. clues to his role to humanity. The Blessed Virgin’s role as a was no less than Cebu Archbishop Mass? Be closer to Mary, because “She beheld the presence of hastener of Eucharistic grace, is Emeritus Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, who she’s right next to him,” said the the Incarnate Word, the Second ‘Bread for the world’ seen, said Dolan, from the “first due to his frail health had to be wheeled former president of the United Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, The Baby Jesus’ resting place, a miracle for that newly-married into the venue. States Conference of Catholic God the Son, the Eternal Word manger, means “feedbox”, because, couple at Cana in Galilee, by In his opening remarks, the 84-year Bishops. to whom she had freely given a as Dolan explained, “Jesus was changing water into wine, at her old prelate recalled having been a boy The prelate, speaking on the human nature… She gave birth intended as bread for the world in request… to the Lord’s Supper of six when he himself first accepted the theme “The Eucharist and Mary”, to the Son of God in a little town the Eucharist.” when He miraculously changes Body and Blood of His Eucharistic Lord gave an overview on how the called Bethlehem. “Who provided the human nature bread into His Body and wine to in a similar ceremony held at Luneta, Blessed Virgin animates the “There’s a hint of the Eucharist to the Son of God?”, asked Dolan, His Most Precious Blood.” Manila in 1937. Eucharist as “sacrifice, meal, and that first Christmas!”, he exclaimed. noting how Mary was witness to all Some 15,000 delegates from presence”, sharing anecdotes on According to Dolan, even Jesus’ of these foreshadowings and would more than 70 countries are ‘I felt very big’ the inseparability of Jesus and birth place of Bethlehem, which continue to do so – all the way to gathered in this city for the last “I know very well the feeling of these Mary – from crib to cross. means “House of Bread”, offers the Cross. days of the IEC. children here… I was one of those children who received First Communion during children’s day at Luneta. I was amazed at the beauty of the priest and st the many people. I was even more Statement of the 51 International Eucharistic Congress amazed at the Papal legate looking like a king with his long red robe. But above all WE the disciples of the Lord Jesus every Eucharist should be, breaking bread Christ’s missionary disciples are sent into the as a young boy, I felt very big,” he shared Christ, gathered to celebrate the 51st with the poor and marginalized. world to be broken bread for a broken world. to the applause of the crowd. International Eucharistic Congress in The presence of our brothers and sisters They move from Eucharistic celebration to The children went on to renew the Cebu City, Philippines (January 24-31 who have less in life is a constant reminder Eucharistic commitment. The Eucharist is not promises their godparents had recited 2016), now relive the beautiful experience that the poor is the privileged place of just a gift but also a task and mission that can on their behalf on their baptismal day. of the two disciples of Emmaus.” encounter with Jesus outside the Eucharist. change the world. “Viva Jesus, Bread of Life ... Viva “We are convinced that the Holy Spirit sends The Eucharist which is the sacrament of the Indeed, Eucharist enables us to effectively Jesus, life-giving food … Viva Jesus, us forth in order to proclaim the story of Jesus. bread of life fills our spirit and strengthens our respond to the cry of the poor, the cry of the hope of our glory,” this new generation This Congress is like the gathering of the early resolve as we take the tortuous path of dialogue earth, and the cry of Jesus Christ. of Catholics said in chorus. disciples when they joyfully shared stories of with religions, cultures, youth and the poor. Missionary dynamism springs from an The well-attended religious event how each of them encountered the Risen Lord in We are empowered by the Holy Spirit encounter with Jesus through deep prayer capped a series of activities lined up on the Scripture and in the Breaking of the Bread. for mutual understanding, openness, and because the lungs of evangelization is prayer. Day 7 of the ongoing IEC. The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To conversion of hearts and minds. We are a people on a mission; truly, IEC 2016 is Witnessing the First Communion love and come to their help. We are challenged The Eucharist – the Real Presence of Jesus a clarion call to mission for all of us. Our Eucharist were IEC Eucharistic pilgrims from all to reach out to the poor and help uplift them – sustains our hearts and nourishes our souls is the source and goal of the Church’s mission. over the world as well as delegates from materially and spiritually as a concrete way as we journey towards the convocation where May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother the episcopal sees of Pasig, Novaliches, of living out the Eucharist. God gathers us all in inclusive communion, of the Incarnate Word and the Eucharistic Ilagan, Talibon, Dumaguete, Calbayog, The Eucharist compels us to act and give banishing distinctions that alienate and Lord, accompany us, missionary disciples, Naval, Pagadian, Malaybalay, Palo, and them something to eat. The example of Jesus, celebrating the gift each one brings. in order to share Jesus Christ in us, our hope the Military Ordinariate. (Raymond A. particularly the meal stories, teaches us what Energized and renewed by the Eucharist, of glory. Amen. Sebastián / CBCP News) A2 NEWS January 31, 2016 Vol. 20, No. 8 CBCP Monitor Evangelization through clothing CEBU City, Jan. 29, 2016--In an age to encourage other people and by proper way [to dress]... when you’re where skimpy skirts, see-through doing it you, encourage others more.” on a date with the Lord,” she added. tops seem almost de riguer, delegates The nurse from the Philippine For the 26-year old, modesty at the 51st International Eucharistic General Hospital in Manila said she need not be boring, especially with Congress make a powerful case for was especially moved by the sight of products like “statement shirts” irresistible, refreshing modesty, young, veiled women in churches in from groups like Couples for Christ especially during the Holy Mass.