PAPAL VISIT 2015: Pope Francis Message at UST (January 18)

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to the youth during the Papal encounter at UST.

(Moved by young Filipinos who read their messages and told their stories, Pope Francis discarded his prepared message and did impromptu remarks in Spanish, translated by Msgr. Mark Miles in English.)

The pope's message reads as below:

Dear Young Friends,

When I speak spontaneously I do it in Spanish, because I don’t know the English language. May I do it? Thank you very much. This Fr Mark, a good translator.

First of all, a sad piece of news. Yesterday, as Mass was about to start, a piece of scaffolding fell and, upon falling, hit a young woman who was working in the area and she died. Her name is Kristel. She worked for the organisation preparing for that Mass. She was 27 years old, young like yourselves. She worked for Catholic Relief Services as a volunteer. I would like all of you who are young like her to pray for a moment in silence with me and then we will pray to Our Mother in Heaven. Let us pray.

2015 A New Year Indeed For KatKab!

After some dormant months, KatKab is back and is gaining momentum with a number of Catholic activities which starts as early as January 2015. Well first of course is Jan 1 which is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This is a day of obligation for Catholics as Mary is celebrated as the Theotokos or "God Bearer" who brought into the world Jesus Christ.

There is also the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo or the traslacion that happens on Jan 9 where millions of Catholics join in to pray to Jesus the Nazarene and bring his image from Luneta to Quaipo. This 400 year old tradition has been faithfully followed by Filipinos and even pilgrims from provinces flock to Manila for the celebration. 

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2015 Schedule Revealed

As 2015 starts, the feast of the black nazarene in Quiapo is one of the most anticipated religous festivals in the Philippines which millions of Filipino Catholics attend. And just recently, they have posted their theme and the schedule for the observance of this celebration.

As a devotee, I made it a point to attend the feast day as one of my annual traditions as prayers and intentions asked with the grace of the Nazarene were answered prayers and bountiful blessings.

WIN ONE FOR GOD: A Pope Rally

In preparation for the historic visit of our beloved Pope Francis to the Philippines, Couples For Christ  Youth For Family and Life (CFC-YFL) and CFC groups (SFC, YFC) shall hold a youth prayer rally dubbed "WIN ONE FOR GOD, A POPE RALLY" this coming December 12, 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

It is a FREE ADMISSION event.

For FREE tickets sign the Online Ticket Reservation here or email the Win One For God Secretariat Team at winoneforGod2014@gmail.com for more information. You can also get tickets via ACY office at 523-2814 or 404-3673.

International and local flavor to mark Papal Visit masses

Pope Francis will be 3rd pontiff to celebrate Mass at Manila Cathedral

Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in January will mirror both the universality of the Church and the Filipino faith as expressed in their culture, particularly in the scheduled Eucharistic celebrations.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, during the regular press briefing held at the Papal Visit media office in Intramuros yesterday, said the masses to be celebrated by the Holy Father during his 5-day visit will be “regular masses”.  But these, he added, will be expressions of “the internationality of the Church because these will be multi-lingual and will use the major languages of the Filipinos.”

The first of three masses that Pope Francis will celebrate in the Philippines will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) at 11:15 a.m. on January 16, the second day of his visit.  He arrives from Sri Lanka in the late afternoon of the 15th but no public events are scheduled after the arrival ceremonies at Villamor Air Base.

Fun Filled Activities at Fun Fest 2014

The Archdiocese of Manila Commison on Youth, CBCP NASSA Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Philippine Catholic HIV and AIDS Network  (PhilCHAN) presents FUN FEST 2014 to be held at San Carlos Seminary.

The event will feature a lot of physical like Dodgeball, Amazing Race, Ultimate Frisbee and intellectual activities such as Chess, Games of the Generals, Tug-Of-Peace, Sack race and Patintero.

With the theme "Score High, Aim Zero"  with the goal of promoting awareness and prevention of HIV and AIDS which still affects a lot of people today with still no available cure, yet has expensive and tedious treatment. 

Help Repaint Bahay SCAn!

Bahay SCAn has been a shelter for youth leaders especially for the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines. Due to the humid weather and cold temperatures, the colors of the center faded but never its use for the organization. Now its needs a new paint job to provide a new facade for Bahay SCAn. 

It appeals for your generosity to truly yield a lasting legacy for the movement. Support our Bahayanihan sa Bahay-SCAn! (Repainting of Bahay-SCAn Formation Center in Tagaytay City). For details please email us at mail@scaphilippines.com or contact us directly at 0918-967-0331