The Day of Catechists, 'pilgrims of hope', celebrated in the Philippines
The Philippine Church held its annual Sunday dedicated to catechists, holding a national fundraiser to support this ministry. Delegates from every diocese met in Jaro from 9 to 12 September. The importance of passing on the faith to the new generations was highlighted. For Bishop Galbines, only those who have "seen the Lord" can share his love.
Manila (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Church in the Philippines celebrated the National Day of Catechesis yesterday, 15 September 2024, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
During the Sunday liturgy, all the parishes of the country expressed appreciation for the role catechists play and the contribution they make in passing on the values of the faith to the younger generations.
For the occasion, the annual meeting of catechetical ministers was held from 9 to 12 September, in Iloilo City, Archdiocese of Jaro, in cooperation with the ecclesiastical province of Cotabato (which covers the Archdiocese of Cotabato and the dioceses of Marbel and Kidapawan).
Over 230 delegates and 150 working committee members gathered to celebrate this anniversary.
On the recommendation of the Episcopal Commission on Evangelization and Catechesis (ECEC) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the celebration of the Month of Catechesis in September this year had as its theme “Praying Catechists: Pilgrims of Hope in Synodality towards the Implementation of Antiquum Ministerium.”
On this Day, the Philippine Church held a special fundraiser to support the programmes and activities of the Bishops' Commission in the field of evangelisation and catechesis.
In the Philippines, as in the rest of the world, catechists play a fundamental role in carrying out pastoral work to promote the Kingdom of God.
Last Thursday, ECEC Executive Secretary Fr Ernie de Leon and ECEC Chairman Bishop Danny Presto opened the meeting in Jaro, inaugurating four, intense days of activities.
Later in the day, they joined the opening Mass in Jaro Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo, receiving a warm welcome from fellow catechists.
“May all catechists continue to dedicate their lives to the mission of Christ as teachers and witnesses. We lift to God all their hopes and needs,” Archbishop Lazo said.
In his keynote address, Bishop Louie Patalinghug Galbines of Kabankalan praised the efforts and work of catechists in the country.
Speaking about catechists as "pilgrims of hope", he encouraged ministers to embrace their role as bearers of hope in a world that yearns for light, reminding them that only those who have truly "seen the Lord" can share his love as effectively as the first apostles.
Bishop Galbines went on to share some personal anecdotes as well, which left all those present full of inspiration for the mission, and hope for the catechetical ministry.
On their return home, catechists carried the gift of having "seen the Lord” in their hearts.
“May we irradiate this gift to others who need the assurance and the joy of the Risen Lord the most. We were excited to continue our journey as Pilgrims of Hope with the people of God,” said Maria Christina Robles, one of the catechists.
According to April Baybayon, a catechist from the Diocese of Cubao, the ministers dedicated to catechesis are the workers of evangelisation of God.
“We all continue this journey of hope and mission together,” she said with the future in mind.
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