Cardinal Tobin celebrates faith of Filipinos in new pastoral letter
“Our Archdiocese is blessed with thousands of Filipino lay faithful who actively participate in the life of the Church,” writes Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., in a new pastoral letter written in English and Tagalog marking the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel in the Philippines and the accompanying Jubilee Celebration program. “Another blessing is the service of 46 Filipino priests who labor in parishes and other ministries.”
The letter continues: “For 500 years, the Philippines has treasured the gift of its Catholic faith. The seeds of faith were planted by Spanish missionaries and quickly took root in the hearts of Filipinos, which are naturally disposed to the divine. The same faith sustains most Filipinos to this day, making the Philippines the largest Catholic country in Asia. It is the faith, centered on the Eucharist, that makes them grateful for their daily bread, welcoming as they are welcomed to the Eucharistic banquet, joyful to break open the Word with others, and willing to be broken themselves for the sake of the Gospel.”
“Gifted to Give is the theme of the 500th Anniversary Celebration,” he says. “This focus aims to renew the call to the mission of all the baptized and draws its inspiration from the command of Jesus to his disciples: ‘What you have received as a gift, give as a gift.'” (Mt 10:8)
This jubilee year recognizes gratefully the missionaries who brought the faith to the Philippines, the ancestors who accepted the faith and passed it on, generation after generation, the bishops, priests, religious, and lay ministers who have been at the vanguard of the Filipinos’ spiritual journey, he says.
“I invite everyone, especially our Filipino faithful, to participate fully in these celebrations,” writes Cardinal Tobin.
Click here to access the Program of Activities for the year-long jubilee celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the arrival of the gospel in the Philippines.
The Filipino clergy of the Archdiocese of Newark will be leading the celebrations throughout the year to mark this significant milestone, he continues. Masses will be celebrated to commemorate various significant events in Philippine history. A replica of the Magellan Cross, along with the images of Santo Nino and Our Lady of Manaoag, will journey on a pilgrimage to 12 Jubilee Churches in the archdiocese and the Diocese of Paterson.
Access Cardinal Tobin’s pastoral letter and the accompanying Jubilee Celebration program by clicking here.
