New Year message of Archbishop Jose S. Palma

CEBU, Philippines -  A grace-filled New Year to each one of you my dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

This new year 2014, has been declared by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines as the Year of the Laity to emphasize the role of the Catholic lay faithful who are “called to be saints” and “sent forth as heroes” of evangelization in the “sanctification and transformation of  the world.” The lay faithful must “go into the world of the family, of business, of economics, of politics, of education, of the mass media and the social media, to every human endeavor where the future of humanity and the world are at stake and to make a difference.” It is only through the “integral faith” that the systemic concerns hounding the Philippines may be resolved. The faithful must strengthen their faith through reading the Gospel, seeking recourse to the sacraments, and contributing to the mission of new evangelization through their own simple means.

It is very significant that the first Filipinos to be canonized as saints are lay people: San Lorenzo Ruiz who was a married adult, and San Pedro Calungsod who was a single teenager. Both tell us that all Filipinos, old or young, married or single are called to be saints. As missionaries, they encouraged to know and spread our Catholic faith here and abroad. As martyrs, they challenge us to strive to live our faith everyday even if it would entail suffering and death. As saints, they intercede for us.

San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod were both raised to the dignity of the altars by Pope John Paul II who himself is going to be canonized a saint on April 27 this year. After beatifying Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila on February 18, 1981, he immediately came to Cebu and preached much about the sanctification of the Filipino family and married life. When he beatified Pedro Calungsod on March 5, 2000, he challenged the Filipino youth to be heroic in their Christian faith. May he who had at heart the Filipino people when he was here on earth continue to inspire and guide us from Heaven like a loving shepherd towards the dignity of the altars.

My dear brothers and sisters, holy people have walked on our Philippine soil. They are but signs of the abundant graces God has for us, constantly inviting us to Himself. Gratias tibi Deus! Gratias tibi! Thank you, O God! Thank You! Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of all Saints, pray for us!

Imparting to you my paternal blessing. (FREEMAN)