by: MAERA CRYSTINA S. TEZUKA
Catholic speakers emphasized the need to understand the essence of mercy and compassion in a spiritual gathering last Nov. 6 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish in the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Spearheaded by the UST Theological Society, the gathering, dubbed as “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion” aimed to prepare the Filipinos for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis in 2015.
Catholic speakers emphasized the need to understand the essence of mercy and compassion in a spiritual gathering last Nov. 6 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish in the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Spearheaded by the UST Theological Society, the gathering, dubbed as “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion” aimed to prepare the Filipinos for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis in 2015.
Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz Jr., O.P., vice rector for Religious Affairs of UST, urged the Filipinos to see their "neighbors and brothers” with the eyes of compassion just like what God did to humanity, citing stories in the Bible that manifest God’s mercy.
“Kung wala ang mercy at compassion ni Jesus, wala ang kaligtasan natin,” he said.
According to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, mercy and compassion are gifts that we receive from God and it is our job to make “mercy as our identity.”
“And all of us, we receive the mercy and compassion of Jesus and must share the same mercy and compassion with the rest,” Villegas said in a pre-recorded video message shown during the event.
Michael Angelo Lobrin, an inspirational speaker and author, reminded the laity that the ability to be merciful and compassionate comes from the ability to love.
He reminded the Filipinos that spreading God’s love through evangelization should still be the highlight of the Pope’s visit.
“The Pope is not the big star, the big star is Jesus Christ,” Lobrin said.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the country on Jan. 15 to 19, 2015. Pope Francis expressed his intention to visit the country in a press conference aboard a flight last May 27.
“Kung wala ang mercy at compassion ni Jesus, wala ang kaligtasan natin,” he said.
According to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, mercy and compassion are gifts that we receive from God and it is our job to make “mercy as our identity.”
“And all of us, we receive the mercy and compassion of Jesus and must share the same mercy and compassion with the rest,” Villegas said in a pre-recorded video message shown during the event.
Michael Angelo Lobrin, an inspirational speaker and author, reminded the laity that the ability to be merciful and compassionate comes from the ability to love.
He reminded the Filipinos that spreading God’s love through evangelization should still be the highlight of the Pope’s visit.
“The Pope is not the big star, the big star is Jesus Christ,” Lobrin said.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the country on Jan. 15 to 19, 2015. Pope Francis expressed his intention to visit the country in a press conference aboard a flight last May 27.