celebrated their day in the Philippines

The Philippine Church celebrated the annual Sunday dedicated to catechists, during which a national collection is also taken to support this ministry. From September 9 to 12, a meeting of delegates from all dioceses was held in Jaro. The importance of this service for the transmission of faith to the new generations was reiterated. Bishop Galbines: only those who have “seen the Lord” can share his love.

Manila () – The Catholic Church in the Philippines celebrated yesterday, 15 September 2024, the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the National Day of Catechesis. During the Sunday liturgy, all the parishes in the country expressed their gratitude for the service and contribution of catechists in transmitting the faith to the younger generations. The annual meeting of catechesis ministers was also held from 9 to 12 September 2024, organised by the Archdiocese of Jaro, municipality of Iloilo, in collaboration with the ecclesiastical province of Cotabato (which includes the Archdiocese of Cotabato and the dioceses of Marbel and Kidapawan). More than 230 delegates and 150 members of the Working Commission met to celebrate this anniversary.

Following the direction of the Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis (ECEC) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), this year’s celebration of the Month of Catechesis in September had as its theme “Catechists in Prayer: Pilgrims of Hope in Synodality Towards the Implementation of the Antiquum Ministerium.” On the occasion of the Day, the Philippine Church promotes a special collection and the funds raised are used to support the programs and activities of the Episcopal Commission in the field of evangelization and catechesis. In the Philippines, as throughout the world, catechists play a fundamental role in pastoral efforts to spread the Kingdom of God.

On Thursday, Father Ernie de Leon, Executive Secretary of the CBCP ECEC, and Bishop Danny Presto, Episcopal President, opened the meeting in Jaro, which included an intense program of activities that lasted four days. That same day, they participated in the opening Mass at the Jaro Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop José Romeo O. Lazo, and received a warm welcome from their fellow catechists. Bishop Lazo asked that “all catechists continue to dedicate their lives to the mission of Christ as teachers and witnesses.” We lift up to God all your hopes and needs.” During his keynote address, Bishop Louie Patalinghug Galbines of Kabankalan praised the efforts and work of the country’s catechists. He spoke of catechists as “pilgrims of hope” and encouraged ministers to assume their role as bearers of hope in a world yearning 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 also shared some personal anecdotes that conveyed to those present inspiration for the mission and hope for the catechetical ministry. Upon returning home, the catechists carried in their hearts the gift of having “seen the Lord.” “May we radiate this gift to others who need it, the certainty and joy of the risen Lord. We are excited to continue our journey as pilgrims of hope with the people of God,” said Maria Cristina Robles, a participating catechist. According to April Baybayón, a catechist from the Diocese of Cubao, the ministers dedicated to catechesis are the workers of God’s evangelizing work. “Let us all continue together on this journey of hope and mission,” she said, looking toward the future.