The Claretian Missionaries – Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province, in collaboration with the Claretian Communications Foundation, hosted the Word Conference on November 30, a gathering that highlighted the importance of prayer in Christian life.
Centered on the theme “Praying the Word of God: Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” the event served as a call to action, inviting participants to deepen their prayer life. Rev. Fr. Emil D. Valeza of the Archdiocese of Caceres emphasized the conference's spiritual significance, describing it as the culmination of the Year of Prayer 2024.
“The Year of Prayer 2024 is essential in preparing us for the Year of Hope 2025,” Fr. Valeza explained, switching between Tagalog and English.
He noted that many people have grown distant from prayer, with some having stopped entirely or forgotten its importance in daily life.
The Year of Prayer aimed to rekindle a spirit of prayer among the faithful, guiding them back to the essence of Christian faith. “We draw strength through our connection with God,” Valeza stated, underscoring that prayer is foundational to this relationship.
Highlighting the Holy Eucharist as the highest form of prayer, he added, “Our hopes will be realized through our prayers. Constant prayer, especially in the Eucharist, will be rewarded. We should never underestimate its power.”
The conference also underscored the pivotal role of Scripture in spiritual growth. Capuchin Brother Jesus N. Matias spoke about the value of the Word of God, observing that many people rarely read the Bible—or neglect it altogether.
“For me, the goal of the conference is to revitalize the importance of the Word of God,” Matias said, urging participants to rediscover its transformative power.
Key topics covered by resource speakers included the Eucharist and the Word of God, the Immanuel motif, humility as the foundation of prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer as the Summary of the Gospel.
Pope Francis had proclaimed 2024 as the Year of Prayer, encouraging the faithful to rediscover and deepen their appreciation for this vital spiritual practice.
The one-day conference, held at the Claret School of Quezon City, drew participants from across the country, including members of religious orders and laypeople.
It marked a significant moment of reflection and preparation for the upcoming Year of Hope in 2025.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
