Catholic devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel flocked to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Quezon City, Philippines, to celebrate its feast day on July 16.
In an insightful sermon, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao emphasized the importance of a prayerful and hopeful journey in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025.
Addressing the congregation, he highlighted the significance of spiritual conversations and the role of the Virgin Mary in guiding the faithful.
"One of the beautiful experiences we had in the Diocese of Cubao is establishing and forming circles of discernment in our parishes," Bishop Ongtioco began. "These circles promoted spiritual conversations, allowing people to be more open and capable of listening to the Holy Spirit and to every person they meet."
This initiative, inspired by Pope Francis's call for a Synodal Journey from October 2023 to October 2024, aims to prepare the Church for the Jubilee Year 2025.
This year has been declared the Year of Prayer, with the theme for the Parish Fiesta being "Journeying with Mary toward a more prayerful and hopeful life."
Bishop Ongtioco expressed his admiration for the chosen theme, stating, "I commend you for choosing our theme this year because it is in line with our preparation for the Jubilee year 2025. As pilgrims, we prayerfully journey full of hope."
Throughout his homily, the bishop underscored the need to focus on Jesus as the source of hope and fulfillment of promises.
He encouraged the faithful to learn from Mary, who exemplifies faith, humility, and listening.
"Mary, our Lady of Mount Carmel, teaches us some ways to always be open to receiving God's word in our life," he said. "First, always be prayerful and hopeful. We have to be open like Mary, who was always open to God."
The bishop reminded the faithful about Mary's unwavering commitment to her mission, even in the face of immense challenges. "She accepted wholeheartedly this mission entrusted to her: to take care, guide, inspire, and help us as we journey in this valley of tears," Bishop Ongtioco noted.
He also highlighted Mary's role in fostering unity and reconciliation, drawing attention to her appeal for prayer and acceptance of others as brothers and sisters.
The prelate recounted the miracle at Cana, where Mary's intercession led to the transformation of water into wine, illustrating the power of obedience to Jesus's directives.
"Always hope that the Lord continues to change many things in our life. Whenever we are in despair, the Lord gives hope to our drooping spirit," he reassured the faithful.
Bishop Ongtioco then encouraged Catholics to look forward to eternal truths and lasting values, as taught by Mary.
He urged the devotees to embrace a contemplative heart, open to the word of God, and engage in meaningful encounters with the Lord.
"In the process of reading scriptures, our primary task is not simply to learn about God but to encounter the living God and to experience God's saving activity," he said. "With Mary guiding and inspiring us, we will be able to undertake the synodal journey as a parish, as a community, and as one Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel."
Bishop Ongtioco’s words offered strength and inspiration to all Catholics in attendance and those watching the live stream of the Mass.
"Let us open our hearts to receive His many gifts through the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lady of Mount Carmel."
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.
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