Strengthening the Laity through Prayer: A pathway to the Jubilee Year 2025

As the Catholic Church approaches the Jubilee Year 2025, dioceses across the Philippines are gearing up to deepen the spiritual lives of the faithful.

Among these initiatives, is the "Conference on Prayer," held on August 31, 2024, at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in the City of Santa Rosa, stands out as a cornerstone event in the lead-up to this sacred year.

This conference was purposely planned to be a highlight, aiming to foster a closer relationship with God through prayer and thereby strengthen the laity's role within the Church.

Bro. Xavier S. Padilla, President of the Sangguniang Layko ng Pilipinas, articulated the conference's significance, stating, "We intentionally designed the Conference on Prayer to be a focal point during this Year of Prayer, which serves as a preparation for the upcoming Jubilee in 2025."

The Year of Prayer is envisioned not just as a sequence of activities, but as a profound opportunity for the faithful to concentrate on their spiritual connection with God.

"Even with all the activities we are doing, and preparing the laity for the Jubilee, we need to focus on our relationship with God through prayer," Padilla explained.

The conference underscored the transformative power of prayer in strengthening the laity's role within the Church.  "We see the laity being strengthened because the prayer life will be strengthened," Padilla noted. 

Despite the active participation of lay people in various Church activities and organizations, there remains a recognized need to prioritize personal communion with God.

Padilla highlighted, "We see so many lay people serving the Church so much, and even in different communities and organizations being so active, but somehow our own personal time with God—to sit and listen to Him—is not being put into importance,"

This conference served as a clarion call to refocus on prayer, guiding the laity on how to deepen their prayer life and, in turn, enhance their contributions to the Church's mission.

Laiko's ongoing efforts to re-energize and reactivate the laity across six regions further underscore the importance of this event. "We have been traveling to different regions, re-energizing and reactivating the laity to engage in the new evangelization and bring lapsed and nominal Catholics back into active service," Padilla explained.

The conference aimed to cultivate personal holiness and spiritual focus among the laity, equipping them to be more effective witnesses in their communities.

The Conference on Prayer is just one of many activities planned in anticipation of the Jubilee Year 2025. The Council of the Laity has lined up several other initiatives, including regional events in Bohol, Zamboanga, and across Luzon, as well as the upcoming National Laity Week.

However, Padilla stressed the need for balance, saying, "As we push forward with these initiatives, it is essential that we pause and pray, ensuring that our actions are grounded in spiritual discernment."

For the Diocese of San Pablo, hosting the Conference on Prayer is more than just organizing an event; it represents a significant spiritual milestone in their preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025.

By strengthening the prayer lives of the laity, the Church ensures that its mission is carried out with clarity, purpose, and divine guidance. As the laity continues to prepare for the Jubilee, they do so with a renewed focus and a deeper commitment to their personal relationship with God.