In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Leo XIV, and becoming the first American-born pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history on May 8.
Father Thomas Mankhin said, "Today we have come here with deep faith and trust to be strong in our spiritual life. This pilgrimage festival reveals that we are all righteous in this world."
Bishop Lobo said, “The Jubilee Yātra, Pilgrimage of Hope, is not just a gathering; it is a transformative experience that aims to bring priests, religious, and lay faithful together on a shared path of reflection, renewal, and rekindling hope."
Dr. Mervin Tan, also a general surgeon, talked about the importance of early screening and surgical management options for breast cancer. “Early screening is best prevention,” he said.
“We thank God we have this technology that has really helped us in many ways to continue with our evangelization program… to restore the beauty of creation.. to recreate the heart of man.. mirroring who is the source of everything..”, said Bishop Ongtioco.
Rajendra said, “It is a proud moment for me that my father died for the faith in Christ. He is the true witness to the whole world of firm faith in God.”
Since permanent deacons are ordained men who could be married and won’t be required to remain in the seminary, “design the diaconate a bit differently,” said Bishop Pablo Virgilio David.
Our assembly took place in the context of a world in crisis, whose wounds and scandalous inequalities resonated painfully in our hearts, infusing our work with a particular gravity, especially since some of us come from countries where war rages.
Fr. Stanley Kozhichira said, “It is pure love and truth that comes to build the human relations, basic human communications through just being present to each other.”
"In the spirit of unity, the Rajshahi diocese has adorned towns and villages with festive greetings banners, and church leaders, as well as Christian devotees, are visiting Puja Mondos to exchange warm wishes with their Hindu friends", said Father Patrick Gomes.
Father Dario Vitali emphasized that Synodality will only work if all subjects, namely the people of God, the College of Bishops, and the pope articulate “dynamic unity, synodality, collegiality and primacy.”
“A Bible for Every Home, A New Testament for Everyone, was a dream, for the realization of which Alberione was prepared to go to any length, even setting aside a printing machine totally for printing different editions of the Bible and of the New Testament,” said Father Alfonso Elengikal, a member of the St. Paul congregation.
“That's why I am suggesting that we intensify education in its new comprehensive form to address the worsening climate crisis," said Sr. Maria Vida Cordero.
