Introduction
2021 is a significant milestone in our country as the Philippine Catholic Church celebrates the 500th year of Christianity’s arrival in our Archipelago.
In 2012, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a Pastoral Exhortation on the Era of New Evangelization, “LIVE CHRIST, SHARE CHRIST.” Since then, we have embarked on a nine-year journey towards this year.
On this great Jubilee year of 2021, the CBCP dedicated it as a year of Mission to the Nations or Missio ad gentes. The Archdiocese of San Fernando joins the whole nation through activities that aim to intensify the call for the renewal of the faith through living it out by mission.
Our celebration is divided into three parts: Mayakit, Migising, and Milablab. The Mayakit phase focuses on the nine-year preparatory themes of the 500 years of Christianity. Each Sunday from September 19 to November 14, parishes are encouraged to reflect on each theme by watching the video of the day, a prayer service, and a reflection guide, which will be distributed through the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communication.
The second phase Migising, tackles the Archdiocese of San Fernando’s journey to being a community of apostles through its various missions. This phase will happen on November 13.
Lastly, to close this quincentennial, an Archdiocesan commissioning will be held on March 26, 2022.
The objective is to awaken the identity and missions we have received in baptism and confirmation, and strengthened by the Eucharist, and express in our lives the very faith we profess. In responding to the call, the Clergy, Religious, and the Laity — those who were “gifted” are in turn called to “give.”