Pinoy Catholics called to pray, be peacemakers on Christmas

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, has called on Filipino Catholics to pray and be peacemakers on Christmas, as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope.

“Mahalaga ang pag-asa, hope, sapagkat marami sa atin ang nagdarasal at umaasa na sana magkaroon tayo ng maayos na buhay. Sana may makulong,” Garcera said in his Christmas message posted on CBCP News social media page.

(Hope is important because many of us pray for a better life or for someone to be held accountable.)

Garcera said that there have been divisions among Filipinos in recent months, as issues such as alleged corruption in flood control projects emerged.

“Ibalik uli ang magandang kaugnayan natin sa Diyos kung kaya't ang Pasko ay panahon ng pagninilay para sa atin,” the prelate said.

(Let us rekindle our relations with the Lord, which is why Christmas is a time for reflection for us.)

He reminded the faithful that Christmas is a blessing to the world.

“Sa gitna ng digmaan, hindi pagkakaunawaan, nandiyan si Hesus. At itong pagdiriwang natin ng Pasko, ang pagkakaisa at ang pakikiisa ng Diyos sa atin,” Garcera said.

(Amid the war and misunderstandings, Jesus is there. And in our celebration of Christmas, we experience unity and God’s presence with us.)

“Tayo po'y magpasalamat sa Diyos. Ito ang aking Christmas message, ang pagkakaisa natin,” he added.

(Let us be thankful to the Lord. This is my Christmas message: our unity.)

The Archdiocese of Manila earlier urged Filipino Catholics to join the celebration marking the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Hope at the Manila Cathedral on Friday, December 26.

In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee, or Holy Year, is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, usually celebrated by the Church every 25 years.

The theme of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope.”  —VBL, GMA Integrated News