Cardinal Jose Advincula delivers his homily during the ordination Mass of Fr. Florencio Unida at the Sagrada Familia Parish in Sta. Ana, Manila on May 18, 2023. RCAM-AOC By CBCP News May 31, 2023 Manila, Philippines The head of Manila’s Roman Catholic Church said that priests, as shepherds, have a duty to speak against violence and injustices. At a priesthood ordination recently, Cardinal Jose Advincula warned the clergy against the “temptation” of silence to play safe because “the flock will be in danger of getting lost”. “Do not be afraid to speak, especially in the face of oppression, injustice, violence, and evil,” Advincula said. “A silent shepherd when he is expected to speak is a form of negligence.” “When the sheep do not hear the voice of their shepherd, they may easily follow false shepherds who will only do them harm,” he said. Advincula made the statement in his homily during the priestly ordination of Fr. Florencio Unida at the Sagrada Familia Parish in Manila’s Sta. Ana district on May 18. The cardinal, who is also a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, emphasized that priests must speak up, but that their words must be of God. “The flock will recognize our voices as their shepherds only if we speak the words of God to them,” he added. The Manila archbishop also reminded the clergy that their prophetic ministry goes beyond the voice that comes from their mouths. The more powerful and credible proclamation of Jesus is made, according to him, “through the voice that comes from the witness of our lives”. “Let your life be a living proclamation of God’s word. May people see you, and by simply looking at you, may they already hear God speaking to them,” he said. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

The Quiapo Church. FILE PHOTO By CBCP News May 31, 2023 Manila, Philippines The St. John the Baptist Parish or Quiapo Church has been elevated to the status of an archdiocesan shrine. Following a petition to the Archdiocese of Manila by the parish’s Rector, Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr, Cardinal Jose Advincula gave his approval to the new shrine in a decree dated May 10, 2023. “We hereby decree that the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene – St John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church), be conferred the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene,” Advincula decreed. The parish’s new status was formally announced Wednesday during Mass presided over by Fr. Reginald Malicdem, the archdiocese’s vicar general. In his homily, the priest said that for the parish church to be declared as an archdiocesan shrine is “long overdue”. “But for us devotees, whether there is a formal declaration, or none is made, this church is a real shrine because here we feel the presence of God,” Malicdem said. “In this place we experience the mercy, compassion, peace, and love of God for us,” he added. The Quiapo Church is home to the revered image of the Black Nazarene, which attracts millions during its annual procession every January 9. In 1987, St. John Paul II elevated the church as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene because of its role in strengthening a deep popular devotion to Jesus Christ and its cultural contribution to the religiosity of the Filipinos. Sescon earlier announced their plan to push for the elevation of Quiapo Church as a national shrine. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1st Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18A Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem! The LORD has ended your punishment; he has removed all your enemies. The LORD, the king of Israel, is with you; there is no reason now to be afraid. The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp! The LORD your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you, A as joyful as people at a festival.”   Or Romans 12:9-16 Brothers and sisters: Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and sisters, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians, and open your homes to strangers. Ask God to bless those who persecute you – yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.   Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6 R.(6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. God indeed is my savior;I am confident and unafraid.My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.With joy you will draw waterat the fountain of salvation. R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;among the nations make known his deeds,proclaim how exalted is his name. R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;let this be known throughout all the earth.Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,for great in your midstis the Holy One of Israel! R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.   Alleluia – SEE Luke 1:45 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believedthat what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 1:39-56 Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Sirach 35:1-15 Keeping the Law is worth many offerings; it is a fellowship offering in itself. Returning a kindness is like a grain offering; giving to the poor is like a thanksgiving offering. Keeping away from sin will please the Lord and make atonement for sin But don’t come to the Temple without an offering; the Law requires that you bring one. When a righteous person offers a sacrifice and the fat drips down on the altar, a pleasant smell rises to the Most High. The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But don’t try to bribe him or rely on offerings that you have obtained dishonestly. He will not accept them. The Lord is fair and does not show partiality.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23 R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Gather my faithful ones before me,those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”And the heavens proclaim his justice;for God himself is the judge. R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Hear, my people, and I will speak;Israel, I will testify against you;God, your God, am I.Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,for your burnt offerings are before me always.” R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Offer to God praise as your sacrificeand fulfil your vows to the Most High.He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;and to him, that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.   Alleluia – SEE Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Mark 10:28-31 Peter began to say to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” “Yes,” Jesus said to them, “and I tell you that anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. He will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and persecutions as well; and in the age to come he will receive eternal life. But many who now are first will be last, and many who now are last will be first.” Today's Readings Homilies Love Offering:

Bishop Dennis Villarojo. DIOCESE OF MALOLOS By CBCP News May 29, 2023 Malolos City Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos has invited Catholics back to Mass, following other dioceses across the country that have lifted dispensations from Sunday obligation. In a circular, the bishop said the obligation of Catholics to attend Mass, suspended in March 2020 because of the pandemic, will be reinstated effective June 11, the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi. “At the conclusion of the pandemic that compelled limited opportunities to worship in person… we are hereby lifting the dispensation given to the faithful from personally participating in the Mass due to civil restrictions imposed on account of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Villarojo said. Exceptions in the form of particular dispensations are given to those who are sick, have fragile health, or susceptible to contracting illnesses. “Except for those sick and have serious reasons, all Catholics are expected to perform their obligations to physically attend Masses in churches,” he said. The bishop encouraged the parishes, chaplaincies and Catholic schools to “employ all effective means necessary to catechize the faithful… on the importance of the Sunday obligation.” “Let us ardently encourage the faithful to encounter God through the Church in her communal celebration of the Sacred Mysteries,” Villarojo added. The diocese early this year instructed parishes to limit the live streaming of Masses during Sundays to at least two, preferably one in the morning and one in the evening. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos. By CBCP News May 29, 2023 Manila, Philippines The central Philippine diocese of San Carlos has committed to creating a ‘climate emergency plan’ in the coming months, the first diocese in the country to do so. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the gravity of the situation calls for a collective and meaningful action to mitigate the negative impacts of the climate crisis. “The Diocese of San Carlos is committed to taking immediate and significant steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the deceleration of global warming,” Alminaza said. “We shall develop a ‘climate emergency plan’ within the next months to set our intentions to reduce carbon emissions in all of our operations and activities in order to reduce our carbon footprint not later than 2030,” he said. The statement was contained in a pastoral letter declaring a “climate emergency” in the diocese, which covers the province of Negros Occidental. The letter calls for, among others, the creation of ecology ministry in parishes, mission stations, and all Catholic and diocesan schools to step up campaigns “for a balanced and healthy ecology for us and future generations”. The bishop also called on the national government “to make the same commitments” and “provide a mainstream pro-environment and pro-people approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation”. “Hence, we call on the government to declare a national state of climate emergency and get our governmental institutions to act accordingly,” Alminaza added. “We also urge our duty bearers to go beyond the minimum of climate talks and monitoring targets, and urgently uphold climate justice by halting profit-driven, ecologically-destructive projects, and empowering our communities the self- determination for climate change adaptation,” he said. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President. FILE PHOTO By CBCP News May 28, 2023 Manila, Philippines The Catholic bishops’ leadership has taken the blame over a court case surrounding an alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary that the Vatican had long dismissed as “not supernatural origin”. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the contention “may also be indicative of our shortcomings as Church leaders in facilitating dialogues”. “We beg forgiveness for this shortcoming,” David said. He admitted they are “perplexed” by the legal battle, especially because Catholics are in conflict with each other over matters of faith. “It’s extremely disheartening, to say the least,” the bishop said. “It does a scandal to the faithful.” “This is specially true in the age of digital technology when individuals and groups that are for or against the issue can quickly react against each other in various social media platforms in a manner bereft of Christian charity,” he added. He was reacting to a case filed by retired justice Harriet Demetriou, a devout Catholic and Marian devotee, against Dominican priest Winston Cabading. Demetriou accused the priest, who is also an exorcist, of making offensive remarks about the alleged apparitions of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, in Lipa City in 1948. Authorities recently arrested and detained Cabading for two days over a weekend before he was able to pay bail for temporary freedom. The CBCP head refused to comment on the case saying that it is now with the court. The prelate, however, claimed he “wouldn’t be surprised if the court rules it to be beyond its competence”. While the CBCP is adhering to the 1951 Vatican ruling against the reported apparitions, David warned against branding the phenomenon as “demonic” in nature. “The judgment as to whether the said events associated with the image were ‘demonic’ requires the serious discernment and guidance of bishops, who, up to now, have merely upheld the decision of Rome on the matter,” he said. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

By Msgr. Euly B. Belizar, Jr., SThD May 28, 2023 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Ps 139:7-8). 1. One lazy and quiet Sunday morning I heard the local radio play an old song that crooned, “Love is a many-splendored thing.” Many-splendored? I asked myself. No doubt about it. But is love a “thing”? Hardly objectionable. But do you know that St. John Paul II taught that love is a Person? 2. If love were a person, who would that person be? St John Paul II answered this emphatically in his encyclical on the Holy Spirit ‘Dominum et Vivificantem‘ (‘Lord and Giver of Life’). He declared in no uncertain terms: “The Holy Spirit is Love-in-Person” (DeV 10). To me that simply means that love is a sign of, and connects us to, the Spirit of God. In a word, there wouldn’t be any real love at all without the Holy Spirit. On this score alone we all—men and women, parents and children, lovers and poets—owe it to ourselves to get to know and get closer to the Holy Spirit. 3. The Acts attests to the Holy Spirit being a person. “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as ‘he’ had come on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). Jesus himself makes a promise to his disciples and in the process reveals the Holy Spirit in terms of a personal pronoun: “It is better for you that I go because if I do not go the Holy Spirit will not come to you. Whereas, if I go, I will send ‘him’ to you” (Jn 16:7). There are other instances in which Jesus refers to the Spirit by way of the pronouns “he” or “him” (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:8). It should be said here that the pronouns “he” or “him” have nothing to do with the male gender. Rather it has more to do with “personal”. The Holy Spirit is definitely not a “thing” but a “Someone”. 4. And yet, if the Holy Spirit is Love-in-Person, how many times do we invoke love but forget the Holy Spirit? In fact, as the old song suggests, there is a trait shared by these the two realities. We gather this from another source—the Scriptures. Like Love, say too the Holy Writ, the Holy Spirit is many-splendored. This we see, for example, in the concrete ways he manifests himself and makes himself felt. To a group of frightened and, I would assume, guilt-ridden apostles the Holy Spirit comes in the form of ‘wind’ as a Life-giving power just like our breath ‘ruah’ (which means also ‘spirit’ (Acts 2:2). Then the Spirit also comes in the form of ‘fire’ as he infuses the fear-filled disciples with courage and passion to proclaim God’s praises, to announce the Good News, even to those who openly

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest 1st Reading – ACTS 25:13B-21 And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to visit Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “A certain man was left a prisoner by Felix. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the elders of the Jews, came unto me, desiring condemnation against him. To whom I answered: It is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present, and have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead, they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss on how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.”   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20AB R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia. Bless the LORD, O my soul;and all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia. For as the heavens are high above the earth,so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.As far as the east is from the west,so far has he put our transgressions from us. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia. The LORD has established his throne in heaven,and his kingdom rules over all.Bless the LORD, all you his angels,you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 14:26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Holy Spirit will teach you everythingand remind you of all I told you.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 21:15-19 After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again: Simon, son of John, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was

Archbishop-elect Julius Tonel of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF IPIL By CBCP News May 25, 2023 Manila, Philippines Bishop Julius Tonel, who has been appointed by Pope Francis to serve as the seventh archbishop of Zamboanga, will officially assume his new role on August 22. The CBCP General Secretariat said Tonel, 65, will be installed as archbishop in a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City. He has served as bishop of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province for around 15 years. His appointment as archbishop was announced by the Vatican on April 25. Zamboanga has been without an archbishop since Dec. 10, 2021, when Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz died due to a lingering illness. But even before De la Cruz passed away, the archdiocese had been under the care of Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas, who Pope Francis appointed as apostolic administrator “sede plena” on Aug. 11, 2021. “Sede plena” is a term used to signify that a diocese is still occupied by a bishop. Once Tonel is installed as Zamboanga archbishop, the Ipil diocese will be declared “sede vacante”. During this period, it will be administered by a diocesan administrator until a new bishop takes over. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.