As the oldest standing church in the Philippines officially culminated an important milestone in our country’s religious history, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula stressed the central theme of the celebration of the fifth centenary of Christianity in the Philippines: humility.
In his homily during the Closing of the 500 YOC Jubilee Door at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila on May 8, Cardinal Advincula reminded everyone to stay humble with thegifts that God entrusted to every Filipino Christians throughout five centuries.
“Mga kapatid, pagpapakumbaba ang pinakabuod ng ating tema sa Hubileyo na “Gifted to Give”. Hindi ito pagmamayabang na tayo ay gifted, na tayo ay mas angat, na tayo ang mas may kakayahang magbigay. Sa halip, ang “Gifted to Give” ay pakumbabang pag-amin na lahat ng tinataglay at tinatamasa natin na kagalingan at kabutihan ay pawang handog lamang. Every goodness is gift. Hindi natin kagagawan kundi tinanggap mula sa awa at habag ng ating Diyos. At dahil ito ay handog, hindi natin ito ipagdadamot kundi ibabahagi sa kapwa,” he explained.
The Archbishop of Manila also asked for the intercession of the church’s patroness, Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion Y Correa, that every Filipino Catholics shall always remember Jesus’ love and commandments as instruments of humility and compassion to each other.
“[N]gayong pagsasara ng Hubileyo sa inyong dambana, alalahanin natin ang Diyos, alalahanin natin ang mga turo at utos ng Diyos, alalahanin natin ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa atin,” Cardinal Advincula said.
“Pag-aalaala at pagpapakumbaba, ito ang biyaya ng Dakilang Hubileyo ng pananampalataya sa ating bansa. Ito ang magbubunsod sa atin sa pagpapasalamat sa Diyos at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Kasihan nawa tayo at ipagdasal ng ating mahal na Ina, Mahal na Birhen ng Correa, upang lagi at lalo tayong makaalaala at magpakumbaba,” he added.
Recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a “World Heritage Site”, the present San Agustin Church’s structure was completed in 1607 and was spared from various natural and man-made catastrophes in the next four hundred years.
It was chosen as one of the 12 Jubilee Churches of the Archdiocese of Manila for the 500 YOC celebration. (Lem Leal Santiago/RCAM-AOC | Photo by Mio Angelo Hermoso/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery )
