Peasant group condemns continued attacks on peasants, says former landlord’s greed, oppression must end now
Task Force Mapalad May 25, 2021
National peasant federation Task Force Mapalad on Tuesday condemned the violence and lawlessness being carried out by anti-agrarian reform forces in a sugar plantation in Capiz province that have kept farmers in the area in constant fear, danger, and hunger.
“These brazen acts of injustice and mockery of the rule of must stop now. The greed of landlords has reached the level of madness. They have taken the law into their own hands. They are acting like oppressive mini-gods in their bailiwicks, fearing no one, threatening, hurting, and killing anyone who catches their ire,” said Teresita Tarlac, president of TFM’s Negros-Panay Chapter.
TFM issued the statement following the May 24, 2021 shooting of two of its farmer-members, Jose Sony Billonid, 49, and Bernard Amistoso, 51, in Brgy. Dulangan, Pilar, Capiz by assailants believed to have links with the former owner of a 188-hectare hacienda in the area.
The plantation, used to be owned by Nemesio Tan and managed by his administrator Ferdinand Bacanto, who is also the village chief of Culilang, is already owned by about TFM 100 farmers belonging to the Montecarlo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (Montecarba).
One of the main concerns that we should be updated and be prepared upon is the forthcoming 2022 National Elections. The result of next year’s election will once again shape our nation’s being and future. We hope that this conversation will inspire and moved us to do our part in effecting authentic social transformation in the field of governance.
Pope Francis underlines the importance of interdisciplinary research for a better understanding of our human nature, in a video message for the Fifth International Conference dedicated to “Exploring the Mind, Body and Soul.”
By Vatican News staff writer
Pope Francis on Saturday sent a message to the participants at the 5th International Conference taking place from 6 – 8 May under the theme: “Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul. How Innovation and Novel Delivery Systems Improve Human Health.”
Organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture, and co-hosted by the Cura Foundation, the virtual conference brings together scientists, physicians, ethicists, religious leaders, patient right advocates and policy makers to discuss breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare delivery and prevention, as well as the cultural impact and human implications of technological advances.
The organizers are also promoting a roundtable on “Bridging Science and Faith” aimed at exploring the relationship of religion and spirituality to health and wellbeing, including the relationship between mind, body and soul.
In the video message, Pope Francis acknowledged all who are personally and professionally committed to the care of the sick and the support of those in need, particularly in these recent times of the Covid-19 pandemic which continues to claim lives and challenge our sense of solidarity and authentic fraternity.
He also highlighted that the conference unites philosophical and theological reflection to scientific research, especially in the field of medicine.
Divisions
Considering the theme of the conference, Pope Francis noted that it is centered on mind, body and soul – three fundamental areas that differ somewhat from the “classical” Christian vision which understands the person as “an inseparable unity of body and soul, the latter being endowed with intellect and will.”
Moreover, St. Paul speaks of spirit, soul and body (1 Thess 5:23), a tripartite model that was taken up by Church Fathers and various modern thinkers.
These divisions, said the Pope, “rightly indicate that certain dimensions of our being, nowadays all too often disjoined, are in fact profoundly and inseparably interrelated.”
We are a body
He went on to explain that the biological stratum of our existence, expressed in our corporeity, represents the most immediate of these dimensions, even if it is not the easiest to understand.
“We are not pure spirits; for each of us, everything starts with our body, but not only: from conception to death, we do not simply have a body; we are a body,” Pope Francis affirmed, adding that Christian faith tells us that this will also be true in the Resurrection.
In this regard, the history of medical research presents us with one dimension of the “fascinating journey of human self-discovery” which is the case not only in “Western” academic medicine but also with the rich diversity of medicines in various civilizations all over the world.
Interdisciplinary studies
Bringing to the fore the importance of interdisciplinary studies, the Pope noted that thanks to them, we can come to appreciate “the dynamics involved in the relationship between our physical condition and the state of our habitat, between health and nourishment, our psycho-physical wellbeing and the care of the spiritual life – also through the practice of prayer and meditation – and finally between health and sensitivity to art, and especially music.”
It is, therefore, no accident “that medicine serves as a bridge between the natural and the human sciences, so much so that in the past it could be defined as philosophia corporis – medicine as philosophia corporis,” he said.
TO ALL THE BISHOPS AND THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATORS
Your Excellencies:
Please find the attached letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to the Conferences of Bishops concerning the insertion of some new invocations into the Litany in Honour of Saint Joseph.
The new invocations, originally in Latin, are as follows: Custos Redemptoris, Serve Christi, Minister salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflictorum, Patrone pauperum. The new invocations of St. Joseph can be translated in English as: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Refugees, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.
Attached together with the letter is the original Litany in Latin with the English translation.
Sincerely in the Lord,
LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
Servant of Christ, pray for us.
Minister of Salvation, pray for us
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Support in difficulties, pray for us,
Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of exiles, pray for us.
Patron of the afflicted, pray for us.
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us!
V. He made him the lord of His household, R. And prince over all His possessions.
Let Us Pray:
O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Individuals, families and communities can take part in reciting the rosary for the whole of May
UCA News | VATICAN CITY
Pope Francis holds an ordination Mass on April 25 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to ordain nine priests for his diocese as bishop of Rome. (Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)
Carol Glatz Catholic News Service| April 28, 2021
Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic.
“The initiative will involve in a special way all shrines in the world” in promoting the initiative so that individuals, families and communities all take part in reciting the rosary, “to pray for the end of the pandemic,” said the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization in a press release April 21.
“It is the heartfelt desire of the Holy Father that the month of May be dedicated to a prayer marathon dedicated to the theme, ‘from the entire Church an unceasing prayer rises to God,'” it said.
The theme refers to the miraculous event recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (12:1-12) when all the Church prayed for Peter, who was imprisoned until God sent an angel to free him, illustrating how the Christian community comes together to pray in the face of danger and how the Lord listens and performs an unexpected miracle.
Each day in May, there will be a livestream from one of 30 chosen Marian shrines or sanctuaries to guide the prayer at 6pm Rome time (noon EDT) on all Vatican media platforms.
The pope will open the month-long prayer on May 1 and conclude it onMay 31, the council said.
At the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, prayers will be for all doctors and nurses
Pope Francis meets a family during the 9th WMOF in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2018.
The 10th World Meeting of Families is scheduled for June 22 to 26, 2022 in Rome. The Diocese of Rome and the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life have jointly released the official prayer for the Church event.
By Robin Gomes
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 10th World Meeting of the Families (WMOF) is, “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness”, which has been the inspiration of the official prayer for the ecclesial event.
Praying with family, parish, diocese
“Praying is a way to enter into the heart of the Amoris Laetitia Year and the preparation for the event in Rome,” explained Cardinal Joseph Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, in a statement to release the prayer. “Many families and communities,” he said, “have been waiting a long time to be able to set out on their way, at least spiritually, to Rome.” “Prayer will accompany them and help them to grasp the message of the gathering.”
National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue City May 1, 2021, 10:00AM To be led by: H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D.
The following are the activities and updates undertaken by the Ad Hoc Committee in the preparation and celebration of the upcoming activity of the National Consecration of the Philippines to Saint Joseph on May 1, 2021.
I. NINE DAYS OF PREPARATORY CONSECRATION TO SAINT JOSEPH
The following are invited to share virtually their reflections on the last 9 Topics on the book of Fr. Calloway’s Consecration to St. Joseph – The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father:
Day 1: (Thursday – April 22, 2021) St. Joseph, Glory of Domestic Life by H.E. BRODERICK S. PABILLO Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila
Day 2: (Friday – April 23, 2021) St. Joseph, Guardian of Virgins by H.E. DENNIS C. VILLAROJO Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos
Day 3: (Saturday – April 24, 2021) St. Joseph, Pillar of Families by H.E. ALBERTO S. UY Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran
Day 4: (Sunday – April 25, 2021) St. Joseph, Comfort of the Afflicted by H.E. JOHN F. DU Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Palo
Day 5: (Monday – April 26, 2021) St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick by H.E. JULITO B. CORTES Bishop of the Diocese of Dumaguete
Day 6: (Tuesday – April 27, 2021) St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying by H.E. PRECIOSO D. CANTILLAS Bishop of the Diocese of Maasin
Day 7: (Wednesday – April 28, 2021) St. Joseph, Terror of Demons by H.E. PATRICK DANIEL Y. PARCON Bishop of the Diocese of Talibon
Day 8: (Thursday – April 29, 2021) St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church by H.E. ORLANDO B. CARDINAL QUEVEDO Archbishop-Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cotabato
Day 9: (Friday – April 30, 2021) He Made Him the Lord of His Household and Prince Over All His Possessions by H.E. MIDYPHIL B. BILLONES Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu
II. DAY OF THE NATIONAL CONSECRATION OF THE PHILIPPINES TO SAINT JOSEPH
The Holy Mass shall begin at 10:00 AM and will be presided by H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu. The Consecration Proper will commence after the Post Communion Prayer together with the presence of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes and Congresswoman Emmarie Dizon as co-consecrators. This will then be followed with the floral offering to Saint Joseph by the 32-Sharers from the Reflections made by the Layko Cebu Committee and a pair of a Father and Son who are pious devotees of Saint Joseph here in the National Shrine.
The Mass for the National Consecration of the Philippines will be cross posted to other media platforms who may request for cross posting and in coordination with Fr. Jonathan Rubin, CCTN and TV Maria and other Facebook Pages.
Message for the Month of Ramadan and ‘Id Al-Fitr 1442 H. / 2021 A.D. Vatican City
Muslims gather inside the Great Mosque in Paris during a meeting with French Muslims authority to determine the start of the Ramadan in Paris (ANSA)
Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,
We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity.
During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity.
The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.
As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent.
Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them.
Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect.
Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope.
We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters.
In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope. There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55).
We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair.
As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.
From the Vatican, 29 March 2021
Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ President
