Bearers of God’s Mercy and Compassion

“Father, please visit my ailing mother, pray that my husband may be converted, thank you for your prayers for the board exam of my daughter, I was enlightened by your good advice during my darkest days.” These are common expressions of our faithful who believe in God’s mercy and compassion channeled through His ordained ministers.

As the Archdiocese of Davao hosts this year’s 39th Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao Convention, we pray for the expected 800 participants that they may truly continue to become bearers of God’s mercy and compassion. Coming from the 21 prelatures, dioceses and archdioceses in Mindanao, our diocesan priests tend their flock—rich and poor, young and old, professionals or non-professionals and the like.

May our clergy put on themselves the challenge of Pope Francis: “People today certainly need words, but most of all they need us to bear witness to the mercy and tenderness of the Lord which warms the heart, rekindles hope, and attracts people towards the good. What a joy it is to bring God’s consolation to others.”