In 2021, Pope Francis declared the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to take place every fourth Sunday of July in honor of St. Anne and St. Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus, whose feast day is celebrated on July 26. Simultaneously, the Fil-Mission Sunday...
THAT gospel episode where Christ shocked his disciples when he told them that they themselves had to feed the big crowd that followed Christ (cfr. Jn 6,1-15) reminds us that we should just have confidence in the ways of God even if what we are...
IN that parable of the sower and the seed, (cfr. Mt 13,8-23) it’s made quite clear that we are encouraged to be the good ground for God’s word which actually represents his great love for us and our salvation. We should avoid being the wayside,...
ON the Feast of St. James, the Apostle, celebrated on July 25, we are reminded of that episode where his mother asked Christ a favor. And that is that her two sons, James and John, “sit, one at your right and other at your left,...
THAT gospel parable about the sower and the seed (cfr. Mt 13,1-9) somehow reminds us that we have to be the good ground that would readily receive the seed of God and make it grow to its fullness. Only then can we aspire to transform...
THAT gospel episode where somebody in the crowd told Christ that her mother was around (cfr. Mt 12,46-50) can only tell us once again that as long as we follow the example of Mary, we too can be members of God’s family. And what is this...
THE Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22 reminds us that we all are in need of conversion. Yes, even if we have been trying, for the longest time already, to be good and saintly, we know that our wounded human condition would always...
War began on land and later extended to the sea. In maritime conflicts from the 14th to the 18th centuries, the losing side’s leader faced dire choices: Fight to the death. Surrender and face torture or execution. Become a slave to the victor. Surrender and,...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., during the 60th Founding Anniversary of St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao, July 11, 2024.) And, today in this very special Jubilee, we say, Lord, we renew our faith in your...
As the church looks to the future, the role of the youth has never been more crucial. Often perceived as disengaged, the younger generation has proven to be a vibrant force within the church, ready to take on leadership and service roles with enthusiasm and...