Remembering moments at the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy

(January 16 – 20, 2017)

The Diocese of Digos had about 70 delegates. We were with Bishop Jimmy Afable. I was the chaplain of the group. When we arrived in Manila, we stayed in a hotel in Quiapo. The following day, before the opening held at the Manila Cathedral, the group gathered for a short “attuning” or “oneness of mind”. The opening ceremony was attended by delegates from different countries. It was truly a World Apostolic Congress. Cardinal Tagle’s homily pointed out that God’s mercy is poured out through his children. We are the conduit of his love; and so, God’s mercy has face: our faces.

The next day, around 4:30 am, we were bused to U.S.T. The gym was overflowing with delegates from around the world. We were spiritually enriched by the talks given by bishops, priests and the lay with regard to the Divine Mercy. It was already evening when we returned to the hotel.

Dawn of the following day, we were taken to Batangas for the resumption of the talks. The governor of Batangas was elated to greet us welcome to their province. Bp. Bacani gave one of the talks. There was a moving moment during the sharing given by a PWD who testified to God’s mercy as impacted through the work of Caritas Manila. There was a film-showing and a song rendition, and then, later in the evening we were entertained with local dances.

On the fourth day, we were taken to the province of Bulacan. We visited an orphanage. Instead of being the givers, we became the receivers. The abandoned children served us food, entertainment and cultivated us with their sharing. We also went to a giant statue of the Divine Mercy for its blessing. The mass was celebrated by a bishop of Nigeria.

On the last day, we were taken to Bataan. We toured the spot where they preserved old Hispanic era houses. The concluding mass was held near the sea. The representative from the Vatican gave a talk while the bishop of Bataan celebrated mass. It was such a moving experience as everybody witnessed the miracle of the dancing sun at exactly 3 pm, the hour of great mercy. The bishop’s homily called on everyone to be missionaries and proclaimers of God’s loving mercy.

In this part of the journey one could see that there is still hope in the world. From what transpired, there was mercy received and there was mercy given. There is still plenty of it going around. (Rev. Fr. Allan Joie Nuñez)