Diocese of Digos sends 65 PACOM delegates

January 24th, as the first day of PACOM 4 kicks off, some 65 delegates from the diocese of Digos came in their yellow shirts to Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan, Metro Manila. These are some youth leaders, adults who have been regular attendees of said event and some newbies who like to experience for the first time what PACOM is.

This 3-day event is in line with the celebration of the year of the youth as part of the preparation for the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

The first day starts with the Parade of Colours. These are the different Coat of Arms of all the dioceses in the Philippine Catholic Church.

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia presides the Opening Mass in the morning with the Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, the WACOM Asia episcopal coordinator as the homilist. The mass was attended by numerous bishops who travelled from their provinces outside Manila and Luzon mostly to attend the opening day and to attend the CBCP Conference the next three days which will also happen in Manila.

The first talk for day 1 was given by Bishop Ruperto Santos. He talked about Divine Mercy for You(th) to deepen the youth’s devotions to the Divine Mercy. The afternoon talk was given by the Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, he is the vice President of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). His topic was about the interesting “ING” (I am God). He talks about the selfie syndrome of the Image of the Divine Mercy and explains the ill effects of this phenomenon teaching the young how to make Christ the center of their lives.

The second day was another day of exciting talks. The Digos delegates wore their red shirts to the event. They came driven by their coach bus which shuttles them everyday from the hotel to Filoil Arena and back. The morning talk was given by Fr. Michael La Guardia, SDB. He talked about N-chances from No to N-finity. This is about healing from a broken relationship through the Divine Mercy. He emphasizes on God’s infinite mercy that can mend broken relationships.

The third day had the participants wearing white. The first talk was given by Fr. Joel Joson of the Archdiocesan Commission of Family and Life. His topic was named LDR (Love Despite Regrets). He provided participants an understanding of the Divine Mercy’s love and what it entails. The last topic was just as interesting. It’s titled Immortal Combat — Divine Mercy and the battle of Souls. It was given by Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, Chief Exorcist Priest from the Archdiocese of Manila. This enlightened the participants of Divine Mercy’s power to strengthen souls, giving a whole new meaning to Immortal Combat.

The last day of the event was formally closed with a Closing Mass presided by Bishop Francisco de Leon himself. Certificates of Attendance were given and everyone became tangled on the stage trying to get some photos of their groups and solo. Most participants took another day in Manila to see their friends and relatives and visit different churches and cathedrals they wished to see. Indeed it as a very meaningful experience to everyone. (Blaze Q, Cantaros)