Ad Limina Visit – A Time to Strengthen the Bishop’s Pastoral Ministry

The visit “AD LIMINA APOSTOLORUM” plays an important part in the ministry of the Bishops as the successors of the Apostles. It is the visit of all the Bishops who maintained their communion with Apostolic See. It has a definite purpose, that is, the strengthening of the Bishops own responsibility as successors of the apostles and it also expresses the Bishops hierarchical communion with the Successor of Peter – the Pope. It plays a significant role in strengthening the bond of the ministry of shepherding God’s people. In addition to this, the Ad Limina visit is also an important moment in the exercise of the Holy Father’s pastoral ministry. In fact in such visit the Supreme Pastor receives the Pastors of the particular churches (meaning the Bishops of the different Dioceses) and discusses with them questions concerning their ecclesial mission.

This year 2019 the Philippine Bishops are scheduled to do their AD LIMINA VISIT to the Pope. Here is the schedule of the Bishops’ Ad Limina visit; the Luzon Bishops will be on May 19-26, 2019, then followed by the Visayas Bishops on May 27 to June 2, 2019, and finally the Mindanao Bishops with the Ecclesiastical Province of Lipa will be on June 2 – 8, 2019. The entire duration of the visit is scheduled well in such a way that Bishops will have the opportunity to meet the Pope in order to re-affirm the Bishops fidelity and obedience to the successor of St. Peter.

In the Ad Limina visit, the Bishops will have also the time to meet the different heads of the Dicasteries (Papal Offices) in order for them to have the opportunity to clarify those important points contained in the Quinquennial Report. The Quinquennial report gives the details of the status of the Diocese to which the Bishop is assigned. This report is prescribed by the Code of Canon Law. Besides, the heads of the Dicasteries (Cardinals or Archbishops) will also have the chance to clarify some important points contained in the report which need to be clarified.

Aside from the moment of encounter with the Pope, and the chance to meet the heads of the different papal offices, the Ad Limina visit has also an important purpose and that is to give the Bishops the opportunity to venerate the tombs of the Holy Apostles – Sts. Peter and Paul. It is also something which is spiritual. The visit to the tombs of the great Apostles is an occasion for the Bishops to draw their strength and the inspiration from these Apostles whose lives were dedicated for the service of the spread of the gospel. In shepherding God’s people, the Bishops need the grace coming from the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, so that they can fulfill the difficult task entrusted to them. The prayers and intercessions of the two Apostles will hopefully strengthen their resolve to do their pastoral ministry with utmost dedication in their respective Dioceses.

Finally, many of the Mindanao Bishops look forward to this visit. It is because many of them were just appointed recently by Pope Francis himself hence this is their first Ad Limina visit. For them it is a moment to strengthen their pastoral ministry and at the same time it is wonderful moment to connect with the Successor of St. Peter the Pope. May prayers of St. Peter give the Bishops the strength that they need!

Most Rev. Abel C. Apigo, DD
Bishop of Mati