Archbishop Valles lauds religious for their contribution in the Church

Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles has lauded the religious men and women for their contribution in the local Church of Davao.

During the celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life February 3 at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, the archbishop said that he cannot imagine what the Church of Davao would be without the presence of the religious.

He said the pastoral life of the local Church of Davao is vigorous through their presence.

“God’s grace cannot be measured,” the archbishop said regarding the presence of religious men and women.

He said that it’s been a long time that the Church has allotted time in honor of the religious.

The celebration of this year’s World Day for Consecrated Life also falls on the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord and Candelaria where candles are blessed at the start of the Mass.

Archbishop Valles has likened the light from the candle as fire that could purify them.

He said the presence of God is like fire that could purify.

He added that the way of Jesus is the way of the Cross, way of obedience.

“The Lord confronts us as if we are purified in fire,” he said.

He encouraged the religious men and women to continue entertaining that fire inside to purify then and so that later they could become light to others.

The religious together with the archbishop has also gathered for dinner to end the celebration during that night.