Mindanao Divine Mercy Devotees Sent Forth As New Evangelizers

More than 1,300 devotees of the Divine Mercy Apostolate flocked at the Grand Menseng Hotel for the 2-day Mindanao Apostolic Congress on Mercy, a first after 2 years in the time of pandemic.

Speakers from the Divine Mercy Philippines led by Most Rev. Ruperto Santos, D.D., Bishop of Balanga and Episcopal Coordinator of WACOM (World Apostolic Congress on Mercy) Asia, reflected on the theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission of the New Evangelizers.”

All delegates including the lay coordinators were sent forth during the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Bishop Santos conclebrated by Most Rev. Guillermo Afable, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Digos, Most Rev. Severo Caermare, D.D., Bishop of Dipolog Diocese and priests present from Mindanao.

In his talk, “Living the Messages of St. Faustina,” Bishop Santos described the courageous character of St. Faustina in the midst of challenges, just like facing the Covid 19 pandemic.

He urged everyone to persevere in prayer, be obedient and courageous in doing God’s will, especially in spreading the Good News, “with God, we will surpass all these, and God is always with us.”

Ms. Aida Manasan, Producer and anchor of the program, “The Hour of Three” presented samples on good and bad photos posted on Facebook — the most popular social media, as a “tool to propagate the devotion.”

She emphasized on the importance of proper labelling or photo caption of activities of the Divine Mercy Apostolate including using “hashtags,” to popularize searches.

“Are you ready to make noise?” she asked, “i-share pud sa mga tao nga dili pa devotee,” she added. The devotees eagerly and excitedly shouted “yes!”

At 2:00 p.m. on August 30, the devotees, mostly wearing yellow vacated the congress venue at Grand Menseng Hotel and were ferried to San Pedro Cathedral for the culminating mass presided by, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao.

The cathedral was filled with the color yellow to the delight of Archbishop Valles which he mentioned during his homily upon seeing the “swarm” of devotees from all over Mindanao and expressed his appreciation and gratitude especially to the bishops in attendance: Most Rev. Ruperto Santos, D.D. Bishop of Balanga and Divine Mercy Philippines Episcopal Coordinator, Most Rev. Abel Apigo, D.D. Bishop of Mati, and Most Rev. Severo Caermare Bishop of Dipolog with around 20 concelebrating priests.

In his homily, Archbishop Valles expressed his belief that the devotion is being fed by the Holy Spirit, “therefore in a way, when we become, active, sincere, committed members of this particular apostolate, Divine Mercy Apostolate, we can, with confidence say, with Saint Paul say, that we have the mind of Christ, again the devotion will make us very close to Jesus… and that is very possible when we sincerely participate day in and day out, especially every Sunday in the Holy Eucharist,” he added.

According to him, a good member of the apostolate will always be looking towards others , “not only over the fence, kumbaga… not only in our group that is very necessary but also to go outside, to those among us who need to know Jesus more.”

Before the final blessing, Divine Mercy Apostolate Lay Coordinator and host of MACOM 2022 Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian, together with the members of the Executive Committee and working committee, thanked all the delegates including the lay coordinators, spiritual directors and guest Bishops for the successful 2-day congress. (Photos by Ronita Aragon)