All Set For MDO Apostolic Congress

All is set for the Mindanao Apostolic Congress on Mercy (MACOM), hosted by the Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Davao to be held at The Grand Men Seng Hotel, on August 29-30, 2022.

Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian, lay head coordinator of the Divine Mercy Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Davao revealed that this is the first time that a Congress for Mindanao is being held for the devotees of the Divine Mercy Apostolate.

More than 1,000 devotees are expected to participate in the MACOM from 22 dioceses in Mindanao with each of their lay coordinators, 13 priests and some bishops who will contemplate on this year’s theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission of the New Evangelizers of Mercy.”

Bian also explained that since the COVID-19 pandemic, when all regular conferences were put on hold, this will be the first time with eased restrictions that a Congress of this kind will be held.

Bian also revealed that the MACOM will serve as a preparation for the next PACOM which is slated to be hosted by the Archdiocese of Davao in 2025. The 4th Philippine Apostolic Congress on Mercy (PACOM) was held January 24-26, 2019 in San Juan City, Manila with the theme: “Divine Mercy, in Communion with the Young.”

She announced that a similar gathering will be held in Cebu City, dubbed as Cebu Archdiocesan Apostolic Congress on Mercy slated on September 17 & 18, 2022 to be held at the IEC3, Pope John Paul 2 Street, Cebu City with the theme: “Transformed into God’s Mercy through Forgiveness, Peace and Joy.”

Next on the calendar of the Divine Mercy Apostolate is the Asian Apostolic Congress On Mercy. This year, Asia 2022 Congress is scheduled on October 17-21, 2022 with the theme, “Rethinking Church and Mission: God’s Agenda for Today.”

AACOM is a 3-day event gathering speakers from around the world to strengthen and promote devotion to the Divine Mercy all over Asia. Held once every three years, AACOM is an Asian gathering of Divine Mercy ‎devotees ‎and ‎promoters, among whom are cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and the laity. Each day participants will listen to invited speakers on topics reflecting the theme of the Congress.

Enrichment through the first-hand testimonials and sharing from Asian representative countries on the DM movement in their countries, will add depth to the experience. Participants will also get to enjoy interactive and “experiential” elements to make the Congress even more fulfilling.

AACOM is an offshoot of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM) which is a religious event launched by Pope Benedict XVI that draws from the teachings of Saint Faustina Kowalska.The first WACOM occurred in Rome in 2008 with subsequent events in Kraków (2011), Bogotá (2014) and Manila (2017). On January 16, 2017, the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy opened at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines, with over 5,000 delegates from around the world participating. Its theme: “Communion in Mercy, Mission for Mercy.”

Ultimately the objective of AACOM is to strengthen and promote the devotion to the Divine Mercy while giving deeper insights into the practice and inculturation of DM devotion among the Asian nations.