CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle urged Marian devotees to make their bodies a “dwelling home for Christ” like the Blessed Mother, during Mass at Santísimo Rosario Parish last Sept. 26.
“Sana katulad ni Maria… hayaan natin ang Diyos na itayo tayo bilang tahanan ni Hesus. At sana kung mayroon tayong mga pangarap na itatayo, hindi lamang ito mga kastilyo para sa ating mga ambisyon,” Tagle said in his homily for the Mass for the enthronement of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary.
(I hope that just like Mary, we let God build us as a dwelling place for Jesus. And if we are to to pursue our dreams, I hope it isn’t just for our selfish ambitions.)
Tagle said Mary’s persistence to become the Ark of the Covenant was a reminder for the faithful to remain patient in knowing Christ.
The Manila archbishop also called on the youth to grow continuously seeking for Jesus.
“Minsan, we just presume that we already know Jesus and we already have seen him as if we have no more longing. [S]ana katulad ni Maria, ang puso natin ay laging nagmu-muni-muni kay Hesus,” he said.
(Sometimes, we just presume that we already know Jesus and we have seen him as if we have no more longing. We should have our hearts, just like Mary, always reflecting on Jesus.)
Tagle also reminded the faithful to open their hearts for peace and let God’s wisdom enter into their lives.
In line with the theme of the celebration “Mary Mother and Model of the Youth – Beloved, Gifted, and Empowered,” and 2019 being the “Year of the Youth,” Fr. Paul Reagan Talavera, O.P., UST parish priest, said this year’s feast would focus on the youth, who were “vital and crucial” in a parish situated in a university.
“Sabi nga [ni Jose Rizal], ‘Ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan.’ I also think that ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng Simbahan. At sabi nga ni Pope Francis, ‘The youth are not just the future of the Church but also the present of the Church’,” Talavera said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
([Jose Rizal] once said, “The youth is the future of the nation.” I also think that the youth is the future of the Church. Just like what Pope Francis said, “The youth are not just the future of the Church but also the present of the Church.”)
The enthronement rites marked the beginning of the 77th anniversary of the parish.
Novena Masses were set on Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, with fiesta Masses on Oct. 6 to be led by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo in the morning and Archbishop Emeritus Angel Lagdameo of Jaro in the evening.
