MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1st YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE ARMA CHRISTI TO THE PHILIPPINES - 06 FEBRUARY 2013
APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE .
MESSAGE
It is my pleasure to greet the members of the Work of the Saints Apostolate, as they celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the arrival of the Arma Christ Reliquary in the Country on February 6, 2013.Their mission of making known the lives of saints through the
veneration of holy relics is a fitting contribution to the work of New Evangelization encouraged by the Holy Father. The Year of Faith is truly a good opportunity to be reminded of the many persons who, across the centuries, strived to follow the footsteps of Christ and lived saintly and heroic lives.
"By faith, the martyrs gave their lives, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel that had transformed them and made them capable of attaining to the greatest gift of love: the forgiveness of their persecutors.
By faith, men and women have consecrated their lives to Christ, leaving all things behind so as to live obedience, poverty and chastity with Gospel simplicity, concrete signs of waiting for the Lord who comes without delay. By faith, countless Christians have promoted action for justice so as to put into practice the word of the Lord, who came to proclaim deliverance from oppression and a year of favor for all" (Porta Fidei, 13).
Commending you to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may you also strive to live in holiness.
In the name of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, I bless you.
(signed)
Archbishop GIUSEPPE PINTO
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines
