Pauline Year in Manila Archdiocese

Archbishop of Manila stresses the centrality and relevance of the apostle's writings to grasp "the essence of the truth that is Jesus Christ".

MANILA (AsiaNews) - On the occasion of the Pauline Year, which celebrates the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the apostle Paul, the archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, has proposed a series of readings of passages taken from the letters of Saint Paul.

The announcement was made by the Cardinal himself, last June 30, during the inaugural Mass that began the celebrations.

The initiative concerns various centres of the capital: during the readings, the public - made up of students and professionals - will listen to passages taken from the letters of the saint, which will then be used to explain the needs and requirements of each one in everyday life.

"Let the great Apostle Saint Paul speak again", emphasised Cardinal Rosales, "no longer from the Areopagus, but from the school classrooms and auditorium lecterns that he may bring us out our self-centred desires to the truth that is the Savior Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for us".

The beginning of the Pauline Year was also celebrated in the various parishes of the archdiocese of Manila, asking for grace and addressing special intentions to the apostle; each parish sent its own delegation to the solemn celebration officiated by Cardinal Rosales.

"Let us open our hearts and our minds", urged Fr Genaro O. Diwa, the director of liturgical affairs for the archdiocese, "to the divine grace that illuminates our lives", and ask at the same time to "understand more and more the words of the Holy Apostle" and the meaning that these have "for our lives".