October 18, 2013 - Speaking for the first time in English, Pope Francis sent a video
message to the participants in the first Philippine Conference on New Evangelization
in Manila that concluded on Friday, urging Asians to bring Jesus in the daily situations
of life. Some 6000 delegates from various part of the Philippines and Asia took part
in Oct. 16 - 18 event of the Year of Faith on the theme, “Behold, I make all things
new!”
Listen to the Pope’s message: My
dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, I greet all of you with
the peace and joy of Our Lord. The first Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization
is a worthy offering to the Year of Faith. For this I thank all of you, my brother
Bishops, the priests, religious men and women, seminarians and the lay faithful who
organized and are participating in the conference. I am happy to learn that you came
to Manila from different parts of the Philippines and Asia. The Holy Spirit is actively
at work in you. The Church of Christ is alive! Through this conference,
I hope you would experience again the loving presence of Jesus in your lives, that
you would love the Church more and that you would share the Gospel to all people with
humility and joy. Do not get tired of bringing the mercy of the Father to the poor,
the sick, the abandoned, the young people and families. Let Jesus be known in the
world of politics, business, arts, science, technology and social media. Let the Holy
Spirit renew creation and bring forth justice and peace in the Philippines and in
the great continent of Asia that is close to my heart. Please pray for me.
I promise to pray for you, especially to Our Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star
of the New Evangelization. Mabúhay ang Pilipínas! Mabúhay ang Asia! Pagpaláin
kayó ng Dios! God bless you! (Blessing)