By Sem. Samuel Jed Llorin It was my very first time to experience Manila’s celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno. Several of us who had just arrived after the Christmas break volunteered to give communion during the Mass held at the Quirino Grandstand prior to the Traslacion, Present were thousands of devotees. Our group from UST is one of the several religious congregations and seminaries enjoined to render such service. There is a question I ask myself all the time: “W

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú / Catholic News Agency VATICAN --- Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree

The Baptism of the Lord First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace. Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righte

Time keeps moving, whether we’re ready or not. We can’t stop it, and we can’t stop a new year from beginning. But what we can choose is how we begin this year—and what we decide to pursue as it unfolds. We also can’t undo the past. We can remain stuck in regret, or we can choose gratitude. We may not be able to erase our mistakes, but with God’s grace, we can learn from them and allow them to shape us into better, more loving people. This past year has not been easy. There ha

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Bishop Jose Bantolo passed away on Dec. 13, 2025 after battling a chronic illness. He was 65. Born in Antique and ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique in 1986, Bantolo was appointed by then Pope Benedict XVI as the 3rd Bishop of Masbate in 2011. He was ordained a Bishop on Aug. 22, 2011 and was installed as the prelate of Masbate on Sept. 6, 2011. He chose the motto: “Vivere Christus est” (To live is Christ). His pastoral leadershi

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “What are you searching for this 2026?”, asked Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres in his homily last January 4 at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. “Social media users search for people, topics or songs,” he said. “Alternatively, they post photos, achievements or comments to express themselves.” In his homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord, however, the Caceres prelate reminded everyone of what to truly search for and share with oth

The Epiphany of the Lord (January 4, 2026) First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

Dear Father Bill, Kada bagong taon, naggigibo nin New Year's resolution. Kaipuhan daw na gibohon ini? Pano kun dai man naggigibo? Kasalan daw kun dai māotob? An minagalang, Cora Dear Cora, An New Year's resolution sarong tradisyon na pinaggigibo, orog na sa western world. Ini lista kan mga maray na gawe na gustong ipadagos, sanglean an mga salang gibo o katangian, aboton an sarong personal na objeto, o pakarayon an ugali sa pagpoon kan bagong taon. Halimbawa, ngonyan na taon

By Mimilanie Oliver Orbon On December 20, 2025, the Caceres Office for Women and Children Protection (COWCP) brought the spirit of Christmas to the Naga City Children's Home. For me, the day was very significant. As the outreach unfolded for the 20 resident boys, I was also celebrating my own birthday—not by receiving, but by embracing the privilege of being a Ninang. Behind the joy of that day also was the quiet but determined effort of the COWCP advocates and friends who ch

By CBCP News An international media executive has been appointed the first lay communications officer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Edwin Lopez, 65, a married layman, was named executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC), a position previously held by clergy. Lopez has been the international manager for Asia-Pacific of the Eternal Word Television Network, a global Catholic media organization, for the pa

Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon closed the Jubilee Year of Hope on the Feast of the Holy Family, Dec. 28. A mass was celebrated for the said occasion at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral St. John the Evangelist Parish. (Photo credit: Nicole Assumption Marie Tria/The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral)

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Gospel Reading: Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to s

Dear Father Bill, Tano po ta igwa nin mga Belen kun Pasko? An minagalang, Rebecca Dear Rebecca, An BELEN (Nativity Scene) hale sa Español na an boot sabihon Bethlehem. Ipinapahiling kaini kun saen namundag si Jesus na nagligtas sa kinaban sa kaoripnan nin kasalan. Ini sarong tradisyon na ginigibo kan mga Filipino kun pasko asin ipinapahiling kaini an kagayonan asin kapakumbabaan kan pagkamundag nin Kagurangnan. An Belen o inaapod na "Crèche" iyo an modelo kan pagkamundag ni

By Victoria Cardiel/CNA VATICAN— Pope Leo XIV told the young people of Italian Catholic Action that they can perform a simple gesture that would be the best gift this Christmas: make peace. “Before the holy night of Christmas, think of someone with whom you can make peace,” the pontiff urged members of the organization, founded in 1868, which has established itself as one of the main lay organizations of the Church in Italy. ‘A gift more valuable than those you can buy in sto

By CBCP News Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle invited Filipino Catholics to rediscover Simbang Gabi as a journey of faith and companionship with Mary and Joseph, rather than a checklist of holiday preparations. Speaking during a Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Abu Dhabi, Tagle described the nine-day devotion as spiritually accompanying Mary as she carried Jesus. “This is not just a ritual. It is a spirituality,” said Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelizati