TARLAC CITY, Tarlac, Philippines — Rev. Antonio Franco, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, urged Catholics across the country to renew and strengthen their faith in Christ and their devotion to the Virgin Mary to heal the wounds of society.
Franco, during a message to launch the National Marian Year and the International Eucharistic Year here on Sunday, also asked churches in the Philippines to unite and be guided by Mary.
He said even the Catholic Church needed renewal and conversion as it is also made up of human beings.
Coinciding with the feast of the Assumption, the National Marian Year starts on Aug. 15 and ends on Dec. 8, 2005 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the papal definition of the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
The celebration coincides with the launch of the International Eucharistic Year as declared by Pope John Paul II, which starts in October this year and ends in in October 2005. The theme of the dual celebration is "Celebrating the Eucharist with Mary." [Article]
