About the 5th Philippine Visit
The Pilgrim Relics of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus will visit the Philippines for the 5th time beginning on January 2nd, her 150th birthday and end on April 30th, 2023, the centennial of her beatification.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in endorsing the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP), hopes and prays that through this visit, “we continue to learn more profoundly her life and message of God’s gift of merciful love through her Way of Spiritual Childhood. By her example and intercession, Saint Thérèse continues to enrich the lives of Filipino people.”
Coming out of the celebration of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines, and the challenges of the Covid 19 Pandemic, this Relics visit calls on the 54 Archdioceses and Dioceses who invited St. Thérèse to join the Catholic Church celebration of Synod on Synodality. Hence, this visit’s theme is,
“Lakbay tayo St. Thérèse! Ka-Alagad, Kaibigan, Ka-Misyon.”
The official welcome will be on Monday, January 2nd 2023 at the Shrine of St. Thérèse, Pasay City. This begins at 4:00pm with a Civic Reception followed by the Welcome Mass with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown as presider and homilist.
The 5th Visit Theme song will also be unveiled at the close of the Mass. This was a result of the Song Writing Competition held by the National Organizing Committee in cooperation with the Jesuit Music Ministry.
As in previous visits of St. Thérèse’s Relics, the MOP is generously supported by the AFP, PNP, Phil Army, Phil Navy, Phil Air Force, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Phil Coast Guard, BJMP, MIAA, Bureau of Customs,…(etc) ..and many generous devotees and followers of St. Thérèse.
About the Logo
Our logo was created by Fr. Pong Del Rosario with graphic artist Mr. Paul Raphael Libatique.
This year’s logo utilizes the last visit (2018) rose logo as the central image, which signifies St. Thérèse’s continuing mission of sending faith, hope, and love to the people.
The upward “swooping” arm symbolizes her unfailing intercession to the Lord of our aspirations, longings, prayers, and needs. While the downward swoop represents her love and touch, guiding, leading, and gathering us all in the love of Jesus Christ.
Together, the logo signifies St. Thérèse’s special affection for the Filipino people and God’s loving response to her, which manifests through humble efforts at living out our daily life with the ‘Little Way’ of hers.
The logo appears as the letter S, which signifies the ‘Walang Hanggang SALAMAT’ to the Lord and our dear St. Thérèse. S also stands for SYNODALITY, as we all take the journey together in receiving God’s love and abiding presence through St. Thérèse’s intercession.
About the Theme
LAKBAY TAYO, ST. THERESE! KA-ALAGAD, KAIBIGAN, KA-MISYON.
This January 2023, we welcome again our dear sister, St. Therese. The 5th visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is most timely as it brings a much-sought hope, encouragement and healing after the Covid 19 Pandemic.
One with the whole Catholic Church, we join our brothers and sisters “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” Synodality indicates walking together and listening to one another but above all to the Holy Spirit.
We invite her to be our companion, friend and Mission-companion on our journey through life and towards a Synodal Church.
Lakbay Tayo, St. Thérèse!
Ikaw ang aming tunay na Kaalagad. Kaibigan. Ka-Misyon.
