July 31, 1995

To my dear people of God:

On August 15 we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, “Queen of Heaven and Earth,” who reigns to serve (Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, June 29,1995).

On this day we also mark the 400th year of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Manila, a commemoration already highlighted by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in his visit to Manila in January this year. On January 14 the Holy Father celebrated the Quadricentennial Year Mass. In his homily he pointed to the enduring faith of the Philippine Church as its source of joy.

The Philippine Church, through the light and energy that emanated from the “Church’s religious mission during these 400 years,” the Holy Father said, has a task and responsibility: “to remain faithful to what has been handed down and to build on it, so that God’s law will abide in your hearts and his blessings will increasingly be poured out on your nation.”

As the Church enters the Third Millennium, even, greater tasks and challenges lie ahead. The modern world spins at a tremendous pace of change, sometimes upending values, creating conflicts, and throwing confusing notions that test the firmness and stability of one’s faith and beliefs.

As we approach the great feast of Mary, and the commemoration of the legacy of faith that God, in love and goodness, has graced our nation, we pause for three days of prayerful celebration, in thanksgiving, in openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit who renews life and brings to the love of God our Father.

I invite all of you, to join me, your bishops and priests, and your fellow parishioners to this Triduum on AUGUST 13 to 15, our celebration of thanksgiving and prayers, in honor of Mary, Mother of God, patroness of our country, and in observance of the Quadricentennial Year of the Archdiocese.

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, a MARIAN CELEBRATION FOR THE FAMlLY, LIFE AND WOMAN, will be held at the parade grounds of University of Santo Tomas, in España, Manila. The theme for this activity is “MARY, THE WOMAN.” The celebration begins at 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON.

Priests have been enjoined to lead parish delegations in a procession from designated meeting points and to finally converge at UST. Some afternoon Masses in the Archdiocese of Manila will be cancelled on that day so that many of you could participate in this important event. The afternoon activities which include the sharing of faith-experiences by families and individuals and the praying of the rosary will be capped by the celebration of the Holy Mass. Do not forget to bring with you your rosaries, transistor radios (tuned in to ZNN Radio Veritas), umbrellas and candles. Come rain or shine, in light and darkness, we will move on in prayer and unity.

On MONDAY, AUGUST 14, the activities will be centered in schools all over the archdiocese. These will include Masses or praying of the rosaries in schools. At 12 NOON I will lead in the praying of the Angelus which will be aired over ZNN Radio Veritas. This will be followed by the consecration of all schools to our Blessed Virgin Mary.

On TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, the celebration begins at TWO THIRTY IN THE AFTERNOON (2:30 PM) with the laying of the cornerstone for the Youth Center at the Reclamation Area along Roxas Boulevard. The stone was blessed by the Holy Father during the Quadricentennial Mass on January 14. His Excellency President Fidel V Ramos will join us in this momentous event. Then, from that site, there will be a motorcade leading to the Manila Cathedral.

At FOUR THIRTY IN THE AFTERNOON (4:30 PM) I will lead our bishops and priests in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. During this occasion we will pray the “Prayer for the Second Provincial Council of Manila.” This will also signal the opening of the Quadricentennial year which be auspiciously capped in August 1996 with the holding of the Second Provincial Council of Manila.

We will make these THREE DAYS IN AUGUST 1995 our commitment and act of faith. Through these events we will make new the words that our dear Holy Father imparted to us, in paternal warmth and grace-filled blessing. These three days should serve to renew us, refresh us, and unify us in the love of God, made manifest in the Church that he founded, and in Mary, “a gift for her Son,” but also “a gift for the sons and daughters of the whole human race, awakening profound trust in those who seek her guidance along the difficult paths of life on the way to their definitive and transcendent destiny” (Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, June 29, 1995).

As we thank the Lord, let us heed his call to be his disciples to all nations. And it is with eagerness and joyful anticipation that I look forward to these three days when we will all be together in prayer and love.

We pray to Mary, Our Lady, the Patroness of the Archdiocese to continue to sustain our faith through her loving intercessions, and maternal guidance. May the Lord who called our forefathers to embark on their mission of faith 400 years ago, keep his call ringing in our hearts so we may be constantly inspired and moved to proclaim the Good News to all the world, at all times.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

(Sgd.) + JAIME L. CARDINAL SIN, D.D.

Archbishop of Manila