Philippines: More Than 4,000 Attend Conference on New Evangelization

The 11th edition of the Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization (PCNE) began on July 18 at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, with more than 4,000 participants attending the inaugural ceremony.

The day commenced with the enthronement of the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, followed by an opening Eucharistic celebration at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

In his homily, Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula urged participants to continue their spiritual journey: “God’s forgiving love and God’s persisting hope – these are the graces that he has poured into our hearts and revealed in our lives,” he said. “Let us continue in our synodal journey.”

Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, Bishop of Caloocan and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, reminded participants that God often works through humble beginnings: “The greatest works of God begin with a tiny seed: a simple prayer that nobody notices, a quiet act of kindness, a small ‘yes’ to what God asks of you today,” he said.

PCNE Director Fr. Jason Laguerta encouraged attendees to persevere with love and passion in their ministry: “Padayon [carry on],” he said. “Let us journey onward with unquenchable fire in our bones and boundless love in our hands. Be patient pilgrims of hope, active sharers of faith, and joyful missionaries of love.”

Running until July 20, the conference features sessions on key themes such as Synodality and the Jubilee of Hope. The Asian and Global Perspective of Synodal Witnessing, Synodal Conversions and Witnessing, among others.

In a message to Radio Veritas Asia, the PCNE organizers shared that the high volume of participation on the first day reflected the growing interest in, and commitment to, the Church’s mission of new evangelization in the Philippines and beyond.