Last July 22, 2023, hundreds of people gathered at the auditorium of Pope Pius XII Catholic Center for the 9th edition of the Philippine Conference on New Evangelization (PCNE) with the theme, “And I will walk among you…” (Leviticus 26:12).
The conference began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Jason Laguerta, Director of the Office for the Promotion of New Evangelization. In his homily, he mentioned the reason why the said conference was being held at Pius XII Catholic Center: The building was built by then Cardinal Rufino Santos to become a place of renewal for Evangelization. Since the Center is also a place of renewal with the Lord, Fr. Laguerta wished that everyone would encounter Christ the way Jesus was encountered by Mary Magdalene whose feast was celebrated on the day of the conference.
Fr. Laguerta also affirmed that Evangelization is all about hearing: hearing the Good News, listening to the invitation of Jesus, listening to the words of Jesus. Encounter leads to listening. And that listening leads to mission.
In his Opening Remarks, Fr. Laguerta explained to the participants the purpose of PCNE 9 which is different from that of previous editions of PCNE. The reason for holding it in a small auditorium instead of a bigger venue was that they wanted to go online by spreading the Good News not just in a face-to-face interaction but through an interactive experience by reaching as many people as possible.
The website www.pcne.ph was officially launched at the said conference. People can use the website to hold the do-it-yourself PCNE in their own parishes, communities, and offices. The website was extensively used during the conference, becoming a venue for participants to write their reflections and insights, and making an interactive experience with others. It also focused on Asian Saints and Spirituality.
During the conference, Romar Chuca, a Catholic comedian, shared his experience working as a Jesuit volunteer in Bukidnon. He also answered some questions of the participants of the conference.
Those present ended the conference with a prayer for commitment and a “pagkakaplo,” a ritual that originated in the Visayan region where the icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help in a stampita (prayer card) is touched. And the participants do this, touching their stampita with the icon of Mary, Star of the New Evangelization as a symbol of commitment to spread the Good News of Jesus to other people.
This is also a prelude to the 10th edition of PCNE which will be held on January 19-21, 2024 at the University of Santo Tomas, the home of PCNE.
Source: Luis Antonio Fabregar
