Leader of Philippine Bishops: Let Us Start Again

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EIGHT days after Christmas, they gave the Child His name, He will be called Jesus, His people’s saviour from sin, Cradled in the laps of Mary, the Child grew and glowed, The Child that God promised, whom the prophets had foretold. 

Today is the Feast of Mary, we celebrate her motherhood, The Baby she conceived in her heart and carried in her womb, That Baby is truly God-man, we believe and we proclaim, He has made our hearts his home; to obey His will is our aim! 

Today is the feast of peace, that all may live as one, We pray that war may end and hunger may be gone, We pray that the reign of terror and the power of each gun, Be melted by the mercy of God and the Blood of His only Son! 

We pray for an end to kidnappings, we pray that violence stop, We beg for the end of terrorism and the conversion of the corrupt, We pray for peace in Syria, healing for every troubled heart, We pray for typhoon victims that they can soon rise up and start. 

Behold the Lord makes all things new, God of new beginnings, We look at the year behind us with gratitude for its blessings, We look at the new year eagerly, hoping for the best to come, We believe in His tender love, secure in the embrace of the Son! 

We greet each one Happy New Year! We greet each other “Peace” We say together “Ave Maria”! Hail Jesus Prince of Peace!

ARCHBISHOP SOCRATES VILLEGAS, DD

Dagupan City, January 1, 2014