Philippines helps with Vatican Nativity Scene

ROME, Dec. 17, 2010—The traditional nativity scene that will be put up at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican will feature a set of nine Filipino figures that will complement the traditional figures of the Holy Family.

The Philippine-made statues depict a Filipino family inside a boat pulling a net with a plentiful catch from the sea. Near them, other companions are portrayed playing different indigenous musical instruments. Some baskets, filled with different Philippine tropical fruits, vegetables, fishes and shells, highlighting the bountiful harvest of the earth and the sea, complete the set.

Designed by Davao-based Filipino sculptor, Kublai Ponce-Millan, the sculptures represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus.

Kublai Ponce-Millan began his work in August after Mercedes Tuason, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, presented the project to the Governorate of the Vatican City State as part of the launching activities of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See.

“To include the Filipino figures at the Vatican nativity scene will surely be most meaningful for all Filipinos knowing that the solemnity of Christmas is perhaps the most popular celebration among Filipino Catholics”, Tuason said in her letter to Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State.

Delighted with this proposal, Cardinal Lajolo responded that “this gesture would be meaningful for the vast Filipino community in Italy, a hard working community of great faith and family values.”

Under the supervision of the Technical Services of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, around 35 workers began work on the nativity scene in St. Peter’s square in early November.

The work is expected to be finished on December 24, in time for the official opening and blessing that evening. Pope Benedict XVI will participate in the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments.

Filipinos in Italy are consoled to see their Christian faith recognized and affirmed by the Holy See in this symbolic way. They are grateful for the honor of being placed in the center of Catholicism’s celebration of the birth of Christ this year.

The ongoing construction of the Nativity scene and the Philippine contribution to it can be viewed on YouTube by accessing

Communicators invited to advent silence

VATICAN, Dec. 14, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Vatican's media council is inviting social communicators to take this time of Advent to be silent.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said this in a message to communicators of Latin America on the occasion of last Sunday's feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He noted how local Churches are promoting the continental mission, "recalling that to be disciples means to have lived a genuine encounter with [Christ], to have experienced his goodness, his love and his mercy in our personal history."

"This experience," the prelate said, "marks and transforms life in a permanent way, and that is why we wish to communicate it to others, thus transforming ourselves into men and women missionaries."

Holding Mary's hand

An encounter with the Lord is multi-faceted, Archbishop Celli proposed: It is both personal and communal, arising both in solitude and in the liturgy and family.

"It is nourished by dialogue and community prayer, expressed in song, in catechesis and ends in action and service," he said. "That is why, on this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I would like to invite you, precisely as men and women communicators, to enjoy once more the experience of encountering Christ.

"I invite you to live moments of silence during these days of Advent, to hear Jesus' voice who speaks to our heart. Holding Mary's hand, let us meet with him without haste, as he always awaits us!"

The Vatican official recommended hushing the "flood of concerns and noises that so often drag us endlessly."

"Silence," he said, "is like a blank screen on which we can project the film of our daily life to see it clearly. If we project it on a wall full of pictures, books and objects, with a background of noise, we will understand little. [...] In silence we hear the voice of God. In this way we will be able to be genuine bearers of his Word -- as Mary who, 'kept all these things in her heart.'"

Not so easy

Archbishop Celli acknowledged that his exhortation is difficult in times of "news bombardment, pastoral needs, bustle in families, in our media and in parishes, not to mention purchases, gifts, parties and celebrations."

"However," he said, "if we dedicate time to choose the ingredients and to prepare the dinners and meals we will share over the holidays, must we not also prepare, and even more so, what we will communicate through radios, newspapers, television programs and Web sites? What can we give that is substantial, if our life is filled only with repeated words, with little depth and contents? Let us dedicate time to the Lord whom we are awaiting this Advent."

Collegio Filippino welcomes 35 bishops, 2 Cardinals

ROME, Dec. 3, 2010—The Pontificio Collegio Filippino welcomed 35 Bishops and 2 Cardinals from the Philippines, the first of three batches to hold their Ad Limina Visit to the Holy Father.

The first batch of bishops came from 5 Ecclesiastical Provinces of Nueva Segovia, Tuguegarao, Lingayen-Dagupan, San Fernando (Pampanga) and Manila.

All the bishops are staying at PCF where it is a home away from home. Most of the prelates had stayed at PCF years ago when they were taking further studies in the different Pontifical Universities in Rome.

“To return to PCF and reminisce memories while visiting the Holy Father is wonderful indeed,” many of them said.

During their general audience with the Holy Father last November 29 at the Consistory Hall, Pope Benedict welcomed them and expressed appreciation on what the Bishops of the Philippines have been doing to promote culture of faith, life, love and family.

“Your presence here in Rome strengthens the bonds of communion between the Catholic community in the Philippines and the See of Peter, a communion which stretches back over four centuries to the first offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice upon your shores,” the pope said. (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo) http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13933