The second day of the 5th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy (AACOM) ended with over 2,500 participants — 174 of whom were international, coming from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Guam, Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Thailand.
TALK 1
The day began with the talk of Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo on “The Holy Family: The Society’s Model and Hope.”
In his message, Bishop Dennis emphasized the power of love within a family:
“The love of one family is the strong foundation for another. That forgiveness heals all wounds and restores broken relations. By rendering ourselves vulnerable to the ones we love, we awaken in them the power to set themselves free. By rendering Himself vulnerable in Jesus Christ, God has empowered us to set ourselves free from our iniquities. This, too, is Divine Mercy,” said Bishop Dennis.
TESTIMONY 1
The morning session continued with a testimony on “The Holy Family: The Society’s Model and Hope,” shared by Mr. Peter Chang from Toronto.
“God is a source of love. Love is a source of joy. And joy is a source of peace. If you do not have love, you will not have inner joy,” said Mr. Peter.
He went on, “When your heart stops, you will see the Creator, and the Creator won’t ask, ‘Are you the President? Are you the Prime Minister? Are you a CEO?’ Instead, He will ask, ‘How much love and care have you done?”
LECTIO DIVINA
The afternoon session started with a Lectio Divina or “Divine Reading,” led by Rev. Fr. Prospero V. Tenorio, the National Coordinator of the Divine Mercy Philippines.
Lectio Divina is a method for praying with the Scriptures. As one reads and invites the Word to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, one can come to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day. The method of lectio divina follows four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), contemplatio (contemplation), and oratio (prayer).
“God is not only contented to wait for us, he searches for us. God is not just happy for our return, He celebrates for us. God will give up anything just to have us back to him. He is so tender and generous in his forgiveness. He will do everything to find us,” Fr. Prospero V. Tenorio shared.
TALK 2
Later, Fr. Joel de los Reyes, a priest from Palawan and the head of the Guam Divine Mercy Group, spoke on “Mercy Shines in the Darkness of our Life.”
“Strive to turn a trial into a triumph, a test into a testimony, and a mess into a message. The Lord can make a masterpiece out of little things and pieces we do with love and heart,” said Fr. Joel.
TESTIMONY 2
Afterward, Sr. M. Teresa de la Fuente, ISMM from the Congregation of the Sisters of the Our Lady of Mercy (Florida, USA), shared her testimony on “Trust in the Life of Sr. Faustina.”
“Trust opens the door of our hearts to Jesus and His saving action,” said Sr. Teresa. She added, “Trust is a journey of complete self-giving, which spreads in surrender to God’s will even to death. How beautiful is the trust of Jesus.”
DAY 2 CLOSING MASS
The day concluded with a solemn Chaplet, followed by the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Cebu Archbishop Palma.
In his homily, borrowing the words “Solo Dios Basta” of St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, the Archbishop highlighted that trusting God is enough.
“In the Divine Mercy we are saying, “Jesus, I trust in You,” and that’s enough for us. What more do we need than just open our hearts to the love of God,” the Archbishop added.