St. Therese pilgrim relics set RP tour

The pilgrim relics of St. Therese of Lisieux will visit

at least 33 places all over the Philippines to open

the Catholic Church's Millennium Jubilee

celebration.

This was announced by Bishop Ramon C. Arguelles, DD,

chairman, of the Millennium Saint Foundation, Inc., who

added that some 25 cities and municipalities in Luzon

led by Metro Manila, six in the Visayas, and five in

Mindanao are included in the itinerary.

Proclaimed by Pope Pius XI in 1927 Patroness of the

Universal Missions St. Therese of Lisieux is one of only

three women in the whole world who held a Doctor of the

Church degree.

Pope John Paul II declared her the 33rd Doctor of the

Church on World Mission Sunday, October 19, 1997. He

also identified her as "the saint for the men and women

of the Third Millennium."

To underscore the missionary calling of the Filipino

people and their role in the "new evangelization thrust" of

the Church in the Philippines as she enters the dawn of

the Third Millennium, the Catholic Bishops Conference of

the Philippines has invited the relics of youngest Doctor

of the Church. This is part of a three-continent,

12-country tour. After the Philippines, the relics will visit

the (arch) diocesses in Taiwan and Hong Kong from April

1519, 2000.

The following is a statement from Bishop Ramon

Arguelles:

"The visit of St. Therese's relics should result in great

renewal of our faith. No less than Pope John Paul II

confidently looks forward to 'a new springtime of faith.' St.

Therese invites us to believe that 'Our God is a God of

Love.' Her mission, therefore - and hopefully ours too,

most particularly during this year of the Father - is 'to

make love and make Love loved.' May this predominantly

Catholic nation in Asia be eager to accept the

missionary challenge that the Millennium Saint will

present to us. May she touch the hearts of the Filipino

and Asian youth to search for a more meaningful and

dedicated life for God and fellow human beings. May the

'spiritual guide of men and women of the Third

Millennium' arouse in priests especially in the Philippines

an eagerness for deeper union with God and for more

total commitment to build up God's kingdom."

For further information on this event, please call the

Millennium Saint Foundation, Inc.