Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula presided over the holy mass honoring nine Filipinos with Papal awards at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
His Eminence bestowed the Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) medals upon Ramon del Rosario Jr, Manuel V. Pangilinan, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Maria Goolsby, and Arnulfo Veridico.
The Papal award was also conferred upon Roselina Quismundo, Elmer Sy, Tomasita Lim, and Corazon Rodriguez from the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph in Manila’s Sta. Cruz district.
Ayala Corporation’s Zobel de Ayala, Metro Pacific Investment Corp.’s Pangilinan and PHINMA’s Del Rosario are members of the board of trustees of Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila.
UnionBank’s Goolsby and Veridico, meanwhile, are long-time supporters of the projects and programs of Caritas Manila.
In his homily, Cardinal Advincula called on the honorees to remain as “models to inspire others to follow the path of love and service”.
The Papal awardees, the Church leader said are “long time partners in the mission of the Church and collaborators in evangelization. Unworthy as I am, in the name of our Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church of Manila, we thank you for your commitment to the teachings of the Church and for your selfless service, which has touched the lives of many, leaving indelible marks on those you have served,” the cardinal said.
“You are sent to look for many opportunities to do good for others and to make more of our brothers and sisters feel God’s care, compassion, healing and love through you,” the prelate said as he reminded the honorees to do more and to help more.
The Church leader likewise encouraged the faithful to continue to follow the example of Jesus “who does good to anyone in need anytime and anywhere.”
“The Lord also invites each one of us, unworthy as we are, to be His hands that serve and care, His feet that run to attend to those in need, His mouth that proclaims his Good News, and His heart that beats compassion and love,” Cardinal Advincula said.
First issued on July 17, 1888 by Pope Leo XIII, the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal features a gold Greek cross with the images of the apostles Saints Peter and Paul and the name of the reigning pope in Latin. It is conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and the clergy.