The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday, Jan. 6, that it provided manpower as well as land, sea, and air transportation support to secure the relic of St. Therese of the Child of Jesus which is currently in the country for its fifth visit.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel serve as pallbearers of the relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus during the Welcome Mass for the arrival of the pilgrim relic at the Shrine of St. Therese in Pasay City on Jan. 2, 2023. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines / AFP)

Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public information office, said the relic of the Little Flower of Jesus arrived in Pasay City last Monday, Jan. 2, from Lisieux, France which coincided with her 150th birth anniversary.

The arrival also marked the fifth time the relic is in the country after the first four tours in 2000, 2008, 2015, and 2018. The theme for this year’s visit is “Lakbay Tayo, St. Therese! Ka-Alagad, Kaibigan, Ka-Misyon!”

From Pasay City, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft transported the pilgrim relic to Tabuk, Kalinga and at the Monasterio de Sta. Clara in Mangato, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft transports the pilgrim relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus for a visit in Tabuk, Kalinga. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines / AFP)

Baclor said the relic will make rounds in other dioceses, archdioceses, apostolic vicariates, and selected military chaplaincies until April 30 including in Antipolo, Virac, Sorsogon, Catarman, Naval, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Capiz, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato, Surigao, Iligan, Pasig, and Puerto Princesa.

“The AFP, through its Unified Command and Major Services is delegating soldiers to compose the security personnel and pallbearers during the movement of the pilgrim relics in coordination with the Military Ordinate of the Philippines (MOP) and Command Chaplains,” Baclor stated.

Philippine Army (PA) pallbearers carry the pilgrim relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus during its visit at the Monastery de Sta. Clara in Mangato, Laoag City. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines / AFP)

Baclor noted that the MOP was designated by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) as the official host of the visit.

“The relic of St. Therese, who herself descended from military families, is seen as a great opportunity to boost the spiritual life of the men and women in uniform and their families,” he said.

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