QUEZON City, Feb. 2, 2015—A “Congress on Prayer” being readied for next month to mark the 500th birth anniversary of one of the Catholic Church’s great spiritual geniuses and mystics, St. Teresa of Ávila, is set to focus on prayer as a dialogue of love and highlight its value in the heart of the Church.
Organized by the National Commission for the Celebration of the 5th Birth Centenary of St. Teresa of Ávila, the day-long prayer congress dubbed “Prayer, A Dialogue of Love,” is scheduled on March 15, Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, Pasay City, and aims to herald prayer as an experience of friendship, as well as a deepening encounter with Christ.
Manila Archbishop Luís Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle will preside over the Holy Eucharist.
In her works, St. Teresa consistently underscores that the goal of contemplative life is apostolic and ecclesial.
As the first female Doctor of the Church, her perspective challenges the faithful to see and discern what is happening in today’s increasingly secularized and post-modern world, with relativism prevalent in the West fast becoming a global reality.
According to her, if something should disturb Christians and trouble their consciences, it is because many of them live with neither the strength, the light, nor the consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ.
“The Church urgently needs the deep breath of prayer,” she stresses.
Moreover, Teresa’s vision of the human person as the dwelling place of God, open to communion with Him as a friend, able to welcome Him at the center of the Castle of people’s souls, will enable them to look at human dignity with fresh eyes despite prevalent threats from today’s culture.
While admission to the event is free, interested parties have to reserve MOA Arena-issued tickets and register by contacting the following: (02) 722-4667, (02) 721-4252, (02) 710-2641, 0939-9207365, 0906-5732305; or email: teresa500philippines@gmail.com. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
