The Immaculate Conception Parish in Naga City (ICP Naga) had a 2-day celebration on May 26 and 27 for the Parish SKK (Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad) 13th Anniversary. The recently celebrated feat opened with a eucharistic celebration presided over by Parish Priest Fr. Marcel Emmanuel DP. Real on Holy Trinity Sunday. In his homily, Real exhorted to express one’s love to God and others. Participating in Laudato Si Week Since the 2-day celebration also fell on the recently held Laudato Si Week on May 20 to 26, community members of the SKK participated in a Clean Up Drive held in their respective communities and Community Chapels on the first day of the celebration. A Journey with the Holy Spirit On the second day, 85 community members gathered at the Legaspi Hall of the Basilica Minore de Peñafrancia for the General Assembly. Highlights of the said Assembly include the Echo of the May 11 Archdiocesan SKK Day presented by Core Group Member Evangeline de Guzman and the Small and Big Group Sharing that followed. During the sharing, community members identified the following as fruits of establishing SKKs in a Parish: spiritual growth through the series of Prayer Meetings and unity within the community. Community members also testified that it is with the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit that they remain steadfast in their mission of evangelization. Also in attendance during the Assembly was Engr. Fe Melinda Cu, PPC Chair. The Future of SKK ICP Naga Moving forward, community leaders recommended the following to help them in their pastoral work: routine meetings, regular home visitation, constant spiritual formation, Leadership Training, and partnership with the following: Parish Catechetical Ministry, Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Seminarians and a transformative Social Action Program. In 2011, then Parish Priest Fr. Mario Arnulfo Gaite spearheaded the establishment of the Parish SKKs. In line with this, the Parish Pastoral Council was also re-organized to include an SKK Coordinator. Currently, the Parish SKK Core Group is composed of the following: Dr. Ma. Asuncion Prieto-Quimlat (Coordinator); Jose Jesus de Guzman (Vice Coordinator); Vilma Braga (Secretary); Ma. Atanacia Lanada (Treasurer); Olive Dadua and Rosario Ledesma (Core Group Members for Devotions); Evangeline de Guzman and Carlo Ledesma (Core Group Members for Faith Instructions); Shirley Obias and Mellard Japson (Core Group Members for Services) and Merly Benosa (Cluster Head Coordinator).

His Grace, the Most Rev. Charles John Brown, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, will grace the episcopal ordination of Rev. Fr. Luisito Audal Occiano, Bishop-elect of Virac on June 21. The apostolic nuncio serves as ambassador of the Vatican to the Philippines. He plays an important role in the appointment of bishops. He is also the dean of the diplomatic corps. Archbishop Brown, an American, was appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic nuncio to the Philippines on September 28, 2020. He succeeded Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, D.D. who also came to Naga to join the fluvial procession on September 20, 2019. This will be the third time that Brown, a church diplomat, will be coming to Naga. He first came upon the invitation of the Archdiocese of Caceres to grace with his presence the Peñafrancia Fiesta in September 2023. As a pilgrim, he participated in the Fluvial Procession by boarding the pagoda of Ina together with the Bicol bishops and male devotees. He presided the Mass at the end of the same Fluvial Procession on September 16 and the Fiesta Mass on the next day, September 17. Both masses were held at the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore. The Vatican ambassador next came to Naga on May 2 as the installing prelate of Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., the 5th Archbishop of Caceres. Bishop-elect Occiano’s main consecrator will be Archbishop-emeritus Rolando J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D. The co-consecrators are Archbishop Adolfo Tito C. Yllana, D.D., apostolic nuncio to Israel and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine and Caceres Archbishop Alarcon who will preach during the occasion. On February 29, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Luisito A. Occiano as the third of Virac. The Vatican has also accepted the resignation of Bishop Manolo de los Santos, rendering the diocese sede vacante pending installation of Fr. Occiano. Following the acceptance of his resignation, Bishop Manolo de los Santos has been appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese. The designation ensures the smooth transition of pastoral care while awaiting the canonical possession of the Diocese by Bishop-elect Occiano. Bishop de los Santos has dedicated 29 years and 5 months of service as the shepherd of the diocese. The Diocese of Virac expressed her gratitude in her social media account: “With hearts brimming with gratitude to the Almighty, we joyously announce the appointment of our new bishop, Rev. Fr. Luisito Audal Occiano. As we collectively lift our voices in thanksgiving for the dedicated service of our beloved Bishop Manolo de los Santos throughout the years, we also extend a warm welcome to Bishop-elect Occiano.” Papal Nuncio Archbishop Brown visited Virac in August 27, 2021 upon the invitation of the diocese for the celebration of her 47th foundation anniversary, blessing and dedication of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Nine days after his installation as Caceres Archbishop, Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., urged parishes to continue building BECs. On May 11, the Archdiocesan Office of Basic Ecclesial Committees, also called SKK-Caceres, held the 4th SKK Day. SKK stands for Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad – the Bikol translation of BEC. In 2019, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines designated Trinity Sunday as BEC Sunday. In Caceres, the annual SKK Day is celebrated prior to Trinity Sunday so it would not coincide with other archdiocesan activities. Attended by 118 priests and lay leaders from more than fifty parishes, the gathering was held at the Archbishop Legaspi Hall at the Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City. It was the first time for Alarcon to meet BEC-parish implementers and parishes preparing to implement BEC. In a circular issued on April 19 by Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D., now Archbishop-Emeritus of Caceres, parish priests, chairpersons of parish pastoral councils, SKK and Education Ministry parish coordinators were asked to join the activity. Alarcon, in his homily, noted the ways society has changed vis-à-vis the need for the Church to be responsive amidst these phenomena. He cited the developments in the banking industry where bank managers are now frontliners and in business organizations where shared commons, networking and collaborations are essential for sustainability. He noted how media has evolved so much so that anyone can be a content creator, compared to the traditionally one-way communication through radio, tv and print. For her part, the Church responds to the signs of the times, Alarcon said. He cited the fruits of the 2nd Vatican Council in ensuring greater lay participation. The celebration of the Mass in local languages and the service of lay lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion during Mass are some of the ways the Church has responded to emerging needs and realities. Locally, the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines was instrumental in crystallizing the vision of the Church to be a “community of disciples,” and “a communion of communities,” Alarcon added. He said forming basic ecclesial communities is a concrete means towards this vision. He recalled that as a seminarian, he joined ACI sisters in holding prayer meetings and organizing BECs at Sabang, Naga City. Thus, he said, BECs – now called SKK in Caceres – is not new but there is a need to deepen and strengthen BEC as a pastoral thrust. He assured the participants that current structures such as the pastoral councils, finance councils, ministries, religious organizations and movements will not be abolished, but instead, will be strengthened as a community. “Before any structure, before any strategy, is our relationship as brothers and sisters with the Lord. We are building the BEC to realize the Kingdom of God and this all begins in our relationship with God,” Alarcon urged the congregation. “Dai na kita masibog sa BEC. (There is no turning back on BEC). We have already made a decision. An bilog na Simbahan kan Pilipinas, nagsasabing mahalaga ini. (The entire Philippine Church attests that BECs are vital.),” he emphasized. After the Mass, the lay participants, grouped per vicariate, reflected on the benefits of BEC, the factors that hold them back from forming BECs and the assistance they need to promote BECs in their parishes. On the other hand, the clergy group shared their joys and challenges with BEC and identified recommendations to strengthen BECs in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocesan PREX Music Ministry opened the activity with songs that energized the participants. Meanwhile, the Magarao Children’s Choir led the singing during the Mass. The Archdiocesan Office of BEC is headed by Fr. Emmanuel G. Mojica, parish priest of St. Anthony of Padua, Camaligan, Camarines Sur.

“The Holy Spirit transforms us. Let us open our mind, heart and soul to receive the Holy Spirit,” said Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., newly installed Caceres archbishop. On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, Archbishop Alarcon presided over the Eucharistic celebration at six o’clock in the morning at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In his homily, he introduced the several Biblical personages transformed by the Holy Spirit as narrated in the Sacred Scriptures. In Lk 1:34-35, the angel Gabriel said to Mary “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah saying: Your Son will be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 1: 14-15) When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved. In you I am pleased.’ At the start of Jesus’ public ministry, he read from the book of the Prophet Isaiah ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor,”  (Lk. 4:18) As he teaches, Jesus said: No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (Jn. 3: 5) Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave an assurance: ‘The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of all that I have said to you. ‘(Jn. 14:26) During the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Acts 2:4, all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability. In chapter twelve of the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, he said: ‘there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit.’ “In the Sacred Scripture, we have many texts introducing the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity,” Alarcon said. “It is the Holy Spirit who transforms the Bíblical personages we have mentioned. He transforms us and he transforms the earth.” Continuing his catechesis, he explained the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit received during confirmation, “Wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, piety, counsel, fear of the Lord. These are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need these seven heavenly gifts. So, I encourage you to open your mind, heart and soul to receive the Spirit of God.” “We need the wisdom and grace from the Holy Spirit. We need courage and good counsel for our decision making.” Encouraging the faithful to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, he proposed a prayer: “On this day of Pentecost, let our prayer be: God Our Father, send the Holy Spirit. Renew us. Send to me the Holy Spirit. Renew me. Remove what is ugly in me, heal my wounds so that I will live as a child of God.” “May the grace of the Holy Spirit transform us. May the Holy Spirit transform the Church,” the  archbishop prayed. Alarcon was installed May 2 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist as the fifth Archbishop of Caceres.

In his homily during the End of Formation Year Completion at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary (HRMS), newly installed Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, DD, offered reflections on virtues inculcated in seminary formation. “Three things that I would like to remind us all. Maybe we can consider these things that we have learned. But also things that the seminary and the formators has helped us to develop.” Speaking to 22 graduates with their parents, the formators and the seminary community on May 17, the Archbishop urged the seminarians to hone their independence, discipline and resilience as young men preparing for priesthood. During the gathering, 14 seminarians were invested with their cassock. Recalling his own investiture forty years ago in the same HRMS chapel, he said that being independent was one of the first things a seminarian must learn as they were expected to do things on their own when following the Seminary routine. He said that making friends with co-seminarians and kababayans or ‘sano’ allows one to survive seminary life. “It is my prayer and my hope that it is not only independence that you have developed but inter-dependence. We depend on each other. We cannot live on our own, by our own,” he added. Highlighting the Gospel narrative where Jesus asked Peter: ‘Do you love me?” and Peter replied: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” the Archbishop reminded everyone that when Jesus said “Feed my sheep,” it meant that people live not only for themselves but they live with and for others. “Feed my sheep: that is the path of the Lord, to care for others, to be for others. So that we study, we hone our talents  not only for ourselves, we become better persons not only for ourselves but also for others and for God, “ said the Archbishop. “Discipline is critical in seminary formation. We want discipline,” he continued. “Not only because we want to be gentlemen, to behave as gentlemen. But also because discipline is the path to mastery, to self- discipline. Ang malalim na disiplina ay iyong nakikita ang inner directiveness, inner drive. Nagsusunod ka sa rules because of your freedom. Freedom is deepened by study and by discipline, so that we move to what we call self-discipline. And this is important in the ministry.” “The magnitude of the 21st century could cripple us.” For this reason, he said, it is important to welcome trials and difficulties so seminarians could become resilient. Inviting the seminarians and the parents to be thankful for the years of study in the Seminary, he said that the Seminary is the perfect place to develop perseverance and grit. He also emphasised the nurturing of the faith which pushes a person to step forward. “The daily prayer, daily mass, holy hour and the faith sharing. That gift of faith has been nurtured here through the daily spiritual routine.” Addressing the parents, he said: “Dear parents, you have entrusted your children to a privileged study. Continue to guide them. We congratulate you. We continue to walk together. Synodality, we are called to be a people of God.” Fr. Francis Tordilla, the rector of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, presented to Archbishop Alarcon 14 candidates for investiture of the cassock saying “they have been prepared and were found worthy to wear the sacred cassock, a symbol of their desire to respond to God’s call, (as) priests in the future.” During the rite of investiture, the candidates signified their response by coming forward. Alarcon concluded by giving his admonition “Rejoice in hope. Be patient in affliction. Persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Click here to download the Explanation and Primer in PDF format. Click here to download the Coat of Arms. Blazon Per pall wavy cottised Argent and Azure; on Chief Gules, the Dove of the Holy Spirit Argent volant recursant descendant palewise bearing an Aureola Or; on Dexter Azure the Staff of St. Joseph Tenné and Or with three Lily flowers Argent and Or leaved; on Sinister Vert, the Moon Crescent Or ornamented by a Cherub Carnation and Tenné winged Argent below the Patriarchal Cross Argent with the Sun in splendor on base over a globus Azure. The Personal Coat of Arms of the Bishop CHIEF POINT (Upper) The Chief (upper portion) refers to the symbols of the Bishop’s personal advocacy as a minister, the apostolate of evangelization. The dove coming down from heaven signifies moments of the proclamation of God’s Word. We are reminded of the proclamation of Our Lord’s coming as the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove during the Baptism of Christ by St. John. The Gospel according to St. Matthew tells us that: “The heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'” (Matthew 16-17). At Pentecost, we are also reminded how “the Spirit gave them ability” as “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts of the Apostles 2:4). Bishop Occiano has joyfully served in ministries for the proclamation and deepening of the Catholic faith. He served as Director of the Archdiocese of Caceres Catechetical Ministry (CCM) and the Archdiocese of Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom). The Bishop also finished further studies in the Formation Institute of Religious Education (FIRE) in the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City earning a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. The Gules (red) field reminds the Bishop of the tongues of fire at Pentecost and the heritage of the proclamation of God’s Word from the Apostles to the Christian Martyrs of the present age. The tincture also represents the Apostles present during the Pentecost. One of these Apostles was St. Bartholomew, Patron Saint of the Parish of Baao where the Bishop was assigned for the first time as a Parish Priest from 2015 to 2021. DEXTER FLANK (Left) The Dexter (left of the viewer portion) refers to symbols linked to the Bishop’s principal pastoral assignments and devotions in the Archdiocese of Caceres. The staff in the form of a scepter with lily flowers budding from it refers to the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph in San Jose, Camarines Sur where the Bishop first served as Shrine Rector from 2021 to 2024. The Azure (blue) field refers to the deep love of all Bicolanos to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, called by Bicolanos as “Inâ”, the Queen, Mother, and Patroness of Bicolandia. SINISTER FLANK (Right) The Sinister (right of the viewer portion) refers to symbols linked to the Bishop’s personal heritage. The Patriarchal Cross over the globe refers to the Holy Cross of Nabua, the titular patron of the Bishop’s lakeside hometown celebrated every 3rd day of May. It also symbolizes the historic importance of Bishop Occiano’s appointment being the first bishop-son of the parish and the third bishop from Rinconada region of Camarines Sur. The crescent moon with the cherub, which is also present in the coat of arms of Holy Cross Parish in Nabua, signifies the Blessed Virgin Mary as Nuestra Señora de Katipanan. This represents the role of the Blessed Mother in the life and vocation of the Bishop. He started his elementary formation at La Consolacion Academy at Iriga City and finished his high school until theological studies at the Holy Rosary Seminary, Naga City. As a priest of the Archdiocese, he was inspired by the Marian devotion at his hometown of Nabua, Nuestra Señora de Katipanan and has also been accompanied in his priestly ministry by “Inâ” as he was also assigned as Vice-Rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City. The Vert (green) background refers to the agricultural abundance of the province of Camarines Sur where the Bishop hails from. Adopted Symbols from the Seal of the Diocese of Virac The Bishop adopted a number of symbols from the seal of the Diocese of Virac that are similar to his personal coat of arms. The dove is also present in the Diocese’s coat of arms to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Although the crescent moon is not found the Diocese’s coat of arms, it also comes to symbolize the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, who is Patroness of the Diocese of Virac. The Cross of Nabua also reminisces the viewer to the Holy Cross of Batalay in Bato, Cataduanes, the wooden cross that serves as first Christian symbol to be planted in the island of Cataduanes in the 16th century. The placement of the tinctures in the shield also reminisces the viewer to the location of the island of Cataduanes. The island would be the Vert field at Sinister with the waters of the Pacific Ocean at the Dexter field and the Mayon Volcano symbolized by the Gules field. The aureola of the Holy Spirit also symbolizes the sun over the island of Cataduanes. The pall (Y-shaped division) wavy refers to the sea and the sky surrounding the island. Geographically, the waters of Lagonoy Gulf at the Western side of the island and the Pacific Ocean at the Eastern side of the island converge at its southern tip, which is Virac and goes down towards the San Bernardino Strait in the South. These waters have a great importance to the island province as the waterways give the islanders transportation and trade. The Motto CUM GAUDIO PRÆDICARE — “TO PROCLAIM WITH JOY”. The motto signifies the Bishop’s commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Christ with joy and exaltation. It is inspired by the First Letter of St. John that tells us: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life… We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our[a] joy complete” (1 John 1: 1, 3-4). The Ornaments of the Episcopal Rank The shield is surmounted by a Cross and by a Roman galero or ecclesiastical hat of this rank, i.e., Vert (green) with six (6) tassels of the same pendant (1, 2, and 3) at both sides. These features signify the rank of a bishop. The Cross has a unique feature being Cross Fleury, similar to the Dominican Cross in the Shield of Faith and the Cross of the Holy Rosary. This represents Bishop’s priestly formation and later teaching post at Holy Rosary Minor and Major Seminaries in Naga City. The shape of the shield and the figure of the galero and tassels reflect the episcopal coat of arms of His Excellency, Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legazpi, O.P., D.D. (1935-2014), Third Archbishop and 33rd Bishop of Caceres. The Bishop became Archbishop’s Legazpi’s Personal Secretary for many years and considers the prelate as his mentor. The shape of the scroll is adopted from the original Coat of Arms of His Grace, Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., which he used when he was Bishop of Daet (2019-2024). The Archbishop is a contemporary and friend of the Bishop as a Seminarian, a Priest and now, a Bishop.

Sa Mayo 2, masasaksihan sa satong Arkidiocesis an pagtukaw sa pwesto kan bagong Arsobispo, si Reverendissimo Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, DD, na iyo an maribay ki Reverendissimo Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD. Huli kaini, mahalaga na masabotan kan gabos kun ano an halaga kan Obispo sa buhay kan Catolico. Ano an Obispo? Kun an Santo Papa iyo an nagsunod sa pwesto ni San Pedro bilang pamayo kan bilog na Simbahan, an Obispo iyo man an nagsunod sa mga apostol arog ki Santiago, San Juán asin San Andres. Siring na sinda iyo an namayo kan mga Cristianong komunidad arog kan Roma, Jerusalem, España, an Obispo iyo man an pamayo kan Diocesis o Arkidiocesis. Ano an Diocesis? Ini sarong teritoryo na pwedeng parehong gayo an mga muhon kan provincia o pwedeng mas sadit o mas dakula sa provincia arog kan Diocesis kan Daet na parehong gayo an sakop kan Provincia kan Camarines Norte. An satong Arkidiocesis kabanga na sana kan Provincia kan Camarines Sur huli ta namukna naman sa laog kan parehong provincia an Diocesis kan Libmanan. Kaya sa Camarines Sur, may duwang Diocesis asin may duwang Obispo. Ano an halaga kan Obispo sa Diocesis? An Obispo iyo an kasalihid ni Jesus sa Diocesis. Mantang may paninimbagan siya sa Santo Papa, yaon saiya an dakulang responsabilidad kan kaligtasan kan kalag kan saiyang nasasakupan. Huli kaini, siya an pinaka-makapangyarihan na paratukdo, parapamahala asin nagpapabanal kan saiyang nasasakupan. An mga padi asin laico iyo an saiyang mga katuwang. An Obispo man an patunay kan pagkasararo kan Diocesis na saiyang pinapangatamanan. Kaya may kapangyarihan siyang halion an sisay man na nakakaulang kan pagkasararo. Bilang paratukdo, katungdan niyang magdara nin liwanag sa dakul na mga kahaputan kan tawo. Katungdan niya man na papusogon an edukasyon sa saiyang lugar, orog na an dapit sa pagtubod asin pagrason. Katungdan niya man an pagtaong-patanid dapit sa mga salang katukdoan. Bilang parapamahala, katungdan niyang magamit an gabos na rekursos kan Diocesis sa mga programa asin proyekto na makakatabang sa kaligtasan kan saiyang nasasakupan. Mayong rekursos an dapat masayang. Bilang nagpapabanal, katungdan niyang an gabos na nasasakupan igwang tulay tanganing makinabang sa mga sacramento. Kaya katungdan niya an pagpadara nin mga padi sa mga Parokya asin mga mision na lugar tangani sanang madara an mga sacramento sa mga tawong nasa gayad kan banwaan. Pasalamatan ta an Mahal na Diós na tinawan kitang Obispo.

Tano ta an Caceres inaapod na Arkidiocesis mantang an kataraid na lokal na Simbahan inaapod na Diocesis? Tano ta an nagtutukaw na pamayo kan Caceres inaapod na Arzobispo? An ‘arki’ o ‘arzo’ hali si Griyegong tataramon na an buot sabihon ‘poon’ arog kan poon kan panahon asin poon kan kahoy. Siya an kapinonan. Kaya an Arkidiocesis garo magurang. Siya an kapinonan kan mga diocesis. Kan panahon, igwa sanang sarong Diocesis sa Pilipinas, an Diocesis kan Manila. Kan nagdadakul na an Catolico, nag-akì na ini nin mga Diocesis arog kan Caceres, Nueva Segovia asin Cebu. Huli kan mga inakì niyang mga Diocesis, siya nagin Arkidiocesis. Iyo man ini an nangyari sa Diocesis kan Caceres. Minukna siya kan 14 Agosto 1595 kun sain nasasakupan niya an enterong Region na Bikol, pati an mga Provincia kan Tayabas asin Aurora. Kan Junio 29, 1951, isinakat siya sa pagigin Arkidiocesis, sabay kan pagmukna kan duwang Diocesis na iyo an Legazpi asin Sorsogon kan sinuway na sa Caceres an mga provinciang ini. Sa ngonian, an Akidiocesis kan Caceres 428 años na bilang Diocesis asin 73 años naman bilang Arkidiocesis. Bilang magurang, bilang kapinonan, inaasahan na an Arkidiocesis iyo an pangarogan kan mga Diocesis pag-abot sa mga lado kan pamamahala, pagtukdo asin pagpapabanal. An saiyang sistema sa pagpahalaga kan yaman kan Simbahan, an saiyang mga programa pastoral, lalo na an pag-ataman kan mga kalag naglilingkod na modelo sa mga inakì nyang mga Diocesis. Lain kaini, mayo man gayong pagkakaiba an duwa. Mayo man kapangyarihan an Arzobispo na makiaram sa pagpadalagan kan ibang Diocesis. Ipamibi niato na an Arkidiocesis magdanay na maninigong modelo kan mga Diocesis sa Bikol sa pamamayo kan paabot na bagong Arzobispo, si Reverendissimo Rex Andrew Alarcon.

On the 1st of May, this year 2024, the New Archbishop of Cáceres, His Grace +Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon will be formally received in the Archdiocese. Coming from the Diocese of Daet, the New Archbishop will be welcomed through the Liturgical Reception that will be held at the Parish of St. Dominic of Guzman, Gainza, Camarines Sur. The Municipality of Gainza, named after the 25th Bishop of Nueva Cáceres, the illustrious Dominican Francisco E. Gainza, is at the north portal of the Archdiocese and is close to the heart of the New Archbishop having dedicated his Doctoral Dissertation on the Life and Works of Bishop Gainza. Liturgical Reception is the solemn welcome accorded by the Church to the entrance of a prelate. After entering the Parish Church, the New Archbishop shall kiss a crucifix offered to him by the Parish Priest and shall bless with Holy Water those around him then he kneels to pray for his flock and ministry. Afterward, he processes to the Sanctuary for the words of welcome to be offered him and then he addresses with a few words the Faithful gathered in the Church. After the Liturgical Reception, the New Archbishop shall be led to a motorcade around the major streets of the seat of the Archdiocese where he will bless the crowds welcoming him. He then will be led to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Minor Basilica and National Shrine for the Act of Entrustment to Inâ. The Act of Entrustment to Inâ is unique to the Archdiocese of Cáceres. Reminiscent of the first acts of Bishop Francisco Gainza upon entering the City way back in 1863, the New Archbishop will pay homage to Inâ and entrust to her his Staff, symbolic of his pastoral ministry to the Archdiocese. In simple rites, the New Archbishop shall place his life and ministry under the aegis of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and again reminiscent of Bishop Gainza, shall pledge to preserve, nourish and spread the devotion to Inâ as he begins his Pastoral Ministry in the Archdiocese on the year of the Centenary Celebrations of her Canonical Coronation and ensure that Inâ “se siempre la reina de nuestra region”. The Civic Reception for the New Archbishop follows at the Archbishop Legaspi Hall of the Bishop Sofio G. Balce Complex. This would be the official welcome accorded by the Civil Governments of the Province of Camarines Sur and the City of Naga led by their elected officials respectively. The Archdiocese of Cáceres covers for her ecclesiastical territory the 3rd, 4th, and 5th civil districts of the Province and the Independent Component City of Naga. Thus, both the Provincial Governor and the City Mayor shall cordially greet the New Archbishop and give him the respective symbolic keys as he makes his entrance to the Province and City. Also, Resolutions issued by each Sanggunian from both the Province and City shall be read proclaiming their warm welcome to the New Archbishop. To conclude, it is symbolic that the Civic Reception is held also at the home of Inâ. Because of the 2010 Presidential Proclamation No. 033 declaring the City of Naga and the Province of Camarines Sur as the Pilgrimage Capitals of the Bicol Region, there exists a Church and State warm and productive collaboration between the Archdiocese of Cáceres and the Civil Governments of Camarines Sur and Naga City. Truly, a gift from our beloved Inâ. Together, we all endeavor then that “Patrona del Bicol, Gran Madre de Dios! Se siempre la Reina de nuestra region!”

On the 2nd of May, 2024, His Grace, the Most Rev. Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon shall take possession of the Archdiocese of Cáceres that was appointed to him by Pope Francis to shepherd as its Pastor and begin his duties as its Archbishop. At the beginning of the Holy Mass, the Solemn Installation Rite shall be held: the Liturgical Act done in the cathedral church of the Archdiocese with the clergy and people gathered together by which the Archbishop assumes office by Canonical Possession (cf. Can. 382 n.4). The Archbishop takes canonical possession of his Archdiocese when he personally or through a proxy has shown the apostolic letter to the college of consultors in the presence of the chancellor of the curia, who records the event (Cf. Can. 382 n.3). When the Archbishop-designate accepts the rights and duties of shepherding the Archdiocese, he receives the Crozier and Miter and is seated at his Cathedra, the signs that he has taken canonical possession of the Archdiocese. After the Archbishop has taken possession of the Archdiocese, the clergy of the Archdiocese and representatives of the Faithful of his flock come to pay him homage by kissing his ring, the sign of respect given to a Bishop that is symbolic of obedience and service. The Solemn Occasion shall truly be filled with signs and symbols. Indeed, there will be pomp and pageantry, regalia and jewelry, protocols and choreography. But what we keep in mind in lieu of this worldly grandeur, is the humility of service that our dear Archbishop, our Among Rex, assumes as our chief shepherd in persona Christi capitis. On the Crozier, Miter and Cathedra The crozier, baculum, is the symbol of the pastoral office of the Archbishop. It is a hooked staff, a pole with a curved top, similar to a shepherd’s crook used to pasture sheep. The miter, also a symbol of the office of a bishop, is the liturgical hat that represents the splendor of holiness, dignity and authority embodied by the Archbishop. The hat is made up of two triangular or elongated rigid cloth that are partially joined at the sides that form two points at the top that represent both the Old and New Testaments, and with two long bands that hang at the back. The cathedra is the episcopal throne of the Archbishop. This is why the principal church of the Archdiocese is called the Cathedral because it is where the Cathedra is placed. On the Pallium The Pallium, personally given by the Pope to the Archbishop, signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with the Roman Church, has by law in his own province (cf. Can. 437 n.1). It is a band of cloth from a lamb’s wool that is worn over the chasuble or stole by an Archbishop. This is also why a pallium is incorporated in the coat of arms of the Archdiocese Cáceres. After he assumes office, Among Rex shall go to Rome to be given the Pallium.

TO:   ALL THE CLERGY AND THE FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES RE:    58TH WORLD COMMUNICATIONS SUNDAY __________________________________________________________________________________ This is to inform you that we will be celebrating the World Communications Day on May 12, 2024 with the theme chosen by the Holy Father, Pope Francis “Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart: for a fully human communication”. Indeed, mass media is a strong force that influence our faithful. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. However, we are being warned about the “evolution of artificial intelligence systems that makes it ever more natural to communicate through and with machines, so that it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish computation from thought, and the language produced by a machine from that generated by human beings. We need a responsible awareness of the use and development of these different forms of communication that go hand in hand with social media and the Internet. It is necessary for communication to be oriented towards a fuller life of the human person” (WCD 2024 - Pope Francis). Hence, as part of our mission, we have to guide our faithful from falling into the negative effects of this modern discovery. In view of this, we have prepared a homily guide for our Sunday Masses on this occasion. Likewise, we are appealing to our clergy as well as to our dear lay faithful to support the evangelization ministry through our media apostolate. There will also be a special collection in our parishes for the media apostolate in the Archdiocese. Given at our Chancery Office, Pilgrim City of Naga, Republic of the Philippines, this 7th day of May, in the Year of our Lord, 2024. In Christ, (Signed.) + REX ANDREW C. ALARCON, DD Archbishop of Caceres

NAGA CITY - Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles John Brown has installed Archbishop-designate Rex Andrew Alarcon as the 5th Metropolitan Archbishop and 35th Bishop of Caceres in a solemn Eucharistic Celebration observed last May 2 at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. John the Evangelist, seat of the Archdiocese of Caceres. Alarcon succeeds Carmelite Bishop Rolando Octavus Tria Tirona —the Apostolic Letter from the Holy See read in front of the attending Bishops, priests and lay faithful by Caceres Chancellor Fr. Darius Romualdo. Upon his arrival at the main door of the Cathedral, Alarcon was formally received by Cathedral Rector and Parish Priest Fr. Domingo Florida. Jesus, the Good Shepherd In his homily, Alarcon expressed his desire to emulate the leadership of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who has laid down his life for his sheep. “Jesus: the source, the origin, the destination of us all.” In addition, he said, “I [wish to] pursue not my personal plans but rather, seek God’s plans; [for] only if we remain in Jesus can we bear fruit. Jesus reminds us that His friends, disciples, brothers, and sisters are those who do the will of God.” Alarcon also reminded the assembly that each is called to this mission: “To be witnesses of God’s mercy” —himself included as a Servant of Mercy, praying that he “resists merely being a slave of mere human ambition” and not to forget who he [really] is —a humble servant of the Lord. In closing, the newly installed prelate sought prayers for these 3 intentions: a) “to remain close to the Good Shepherd —to have the heart of the Good Shepherd, his vision for the flock to shepherd” b) “the availability, trust and perseverance of Mary, to seek not my own but those entrusted to me”, and lastly c) “the obedience, courage and generosity of Joseph, who faithfully and joyfully [stayed with Mary] and served God [even] in times of difficulty.” The announcement that Alarcon would succeed Caceres prelate Rolando Tria Tirona was made last February 22, 2024. Described by his predecessor as talented, the Archbishop-elect at the time of the interview, admitted he was surprised at first when he learned of his new appointment. However, his episcopal motto, Servus Tuus Sum (I am Your servant), serves not only as a prayer for the 53-year-old prelate but also as the guiding principle of his Ministry. 5 Years a Bishop Alarcon, who was appointed as the 4th Bishop of Daet in 2019, celebrated his 5th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary last March on the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Thankful to the lay faithful and priests of Daet, Alarcon says his greatest take away from his years of service to the Diocese was his experience itself, which he described as “an open, more consultative and participative way of proceeding, of becoming a Church”. In addition, the newly installed prelate said the episcopacy has also enriched him spiritually and his relationship with God -seeing more deeply and faithfully how God provides and “makes all things happen in His time” The Archdiocese of Caceres has 93 Parishes and has 6 suffragan Dioceses namely Daet, Libmanan, Legazpi, Sorsogon, Virac, and Masbate. It was established, first as a Diocese in 1595, and was later elevated to an Archdiocese in 1951. Alarcon’s installation and canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Caceres was attended by the Bicol Bishops: Caceres Archbishop-Emeritus Rolando Octavus Tria Tirona, Libmanan Bishop Jose Rojas, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, Sorsogon Bishop-Emeritus Arturo Bastes, Sorsogon Bishop Alan Dialogo, Virac Bishop-Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator Manolo de los Santos, Virac Bishop-elect Luisito Occiano, and Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo. Other guests include Cardinal Jose Advincula, Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine Adolfo Tito Yllana, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Vice-President and Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara.