Circular 2018-20

November 22, 2018
 
Circular 2018-20
RE: Confraternity of Mary Help of Christians
 
My dear Reverend Fathers:
 
It has been three months since we celebrated the momentous canonical coronation of the ninety year old image of Mary Help of Christians as old as the See of Lingayen. The  Beso Manto Chapel at the theology seminary in San Fabian continues to draw pilgrims and devotees from many different parts of Pangasinan. The Mother who calls in Manaoag is the same Mother who helps in Palapad. 
 
I am inviting you to organize visits of the image of Mary Help of Christians to our parish and school communities.  There are three pilgrim images that are available for community visitations and veneration. You can coordinate with our Chancery staff for possible schedules when you can borrow the pilgrim statues to your parishes or schools.
 
In order to institutionalize the promotion of the devotion, we now constitute an association of the lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan to be called  CONFRATERNITY OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS. The launching and organizational meeting will be held on  December 8, 2018 at the  Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City from  8:30am until 12:00 noon. 
 
From the parishes, I request the parish priests to send  5 lay members and the school directors to send  2 members from the student leadership, to the launching meeting. Please choose leaders who are ready to collaborate with our vocation ministry in the promotion of vocations. Being a holiday of obligation, the meeting will close with a Eucharistic celebration. 
 
Our Lady cares for us as her Son whispered to her before He died. Our Lord at Calvary asked us also to take care of her. His mother is ours too.  De Maria numquam satis.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
 
 
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
  Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan