IN CELEBRATION of the 35th Foundation Anniversary of the John Paul II Institute, Pope Francis presided the opening of the new academic year of the Institute and delivered his anniversary message.
Invitations were sent to all vice presidents, directors, deans of the Institute worldwide to attend a brief meeting and papal audience at the Vatican’s Sala Clementina.
Father Ronald Quijano, dean of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Bacolod City, attended the celebration and shares the Pontiff’s message.
Pope Francis, while referring to his Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love), reminded administrators, professors, benefactors and students that “theology and pastoral care” go hand in hand. He emphasized that pastoral discourse of today concerns not just the “distance” of what is ideal and what is real in marriage and family, but the Church’s “closeness” to a new generation of married couples, helping them confront human weakness and assuring them that grace can heal and give new life.
He continues to say that to accompany the vulnerable persons to discern God’s traces in their lives may not be easy. It requires adequate knowledge, skills, and above all, faith formation. To accompany does not only consist of being present, counseling, coaching or teaching, and journeying, but also meeting the person right where he is – even grieving or weeping together with him.
Fr. Ronald likens “accompanying” to weeping in solidarity and grieving with the bereaved family during the wake and the funeral, sharing intimately their pains, sorrows, and trials. The Church that Pope Francis envisions is comparable to a field hospital – welcoming, humbly reaching out to forgive and heal.
Furthermore, the Church aims to bring hope to those in the fringes of society, just like what the Good Samaritan did to the wounded and dying person depicted in the Gospel.
Pope Francis would like to see that in the performance of family ministry, ministers can be channels of God’s mercy, bringing forgiveness and healing of wounds, restoration of dignity, and above all experiencing God’s redemption.
The John Paul II Institute was conceived by St John Paul II and established it in May 13, 1981, the very day he was assassinated. He dedicated the remainder of his second life to the maternal care and protection of Our Lady of Fatima who he believes saved him.
The City of Bacolod was designated by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) as the seat of the Philippine campus of the Pontificio Istituto Giovanni Paolo II Per Studi Su Matrimonio e Famiglia, Rome. The Philippine campus not only enables people of the Philippines, but the whole Far East to avail of the theological and pastoral reflections on marriage and family that the Institute offers.
What a grace indeed to have our city chosen for the Institute as its home for the whole of Asia.
The Diocese of Bacolod in turn took the initiative by setting up the Pope John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
Recognized by the CBCP, the National Institute proposes to deepen the awareness of the truth about marriage and the family in the light of the Nuptial Theology and Theology of the Body of St. John Paul II with the aid of various human sciences.
Through scientific study and research on the human person, marriage and family, the Institute aims to train priests, religious and lay in the exercise of a more qualified ministry.
The Institute offers a two-year masteral degree course specializing in marriage and family recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. By virtue of the consortium, the University of St. La Salle grants the degree. It also provides summer program for students from other dioceses endorsed by their bishops.
Going back to Fr. Ronald Quijano, I asked him how it felt to be in the presence of the Pontiff because it is on top of my wish list to kiss the hand of a Pope.
Father Ronald stayed in Rome for almost five years for his post graduate studies and twice had the privilege of having had photos with Saint John Paul II. He said the first was in 2001 during his Licentiate in Theology and in 2003, during Ad Limina, the visit of bishops, when he was finishing his doctorate.
Father Ronald said that his very first experience of kissing the Pope’s Hand was really overwhelming. Although they did get to see the Pope often at St. Peter’s Square for Mass and the Angelus, and the Holy Father frequented the Pontifical Lateran University during special occasions for it is called “Universita' del Papa,” being up close and personal was beyond awesome!
After his studies and coming home, he was appointed the Dean of the John Paul II Institute, and he would make annual trips to Rome to attend conferences and meetings of all the directors and deans of the John Paul II Institute worldwide.
In 2011, during the 30th anniversary of the Institute, he was privileged to have a photo with Pope Benedict XVI. It was also the beatification of Blessed John Paul II.
Just recently for the 35th anniversary of the Institute, Father Ronald had the distinct honor of presenting to His Holiness a painting done by Brother Tagoy Jakosalem, OAR, a student of the John Paul II Institute. Knowing Pope Francis’ love for the Sleeping St. Joseph, the painting of Bro. Tagoy showed the Child Jesus doing carpentry work, seeing that St. Joseph was bone tired and dozed off after laboring the whole day. Quite a cute and loving scene!
After hearing Pope Francis’ message on ministry of helping married couples, perhaps, we, who are not students, professors or deans of the John Paul Institute II can likewise be channels of hope, love and mercy by accompanying our relatives and friends, married or otherwise in their struggles, their challenges, their pains and their hurts.
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