03/08/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐
๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก, ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐:๐)
Fellow faithful,
With grateful hearts, let us celebrate the 124th anniversary of the proclamation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, our nationalist Church.
For 124 years, God has sustained our Church through changing times, guiding us through trials and triumphs alike. As we give thanks for this enduring journey, we also renew our commitment to the mission God continues to entrust to us.
Our anniversary invites us to reflect on this yearโs theme, โSustained by Grace, Nurtured in Faith, Sent Forth in Mission,โ inspired by Ephesians 2:8โ10. It is the same theme that guided our recently concluded General Assembly and the national conventions of some of our lay mandated sectors, reminding us that Godโs work in and through the Church continues in every generation.
Indeed, we are sustained by Godโs grace. From the very beginning of our Church, Godโs steadfast love has carried us through colonial disinformation, structural vulnerability, and countless other adversities. That same grace continues to strengthen us todayโnot only as a Church, but also as individuals seeking to live faithfully in an increasingly complex world.
Yet grace calls for a response. We are invited to nurture our faith by recognizing Godโs presence in our lives and in the life of the Church. Strengthened by that faith, we are sent to do Godโs mission: to work for the renewal of the Church, to serve the anawim and to join in the restoration of all Creation. In a world groaning under inequality, violence and exploitation, we are called to become living witnesses to Godโs transforming love.
The renewal of the Church is not merely an institutional aspiration. It is essential if we are to remain a credible sign of hope for all Creation. Our Church must continue to proclaim the Reign of God through compassionate service, courageous witness, and steadfast advocacy for justice, peace, and the integrity of Creation.
This mission belongs to all of us! It cannot rest solely on the shoulders of our clergy or a handful of lay leaders. Every baptized member has a place in Godโs work.
May our Church always be a welcoming, safe and nurturing community where every person finds a home in Christ, regardless of where they are in lifeโs journey. In turn, may every member discover their place in the life, work and witness of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Let us faithfully embrace our calling as Christian stewards, deepen our participation in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, take part in the ministries of our local churches, and offer our unique gifts for the glory of God and the service of our neighbors.
Our proclamation anniversary is one meaningful way to renew that commitment. As we prepare for the Month of the Laity this October 2026, the National Lay Council, together with the national lay organizationsโthe Youth of the IFI, the Women of the Philippine Independent Church, and the Laymen of IFIโcontinues to prepare opportunities for every member to grow in faith, participate in the Churchโs mission and respond more fully to Godโs grace.
As we celebrate 124 years of Godโs faithfulness, let us remember that the same grace that sustained our forebears continues to sustain us today. May we respond with steadfast faith, joyful service and courageous witness, so that others, too, may encounter God's grace through our lives. Together, let us continue building the Reign of God here and now.
Mabuhay ang Iglesia Filipina Independiente! Kasama ang Panginoon, magkaisa tayo at kumilos para sa ating tunay na pagsasarili.
VAUGHN ALVIAR
Chairperson
National Lay Council
