Dominicus Humus: Happy 75th Birthday to our dear Archbishop-Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz

Monday, November 16, 2009

Happy 75th Birthday to our dear Archbishop-Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz

Just as we celebrate with joy the installation of our new shepherd, Archbishop Soc; so too do we remember with gratitude our former Archbishop, Most Rev. Oscar V. Cruz. Archbishop Cruz turns 75 years YOUNG today (November 17).

Some people say that AGE is determined by how people live their lives. If they always look back at the past - they are old; if they always look forward to the future - they are young. Archbishop Cruz, because of his vision for the Church and our nation, is one of the youngest citizens of our country! Long live, Archbishop Cruz!

The pictures were taken during the blessing of LFC, which he built, in 2005.

Vocation and Mission of LFC

Christifidelis Laici, the 1985 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II on the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, speaks very eloquently about the formation of the lay faithful. According to this document, the laity should receive a complete and integrated formation, one which bears its fruit in every sphere of their existence and activity.

1) The spiritual formation of the laity – their continual growth in communion with Christ is nourished by the help to holiness offered by the Church.

2) Doctrinal formation – which will enable them to explain to the world the reason for their hope. Systematic catechesis is also necessary.

3) A proper formation of a social conscience, especially in the Church’s social teaching.

4) An integrated program of formation that cultivates the human values and skills necessary for the lay faithful’s apostolic activities.

God is the first formator of the laity. The Church for her part also takes part in forming the lay faithful through the ministry of teaching and celebration of the sacraments. The Lay Formation Center exists for this purpose.

The Lay Formation Center (LFC) was established by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines, for the formation "especially of the laity." It opened on the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino Saint, who is a Filipino and lay person on September 28, 2005. Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez was appointed its first Director. Since then, LFC has housed more than 500 groups from the entire country for retreats, recollections, conferences and seminars. Its location is about 7 kilometers from Dagupan City center (east) and 20 kilometers from the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag (west). It is only a kilometer away from Bonuan Tondaligan Beach (north).