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EVEN before the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis was announced in August 2014, the liturgical team behind the IEC 2016 liturgy book, headed by Rev. Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili (Cebu), was already burning the proverbial midnight oil with the editorial team of Bayard Assumption Media Foundation, publishers of Living with Christ.
The partnership was forged sometime in June 2014 between Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Living with Christ General Manager Fr. Bernard Holzer of the Augustinians of the Assumption. Bayard Presse and the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionist Fathers) donated and became the liturgy publication partner of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. The donation was made possible through Bayard’s International Solidarity Fund. Two months later, Living with Christ was also invited to partner with the Philippine organizers of the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to produce the papal liturgy books.
Why this passion for supporting liturgy books? Fr. Bernard explains that Bayard, specifically through Living with Christ, is committed to helping Filipinos pray and actively participate through these liturgy books. “We want Filipinos to go deeper in the mystery of the Eucharist. This was echoed in the invitation of the papal legate, Cardinal Charles Bo during his message at the Opening Mass. The mission of Living with Christ is to help us discover and live the power of the Eucharist as a transforming force in our personal lives and in society.”
It was not easy putting the IEC 2016 liturgy book together. Because of the global nature of the congress, the book had to show the universality of Catholic worship yet give a feel of the uniqueness of Filipino faith. The cover photo showed the ornate retablo of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. The inside pages are replete with multilingual prayers, readings, and its English translations, plus musical notes for each day of the congress. Editor-in-chief Br. Blair Paulus Nuyda AA, based in the US, and Managing Editor Jaypee Calleja in Manila, painstakingly did the layout and other editorial work in close coordination with Fr. Mhar Balili. The hard work is paying off. It is truly gratifying to witness IEC 2016’s approximately 15,000 delegates participating actively during all the liturgies of the weeklong congress
The Assumptionist Fathers’ p a s s i o n f o r l i t u r g y a n d e v a n g e l i z a t i o n is mirrored in their publishing apostolate. They are the primary stakeholders in Bayard Presse, one of France’s largest publishers of children’s books. Today, four years after it launched the Philippine Edition of Living with Christ, more and more schools are using Living with Christ (for kids and adults) to accompany them in their daily prayer.
Those interested to know more about Bayard/Living with Christ may visit their booth at the IEC Pavilion basement, Block 5, #1- 2.
Special discounts are being offered for subscriptions during the IEC 2016. Bayard/Living with Christ may be contacted at (632) 927.1052, lwc@bayard.ph or www.livingwithchrist.com.ph
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