"Dilexit Nos": 6th Sacred Heart Congress Inspires 600 Devotees in Kamuning

Fr. Randy Flores, SVD, parish priest and shrine rector, hands tokens of appreciation to Hon. Leila de Lima after her talk.

QUEZON CITY — Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The 6th Sacred Heart Congress gathered around 600 parishioners and devotees from the Diocese of Cubao at the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine, Kamuning, for an afternoon of prayer, reflection, and formation centered on the love of the Heart of Jesus. About 270 of the participants were members of the Apostleship of Prayer (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network), the core group promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart in the diocese.

With the theme “Dilexit Nos: Minahal Niya Tayo,” adapted from the final encyclical of Pope Francis, the congress aimed to deepen the faith of devotees and renew their understanding of the human and divine love of Jesus. The event opened with the Novena to the Sacred Heart and Benediction, setting a reverent tone for the afternoon.

Talks and Reflections

The first speaker, Fr. Vic de Jesus, SJ, National Chaplain of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, presented “The Way of the Heart and the Apostleship of Prayer.” He described “The Way of the Heart” as a nine-step spiritual pathway that leads believers to live in union with the Heart of Jesus — from recognizing God’s original love to transforming the world through love.

The second talk was delivered by Fr. Randy Flores, SVD, Parish Priest and Rector of the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine, and Diocesan Chaplain of the Apostleship of Prayer. His talk, “Dilexit Nos: On the Human and Divine Love of Jesus,” synthesized the papal document into three “I’s” — Interiority, Intimacy, and Involvement. The third “I,” Involvement, drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s first major encyclical Dilexi Te: On the Love for the Poor, regarded as a sequel to Dilexit Nos.

Fr. Flores emphasized that true devotion to the Sacred Heart begins within — in deep relationship with Jesus — and flows outward in compassionate service to the poor. Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “The world can change beginning with the heart,” while echoing Pope Leo XIV’s message, “Love for love, then, is one with love for the poor.” He added that this love must move us to make our voices heard to denounce the structural causes of poverty.

The third speaker, Hon. Leila de Lima, reflected on the question, “What does God’s love mean in the midst of injustice?” Drawing from her nearly seven years of unjust imprisonment, she spoke of her journey from feeling abandoned by God to rediscovering His quiet but enduring love. The image of the Sacred Heart — wounded yet burning — became for her a symbol of hope and compassion.

For Hon De Lima, God’s love is not neutral; it stands with the oppressed, the silenced, and the forgotten — with farmers deprived of their land, families displaced by floods and corruption, and youth who still dream of a just world. “It is a love that listens to the cry of the poor,” she said, “and responds not merely with sympathy but with solidarity.” Her testimony was a call to transform pain into purpose and love into action.

Music and Prayer

Interspersed between the talks were musical interludes that served as moments of reflection and prayer. Parishioner Ruth Cuvin, with the group Formula 5, performed her original composition “Prayer to His Most Sacred Heart.” Renowned tenor Prof. Montet Acoymo, former dean of the UP College of Music, offered a stirring rendition of Panis Angelicus. The parish-based choir The Fifth Gospel also rendered heartfelt songs of devotion.

Adding to the afternoon’s inspiration, Khimo Gumatay, Idol Philippines Season 2 Grand Winner, performed two songs that drew enthusiastic applause. The program concluded with a communal singing of “Heal Our Land,” led by emcees Raffy Tima, Mariz Umali and Cleo.

Mass and Conclusion

The congress culminated with the Mass for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, coinciding with World Mission Sunday. The Eucharist was presided over by Most Rev. Leopoldo “Pol” Jaucian, SVD, Bishop of Bangued, Abra, and incoming chair of the CBCP Commission on Mission.

In his homily, Bishop Jaucian shared his vocation story — from being a poor sacristan in a seminary to becoming an SVD missionary, provincial superior, and bishop. He spoke of how the love of the Heart of Jesus sustained him from humble beginnings to a life of mission. The Mass was concelebrated by the team of SVD priests assigned to the parish-shrine.

Steering Committee

The event was organized by the Sacred Heart Congress Steering Committee, chaired by Prof. Dindo Buñag, with the following team assignments:

• Registration: Cheryl Lorenzo, Kathy Chua, and the Lectors/Commentators

• Food: Lynne Belarmino and SSDM Volunteers

• Promotion & Documentation: Franz Hipol and the SoCom Ministry

• Program: Jerry de Guzman and Arlo Buñag

• Physical Plan & Arrangement: Joe Yu, Jeffre Tolentino, Ric Cabrera, and the EMHC

• Sponsorship & Solicitation: Rey Yu

• Accommodation & Ushers: Nica Coloquio and the Youth Ministry

• Souvenir: Tes de Guzman

• Overall Chair: Prof. Dindo Buñag

Date of Next Congress - 7th Sacred Heart Congress

It was also announced that the next Sacred Heart Congress will take place on October 3, 2026, coinciding with the 85th founding anniversary of the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine.