YANGON (UCAN) -- Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon says the Pauline year, coming soon after the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis, offers survivors a special opportunity to draw inspiration from Saint Paul's steadfast faith.

Pope Benedict XVI has called on Catholics to commemorate the bimillennial anniversary of the apostle's birth by celebrating the Jubilee of St. Paul from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009.

Archbishop Bo presided at a celebration on June 29 to mark the first anniversary of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Yangon as well as the start of the Pauline year.

When the cyclone hit on May 2, he said, many of the survivors had to stay afloat in floodwaters, spending hours cold and wet in the dark, not allowing themselves to get discouraged.

"Saint Paul always lived on prayers," the prelate said, drawing a parallel. "We too must keep on praying and we need to have perseverance," he told the 2,000 parishioners and 150 priests and nuns who attended.

Archbishop Bo reminded them the pope has urged Catholics to read Saint Paul's letters and the passages about him in the New Testament during the special year. The Yangon Church leader also noted that he had designated Sts. Peter and Paul Church as a pilgrimage center during the Pauline year where Catholics could attend Mass and retreats, and visit the Blessed Sacrament toward gaining the indulgence Pope Benedict has approved for the year. An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment still due for a sin that has been absolved thought the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Father Thomas Saw Htoo Htoo, the Sts. Peter and Paul parish priest, told UCA News that looking after cyclone survivors and praying for them and the more than 100,000 people who died are important Pauline Year activities.

"We are offering Mass every first Friday of the month for the souls of those who died during Cyclone Nargis," the priest said. He added that local Legion of Mary members will continue praying in the church for the dead and injured.

On a practical level, he said the various Church associations in the parish are donating supplies and volunteers for the cyclone relief effort.

"By reflecting on the life of Saint Paul and his apostolic works, we, his followers, are obliged to live according to his teachings," Father Htoo Htoo said. Apart from the Sunday Mass, he added, the celebration of the feast of St. Paul is very important.
  Joseph U Kyaing, a member of the parish pastoral council, told UCA News they would be praying for the survivors and victims during the Pauline Year as well as calling on the parish priest to hold special Masses and second collections for the relief effort. He said they hope to hold an event at which 1,000 flowers, 1,000 lights, and 1,000 rosary recitations will be offered together with aid donations for disaster relief.

Parish youth leader Benedict Zaw Lin told UCA News youth group members have been taking part in the hour-long Eucharistic adoration sessions for the cyclone survivors, and some have been directly involved in relief work.

A parishioner name Moree added, "We have organized 10-15 members for adoration and recited the rosary, making some modifications for the victims of the cyclone."

Another parishioner, Rosy Ma Cho, described the Pauline Year as an opportunity to receive special grace. "We can obtain the forgiveness of our sins by participating in the Holy Mass and visiting the Blessed Sacrament, and we all must have devotion to Saint Paul and pray zealously for the protection of our Church," she said.

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