Fr. Archie Guiriba, OFM, founder of the Shalom International Catholic Charismatic Foundation Inc., will celebrate a three-day Lenten Retreat at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, on April 5, 6 and 7. The celebration each day will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., to be aired live over RPN 9 and IBC 13. Admission is free.
Known for his charismatic prayer and healing rallies held every Saturday at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City and in various parts of the country, Father Guiriba called on all Christians to solemnly observe the rites of the Holy Week culminating in the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Like the sun forever
Guiriba pointed out that because of the troubled times facing the nation, such as the rising fuel prices which have erupted into demonstrations all across the country and the political disagreements causing divisions among the people, “it is time for us all to use the season of Christ’s tribulation and triumph to reflect and seek guidance from his sacrifices and words in order to achieve peace and solidarity.”
Quoting Proverbs 11:30, Guiriba declared that “Those who bring people to righteousness will shine as the brightness of the sun forever and ever.” He explained that reflecting on the sufferings and triumph of Jesus would enable the people to rise above the challenges of life, because their souls would be strengthened and ennobled “like the brightness of the sun.”
A powerful preacher able to stir the emotions of large audiences, Fr. Guiriba, who took up a post-graduate course at the Ateneo Loyola House of Studies, has traveled around the world where he spread the word of God to large audiences in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, converting many unbelievers to the Christian faith. Filipino overseas communities have hosted many of his masses and prayer rallies.
A member of the Franciscan Order, he has been assigned to the special ministry of the mass media, particularly in radio and television. He hosts a worldwide television program for Shalom over TCT world network, and evangelical talk shows on Radio Veritas (every third Thursday of the month, from 8-9 p.m.), dwAD (Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.), and dwDD every Sunday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. He also conducts a Mass and healing rally at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City from 4 to 9 p.m.