07/08/2026
Pope Leo has sent an Apostolic Blessing and a personal message to Couples for Christ (CFC) as the Philippines-born Catholic family ministry celebrated its 45th anniversary.
Founded in 1981 in Manila as an outreach of the charismatic community ‘Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon’ ("Joy of the Lord"), CFC has grown into one of the world's largest Catholic lay movements dedicated to strengthening family life and evangelization. Recognized by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2000, the organization today has about one million members across its various ministries and serves in all 81 provinces and dioceses of the Philippines as well as 163 countries.
The anniversary celebrations culminated in a Mass at New Clark City Stadium, where more than 37,000 faithful gathered, making it one of the largest events in the movement's history.
During the Eucharistic celebration, Dario Gervasi read Pope Leo's message, conveying the Pontiff's closeness and blessing to the movement.
Celebrating under the theme "In the One, We Are One," the gathering highlighted CFC's enduring mission of building Christ-centered families and forming lay missionaries committed to supporting the Church's evangelizing mission around the world.
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