Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes

15/09/2026

The Diocese of Tagbilaran cordially invites the faithful to the Canonical Possession and Solemn Installation of the Most Reverend Crispin Varquez y Barrete, D.D., as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, on 27 October 2026 at 9:00 AM at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine-Parish, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

We give thanks to God for the gift of a new shepherd to lead our Diocese and accompany us in our journey of faith. We entrust his episcopal ministry to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her intercession as he begins his service among the faithful of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

We are honored by the presence of His Excellency, Most Reverend Alberto S. Uy, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu, who will preside over the installation; His Eminence, Cardinal Jose F. Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, who will deliver the homily; and His Excellency, Most Reverend Charles John Brown, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

Join us as we welcome our new Bishop.

Viva Cristo Rey!
Long live the Diocese of Tagbilaran!

10/09/2026

In gratitude to God, we welcome the appointment of the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

Welcome home to your flock, Bishop Bai!

The Diocese of Tagbilaran joyfully welcomes home one of her own.

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Crispin Barrete “Bai” Varquez, D.D., as the 8th Bishop of Tagbilaran.

For the Diocese of Tagbilaran, this is more than the appointment of a new shepherd. It is a homecoming.

Bishop Varquez is a son of this Diocese - formed in its seminaries, nourished by its communities, and shaped by years of priestly ministry among its people. Now, he returns to the local Church that helped form him, entrusted with the pastoral care of the very Diocese he once served.

Born on December 5, 1960, in Sevilla, Bohol, Bishop Varquez began his priestly formation at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran, where he earned his degree in Philosophy. He later pursued his Theology studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Tagaytay, Cavite.

He was ordained to the priesthood on April 14, 1989.

His first priestly assignment brought him to Mindoro, where he served as an assistant parish priest. He would later dedicate a significant part of his ministry to the formation of future priests, serving as a formator at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran and at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Tagaytay during the 1990s until 2000.

Upon returning to parish ministry, he served as parish priest in several parishes of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. In January 2007, he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese, serving closely in the pastoral and administrative life of the local Church.

His ministry then led him beyond Bohol.

On August 4, 2007, he was appointed Bishop of Borongan. He received episcopal ordination later that year and was installed as the sixth Bishop of Borongan, beginning a long episcopal ministry among the people of Eastern Samar.

For nearly two decades, he has served as pastor and shepherd of the Diocese of Borongan, accompanying its clergy, religious, and lay faithful in their life and mission as a local Church.

Now, the Lord’s providence brings him home.

The man who once served this Diocese as a seminarian, priest, formator, parish priest, and Vicar General now returns in a new role: as its Bishop.

There is something deeply meaningful in this homecoming. A bishop does not cease to be a son of the Church simply because he is entrusted with the office of shepherd. Rather, his identity as a son becomes the foundation of his fatherly care.

He comes home as a son - but he comes home to serve as a father.

As the 8th Bishop of Tagbilaran, Bishop Crispin “Bai” Varquez will now be called to lead, sanctify, teach, and accompany the People of God entrusted to his pastoral care.

The Diocese of Tagbilaran receives him with gratitude for the gift of his ministry, with joy for his return, and with confidence in the grace of God who has guided his vocation from Bohol to Eastern Samar and now back home.

After years away, a familiar son returns.
And the son of the Diocese comes home as its father.

Welcome home, Bishop Bai.

May the Lord grant him wisdom, strength, courage, and joy as he begins this new chapter of his ministry among the people of Tagbilaran.

07/09/2026

Homily: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel: Matthew 1:18–23

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At first, it may seem strange that the Church celebrates the birthday of Mary when the Gospel does not even tell us directly about her birth. Instead, we hear about Joseph, Mary, and the birth of Jesus.

But there is a beautiful reason. Mary’s birth is important because God prepared her to become the Mother of our Savior. Her life was part of God’s plan from the beginning.

The Gospel tells us that Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was troubled because he did not yet understand what God was doing. But the angel said to him:

“Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

And the Gospel gives us the beautiful name of Jesus:

“Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

This is the heart of our celebration today: God is with us.

Mary’s life teaches us that God’s presence does not always come in ways that we expect. There can be moments of uncertainty, difficulty, and even fear. Mary herself did not know everything that would happen. Joseph did not understand everything immediately. Yet they trusted God.

Mary teaches us the importance of saying “Yes” to God.

Her greatness was not simply that she became the Mother of Jesus. Her greatness was that she allowed God to work through her. Her humble “yes” became a doorway through which the Savior entered the world.

Sometimes we think that we need to accomplish something extraordinary before God can use us. But Mary reminds us that God begins His greatest works through humble and willing hearts.

There is also a message here for every family. Jesus came into the world through a family. Mary and Joseph remind us that the family is a place where God’s presence can be welcomed, protected, and nurtured.

Therefore, on this feast of Mary’s Nativity, let us ask ourselves:

Is God truly present in my family?
Is He present in the way we speak to one another?
In the way we forgive?
In the way we care for one another?
In the way we pray together?

Because Emmanuel—God with us—is not only a beautiful title. It is a way of life.

Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the beginning of Mary’s earthly journey. We thank God for the gift of her life, for her faith, her humility, and her obedience.

May Mary teach us to trust God even when we do not understand His plans. May she teach us to say “yes” even when the journey is difficult. And may she always lead us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Let us therefore entrust ourselves to Mary and pray:

Mary, our Mother, teach us to welcome Jesus into our hearts, our homes, and our lives, so that wherever we go, people may truly experience Emmanuel—God is with us.

Amen.

03/09/2026

Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, based on Luke 5:33–39.

In today’s Gospel, the people ask Jesus why His disciples do not fast like the disciples of John and the Pharisees. Jesus answers with the image of a bridegroom and then says something very important: “No one pours new wine into old wineskins.”

Jesus is telling us that His coming brings something new. Christianity is not simply about adding Jesus to our old way of living. Following Christ means allowing Him to renew our hearts, our attitudes, and our priorities.

Sometimes we want God to change our circumstances, but we do not want Him to change us. We pray, “Lord, change this situation,” but Jesus may be saying, “Let me first change your heart.”

An old wineskin can represent our old habits: resentment, pride, selfishness, jealousy, unforgiveness, or a refusal to change. We cannot receive the new life Christ offers if we insist on remaining attached to the old ways.

This is especially important in our families and communities. Sometimes we say, “That is just how I am.” But the Christian cannot always use this as an excuse. If Christ is truly in us, there must always be room for conversion.

The Lord invites us today to become new wineskins hearts that are humble, teachable, forgiving, and open to God’s grace.

Let us ask ourselves: What old attitude or habit do I need to surrender to the Lord today?

May Jesus give us the courage to let go of the old and receive the new wine of His grace, His mercy, and His love.

Lord, make our hearts new, so that our lives may become a beautiful vessel for Your presence. Amen.

02/09/2026

Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, based on Luke 4:38–44

“Jesus Heals, Serves, and Prays”

My dear brothers and sisters,

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus entering the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a severe fever, and Jesus bends over her, rebukes the fever, and heals her. Immediately, she gets up and begins to serve them.

This simple scene teaches us something beautiful about Christian life: when Jesus heals us, He also sends us to serve.

Many people come to Jesus because they have something they want Him to fix our sickness, problems, fears, family difficulties, or worries about the future. And Jesus welcomes us. He cares about our suffering. He does not remain distant from those who are hurting.

But notice what happens after Simon’s mother-in-law is healed: she gets up and serves. Her healing becomes a mission.

The same is true for us. God gives us blessings not only for ourselves but also so that we can become a blessing to others. If God has given us strength, let us use it to help. If He has given us time, let us share it. If He has forgiven us, let us learn to forgive. If He has comforted us, let us comfort someone who is suffering.

The Gospel also tells us that Jesus went to a deserted place and prayed. Even though many people were looking for Him, Jesus knew that He needed to remain united with the Father.

This is important for us. Service without prayer can make us tired; prayer without service can become empty. We need both: time with God and love for our brothers and sisters.

Today, let us ask ourselves: What has Jesus healed in me, and how am I using that healing to serve others?

May the Lord heal what is wounded in our hearts, strengthen what is weak, and make our lives an instrument of His love.

Amen.

29/08/2026

DIOCESAN SHRINE AND PARISH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

August 30, 2026 SUNDAY NEWSLETTER

"ANG TUBURAN"

25/08/2026

Homily for Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time Year A
Matthew 23:23-26

“What Is Most Important?”

My dear brothers and sisters,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees because they are very careful about religious rules, but they neglect what is more important: justice, mercy, and faith.

The problem is not that they follow religious practices. The problem is that their practices have become more important than love. They are concerned about what is visible, but they forget what God sees in the heart.

Jesus tells them: “These you should have done, without neglecting the others.”

This is also a reminder for us. We can pray every day, attend Mass, receive the sacraments, and practice many devotions. But if we are unforgiving, judgmental, selfish, or indifferent to someone who is suffering, then our faith has not yet transformed our hearts.

True faith is seen in the way we treat people especially those who cannot give us anything in return.

Today, let us ask ourselves: Do my prayers make me more loving? Does my faith make me more merciful? Does my devotion bring me closer to others?

May our religious practices never become merely external. May they lead us to a deeper love of God and a more compassionate love of our neighbor.

Let us not only look holy; let us allow God to make us holy from within. Amen.

22/08/2026

DIOCESAN SHRINE AND PARISH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

August 23, 2026 SUNDAY NEWSLETTER

"ANG TUBURAN"

12/08/2026

Homily
Wednesday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Gospel: Matthew 18:15–20

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today, Jesus teaches us how to deal with conflict and broken relationships. He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”

Jesus does not tell us to immediately expose the fault of another person or talk about it to everyone. Instead, He teaches us to approach the person directly, privately, and with love.

Many conflicts become bigger because we talk about them with others before talking to the person involved. We sometimes choose gossip instead of reconciliation, anger instead of understanding, and judgment instead of forgiveness.

Jesus reminds us that correction is not meant to destroy a person but to win our brother or sister back.

This is especially important in our families, communities, and parish. We will always have misunderstandings because we are different people with different personalities. But Christian love means that we do not allow our differences to destroy our relationships.

Jesus also says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This reminds us that when we seek reconciliation and unity, Christ is present among us.

Let us therefore ask ourselves today: Is there someone with whom I need to reconcile? Is there someone I need to forgive? Is there someone I need to approach not with anger, but with love?

May the Lord give us the humility to correct with charity, the courage to ask forgiveness, and the grace to forgive. May our families and communities become places where Christ is truly present because there is love, unity, and reconciliation.

Amen.

30/07/2026

Happy Birthday, Fr. James!

Happy birthday, Fr. James!