Manila, June 21, 2020: He may be miles away but those who love Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle still found a way to celebrate his 63rd birthday on June 21 by donating food to the poor.
Tagle, the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, said some of his friends informed him that around 2,500 poor people, such as the homeless and street kids, were given free lunch on the said day.
“They informed me that for my birthday, they will give free lunch, especially to those who find it difficult to have a decent meal,” he said during a Mass at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome.
“So in Metro Manila, Cavite, even in Bacolod…some friends put something together. The food is the same ‘binalot’ consisting of rice, chicken adobo, hard boiled egg, and banana,” said Tagle.
He said among those who received the “binalot” were members of a religious community.
“I was surprised to hear that in Tagaytay, some religious communities are back to begging for food. They go around knocking. They said they usually receive or get support from their communities in Europe, but the communities have nothing to send. So one community also received binalot today,” Tagle said.
The former Manila archbishop thanked those who donated the food for their gift.
“I was thinking…other people will celebrate your birthday for you. Instead of giving to you, they give to others and for me that is a great thing. We are so used to receiving gifts for ourselves,” said Tagle. “The gift that is given to you, let it continue being a gift…life is a gift and it must remain a gift.”
The cardinal said he is thankful to God for his gift of life and mission. It was in February when he left the Philippines to assume his post in the Vatican. Pope Francis appointed the former Manila archbishop to the post in December 2019.
On May 1, the pontiff elevated Tagle as cardinal bishop, the highest rank within the College of Cardinals.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/21/friends-mark-tagles-63rd-birthday-with-free-lunch-for-the-poor/