“What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We write this in order that our joy may be complete.”
1 John 1:3–4 (GNT)
A Sacred Journey Begins
On August 8, 2025, the Couples for Christ International Council (CFC IC) gathered in Baguio City for a sacred purpose: to discern the CFC theme for 2026. Accompanying them were members of the Global Mission Center Service Team, Pastoral Formation Group, and CFC Benguet Governance Team, who provided support throughout the weekend.
The journey began with a courtesy visit to Most Rev. Rafael T. Cruz, Bishop of Baguio, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement. This symbolic act of unity with the Church set the tone for a weekend of spiritual discernment, where prayer and reflection led to a clear message from the Holy Spirit.
A Weekend of Grace
Friday afternoon, the discernment weekend formally opened with a Holy Mass and recollection led by CFC Spiritual Adviser Fr. Joel Jason. His message was clear: to hear the Holy Spirit, we must first be disposed appropriately. Drawing from Scripture and pastoral wisdom, he offered six steps to spiritual readiness—lowering one’s voice, deepening intimacy with God, embracing silence, tuning in, evaluating with discernment, and navigating with faith.
Fr. Joel reminded the leaders that unity is not a slogan but a spirituality—a lived expression of our communion with God and one another. Drawing from the early Church, he emphasized that unity is our work, our wealth, and our witness.
Throughout the recollection, the room was filled with a quiet attentiveness. Every word was received with reverence. Every silence was sacred. The leaders were not just present—they were fully engaged, hearts open to the Spirit’s whisper. It was clear: something profound was unfolding. The Lord was preparing His people.
A Vigil of Listening Hearts
From Friday afternoon until early Saturday morning, the IC entered into a solemn vigil before the Blessed Sacrament. In the stillness of adoration, the Lord began to speak. Through worship, silence, and personal prayer, the leaders opened their hearts to receive His promptings. The world outside faded, and what remained was a sacred space where hearts could truly listen.
Fr. Joel concluded the prayer vigil with a mass, and his homily from Matthew 17:14-20 echoed the heart of the vigil: discipleship must be rooted in prayer. “Prayer is the soul of the apostolate,” he said. “We cannot do the work of the Lord unless we are connected to the Lord.”
His words were not just heard—they were felt. The leaders were not merely attending a vigil; they were being drawn into communion. Each one, in their own way, sensed that God was speaking directly to them. There was clarity. There was comfort. There was conviction.
When the Spirit Speaks
The discernment session opened with worship led by CFC Chairman and President Bro. Arnel Santos. The atmosphere was reverent yet expectant, filled with the kind of quiet joy that only comes when hearts are ready to receive. As songs of praise rose, so did the sense that the Lord was near, drawing each leader into profound communion.
One by one, the members of the International Council, including their wives, shared what they had received in prayer: scripture verses, images, words of encouragement, and gentle promptings from the Lord. It was not rushed. It was not forced. Each sharing was received with attentiveness and respect, as if every word carried the weight of heaven.
The Holy Spirit was moving. We felt peace. And the leaders were listening.
God Has Spoken
By Saturday afternoon, the theme was clear. The message was no longer a whisper—it was a resounding call. The leaders’ hearts were aligned. The promptings had converged. The peace was undeniable.
The Lord had spoken.
“In the One, we are one!”
The anchor verse of our 2026 theme is 1 John 1:3-4 (Good News Translation): “What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We write this in order that our joy may be complete.”
A Spirit-Led Weekend
The Lord’s presence was not just felt—it was deeply experienced in every prayer, prompting, and pause. From the opening recollection to the quiet hours of adoration, from the songs of worship to the sharing of promptings, the Couples for Christ International Council was enveloped in grace. It was not just a gathering—it was a sacred encounter.
Scripture came alive. Silence became sacred. Every prayer, every prompting, every moment of reflection felt divinely orchestrated. The Lord was not distant; He was near, speaking gently, affirming His love, and guiding His leaders with clarity and peace.
There was no rush, no noise—only hearts fully present, listening. And in that listening, the Spirit moved. He reminded each one that they are not just called to lead, but to love, to serve, and to remain united in Him.
As Bro. Arnel Santos exhorted, “Our first mission is to pray, to be present, and to listen.” And that weekend, the IC did precisely that with reverence, humility, and joy.
Looking Ahead
With the theme now revealed, the IC also began preparing for the 2026 International Leaders Conference, Theme Weekend Retreat, and CFC Anniversary. Suggestions for titles, talks, and directions were prayerfully offered, ensuring that every event in the coming year will reflect the spirit of unity and joy that the Lord desires for His people.
Unity is not merely a goal—it is our identity, our inheritance, and our witness to the world.
The Lord has spoken, and His message resounds in every heart: we are one in Him, and through Him, we are sent forth.
Let every household, every ministry, every member of Couples for Christ rise with joy and conviction.
Let us prepare to celebrate, to serve, and to proclaim because in the One, we are one.
And the best is yet to come. Hallelujah!