MANILA, Philippines – Clad in pristine white shirts, more than a hundred graduates took the stage on Saturday, October 21, as they received their certificates.

Their families beamed with pride as they took photos of the event, which was not your typical graduation ceremony.

On Saturday, 132 former drug dependents graduated from “Sanlakbay para sa Pagbabagong Buhay,” a 6-month community-based rehabilitation program launched by the Archdiocese of Manila for drug surrenderers and recovering addicts. (READ: Cardinal Tagle slams drug trade, launches rehab)

The ceremony was held at the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian in Quiapo, Manila. Launched on October 23, 2016, Sanlakbay is the Catholic Church’s response to the government’s war against illegal drugs.

“Many who have recovered from drug addiction are in our midst and their daily courage is a sign of the power of God’s healing presence to all of us,” said Fr Roberto Dela Cruz, Sanlakbay minister-in-charge.

Homily 

The mass on Saturday was a celebration of hope, according to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. 

“Bawat misa ay espesyal, subalit sa araw na ito, may extra na dahilan para maging mas espesyal ang espesyal na misa,” Tagle said as he looked back to the time the Catholic Church launched Sanlakbay at the Manila Cathedral. 

(Every mass is special. Today, there are more reasons to call this mass extra-special) 

According to the Philippines’ most influential cardinal, the 132 graduates of the drug rehabilitation program are proof that drug dependents can change for the better. “

“No one can say that you are a hopeless case,” Tagle told them. 

Tagle has been vocal about the spate of killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs. Thousands have been killed in both police operations and vigilante-style killings since Duterte began his drug war in July 2016. The casulties include children and high school students. 

Addiction, said Tagle, results from a confluence of factors – poverty, environment, and upbringing. It could also be due to the lack of faith. 

“Sino ang ating Panginoon? Kilalanin ang tunay na Diyos – si Hesus. Siya lang ang susundan – hindi ang pera, kapangyarihan, o ang mga gawa ng tao na umaalipin sa atin,” Tagle said to an audience of former drug dependents and their families. 

(Who is our Lord? Get to know the true God – Jesus. Follow only him – not money, power, or all the material things that enslave us.)

Continue to hope

In his homily, the cardinal also reminded Filipinos to be hopeful. 

“Ang mundo ngayon, kay daling mawalan ng pagasa….Hindi mababago ng mundo ng mga taong walang pag-asa (In today’s world, it’s so easy to lose hope….The world cannot be changed by people who are hopeless). The world will never be renewed by people who are desperate. The world  will only be renewed by people filled with hope,” Tagle said. 

Besides, there are many reasons to be hopeful. 

At present, there are 12 parishes that carry the community-based rehabilitation program of the Catholic Church. At least 18 more had expressed their intent to put up a Sanlakbay Program, and had been given the parish community-based program orientation. 

In his homily, Tagle also acknowledged the various partners of the Church for the rehabilitation program, including the Philippine National Police, the Department of Health, local government units, and private sectors like the Ateneo Center for Family Ministires and UST Graduate School Pyscho-Trauma Clinic. 

Tagle said all sector of the society contribute to the positive change the country aspires for – the doctors for their medical expertise, lawyers for their legal expertise, and law enforcement for promoting security, among other groups. 

Here are other photos from the Sanlakbay anniversary: 

– Rappler.com