Homily of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão at the Inaugural Mass of the 60th Anniversary of the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,There is a story told in many parts of Asia, about a wise old bamboo that grew by the banks of a river.One day, the river asked the bamboo to surrender a part of itself, so that he, the river, could carry it downstream, to other lands, thirsty for shade and peace.The bamboo was puzzled."Why would I let myself be cut?"-he asked.The river replied, "because you could grow in other places too, only if you let me take you there."After some hesitation, the bamboo agreed and allowed a piece of itself to be carried by the river.Part of that piece became a staff in the hand of a weary traveller kilometres away.Another part became a flute in the hands of a child.Other parts sprouted here and there, along the riverbank, growing new shoots that gave new life to the old bamboo and allowed it to enrich other lands as well.My dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate 60 years of the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), an institution that, like the bamboo, has stood tall and firm by the river of God's grace here in Manila, spreading its shoots throughout East Asia and beyond.Rooted in faith, it has shaped leaders, formed pastors and