The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) commissioned Br. Jaazeal Jakosalem, OAR to create the icon of Jesus of the Poor to be launched and unveiled on February 2, 2015 at the San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila on the occasion of the Church celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life and the Philippine-wide Year of the Poor both occur in the year 2015.
Icon of Jesus of the Poor
The central image of the icon is Jesus of the Poor wearing the traditional ‘kamiseta,’ sharing both the enflamed heart and the bible with the text “Do Justice, Love Kindness” (Micah 6:8). “You will find life by giving life, hope by giving hope, love by giving love.” (Pope Francis, Letter of Pope Francis on the Year of Consecrated Life, Nov. 21, 2014).
The symbol of communion – the ‘kapit-bisig’ community of religious and lay collaborators, symbolizing the celebration of the year of consecrated life (and the continuing prophetic work and mission of AMRSP in the Philippine Church) – living as poor, with the poor and for the poor… ‘Consecrated men and women are also called to true synergy with all other vocations in the Church, beginning with priests and the lay faithful, in order to “spread the spirituality of communion, first of all in their internal life and then in the ecclesial community, and even beyond its boundaries”.’ (Pope Francis, Letter of Pope Francis on the Year of Consecrated Life, Nov. 21, 2014).
The ‘kariton’ symbolizes the life and struggles of the poor of which we are called to serve. “Prophets tend to be on the side of the poor and the powerless, for they know that God himself is on their side.” (Pope Francis) (Pope Francis, Letter of Pope Francis on the Year of Consecrated Life, Nov. 21, 2014).
The ‘kubo’ chapel is a symbol of the Filipino faith, the filipino christian community.
The circles of transformative advocacies
—caring the environment;
—promoting peace & justice;
—defending the rights of people;
—education for all.
“Only by such concern for the needs of the world, and by docility to the promptings of the Spirit, will this Year of Consecrated Life become an authentic kairos, a time rich in God’s grace, a time of transformation.” (Pope Francis, Letter of Pope Francis on the Year of Consecrated Life, Nov. 21, 2014).
The baybayin script
‘Kalinga’ – compassion in tagalog (the theme of the year of the poor). “This year is dedicated to committing ourselves more firmly to our vision of becoming truly a Church of the Poor. The new evangelization is also a powerful call from the Lord to follow in His footsteps to be evangelically poor” (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on the Era of New Evangelization).
‘Kalipay’ – joy or happiness in cebuano (the central message of the year of consecrated life). ‘This is the beauty of consecration, and it is joy, joy. The joy of bringing God’s consolation to all’ (Rejoice) “May this Year likewise be an occasion for bearing vigorous and joyful witness before the world to the holiness and vitality present in so many of those called to follow Jesus in the consecrated life.” (Pope Francis, Letter of Pope Francis on the Year of Consecrated Life, Nov. 21, 2014)