MANILA, Philippines — Pope Benedict XVI has expressed hope that the discussions of Catholic prelates in their 104th Plenary Assembly especially on re-evangelization will be fruitful.

“His Holiness hopes that your discussions, especially those concerning the re-evangelization program in order to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Catholic Faith in your country, will bear much fruit as you strive to be holy shepherds,” read the message of the Pontiff.

“The Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all of you and to those entrusted to your care,” it further read.

The letter of His Holiness was sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from the Vatican through Papal nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto.

Monsignor Joselito Asis, CBCP secretary general, read the letter at the opening of their bi-annual gathering Saturday at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.

CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, meantime, said Filipinos should expect blessings and good things to come this year in view of the significant events that are set to take place in the Catholic Church.

“Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement of the Year of Faith which will begin on October 11, 2012 gives us hope,” he said in his opening message.

“We believe blessings will come our way when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and simultaneously also the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,” added Palma.

Another reason for their eager expectation, he said, is the convocation of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops from Oct. 7 to 28, 2012 with the theme: “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of Christian Faith.”

The CBCP head is also looking forward to the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

“With great joy I share with you how we look forward to the canonization of Bl. Pedro Calungsod which we expect will also happen in October,” Palma said.

“What I mentioned are not simply dates. They are events of great significance, moments of ‘Kairos,’ celebrations of grace and blessings, reasons for living and hoping,” he added. “Kairos” is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment.

Palma also commented on the current political situation in the country. “With the obvious confrontations among the main branches of our government, we wish we are not stucked up in pinning down the guilty but instead we are now marching and collaborating with each other in implementing laws and programs that bring about growth and development,” he said in his message at the opening of the bishops Plenary Assembly.