The Sacred Heart in the Streets: The Philippines Connection | Nirva and Raven

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse speaks with Raven Jard Castañeda and Nirva dela Cruz, two young Catholic leaders from the Philippines who helped pioneer the Humilitas March—a public act of reparation and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What began in 2024 as a small prayer gathering in Davao has grown into a nationwide movement offering a faithful alternative to Pride marches. Raven and Nirva share how the marches unite clergy, youth groups, and Catholic organizations in joyful witness, public prayer, and Eucharistic devotion. They discuss the symbolism of holding the march in historic places like EDSA, the powerful conversions it has inspired—including former Pride marchers turning to Christ—and how the Sacred Heart devotion speaks to today’s culture of confusion and despair.

Raven Jard N. Castañeda is a Catholic apologist, lay catechist, and medical student dedicated to proclaiming the love and kingship of Christ through devotion to the Sacred Heart. A summa cum laude graduate of Ateneo de Davao University in Medical Biology and now a second-year student at Davao Medical School Foundation, he continues forming young Catholics in truth, humility, and devotion. In 2024, he pioneered the HUMILITAS March, a movement of young faithful united in public witness and reparation to the Sacred Heart, and founded the Association of Catholic Apologists – Knights of Saint Justin Martyr, which hosts conferences, apologetics training, and catechetical events. With experience in writing, public speaking, and debate, he defends the faith against rising wokeism in Catholic universities, most recently presenting on Truth, Academic Freedom, and Catholic Education at a 2024 philosophy conference. His deepest desire is to lead souls back to the beauty of the Catholic faith and the burning love of the Heart of Jesus.

Link to Raven's website:
Humilitas FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569082642573
Personal Blog (Simply Human): https://rjncastaneda.substack.com/ 

Nirva’s conversion through the Catholic charismatic movement led her to missionary work in Indonesia and East Timor before serving with the Episcopal Commission on Youth and later as associate editor of CBCP News, where she covered World Youth Days and the 2015 Synod of the Family. A former pro-life radio host, she became the first Filipino fellow of the Center for Asia Leadership in 2018, studying leadership and design thinking in Kuala Lumpur. She later served as communications officer for the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation, documenting extra-judicial killings and advancing care for the homeless. An active Singles for Christ leader and international speaker, she has shared the faith across Asia and Europe. She loves the Traditional Latin Mass, baking, reading, and traveling, and most recently led Humilitas Metro Manila in June 2025 to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1556996025004746 - Humilitas Metro Manila FB group
https://www.facebook.com/nirva.delacruz - Nirva Delacruz FB account (personal)

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