The Basic Ecclesial Communities or BEC are local Christian communities in neighborhoods within parishes described by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) as “small communities of Christians, usually of families who gather around the Word of God and the Eucharist. These communities are united to their pastors but are ministered to regularly by lay leaders.”
Contended by some about its beginnings and inspirations coming from liberation theology in Latin America, its earliest communities are known to have emerged from Brazil. The movement later on spread through Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. The first Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Philippines emerged in the late 1960s.
BEC in parishes partake in the spread of the Word of God and in the celebration of the Eucharist. In addition, its members establish a deeper knowledge of each other while sharing both their material and spiritual concerns in the community. This, in turn, puts a better sense of belongingness and responsibility to one another.
On June 16, 2019, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Sunday was celebrated for the first time envisioning “a new way of being Church”. Since then, BEC Sunday has been celebrated annually in conjunction with the celebration of Trinity Sunday.
References:
Basic Ecclesial Communities https://www.barasoainchurch.org/basic-ecclesial-communities
Basic Ecclesial Communities https://novalichesdiocese.org/departments/pastoral/basic-ecclesial-communities/
Basic Ecclesial Communities https://christthekingparish.ph/basic-ecclesial-communities/
History of BEC Development in the Philippines by Most Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D. http://www.davaocatholicherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/econd-Conference-History-of-Basic-Ecclesial-Community-BEC-in-the-Philippines-Most-Rev.-George-B.-Rimando-DD.pdf
Church to celebrate BEC Sunday for first time https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/church-to-celebrate-bec-sunday-for-first-time/
