Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines encouraged the faithful to allow the Virgin Mary to be “the Mother of all” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
On September 8, feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, church leaders told the faithful to seek “Mary’s intercession” to end the global health and economic crises.
Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong said the Blessed Virgin Mary “is God’s precious gift to us after His son Jesus.”
“She is God’s masterpiece through whom the Savior comes to the world,” the prelate said, adding that Mary’s motherhood “embraces not only Jesus but each one of us as her sons and daughters.”
“Her intercessions bring us closer to the Father…. Her love for us will never be defeated by suffering. Her oneness with us will never be killed by death,” said Bishop Mangalinao.
He said the presence of Mary “reminds us all that we are in the palms of God’s guiding hand,” adding that she is also a testament to God’s love “beyond our imaginings.”
The prelate reminded the faithful that Mary’s “courageous silence” as she stands at the foot of the cross “reveals the depth of her capacity to endure evil for the sake of good.”
Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose expressed unity with everyone who has “a strong love and devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary.”
He said September 8 is “a celebration of life” that also marks the day that Mary embraced “her mission as a mother to us all.”
Bishop Arturo Bastes, retired prelate of Sorsogon, encouraged Filipinos, especially frontline healthcare workers and the sick, to ask for the intercession of Mary on her birthday.
“We Filipinos pride ourselves as (the) Pueblo Amante de Maria (people in love with Mary). Let us honor our beloved Mother by offering all our pains and sufferings,” he said.
On September 8, the Archdiocese of Manila opened the doors of the cathedral to allow devotees to pray to the Virgin Mary from eight o’clock in the morning until five o’clock in the afternoon.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese, said the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary “is an assurance of the presence” of Jesus.
“The birthday of Mama Mary is also the dawn announcing the birthday of Jesus. The mother is already here. The Son will soon follow,” he said.
The prelate said no matter how huge the problems that the world is facing right now, the Blessed Virgin Mary “is continually present to all of us.”
“Let us call on her and trust her for she is a good mother who cares for us,” said the prelate.
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga urged the faithful to be like Mary who gave her consent and trust to fulfill God’s “salvific plan.”
“God trusts our capacity. So let us give Him our fiat. God is with us. He will guide us and grant what is best, beneficial to us,” said the prelate.
Source: Licas Philippines
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