COVID-19: bishops to consecrate the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The ceremony will take place on 13 May, anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady in Fatima. Each prelate will lead the service in his own cathedral. The president of the Bishops’ conference calls it a “wonderful initiative". So far, almost 8,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in the Philippines with 530 deaths.
Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP) – The bishops of the dioceses and archdioceses of the Philippines have decided to consecrate the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The prelates will lead the consecration ceremony in their respective cathedrals on 13 May, the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, thus celebrating the event “in a special way”.
In a letter sent to all the dioceses of the country, Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines CBCP), calls this a "wonderful initiative".
This consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will reaffirm the bishops’ previous consecrations of the Philippines to Mary, like in 2013, the Year of Faith.
In Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo will lead the consecration prayer in the cathedral, marking the 103rd anniversary of the first apparition in Fatima.
The mayors and officials of the five cities – Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Makati and San Juan – covered by the archdiocese will join the prayer.
“It will be beautiful when all the people of God, led by their civil and religious leaders, put themselves under the protection of the Blessed Virgin,” Pabillo said.
“We do this to implore the protection of the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother in this difficult time, especially as we move to the transition to a new way of life after the quarantine,” he added.
To this end, “We need strength from above, and we have a powerful intercessor in Mama Mary to get that heavenly help,” he also said.
On Sunday, Pope Francis released a letter encouraging the faithful to pray the rosary during the whole month of May.
“Contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial,” the pontiff said.
So far, almost 8,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the Philippines with 530 confirmed deaths.
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