Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles has called on the faithful to recall the events surrounding the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
“It is through recalling and reflecting on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ that we renew and strengthen our faith. Let us all have a deep and heart-felt reflection on the important events in the life of our Savior so that on His resurrection on Easter Sunday, we, too, will experience a rebirth of our faith,” Valles said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
The Church leader also reminded the faithful of the importance of their baptism.
“Rediscover again the gift of baptism so that when we enter the days of the Easter triduum, we will be renewed in faith and in ourselves. Pay attention and be serious, be sincere in going through the prayers and religious rites this Holy Week,” Valles added.
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia reminded the faithful of the importance of the events in the life of Christ that are recalled during the Holy Week as the most important events in the liturgical year.
“The passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the most important events in the liturgical year. I encourage the faithful to find again the roots of their deep faith and rejoice in having been called to be disciples of Jesus,” Caccia said over Radio Veritas.
Meanwhile, well-preserved religious traditions that have been passed on for generations will be observed today, Holy Tuesday, the third day of the Holy Week.
In many provinces, the three-day “pabasa,” the marathon chanting of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus lifted from the pages of the Holy Bible, which started yesterday, Holy Monday, will be held for the second straight day.
Many devotees, especially those who own images depicting the passion of Christ, will also be busy preparing for the traditional Holy Wednesday procession tomorrow, particularly in Bulacan, Iloilo City, Marinduque, Pampanga, Rizal, and Laguna, as well as in many towns in Metro Manila, where these processions are held on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday.
Today’s mass readings and reflections will focus on Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver coins and of St. Peter’s denial of Jesus. (Christina Hermoso)
