THE Archdiocese of Manila reminded the faithful that there will be no afternoon masses in all its parishes on January 18 because of the Eucharistic Celebration to be officiated by Pope Francis at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle had earlier ordered the parish priests, rectors and chaplains or chaplaincies to cancel all afternoon masses early this week and instead urged Filipinos to attend the mass at the Quirino Grandstand with Pope Francis.
“We understand the desire of our faithful to be part of this celebration by personally attending this event at the Luneta or through television and other live feeds,” he said.
“By whatever means we join in communion with the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ on earth, let us open our hearts to the immeasurable grace of this visit and allow his message of mercy and compassion to enter deep into our hearts and be seen in our lives. Let us accept Jesus in him.
God bless you all,” Tagle said.
Today, Sunday, is also the time where Cebu City will be celebrating their annual Sinulog Festival where they showcase different images of Santo Nino, a symbol that commemorates the Filipino people’s acceptance of Roman Catholicism.
“To those going to Luneta tomorrow January 18, are encouraged to bring images of the Sto. Nino to be blessed by the Holy Father,” the Church Papal Visit Committee said on Saturday.
Before the papal mass on Sunday, the Church Papal Visit Committee said devotees from the Archdiocese of Cebu will present a Sinulog rhythm and dance to celebrate the feast of the Santo Nino.
Pope Francis, the committee said, will invite all attendees to “encounter Jesus in living out his own compassion and mercy towards our brothers and sisters in need and poverty, in suffering, loneliness, in hopelessness”.
The committee said the Profession of Faith will recited in the vernacular while the intercessions of the Prayer of the Faithful will use the different Filipino languages.
During the beginning of the Eucharist Prayer, children are set to carry lighted torches, earthenware vessels of incense and baskets of flowers while approaching the altar to serve as sentinels of the Eucharist.
During the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, candles will be lighted and the assembly will sing: “Tell the World of His Love.”