Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on Catholics to uphold their mission and be true to the faith amid difficult situations during the morning fiesta Mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish last Oct. 6.
“Kung titingnan po natin ang ating kalagayan ngayon ay nakalulungkot at nakababahala… ang problema ng droga dahil hindi ito na-so-solve [at] ang mga sakit na kumakalat sa atin ngayon. [A]ng taong may pananampalataya na kumikilos at hindi nagpapabaya sa Diyos ang siyang mabubuhay,” Pabillo said in his homily.
[If we will look into the situation of our country, it is disheartening and alarming… the problem of drugs because it remains unsolved and the spread of diseases. [A] person who has faith, doing one’s mission is the one who will be saved.]
Pabillo also reminded Catholics to always believe in God’s unwavering commitment to protect His people.
“Ang daming problema sa mundo. Let us hang on to faith. We may increase our faith through fidelity, bearing the suffering of the good news, praying holy rosary, and following Mary,” he said.
[There are many problems in the world. Let us hang on to faith. We may increase our faith through fidelity, bearing the suffering of the good news, praying the holy rosary, and following Mary.]
Pabillo echoed Pope Francis’s proclamation of October as a “mission” and “extraordinary” month in which all are invited to take heed of the call to spread the good news.
Archbishop Emeritus Angel Lagdameo of Jaro called on Catholics to turn to Mary as their guide, in the afternoon Mass.
“If we come to Mary, we shall never turn from the path of salvation. In knowing her, you will not despair. If she supports, you cannot fail. If she protects you, you have nothing to fear for you cannot be lost,” Lagdameo said in his homily.
He said the Blessed Mother’s intercession leads to the “face of Christ.”
Lagdameo also said the rosary is the most effective means of giving meaning to the presence of God.
“The rosary is still a form of prayer. [T]his is for contemplating, adoring, and loving Jesus. We will seek and find God himself in Jesus. [I]f Mary undertakes our defense, we are certain of making into the kingdom of heaven,” he said.
In the 13th century, St. Dominic de Guzman received the Marian Psalter, a prayer of 150 “Aves,” from the Blessed Mother to aid him in his preaching. This prayer was later known as the rosary.
