CUBAO Bishop Honesto Ongtioco reminded Catholics of the power of prayer in times of conflict and trouble, during the Mass for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval de Manila at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City last Oct. 13.
“[A]no man ang kalaban natin ay hindi kayang talunin. Kahit ano’ng gamitin mong sandata [at] patalim… ay hindi masusugpo. Tanging sa panalangin lamang maaari nating masugpo ano man ang kalaban o kaaway natin ngayon,” Ongtioco said in his homily.
(Whatever weapon we have, we cannot defeat our ememies. But through prayer, we can overthrow our adversaries.)
(Photo by Nadine Anne M. Deang/ The Varsitarian)
The prelate called on Marian devotees to emulate Mary’s obedience and devotion to God.
“Ito ay paalala sa atin na ano man ang ating makahaharap, kung tama ang ating sandata, panlaban at disposisyon, katulad ng pinakita ni Maria sa kaniyang buhay, tiyak na magwawagi tayo,” he said in his homily.
(This serves as a reminder that whatever experiences we face, if we have the right weapons, defenses, and dispositions, as what Mary experienced in her life, we will also succeed.)
He said Mary is a symbol of strength, especially among the youth.
“Si Maria, bilang kaagapay ng ating paglalakbay, ay dumanas [din] ng kahirapan kaya kung ano man ang kaniyang pinapakita sa kaniyang halimbawa, ito ay nagbibigay ng lakas at pagtitiyaga sa ating umaasa sa kaniya,” he said.
(Mary, who is our companion in our journey, also experienced hardship. Her experiences strengthen her followers and allow them to endure.)
This year’s feast of La Naval de Manila marked the 373rd anniversary of the naval victory of the Spanish and Filipino forces against Dutch invaders.
The oldest ivory carving in the Philippines, the image of Our Lady of La Naval was a gift to the Dominicans from a Chinese artisan in 1593.
An estimated 60,000 devotees joined the grand procession that followed the Mass.
