Archbishop Jose Palma celebrates the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on April 20. | Delta Dyrecka Letigio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged the faithful to pray for the religious leaders of the country on the feast of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.
In the prelate’s homily for the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Black Saturday, April 20, he emphasized the need of the Church leaders for prayers and support especially for the upcoming 500th year anmiversary of the Catholic Church in the Philippines on 2021.
“Pray for us, pray for your leaders especially for the upcoming anniversary on 2021,” said Palma.
Read more: Faithful fill Cebu Cathedral to reflect, join Good Friday’s religious activities
He asked the faithful to support the activities of the Archdiocese leading to 2021 which would include the National Youth Day from April 23 to 28 and the weekly Pagsangyaw.
The National Youth Day is a 5-day series of activities for the spiritual formation of the younger members of the Church.
Read more: 12K pilgrims to join National Youth Day celebration in Cebu
Over 12,000 participants are expected to join the activities in Cebu.
The Pagsangyaw is a weekly activity for the lay faithful where common parishioners are given a chance to speak in front of their parishes about their testimonies of faith before every Sunday Mass.
Read more: Pagsangyaw 2021 officially starts in Cebu parishes
Palma said that with the resurrection of Christ, people should take the opportunity to rise with Him as renewed people who “walk in the light of God.”
The prelate encouraged the faithful to be the light of others in the darkness especially in the most trying times and use the Easter season as an inspiration to be that light.
“Let us all walk in the light of God and remember that in the resurrection, Jesus has risen to save us,” said the prelate.
The Easter Vigil Mass is the liturgical celebration of the Catholic Church to welcome the Easter Sunday through the blessing of fire and water and renewal of baptismal vows.
The Mass preludes the 50-day Easter season of the Church which will end on Pentecost Sunday on May 11. ###