Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (2nd from right) and Fr. Carmelo Diola greet 23 street children who are about to receive their first communion at the Archbishop’s chapel in Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Nelly Lorona, 11, was among 25 street children in Cebu City who received Holy Communion for the first time in the chapel of the Archbishop’s Residence yesterday.
“Sa una, dili ko kamao mag-ampo but karon kamao na (Unlike before, now I know how to pray),” said Lorona, who wore a white dress and veil along with other girls aged seven to 16 years old.
The boys wore white long-sleeved polo shirts, black pants and black shoes to join the girls as they walked down the aisle at the beginning of Mass.
“The clothes they wore were donated,” said Fr. Carmelo Diola, of the 25 children who came from Barrio Luz in Cebu City and around the Fuente Osmeña area.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday presided over the Mass , where the children, after weeks of catechism and preparation, received the sacrament of Holy Communion in holy wafers representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Street children line up to take their first communion. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
“This is a significant and joyful day,” said Palma.
“For the first time, you will receive the Lord through the Holy Communion. You should not forget the date of your first communion,” Palma said during the Mass.
Diola said the Church wants to reach out to the poor and to remind them that they will not be left behind.
“It has been our dream for every parish to be street children-friendly. I hope parishes will also have this kind of activity,” he said.
Diola joined efforts with the police and the Committee on Social Communion for the International Eucharistic Congress to realize the dream of reaching out to the marginalized.
Among those present during the solemn celebration were the childrens parents and the police led by Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and Ret. Police Chief Supt. Samson Tucay, who inspired Diola to organize the activity.
These street children were given a series of catechesis in relation to the Holy Eucharist before their first communion.
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