TENDING THE FLOCK. The faithful crowd around Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma after the Misa de Gallo in Carbon market.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The hustle and bustle of Cebu City’s Carbon market paused at dawn yesterday as vendors left their stalls to attend a special Misa de Gallo.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over the 4 a.m. Mass in an altar set up under a tent at the junction of Plaridel and M.C. Briones Streets.
“Thanks to you all. I’m happy that you continue to celebrate the Misa de Gallo here at Carbon Market,” Palma said in Cebuano.
About a hundred vendors came, some carrying with them fruits, vegetables and eggs.
Amid the struggles of daily living, Palma noted that the vendors made time for the nine-day series of Masses leading up to Christmas.
“You’ve shown your being Christians. I hope you will prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth and become a gift to others,” Palma said.
Wearing T-shirts and jackets, to keep warm in the chilly dawn, vendors presented their Mass offering of vegetables, bananas, apples, oranges, chicos, and eggs.
The flower-decked altar and a nativity scene or belen were centerpries of the market street transformed into an outdoor chapel.
A choir from the neighboring Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicholas de Tolentino led the singing of Christmas hymns.
“Despite the different calamities and tragedies, we’re still here singing ‘Joy to the World.’ It only means that difficult circumstances would never destroy our faith,” Palma told the vendors.
Also present during the Mass were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, former City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, Market Administrator Raquel Arce, and Councilor Gerardo Carillo.
Before the Mass ended, Palma allowed Mayor Rama to address the vendors and talk about his plans for the improvement of Carbon.
Vendors later approached Palma to kiss his hand and seek his blessing before he was ushered to join city officials for a breakfast of puso (rice), tinolang manok bisaya (chicken stew), lechon, fried bangus, and fruits.
It was Palma’s third time to preside over Misa de Gallo at Carbon Market.