(Contributed Photo by Ellis Manuel Mendez)
Hundreds of Catholics joined a prayer walk dawn at dawn break Sunday in anticipation of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday.
From the Capitol to D. Jakosalem Street in uptown Cebu City, the faithful prayed the rosary and sang chants in honor of Mama Mary.
When the sun rose over the city, they gathered for an an open air Mass at the Archbishop’s Residence compound.
“We are ‘a people who love Mary’ (Pueblo Amante de Maria) because we know Mama Mary loves us in the first place,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in his homily.
The 65-year-old prelate encourage the people to deepen their love for Mary by understanding the Blessed Mother’s role in the salvation of mankind.
“This Walk for Mary is an invitation for us to realize her role in our lives. If we want to grow in our Christian life, we must have a devotion to Mama Mary. As they say, ‘To Jesus through Mary’,” he said.
Palma said Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a reminder of God’s love for his people.
“We have a God who is concern for us. We thank God for giving us Mary as our mother,” he said.
“Like this prayer walk that ended with a Eucharistic celebration, Mama Mary will also bring us to God,” the archbishop added.
In response to God’s love, Palma urged the faithful to be grateful to the Lord and to trust in God’s goodness as Mary did during her lifetime.
“Like Mary, we should recognize the love of the Lord. Mary was grateful to the Lord. We must walk in thanksgiving for the many graces God have given us,” he said.
Three flower-decked carrozas with different images of the Blessed Virgin Mary were used during the procession and were enthroned near the life-sized image of St. John Paul II inside the Archbishop’s Residence compound.
An image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was also placed on the altar.
Pope John Paul II, who was declared a saint last April 27, was a Marian devotee.