Hundreds join prayer walk for Mary

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma blesses the image of the Virgin Mary before thousands of devotees who joined the Walk for Mary from Capitol to the Archbishop’s Residence. (CDN PHOTO/ SAMMY NAVAJA)

HUNDREDS of Catholics yesterday joined a prayer walk in anticipation of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary tomorrow.

From the Capitol grounds to D. Jakosalem Street in uptown Cebu City, the faithful prayed the rosary and sang chants in honor of Mother 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,” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said in his homily.

The 65-year-old prelate encouraged the people to deepen their love for Mary by understanding the Blessed Mother’s role in humanity’s salvation.

“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.

“Like this prayer walk that ended with a Eucharistic celebration, Mama Mary will also bring us to God,” the archbishop added.

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.

The annual procession dubbed as the “Walk for Mary” started in 1985 and is held on the first Sunday of September.

The activity was organized by the Children of Mary.

All Masses around the world tomorrow will be dedicated to Mary.

In Cebu, thousands of people are expected to troop to the Marian shrine in Simala, Sibonga town to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.