The speakers during this year’s Siete Palabras at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. (CONTRIBUTED)
For the third time, lay persons will join selected members of the clergy in reflecting on the Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ or the Siete Palabras on Good Friday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Former overseas Filipino worker Wilfredo Credo, former scavenger Ma. Georgie Cogtas, and household father Mikhail Arrogante were chosen to speak during the event along with two bishops, and two Cebuano priests.
Four key events will guide the reflections: 2016 as the Year of the Family and the Eucharist as declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the 51st International Eucharisticic Congress, the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy as Declared by Pope Francis, and the forthcoming May 9 elections.
The meditations will start at noon and will be broadcast live over GMA-7 and through the radio.
Msgr. Marnell Mejia, editor of the archdiocese’s official newsletter Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon, will give the opening remarks.
The first word “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” will be discussed by Arrogante of the Family and Life Apostolate.
The meditations on the second word “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” will be led by Fr. Marvin Mejia, the secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo will talk about the third word of Jesus on the cross “Woman, behold your son; Son, behold your mother.”
The other auxiliary bishop of Cebu, Oscar Florencio, will expound on the fourth word “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Credo, a former OFW, will give his reflections on Jesus’ fifth word “I thirst.”
The meditations on the sixth word “It is finished” will be led by Cogtas who also shared her experiences as a former scavenger during the 51st IEC.
Cogtas is now a street kid formator of the Dilaab Foundation.
The last meditation on “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit” will be given by Fr. Clyde Saltrero, assistant chaplain of Perpetual Succour Hospital.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will conclude the meditations and will then lead the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross.