Marian virtues
Cebu archbishop urges devotees to remain optimistic despite problems
Palma cites cyber pornography, pork barrel issues as problems facing Cebu, country today
CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma encouraged the faithful yesterday to imitate the virtues of the Virgin Mary, in the wake of reports about parents involved in cyber pornography.
In a mass at the Lindogon Marian Shrine in Barangay Simala, Sibonga, Palma told devotees that Cebu’s love for the Virgin Mary is shown in its number of parishes dedicated to the saint.
Twenty-five percent of Cebu’s Catholic parishes have Mary as their patron saint. Catholics celebrated Mary’s birthday yesterday.
“We are here because we are a people who love Mama Mary,” Palma said.
He said Mary’s role in salvation history is significant, serving as a prologue to the birth of Christ.
Palma said that despite the problems the world is facing today, life remains beautiful.
He reminded the Marian devotees to remain optimistic despite the recent controversy on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
“Yes there is sin. Yes there is war. Yes there is hate. Yes there is even pork barrel. But the point is that good will triumph over evil because God is with us,” Palma said.
He said even Pope Francis issued a day of fasting and sacrifice in Rome on the eve of Mary’s birthday to pray for peace in wartorn Syria and other troubled areas in the world.
Palma urged the faith-
ful to be thankful in this “Year of Faith,” especially with canonization of Pedro Calungsod, a Visayan.
He also urged the Cebuanos to prepare for 2016, when the International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Cebu. Pope Francis is expected to visit Cebu for the event.
Palma led the “Walk for Mary” from Fuente Osmeña to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday morning.