Rain won’t stop Marian procession tonight
Tonight’s penitential procession marking the centenary celebration of the apparitions of the Our Lady of Fatima will push through, rain or shine.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the 67-year-old prelate, said the religious activity only happens once in a century that is why he intends to push through the event whatever the weather condition will be.
It would require “extreme” weather disturbance before the “Grand Marian Procession” would be cancelled.
According to the Mactan station of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Cebu will continue to experience light o moderate rain showers owing to tropical depression “Odette.”
Close to 15,000 Marian devotees are expected to join the foot procession, which may take two to three hours.
The stretch of Osmeña Boulevard from the Cebu Capitol to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu will be closed to traffic starting 7:30 in the evening. Procession will start at 8.
The procession will traverse through Osmeña Boulevard until reaching the Basilica, where a Holy Mass will be celebrated by Palma at 10 p.m.
The Grand Marian procession is a penitential walk and a sacrifice of prayer for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of souls as contained in the message of Fatima.
There will be 17 Carrozas from the different parishes in Metro Cebu whose patroness is the Blessed Virgin Mary, bearing different titles.
Palma hopes that the participants will pray for unity and for the restoration of peace in some war-torn areas like Marawi City.
BRACE FOR HEAVY
TRAFFIC
Moreover, the commuters and motorists are warned of possible heavy traffic tonight near the procession route.
Francisco Ouano, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operations chief, has advised motorists and commuters to take alternative routes to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
Traffic rerouting signages will be installed in the affected areas to guide motorists what directions to take to reach their destination.
To ease the flow of traffic, he said, around 90 traffic enforcers will be deployed to man the traffic around the procession route.
“While some may feel inconvenienced, we are asking them to be more patient and understanding. This is only a rare activity,” he said.
He said the thoroughfare will be opened immediately once the tail end of the procession passes.