Amid the contagion and death of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine bishops consecrate the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Wednesday, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
In a letter sent to all the dioceses on April 27, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced that the nation will be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on May 13.
CBCP president, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, who sent the letter said that the central event will take place at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela City in the Diocese of Malolos.
However, because of a sweeping lockdown or Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and two other urban centres, the faithful will not be able to come together to celebrate the consecration at the national Marian shrine, which is in ECQ zone.
Hence, in keeping with social distancing norms, all the archbishops and bishops of the country, together with their clergy, religious, and families, have been requested to participate in this event from their respective dioceses and homes, via the media.
A people in love with Mary
Father Gener Sta. Rita Garcia, the Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, has been behind the preparation for the central event in Valenzuela City.
The Philippine bishops had earlier consecrated the nation to Mary in 2013. Fr Garcia explained to Vatican News that consecration 7 years ago was in the Year of Faith, the first year of the 9 years of preparation for the celebration of the 5th centenary of the arrival of the Gospel in the Philippines.
The Filipinos, he said, are a “people in love with Mary.” “We are a nation with great devotion to Our Lady, we call Her Mamma Mary, Our Mother.”
Amid COVID-19
This year, under the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr Garcia explained, the nation is living “in extraordinary times.” “We are again consecrating the country, our family and ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to remind us that Mama Mary is with us in this journey of faith, leading us to His Son.”
He said, “we are again consecrating the country, our family and ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to reminds us that Mama Mary is with us in this journey of faith, leading us to His Son…amidst the COVID-19 of fear, helplessness, anxiety and hopelessness.”
Nation linked by social media
Speaking about the preparations for the May 13 consecration at the national shrine, Fr Garcia said it was a big challenge, given the COVID-19 emergency. Amid limited movement and resources, the CBCP initiative, he said is a joint effort of Archbishop Valles, the world Apostolate of Fatima and Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos where the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima belongs.
Fr Garcia said the organisers have also been in contact with the different dioceses across the Philippines in participating in the Rosary prayer and in sharing ideas and capacities for live-streaming and broadcasting events.
In this regard, the rector of the shrine said, the organisers have received help from Radio Veritas 846 for radio broadcasting, TV Maria for cable broadcasting and the Diocese of Cubao for Facebook live-streaming and cross-posting.
Consecration event
The national simultaneous consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will start at around 8.30am on Wednesday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Fr Garcias said.
All the dioceses and churches of the nations will be linked up to the event on Facebook, radio and television.
It will begin with different bishops taking turns in leading the decades of the Rosary from their respective cathedrals and churches along with their communities linked with the national shrine via live-streaming.
Archbishop Valles will then lead the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary deliver a concluding message.
The event will culminate with the Holy Mass by Bishop Villarojo at the National Shrine, as bishops and priests simultaneously preside over Masses in their own respective cathedrals and churches.
With thanks to Vatican News and Robin Gomes, where this article originally appeared.
