Catholic Bishop: Nothing is more powerful than prayer
Revive the act of prayer, willed by the Blessed Mother, to maintain the world of peace.
This was the message of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco in his homily at the Eucharistic high Mass celebration of the feast of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila at the Santo Domingo Church last Oct. 8.
“[I]balik natin ang habilin ng ating Mahal na Ina—prayer, pagbabalik loob [at] pagbabagong loob,” he said.
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco emphasized the importance of prayer in his homily at the Eucharistic celebration of feast of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila at the Santo Domingo Church. Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz
Ongtioco emphasized that nothing is more powerful than prayer, especially against the wickedness of the world.
“Wala nang mas malakas pang panlaban [sa] kahit ano mang kasamaan, kahit na sa mga armas na ginawa ng tao [at] lakas ng kamao, kundi ang panalangin,” he said.
Ongtioco said prayer would provide peace to mankind.
“The family that prays together stays together. Nation in prayer is a nation in peace. A world in prayer is a world at peace,” he said.
'Pray for the Philippines'
Ongtioco criticized the ‘extrajudicial killings’ in the Philippines that disrespect the sacredness of human life.
“Dito sa ating bansa, araw-araw may pinapatay, parang nawala na ang paggalang sa buhay ng tao, samantalang ang buhay ng tao ay sagrado. [K]apag ito ay binalewala mo, isang malaking insulto [ito] sa Diyos.” he said.
Ongtioco said there should always hope for those who committed sinful acts.
“Minsan [nakalulungkot], [sinasabi ng] ibang mataas na opisyales sa ating pamahalaan, ‘pag criminal always a criminal, ‘pag drug addict, always a drug addict,’" he said. "Mali! Laging may pag-asa ang tao.”
Follow the Blessed Mother because God entrusted mankind to Her, said Ongtioco.
“Lagi tayong tumakbo sa Kanya (Mary), tuturuan [Niya] tayo kung paano tayo dapat maglakad bilang bayan ng Diyos,” he said.
A solemn procession immediately followed the Eucharistic celebration that featured various Dominican saints passed through the main streets of Santo Domingo parish.
Our Lady of La Naval de Manila is brought back to Santo Domingo Church after the solemn procession. Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz
The 424-year-old image of Our Lady of Laval de Manila is considered the oldest ivory carving in the Philippines.
The feast of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila was celebrated every second Sunday of October. with reports from Lady Cherbette N. Agot.