‘Follow Mary’s example of deep faith,’ Catholics urged

Catholics must set Blessed Virgin Mary's attitude toward God as an example of deep faith.

This was the message of Fr. Camilo D. Gregorio, O.P., Bishop-Prelate Emeritus of Batanes, in his homily in the Diamond Jubilee and Fiesta concelebrated mass at the Santísimo Rosario Parish last Oct. 1.

Gregorio said the Blessed Mother offered three exemplary things that would lead to a flourished Catholic life—fiat, magnificat, and stabat, Latin words from Scripture.

Most Rev. Camilo D. Gregorio, D.D., O.P., Bishop-Prelate Emeritus of Batanes delivers his homily during the Diamond Jubilee Mass. Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz

Gregorio explained fiat as Mary’s 'yes' response to Angel Gabriel’s invitation to become the Mother of Jesus.

“First of all, […] fiat. [L]et it be done to me according to your word. [It's also her way of] telling us, ‘Matuto kayo to see and do God’s will,’” he said.

Catholics are active in serving God, but many of them lack the joy as the heart of their service, said Gregorio.

“Ikalawa, magnificat (Mary’s way of praising or magnifying the Lord). [S]he was full of love, and that love compelled Her to service. There must [be] joy in serving and in loving. Iyan ang kulang natin ngayon,” he said.

The bishop also explained that Blessed Mother is a reminder of why everyone should learn how to love and serve faithfully.

“Third, stabat. [O]ur Blessed mother stood by the cross faithfully to the very end. She is committed to her son,” he said.

Gregorio said Blessed Mother could be considered as a light to those who were blinded by sorrows.

“Negativity surrounds us, tuloy tayo mismo we tend to be negative, hindi lang […] negative, sometimes we imbibe the bad news in our lives, [and] we become [the] bad news ourselves,” he said.

“There are so many blessings, more blessings than sorrows actually, [pero] ang nakikita lang natin [ay] ‘yung mga problema, [at] ‘yung mga sorrows. But in devotion to Mama Mary, nakikita natin [na] ang ganda nga pala ng buhay if we see things in the context of faith,” he added.

Parishioners who attended the Eucharistic celebration also participated in a community baptism, living Rosary, and annual grand procession in honor to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

Parishioners participated in an annual grand procession that passed through streets of Sampaloc, Manila. Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz

The grand procession, which passed through the streets of Sampaloc in Manila, featured various saints of the Rosary.

The Diamond Jubilee Year is celebrated from Sept. 1, 2017 to Oct. 7, 2018.

A solemn high mass and rites of the Dominican Third Order will also be held on Oct. 7 at 8:00 a.m. with reports from Ma. Agatha Nicole T. Fabricante and Christine C. Fabro