Archbishop Charles John Brown, the new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, will celebrate Mass at the Manila Cathedral at 11 o’clock in the morning on December 25, Christmas Day.
The archbishop celebrated his first public Mass in the country on Dec. 18 at the St. Anthony of Padua parish church in Malate, Manila.
Meanwhile, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of Manila, expressed gratitude that the pandemic has not stopped people from expressing their faith.
“With proper health protocols and the cooperation of our local government officials, many people have attended our ‘Simbang Gabi’ Masses and received the sacraments,” he said.
In a Christmas message, Bishop Pabillo said many also followed the religious celebrations in their homes and even joined online recollections organized by parishes.
“All of these manifest the faith and devotion of our people and their great longing to welcome the Lord Jesus with the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he said.
While many are beset with many problems amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Pabillo said Christmas assures us that God is with us.
“God has become man in order to share our journey in this life. This is the source of our confidence and joy,” he said.
