Manila’s Catholic clergy will lead a fast and “penitential walk” to implore God’s mercy amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The “day of prayer and fasting” will be held on June 1, the beginning of the month of the Sacred Heart.
“I invite you all to join in a day during which we implore God’s mercy on us,” said Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese, in a pastoral instruction released on Tuesday, May 25.
Because of the health protocols, the bishop invited the faithful to join the activity in their homes and even in their places of work.
“Let the priests, the spiritual leaders of your parishes, schools, and ministries, do this on behalf of the people while you join us online,” he said.
The activity will start at 8:30 a.m. inside the Quiapo Church in Manila where priests will gather for a communal penitential service “during which they can confess their sins to one another.”
“We priests also admit our failures during this year of pandemic,” said Bishop Pabillo.
“We may not have been courageous enough in encouraging the flock, not creative enough in serving those in need, not prayerful enough for the sake of our people. We are sorry,” he added.
The bishop said they will also express this sorrow with a “penitential walk” from Quiapo Church to nearby Santa Cruz church where they will gather for a Mass.
“We will together celebrate the Eucharist, praying for you, our people, for the needs of the country and the world in this time of pandemic,” he said.
