DESPITE the cancellation of its traditional grand procession this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the feast of the Our Lady Of the Rosary La Naval de Manila still pushed through in Santo Domingo Parish in Quezon City on Sunday.
The mass for the feast of the La Naval was celebrated by Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.
In his homily, Ongtioco focused on devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how she serves as a model for the faithful to follow with God’s plan.
He also cited Carlo Acutis, the first ever beatified millennial, who he said could inspire the youth today to use their skills to share their faith with others.
Ongtioco highlighted how the young Italian used his skill in computer programing to create websites about the Christian faith before succumbing to leukemia at the age of 15.
The prelate also stressed how people’s salvation during the pandemic depends not on the vaccine or the resumption of the economy, but on their faith in God.
The eucharistic celebration ended with the iconic image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on top of a boat-shaped carriage being brought to the doors of the Church so it could be venerated by devotees from afar.
Church officials said this has been the practice in times of calamities like in the Great 1863 earthquake, which devastated Manila, to give hope to the people.
Image credits: Carlo Olayta