ILOILO CITY – In one of his first public appearances since being appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis last November 28, Jose Cardinal Advincula will be officiating a pontifical mass on December 8 in Roxas City on the occasion of the feast day of the Immaculate Conception.
The Archbishop of Capiz will officiate the 8 a.m. mass at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral.
The pontifical mass will be part of the annual Sinadya Festival of Roxas City, which kicked off Sunday, December 6, with a series of events to honor the Immaculate Conception.
For the first time, the festival will be celebrated online.
“While we are facing the pandemic now, we are looking for innovative ways to celebrate our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary without the high risk ,”
said Mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
The activities will be streamed live over Facebook and other platforms, including the mass officiated by Advincula.
“We may not be celebrating it in a grandeur manner unlike before, but what is important is that we can show our strength, gratitude and faith for the continuing blessings of our Virgin Mary,” Dadivas added.
Aside from religious activities, the local government of Roxas City is spearheading other activities including a virtual fete that honors both medical and non-medical frontline workers, who have played pivotal roles in the ongoing battle against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Other activities include a spoken word poetry competition, a parol-making competition, a trade fair, and outreach activities.
Advincula, a native of Dumalag, Capiz, has been Archbishop of Capiz since 2011. Before that, he was bishop of San Carlos for 10 years.
Advincula, 68, became the country’s ninth cardinal.