As the Catholic faithful observe the Fifth Sunday of Lent tomorrow, March 21, a Catholic Church leader urged them to avail of the Sacrament of Confession.
Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, said confession was important in one’s preparation to take part in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ.
“The Church always gives us this yearly opportunity to renew ourselves to the sacrament of confession and ask for forgiveness. In the midst of pandemic, it would be good if the faithful would really not forget this aspect of repentance, penance, and reconciliation with God and with others,” Bishop Bendico said over Radio Veritas.
Bendico noted the rise in number of the faithful going to confession this year which he attributed to the long lockdown that gave many a chance to reflect and renew his spiritual life.“Confession should only not be done during this Lenten season but it should continue as we celebrate the 500 Years of Christianity. Confession would gain more importance so that we would really gain the fruits of what we are doing this 500 years of Christianity,” he added.
The faithful are expected to gain a plenary indulgence during the year-long celebration when they visit any of the designated pilgrim churches.
“I pray that the faithful will make their Lenten observance more meaningful by working on strengthening their relationship with God to help them face the present difficulties and trials,” Bendico said.
Passion Time, meanwhile, begins tomorrow, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, when religious readings, reflections, and prayers of the liturgy in Holy Masses traditionally focus on the Passion of Christ.
The faithful are encouraged to continue to pray and hear holy masses with caution when going to church or to just join the masses on TV and online as the cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to rise.
In the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, the last two weeks of Lent form the season called Passion Time, the first week, which begins today known as Passion Week, while the second week, which begins next Sunday, known as the Holy Week.
The observance of Passion Time or Passion Week lasts until Black Saturday, before the start of the Easter Vigil in the evening.
Considered as a deeper and more solemn time of Lent, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to reflect on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother. Traditional devotions include the praying of the Way of the Cross, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, meditation on the five Sorrowful Mysteries, and the recitation of the five prayers in honor of Christ’s five wounds.
Devotees of the Blessed Mother traditionally offer novena prayers and special devotions during the observance of Passion Time.
“Through His Passion, we recognize the enormity of His love for us. God’s forgiving and healing love brings new life out of the destruction and separation from God that was caused by sin,” Church leaders said.