The Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on Saturday, April 10, reported that it has received more than 500 names for the Sunday Mass intentions for the souls of the faithful departed.
The Cathedral said the number is the "highest" since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic started.
"We deeply condole with the bereaved families, especially those who lost their loved ones because of COVID-19," the Manila Cathedral said in a Facebook post.
"Our cathedral priests offer their Masses for the names written on the intentions," it further read.
The Catholic Church on Sunday observed Divine Mercy Sunday.
In observance of the occasion, there was a recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Manila Cathedral.
The Archdiocese of Manila, meantime, shared this story about Divine Mercy Sunday.
It was between 1930 and 1938 when Christ appeared to Sister Faustina, a Sister of Mercy in Poland who initiated the Divine Mercy devotion. She was canonized on April 30, 2000, the Sunday after Easter, the Feast of Divine Mercy. On Good Friday, 1937, Jesus requested that Blessed Faustina make a special novena before the Feast of Mercy, from Good Friday through the following Saturday.
Jesus also asked that a picture be painted according to the vision of Himself as the fountain of mercy. He gave her a chaplet to be recited and said that it was appropriate to pray the chaplet at three o'clock each afternoon (The Hour of Great Mercy).