Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon on Friday, May 7, led the faithful in the recitation of the rosary to pray for an end to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as the Antipolo Cathedral, was one of the Marian shrines across the world chosen to lead a Vatican-initiated global prayer marathon.
The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization had announced the rosary initiative dedicating the whole month of May to prayer for an end of the health crisis.
It takes place under the theme, “The whole Church was fervently praying to God,” which recalls a verse in the Book of Acts (12:5).
Each day in May, there will be a livestream on all Vatican media platforms from one of the 30 chosen Marian shrines to guide a prayer at 6 p.m. Rome time (12 midnight, Manila), with a different prayer intention related to the pandemic.
The Antipolo Cathedral was scheduled on May 7 for the intentions of all the families.
"Today at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, the home of the canonically crowned Virgin of Antipolo, we wish to pray for all families especially those who have greatly suffered and separated from one another due to the pandemic," said de Leon.
"May these candles lit...before this 17th century image of the Blessed Mother illuminate and transform this moment of darkness into an aurora of new light," he added.
"As one pilgrim church, we are in constant pursuit of devotion and prayers for healing in the hope that miracles of past would manifest in this time of trial due to the pandemic," said de Leon.
Pope Francis opened the month-long rosary initiative on May 1 and will conclude it on May 31.