Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo led the archdiocesan observance of the day of prayer and fasting on Tuesday, June 1.
In a Mass at Sta. Cruz Church in Manila, he asked the faithful to
repent, fast and pray in order to receive God's grace.
"Let's show that we are serious in what we ask from God," said Pabillo.
Before the Mass, Manila priests held a penitential walk from Quiapo Church to Sta. Cruz Church to implore God's mercy and compassion for an end to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"We humble ourselves before the Lord. We acknowledge our shortcomings and one of them is believing too much in what material things can do. We believe too much in what science, medicine, vaccine and quarantine periods can do," said Pabillo.
"It's true that these help, but there is one thing that we failed to give importance to, and that is the power of God, the power of grace," he added.
"God's grace moves if it is not blocked by sin," Pabillo said.
The prelate said the Lord is merciful and is moved by repentance and prayer.
"Lord, many have already lost their jobs. Many are sick. Our healthcare workers are already tired...Have mercy on us," said Pabillo.
The activity started at 8:30 a.m. in Quiapo Church where priests gathered for a communal penitential service during which they confessed their sins to one another.
“We priests also admit our failures during this year of pandemic,” Pabillo said in a pastoral instruction released May 25.
“We may not have been courageous enough in encouraging the flock, not creative enough in serving those in need, not prayerful enough for the sake of our people. We are sorry,” he added.
Priests expressed this sorrow with a penitential walk after.