The Diocese of Borongan in Samar will observe a Diocesan Day of Prayer and Fasting for Deliverance from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on July 20.
Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez said the rising COVID-19 cases in the province have become alarming and more prayers were needed to calm the fears of the people in the province.
“Our current situation now, when many lives have been lost and many continue to suffer because of the COVID-19 pandemic , calls us as a Church to express our faith more earnestly through ardent prayers and sacrifice. The rise of the COVID-19 cases recently in our province is very alarming,” Varquez said over Radio Veritas.
The bishop urged the faithful in the province to take part in the observance on July 20. “Let us join our hands in prayer and offer the sacrifice of fasting to ask for God’s mercy against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Varquez said.
A simultaneous observance of the Holy Hour and Holy Masses will be held in all the parishes under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Borongan. Bishop Varquez will also lead a Penitential Walk with the priests of the diocese while praying the Holy Rosary from the Borongan Cathedral to the Chaplaincy of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Sabang, Borongan.
“I, therefore, declare July 20, 2021 as ‘Adlaw hin Pag-ampo ug Pagpuasa.’ I admonish all Catholics in our diocese to offer this day for prayer and fasting. Let us ask God for deliverance from this pandemic. In the whole diocese, let there be simultaneous celebrations of the Holy Hour and Holy Mass. Meanwhile, together with some priests in Borongan, I will hold a Penitential Walk and Recitation of the Holy Rosary from the Borongan Cathedral to the Chaplaincy of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Sabang, Borongan,” said Bishop Varquez in an announcement.
“Our fasting from food will be our expression of solidarity with those who lost their loved ones and those who continue to suffer due to the disease and the quarantine restrictions. It will also be our expression of prayer for the safety of all our front liners,” the bishop said.
“May the Diocesan Day of Prayer and Fasting for Deliverance from the COVID-19 pandemic provide the faithful with strength and hope amid this health crisis,” Varquez added.