The Archdiocese of Zamboanga is inviting the faithful to join in the archdiocese’s observance of 40 days of prayer, fasting and penance for an end to the pandemic.
Archdiocese of Zamboanga Apostolic Administrator Bishop Moises Cuevas called on the faithful to be united in prayer to seek God's mercy for an end to the health crisis.
“I would like to renew my invitation for the people of God in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga to be united in these forty days of prayer, fasting and penitence from Oct 13 to Nov 22, for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic and in solidarity with those who suffer most,” Bishop Cuevas said over Radio Veritas.
The initiative of the archdiocese is in response to a circular issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines , The Love of Christ Compels Us signed by CBCP president, Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles which cited the importance of prayer and compassion.
“In these days of fervent prayers, I encourage the faithful of the archdiocese to pray the Holy Rosary at 8 p.m. in the church, in the chapel, as a family at home, as a religious community, as a group or organization,” said Bishop Cuevas.
The Church leader, likewise, urged the faithful to fast and to offer sacrifices “for the greater good.”
“To better dispose us to be in communion with God in prayer, I recommend fasting. As mentioned in our archdiocesan catechesis and primer on fasting, it can take many forms such as depriving oneself of technology, leisure, smoking, drinking, but food must be given utmost consideration since food is the most fundamental like air or water. It is a form of deprivation of the good for a greater good,” he stressed.
Aside from the Archdiocese ng Zamboanga, the Archdiocese of Manila and the Dioceses of Tarlac, Borongan, Catarman, and Maasin have also observed a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Penance to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Bishop Cuevas was named Zamboanga auxiliary bishop in March 2020. Pope Francis named him as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese in August after Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz went on leave for health reasons.