Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown cited the strong faith of Filipinos that dates back to hundreds of years.

During the recent celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Malolos in Bulacan held at the Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral and Minor Basilica, the Papal Envoy expressed admiration for the richness of faith of the Filipino people.

“I am extremely impressed by the richness of the faith of the people in the Diocese of Malolos today in this beautiful cathedral which dates back from many hundreds of years. The creation of the Diocese of Malolos in 1961 – 1962 gives us 60 years of Catholic history here, but as you all know, the Catholic faith has been here for many centuries and has become inherent to the culture of the people of Malolos. You see that in the great devotion of the faithful especially to Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception and its beautiful statue in the cathedral. I encourage people to come and see and to pray to Our Lady here in the cathedral to ask for her intercession. It is a place of great faith and great tradition,” Archbishop Brown said over Radyo Veritas.

The Church leader cited the strong devotion of Filipinos and the faithful of the Diocese of Malolos to the Blessed Mother which has become deeply rooted in their culture and way of life.

The Diocese of Malolos was created through Papal Bull “Christi Fidelium '' issued in 1961 by then Pope now Saint John XXIII. On March 11, 1962, its first bishop Malolos Bishop Manuel Platon Del Rosario was named.

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church marks the Second Sunday of Lent today,,, March 13.

Church leaders continue to encourage the faithful “to examine their conscience, to repent of any sin, and to observe the Sacrament of Penance” as the observance of the Holy Week nears.

With the easing of restrictions and the downgrading of the alert level, the confessional will be open for longer hours to enable more churchgoers to go to confession. Catholics are also reminded to observe the three tenets of the observance of the Lenten season: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting as forms of sacrifices and in accordance with Pope Francis’ call for Christians to observe “mercy and compassion” towards others.

The Filipino faithful are also encouraged to support the Church’s Lenten feeding program, Fast2Feed or to donate whatever amount was saved from fasting to the Church’s charity program for malnourished children.