The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines urged the faithful to "imitate" Blessed Mary's qualities such as showing compassion to people, especially to those in need.
This was the message of Archbishop Charles John Brown as he led the apparition Mass in commemoration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (NSOLL) in Quezon City last Feb. 11.
“We need to imitate Mary... don’t stay in your enclosed circles but go out to the peripheries...where the poor and the sick are,” said Brown.
The prelate said that Filipinos are “Pueblo Amante de Maria” or the people who love Mary and who are loved by Mary.
“Stay close to Our Lady but also imitate her in going out– in her closeness, compassion and tenderness to the sick and the poor,” he said.
Various activities were held to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. These include the conduct of fiesta Masses, a “solemn” grand procession, memorial Mass for the deceased members of the ArchConfraternity, as well as Holy Communion and blood-letting activities.
“Words are not enough to express the joy... for making this another milestone in the celebration of love for Our Lady of Lourdes. We celebrate this day of love with a grateful heart,” said NSOLL Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jefferson Agustin.
Based on stories, the Blessed Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France on Feb. 11, 1858.
Mary, who was described wearing a white dress with a blue sash and a yellow rose on each foot with a rosary hanging from her arm, asked Bernadette to pray the Holy Rosary together.