Antipolo Shrine to offer Saturday Masses for OFWs, travelers
By Nel Andrade
Starting this September, Holy Masses will be offered every Saturday for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), travelers, seafarers, and both returning and departing Filipinos.
The International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage -- popularly known as Antipolo Cathedral, where the 17th century image of the black-skinned Virgin Mary holding a scepter and a rosary is enshrined -- will hold two Holy Masses every Saturdays beginning in September.
Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, in an open letter addressed to OFWs, migrants, travelers, seafarers and departing and returning Filipinos, said the Antipolo’s Virgin, the Nuesta Senora dela Paz y Buenviaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage), is always ready to see and listen to, and welcome them in her shrine.
Bishop Santos said the 10 a.m. and 12 noon Holy Masses at the Antipolo Cathedral every Saturday will be offered for all the intended churchgoers, including those leaving the country to return to their places of work or residence abroad.
“Masaya po kami sa inyong pagdating. Kagalakan po namin ang inyong pagdalaw. Kami po ay palaging sa inyo naghihintay. Ang ating mahal na Ina, ang mapaghimalang Birhen ng Antipolo, ay sa inyo ay tatanggap, makinig at mamagitan sa inyong mga kahilingan at magpapatnubay sa inyong paglalakad, paglalakbay at pag-uwi tungo sa inyong kalakasan, kapayapaan at kaligtasan (We are happy for your arrival. We are delighted to have your visit. We are always waiting for you. Our beloved Mother, the miraculous Virgin of Antipolo, will receive, hear and intercede for you in your requests and will guide you on your walk, journey and return home to strength, peace and safety), Bishop Santos said in his letter, which was posted on the social media pages of the Diocese of Antipolo on August 29.
During the special Masses, the officiating priest will bless the OFWs, migrant workers, and balikbayans -- both inbound and outbound.
The cathedral is calling on all intended churchgoers to attend the Masses, where they will receive special prayer and blessings from the officiating priest through the intercession of the Virgin of Antipolo,