In observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday called on the Catholic faithful to extend love and kindness to others, and show mercy to those who are facing injustices.
Duterte said that Filipino Catholics should live up to the virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity of the Blessed Virgin Mary “which underscored the resilience she exemplified in the face of loss and sorrow.”
“The enduring faith and steadfast joy exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary demonstrates an example of unwavering love that remains dauntless in the face of challenges and tribulations,” the Vice President said in a video message.
“May the solemn observance of this day invite us all to join hands in prayer as we extend a helping hand to the needy, show mercy to those who are facing injustices, and extend love and kindness to our kababayan in the underserved and unserved communities,” she added.
The observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception traces its origins to the Papal encyclical Ineffabilis Deus, issued by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, which formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
It is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics and a special non-working holiday in the Philippines, designated under Republic Act No. 10966, which was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017. —RF, GMA Integrated News
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