Mass offering for our country on Independence Day

Peace!

On 12 June 2016, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Philippine nation will celebrate Philippine Independence Day.

Among the many ways we can honor our country and express our love for the same is through a beautiful liturgy. Thus, I exhort all of you to offer on this day one Mass for our beloved country, the Philippines, for our leaders, and for our people. Let the time of the Mass be according to your discretion, that is, at whatever time you find it most appropriate and convenient for the people.

To give special attention to this significant date in our Philippine history, I exhort all of you to put up Philippine flags (and papal flags) at your respective church grounds, to include one Philippine flag (and one papal flag) in your sanctuary. Decorating the sides of the flag with flowers also enhances the character of the day’s celebration. And most importantly, I hope that our homilies, if closely related to the readings and the celebration of the day, would inspire the faithful to a deeper love and reverence for God, for our country, and for one another.

Also, I ask you to invite, connect, and coordinate with the civil authorities in your respective areas/barangays regarding the Mass which is to highlight said day.

Let this circular be announced in all your Masses before June 12. Let us join together in prayer for our country. On this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, “the Holy Year called by Pope Francis to announce the Mercy of God,” let us entrust our country to Jesus who is loving, merciful and compassionate.

With prayers and best wishes, I remain

Devotedly yours in Christ,

+ ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao