Abp Valles echoes scriptural messages for OLLP feast

11 February 2020. The Pontifical Mass of CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles in the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal was jam-packed with hundreds of devotees and parishioners. In his homily on the 17th OLLP Parochial Fiesta, Valles recalled the three important dates in February in Catholic Liturgy: February 2, the World Day of Consecrated Persons and the Presentation of Child Jesus in the Temple, which is also popularly known as the Candelaria when devotees have their candles blessed symbolizing light and hope for man; February 3, the Feast of Saint Blaise, the Patron of throat illnesses; and February 11, the Feast of the Our Lady of Lourdes which we are celebrating now.

The Feast of the Our Lady of Lourdes reminded us of the sixteen apparitions of Mary in 1858 in Lourdes, France, which gives joy to the sick people and the elders from generation to generation with hopes of restoring the health of every faithful. Today’s celebration also marked as the World Day of the Sick instituted in 1992 by Saint Pope John Paul II.

“Sa pagsaulog nato sa kapistahan sa Lourdes, atong hinumduman ang mga kaila natong masakiton,” heralded Archbishop Valles, “na sa ilang kasakit nakaambit sila sa kasakit ug pasyon ni Kristo ug nahimo usab silang imahe sa kasubo ni Mama Mary na iyang gibati samtang gabarog siya sa tiilan sa iyang anak nga gilansang sa krus.”

Archbishop Valles also reiterated the message from the First Reading about the prayer of King Solomon asking for God’s wisdom as he is to build the temple, just as Mary asked for God’s wisdom as she is about to care in her womb the Son of God. The fiat of Mary entails Mary’s responsibility as she was preparing the abode of the Son of God in her womb. (Vonz M. Hijada | OLLP Formator/SoCCom)