Empty churches

Misa sa Sugat (Easter Sunday Mass) at San Pedro Cathedral Adoration Chapel. Presider: Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D.

This year marks the first time that churches are empty in the celebration of the Holy Week and Paschal Triduum due to the threats of Coronavirus.

Since Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles cancelled the public celebration of masses last March 14, Catholics were left with no choice but to join masses through online platforms or through the radio and Holy Week activities are no exemption.

The archbishop has celebrated the activities last week at the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in San Pedro Cathedral and was broadcast live over DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM.

The archbishop has lauded the Filipino people especially those who are working in the frontlines to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Together, seeing the countless acts of sacrifice and service, acts of kindness and compassion, we begin to see that the spirit of Easter is still very much alive in our hearts,” Archbishop Valles said adding that the “simple acts of appreciation and gratitude” to Covid-19 frontliners also manifest the hope that comes with the Easter season.

“I begin to believe that we, as Filipinos, together with all the peoples in the world, are bigger than the threat of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“It is a spirit that springs forth from both convictions, the conviction that the Lord truly and deeply loves us and the conviction that we are a people truly capable of loving and caring for each other in the worst of times,” the CBCP President added.

While the Enhanced Community Quarantine is set to be lifted April 19, the City Mayor of Davao Sara Duterte has told the people of Davao that she is still waiting for the recommendation from the doctors if lifting the ECQ is feasible.

She also said that Davaoeños should continue to cooperate in the guidelines set by the city to avoid the spreading of the virus through hand washing and proper social distancing.

The faithful of Davao is looking forward to the day that they can finally attend public masses and go back to their normal routines.

“The Churches were empty but there’s wisdom in it as families were given the time to be together and attend masses although through online platforms only,” a mass-goer from Davao said.

“The family has indeed become a domestic Church,” he added. (John Frances C. Fuentes/DCHerald)