Thousands of Catholics expected to flock to Quiapo Church this Holy week, according to the church’s spokesperson.
Fr. Earl Valdez, spokesperson of Quiapo Church, said they are expecting that this year, thousands of Catholics will take part in the activities they set up for the occasion.
Among the activities set up by the Church include Palm Sunday on April 2, Pabasa ng Pasyon or Religious Chanting of Pasyon from April 3 to 5, and Senakulo on April 5.
Also among the scheduled activities are Last Supper Mass on April 6; Novena, Sieta Palabras, and Procession on April 7; Processions and Easter Vigil on April 8; and Easter Sunday masses on April 9.
Valdez reminded the public who will attend the activities to bring face masks as they are still required inside the Church.
He also advised Catholics to bring drinking water amid the dry season to avoid possible heat stress.
“Magdala po tayo ng tubig, magdala ng pamaypay, kung maaari na hindi po natin kakayanin sa loob ng simbahan, mas mainam po na makiisa sa mga aktibidad sa paligid ng simbahan,” Valdez said.
“Kahit papaano po, sinusubukan pa rin nating panatilihin ang 80% capacity ng ating simbahan, so ibig sabihin mayroon kahit papaanong minimum na social distancing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines hopes the public, especially the Catholics, will “take to the heart” the essence of Holy Week.
“Ang panahong ito ng Semana Santa ay panahon ng pagsisisi sa kasalanan,” Fr. Jerome Secillano from CBCP.
“Ang Panginoong Hesukristo ay nagpakasakit, nagpasan ng krus, nagpapako sa krus, namatay, upang iligtas tayo sa tiyak na kapahamakan dala ng kasalanan. So kung ganoon ang ginawa ni Hesus, siguro mas maganda na mag-cooperate din tayo,” Secillano added. GB/Mela Lesmoras -ag
