Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon at the start of the nine-day Aguinaldo or dawn masses at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City leading up to the day before Christmas said “our Christian faith is the greatest gift of God to us as a people”
The bishop said he is very happy that they are able to hold the Aguinaldo masses despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even if the faithful who showed up at the start of the Misa de Gallo masses overflowed into the streets, there was a strict implementation of the observance of health protocols by parish marshals and the police, the bishop said.
He reminded the faithful to always observe all health protocols so that the dawn masses can continue.
The bishop said the holding of the dawn masses this December is very significant towards strengthening and deepening faith because 2021 is the year the Philippines will commemorate the 500th year of Christianization of the Filipino people.
Faith is more than just doctrine, it is our relationship with God, he said.
He stressed the need for a faith that is lived and shared in order for it to become fruitful.
The bishop also called on the youth to be instruments of evangelization.
The Catholic Church marked National Youth Day today, December 16.
Buzon said the Aguinaldo masses at the San Sebastian Cathedral will be held 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., with an anticipated mass at 5:15 p.m. daily.*