Palma on killings: We can only pray

CEBU, Philippines — To those who need consoling in light of the series of killings here, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has a message—allow the Blessed Virgin Mary to enter their lives.

In his homily yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Palma reminded the faithful that there is “one great Mother” who will never leave her children in their journey and console them, especially in times of distress.

“Mother Mary walks with us. We have to open our hearts. We have to open our homes to her… as we walk with the Blessed Mother, we allow her to bring us closer to her Son, Jesus,” said the 68-year-old prelate in his 15-minute sermon.

In an interview after the Mass, Palma said people actually continue to mourn over the series of killings.

He lamented that killings continue to happen despite a spiritual intervention by the Church to storm the heavens with prayers by issuing a special prayer or an Oratio Imperata that implores for God’s providence to stop the killings in Metro Cebu.

“We can only pray that this will stop because we don’t have control over these happenings. We continue to pray that Mama Mary will touch the hearts and minds of whoever the perpetrators are. We know the tears, we know the sadness, and we know the sorrows that result from these killings,” Palma said.

“We can only plead for those who are actually behind the crime to also think of God, to think of the devastating effect of these crimes, and of course to think of the families who are suffering from the loss of their loved ones,” he added.

Palma presided over the 6 a.m. concelebrated Mass at the cathedral – the seat of the Cebu archdiocese – where the dawn procession dubbed “Walk with Mary” ended.

The solemn walk that preceded the Mass highlighted the celebration of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday.

Palma joined the thousands of Marian devotees in praying the Rosary while walking along stretch of Osmeña Boulevard from the Fuente Osmeña Circle in midtown Cebu City.

Sea of lights covered the huge crowd while different images of the Blessed Mother adorned in fresh flowers and various designs stood out from the dim streets.

Palma pointed out in his homily that the Walk with Mary symbolizes the journey of Blessed Virgin Mary with her people in times of despair and joy.

Palma said that since the beginning, the Virgin Mary was part of God's plan of bringing forth the Messiah or Savior. Thus, her nativity should be celebrated for not just because she is the mother of Jesus but she has become the mother of all, he added. —/JMD (FREEMAN)