4 ‘intercession churches’ named

MANILA, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Manila has declared four parishes under the patronage of San Roque as “Archdiocesan Churches of Intercession” while the Philippines is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese, said the parishes in Blumentritt, Pasay, Mandaluyong and Sampaloc, Manila were accorded the title following the recommendation of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission and the Judicial Vicar.

The parishes will “take the lead in organizing devotional and liturgical activities as well as other appropriate programs that will serve the sick, the frontliners and the poor during this time of pandemic in the Archdiocese of Manila,” he said.

The Archdiocese of Manila covers the churches in the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and San Juan.

Roman Catholics celebrate the feast of San Roque – who is invoked against pestilence and plague and is the patron of persons with terminal illnesses and contagious diseases – on Aug. 16.