CEBU played a part in Pope Francis’s first Misa de Gallo or dawn mass held at the Vatican before dawn Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 (Philippine time).

The Pope was presented with an image of the Señor Sto. Niño of Cebu by one of two Filipino girls who approached him as the mass ended. After that, the choir played the Cebuano mass song to Mother Mary titled “Maria, Rayna sa Pilipinas” (Mary, Queen of the Philippines).

It was the first time the Pope led the traditional Filipino mass, Misa de Gallo, with the Philippine community of Rome in attendance, at the St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. About 150 other priests, including Filipinos, concelebrated the mass.

In Cebu, the faithful braved the rains to attend Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s first dawn mass this year held at the Carbon Public Market.

Respect and tolerance

Aside from vendors and their families, Cebu City Government officials led by Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama and City personnel were also in attendance. The officials later had breakfast with Palma.

Palma earlier said his dawn masses this year would be held in poor areas and parishes to show a different kind of Christmas celebration.

In his homily, Palma encouraged the faithful to be open and to welcome those of different religions and beliefs.

“Ang punto kay ayaw pag-criticize sa laing relihiyon. Ikaduha, ayaw pag-convert. Paghigalaay lang ba, fraternity and friendship. (The point is not to criticize other religions. Second, don’t ask them to convert. There should be fraternity and friendship.) There are many things that unite than things that divide,” he said.

Palma said he chose Carbon market as the first venue of his Misa de Gallo because it is an important part of the community.

“Nakita man nako ang ilang pagtuo labi na diri sa (I saw their faith, especially here in) Carbon Public Market,” he said.

According to Carbon Police Station Chief Major Alvin Llamedo, around 500 people attended the mass. (JCT, AYB)