THE Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the seat of the Cebu Archbishop, has decided to have pre-recorded annual reflections on the Seven Last Words this year that will be available on partnered television, radio and social media platforms.

Fr. Japheth Geonzon, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Commission on Worship and member of the team of pastors assigned at the Cathedral, said they saw a need for this measure to keep churchgoers from flocking to the Cathedral.

However, this is not the first time that the reflections for the Seven Last Words or the “Siete Palabras” at the Cathedral have been pre-recorded or taped.

In 2020, during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, public celebrations or activities of the church were canceled amid the community lockdowns.

The Holy Week celebration for 2021 will begin on March 28, Sunday and will end on April 3, Saturday.

The pre-recorded Seven Last Words reflection at the Cathedral will be aired on April 2, Friday, from 12 to 3 p.m.

Geonzon said the speakers for the Siete Palabras 2021, who would be sharing reflections based on this year’s theme of “Gifted to Give,” (connected to the theme of the 500 Years of Christianity celebration) are individuals who are involved in the missionary works of the Church.

Geonzon encouraged the faithful to go deeper in their Holy Week celebration especially with the world’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This time, since activities are also restricted, maybe it is time for us to be more prayerful even inside our homes. We have this opportunity. This time, I consider it as a grace period, not a curse nor a punishment,” he said. (WBS)