CEBU CITY -- Hundreds of people, including pilgrims and delegates to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), have gathered at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds for an open-air Mass concelebrated by bishops and priests from at least 72 countries in the world.
Main celebrant of today’s Mass is Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, DD, archbishop of Dublin.
The Mass started around 4 p.m. after the dialogs and press conferences held at the IEC Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
LIVE: Holy Eucharist at Cebu Capitol grounds
In his homily, Martin said the celebration of the Eucharist is a celebration of God's sacrificial love for us.
The delegates started to arrive at the Capitol around 3 p.m., but the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) had closed the roads leading to and from the Capitol since 1 p.m.
About 32,000 people attended the mass, said Central Visayas PNP Chief Manuel Gaerlan.
Roads closed are the following:
* N. Escario St. (from F. Ramos Extension to Don Gil Garcia St.)
* Osmena Blvd. (from N. Escario St. to Don Jose Avila St.)
The CCTO earlier advised motorists and vehicles coming from the south to north to take the V. Rama Avenue, B. Rodriguez or N. Bacalso Ave., while those coming from north to south were told to take Gorordo Ave., Gen. Maxilom Ave., or B. Rodriguez St., or MJ Cuenco, Imus New Road to N. Bacalso Ave.
In an advisory released to the media, the CCTO said that the South Road Properties (SRP) tunnel and South Coastal Road are open for light vehicles only, as delegates attending the Mass at the Capitol will walk from the Capitol to Plaza Independencia, where the Benediction or final blessing will be done.
The procession started around 5:30 p.m.
(LMY/Sunnex)