CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its social action and humanitarian arm Caritas Philippines urged the faithful to take time to do charity works this Holy Week.
In a statement on Palm Sunday, Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said Catholics, besides joining traditional religious activities, may also find time to help others like the marginalized and people afflicted with illnesses.
"This calls us to journey with Jesus and with one another, to be transfigured by His love and mercy, and to take our brothers and sisters with us and lead them to Him. May this season of Lent be a time of grace and transformation, leading us to a deeper relationship with God, and to love and serve our brothers and sisters in need," Bagaforo said.
The prelate cited "Alay Kapwa" or the offering of oneself to one's neighbor program, an annual Lenten evangelization and fundraising program of the Catholic Church that supports social services for the poor.
"Caritas Philippines urges everyone to take this time for reconciliation, renewal, and Alay Kapwa. Reconciliation, renewal, and Alay Kapwa are inseparable from one another. It is because these are all acts of love," Bagaforo said.
The faithful traditionally involve themselves during Holy Week in activities like praying, fasting, Visita Iglesia (church visits) and Via Crucis (way of the cross) and charity works.