Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12)— As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, countries— including the Philippines— celebrated this year’s Holy Week sans the normal traditions.
Citizens were urged to celebrate virtually from the safety of their homes, as healthcare workers and frontliners attempt to control the spread of the infectious disease.
While Filipino Catholics may not have celebrated Holy Week at church, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the spirit of Easter is still “alive” in every Filipino’s service and sacrifice.
“Indeed, it is so moving and so heartwarming to see individuals trying to save and protect the life of ailing patients, whose hearts are filled with selfless goodness for others, especially for the sick and the poor, individuals who have the courage to offer heroic service and sacrifice with the clear risk of losing their very own lives,” CBCP said in its Easter Sunday message.
“Moreover, we see people of all walks of life, men and women, old and young, manifesting simple acts of appreciation and gratitude to all those who offer their lives so that others may live. Are these not concrete manifestations of the Easter spirit?”
CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles likewise emphasized how Jesus Christ remained “victorious” over death, adding that this accomplishment has been shared to all human beings.
“Together, with hearts filled with goodness and love, filled with deep sense of service and sacrifice, I begin to see the hope of Easter in us, and this hope is stronger when we, together, have hearts like that of Jesus in his sacrifice in Calvary. We see that, together, our life is more powerful than the menace of death that this pandemic brings,” the message further read.
The Philippines has recorded 4,428 COVID-19 cases, as of the Health Department’s latest record. Of this number, 247 have died, while 157 have recovered.
Globally, there now over 1.7 million cases of the infectious disease in 185 different countries including China, the epicenter of the virus outbreak.
