Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)— After a two-year limited attendance or hiatus for Holy Week celebrations, Catholic churches opened their doors to the faithful for the highlight of the Lenten season.
But it was not without concerns like that of priest Reginald Malicdem that the faithful would have reasons to forego physical attendance in parishes.
“May fear din kami na baka nasanay na masyado sa online mga tao na— ‘ah, convenient yung online hindi pupunta sa simbahan’,” Malicdem told CNN Philippines shortly after the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) penitential prayers on Good Friday at the Manila Cathedral, the first time it was reopened to the public since 2020.
[Translation: We also fear that people already got used to online activities that they would think since online is convenient, they will not go to church.]
Sermons during the Holy Week services, Malicdem said, include messages for peace in Ukraine, for Filipinos to elect better leaders in the May elections, and prayers of solidarity for the victims of the recent storm in the Visayas.
“Pero ngayon, talagang nakita natin yung pananampalataya ng mga tao na buhay na buhay,” he added. “Parang na miss ng mga tao yung mga pagdiriwang na ganito.”
[Translation: Now, we really see that the people’s faith is very alive. It looks like people missed celebrating these.]
Devotees crowded churches and streets for religious activities, which began on April 10, Palm Sunday, notably unmindful of some health protocols, including physical distancing.
In fact, the crowd that turned up for the Ash Wednesday service, which marked the beginning of Lent on March 2, surpassed the Church’s expectations.
“So it was, for us, a preview of what will happen during the Holy Week. And true enough, we have people, simula kahapon [starting yesterday] (Maundy Thursday), at ngayon [and today] (Good Friday)—nandito talaga sila na bumabalik [people really returned],” Malicdem said.
“Iba po yung pakiramdam—parang masyadong overwhelmed po, kasi nga po nakapasok tayo muli ng simbahan. At the same time po, taimtim na nakipag-usap sa Kanya,” said Joy Cordero, an elderly from Manila, who was assisted by a relative after saying her prayers at the cathedral.
[Translation: The feeling is different, I feel overwhelmed because at last I was able to enter the church. At the same time, I was able to sincerely talk to Him.]
Late Maundy Thursday, a huge crowd gathered outside Quiapo church for the traditional Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene. It was the first time in two years that the black wooden statue carrying the cross was brought out of the church, and was supposed to be brought through the streets of Manila.
But based on the livestreamed images of what was supposed to be a solemn motorcade, the vehicle carrying the image was forced to turn back just several meters after leaving the church at past midnight.
Apparently, despite earlier appeals for cooperation to keep the procession smooth-sailing, devotees believed to be numbering to tens of thousands, turned disorderly in some parts of the motorcade route, and forced organizers to abort the event at the last minute because of safety concerns.
During the Santo Entierro (dead Christ) procession Friday afternoon, Father Douglas Badong, Quiapo church parochial vicar, reiterated his appeal for self-restraint.
Church leaders said they continued to enforce health protocols among the faithful during public activities.
At the San Agustin parish, which is just blocks away from the Manila Cathedral, as well as Quiapo church, members of the Manila Police District patrolled among devotees to remind them to comply with pandemic regulations, particularly the wearing of face mask
“Gusto natin balansehin yung pananampalataya na pinapahayag natin at yung kaligtasan din ng bawat isa,” said Malicdem, who is also the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Manila.
[Translation: We want to balance the faith we want to express and the safety of everyone.]
