MANILA, Philippines – The two traditional centers of Catholicism in the country, Manila and Cebu, organized vigils for the healing of Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome due to double pneumonia.
In the nation’s capital, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula is set to lead a Holy Hour for the Healing of Pope Francis at 5 pm on Friday, February 21.
“Let us storm heaven with our supplications. Let us accompany Pope Francis with our loving prayers and entrust him to the Lord’s healing hand, as well as his doctors, nurses, and medical professionals,” Advincula said in a circular on Thursday, February 20.
Advincula earlier urged Catholics to hold their own community prayers for Francis’ healing.
In Cebu, Archbishop Jose Palma is scheduled to lead a Eucharistic Vigil on Thursday night at the Martins of Lisieux Chapel in San Carlos Seminary College on Pope John Paul II Avenue, Cebu City.
The vigil starts at 10 pm on Thursday and ends at 6 am on Friday.
Palma is set to lead the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the archdiocese announced on its official Facebook page.
Expected to attend are seminarians of the Pope John XXIII Seminary, San Carlos Seminary College, and Seminario Mayor de San Carlos.
On Wednesday, February 19, Palma asked Cebuanos to pray for the healing of Francis.
“In God’s love, we pray for his healing. We know how much he means to us, and how much he loves us. In this prayer of healing, may he recover to good health, that he may continue to serve in the same zeal and charity for all of us,” Palma said.
“I ask for fervent prayers for the intentions of our Holy Father. We pray that the Lord, in His kindness, will bring him back to health,” the archbishop added. – Rappler.com