President Marcos to Pinoys: Share blessings with poor, marginalized

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos urged the Filipino faithful yesterday to draw inspiration from the Immaculate Conception in fortifying their Christian faith, by sharing their blessings to the poor and marginalized.

“During these challenging times for our country, let us draw inspiration from the narrative of the Immaculate Conception as we overcome our limitations and draw on our strengths to see the world with grateful hearts and explore the deep meaning of our purpose in life,” Marcos said in his message for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

“May this auspicious occasion allow us to fortify our Christian faith and inspire our fellow faithful to share our blessings to the poor and marginalized as a way of perpetuating peace, generosity and kindness around us,” he said.

The President also asked the nation to fervently pray for the Lord’s continued guidance and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the people join hands to build the Bagong Pilipinas that Filipinos aspire for.

Bagong Pilipinas is Marcos’ brand of governance launched in July.

Marcos remained in isolation as of yesterday after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday night. This is the third time he contracted the disease.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration by the Catholic community of Mary’s conception without sin.

Even though the feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.

The observance of the feast began with a papal encyclical by Pope Pius IX when he formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Ineffabilis Deus, on Dec. 8, 1854.

In 2017, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 10966 declaring Dec. 8 a special non-working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The Philippines is one of the predominantly Catholic countries in the world.

There are approximately 76 million Catholics in the Philippines or about 81 percent of citizens, according to the Catholic World Mission’s website.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose