MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte joins Filipino Christians in the observance of the Lenten season with prayers for peace and unity.

In a video message, Duterte said she hoped that in this period of reflection, people would be reminded of Christ’s goodness, dying on the cross for the salvation of all.

“Maging inspirasyon sana natin ang pagkakataong ito upang ipagpatuloy ang ating maka-Diyos at demokratikong mithiin para sa bayan at bumuo ng isang mapayapang bansa,” the Vice President said in a video message released on Monday.

“Isapuso’t isip natin ang Kanyang mga naging sakripisyo at patuloy pa nating pagtibayin ang ating pananampalataya,” Duterte shared.

“Kasama sa aking panalangin ang kapayapaan at pagkakaisa para sa ating bansa. Maging inspirasyon sana natin ang pagkakataong ito upang ipagpatuloy ang ating Maka-Diyos at demokratikong mithiin para sa bayan at bumuo ng isang mapayapang bansa,” she added.

Apart from remembering Jesus Christ’s goodness and sacrifices, Duterte urged Filipino Christians to continue strengthening their faith.

“Nawa’y maging gabay ang Kaniyang mga aral at salita sa ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay,” she said.

Duterte said Jesus Christ obeyed the will of God the Father to be crucified and offer His life for the love of mankind. For Christians, Lent is a time of reflection and an opportunity to have a deeper relationship with God.

It ends on Black Saturday and is greeted with a celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. On Sunday, devotees went to churches to attend Mass with their palaspas or palm fronds to signify the start of Holy Week.

Meanwhile, travelers heading to the provinces for the Holy Week started flocking to bus terminals in Metro Manila early, with many bus trips already fully booked.

The number of passengers arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 also increased on Holy Monday.

Sources:(1),(2),(3)

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