Borongan diocese to offer masses for ‘Yolanda’ victims

FILE: The Philippine flag stayed atop, amidst Yolanda’s destruction.
Photo: Facebook Page of Typhoon Yolanda Vital Relief and Livelihood Missions

MANILA — The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar will be offering masses on Wednesday for all those who perished when Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated parts of Visayas in 2013.

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez said masses would be offered during the fourth anniversary of the disaster that killed thousands of people and caused heavy damage to properties.

He said the prayer intentions would be dedicated to those who provided assistance by helping ‘Yolanda’ survivors recover and start anew.

“All our masses on Nov. 8 are for the intentions – for all who died during the typhoon, gratitude for all who helped us and the level of recovery we have, and prayers for protection and safety from any form of calamity,” Varquez said in an interview over Radio Veritas.

The typhoon first made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on Nov. 8, 2013.
Also damaged was the Immaculate Concepcion Church, a 16th century church and one of the 32 parishes under the diocese.

The typhoon left some 300 dead in Eastern Samar, out of the total 6,300 casualties, majority of whom were from Tacloban City.

During his first visit to the country in 2015, Pope Francis went to Tacloban to express solidarity with the people of the city, the hardest-hit by the typhoon.

He also assured Filipinos about the love of God despite the sufferings they had experienced. (PNA)