PBBM tells Filipinos to serve with compassion, humility

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration by the Catholic community of Mary’s conception without sin. (File Photo: Lawrence OP/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged the Filipino faithful to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by emulating the Virgin Mary’s devotion to serve with compassion and integrity.

In his message, Marcos said Dec. 8 is a significant day as it honors the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of Jesus Christ and God’s plan for humanity’s redemption.

“As we celebrate this holy feast, I encourage my fellow Catholics and Filipinos to emulate Mary by serving others with compassion and humility, especially as we strive to build the Bagong Pilipinas we desire for our people,” Marcos said.

“Let us lead and embrace the journey towards holiness and remain connected through the common aspiration to live a life filled with integrity, devotion, and love. I pray that this day brings meaning to all,” he added.

Marcos stressed the importance of the feast among Catholics, saying it is an opportunity for all people of faith to reflect on the themes of grace, purity, and devotion.

Despite the constant global changes, the President said religion and faith continue to foster a sense of community and belonging that plays a central role in helping people navigate the complexities of life.

“It offers stability, purpose, and hope that contributes to the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of every Filipino,” Marcos said.

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.

Under Republic Act 10966, Dec. 8 is a special non-working holiday, in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines.

The holiday remains on Dec. 8 even if the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception coincides with the second Sunday of Advent that prompted the Church to move the celebration to Dec. 9.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Archdiocese of Manila also said both Dec. 8 and 9 are holy days of obligation

A feast day, even if transferred to the closest day, is still a day of obligation, according to the Vatican’s Holy See’s Dicastery on Legislative Texts.