Healing Masses offered for Tita Cory in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Prayers and Holy Masses were offered yesterday here in Cebu for the fast recovery of former President Corazon Aquino.

At the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, all 14 Masses starting 8 a.m. were offered for Aquino’s speedy recovery.

The 8 a.m. Mass was concelebrated by seven priests led by Msgr. Roberto “Boy” Alesna.

Cebu City South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco, a family friend of the Aquinos, distributed a copy of “Prayer for Tita Cory” to other parishes as well so that more people would be able to join in and petition for her recovery from colon cancer.

The prayer read, “Father in heaven, Source of goodness and strength, Author of life and love and liberty, we come to you to pray for our sister Tita Cory, the mother of our freedom, source of our strength in its constant defense. We come to you with heavy hearts at the thought of all the suffering she has endured because we will not let her go.

“You took the hand of our Tita Cory through every trial she has undergone, every challenge she confronted, and every cross she took on herself - from the imprisonment, exile and assassination of her beloved Ninoy, to the liberation of our country, and the unflagging defense of freedom. Take her hand again and ease her pain; give her, in what life you will still give to her, a measure of the infinite joy that surely awaits those who suffer with you.”

Other prayers printed on a pamphlet including two written by Aquino herself were also distributed.

The “Prayer for a Happy Death by Corazon Aquino” has a portion that read, “When that final moment does come, let not my loved ones grieve for long. Let them comfort each other and let them know how much happiness they brought into my life. Let them pray for me, as I will continue to pray for them, hoping that they will always pray for each other.”

Another Mass for the same petition was also offered at the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Basak, Mandaue City which was done simultaneously in Manila and Davao City. — AJ dela Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)