After 16 years, EDSA Shrine opens doors to all religions

For the first time in16 years, the 1986 people power revolt will be marked with an inter-faith prayer service for peace — not a political rally — at the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.

EDSA Shrine rector Bishop Socrates Villegas, also auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, said representatives of various religions have been invited to the EDSA Shrine on the 16th anniversary of the first people power revolution tomorrow, Feb. 25, to pray for peace.

"We welcome all people to the EDSA Shrine, including people of different religions – whether rich or poor – so long as their purpose is to pray for peace," said Villegas, also spokesperson of influential Catholic Church leader Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Protestants will join Catholics in holding an interfaith prayer service inside the EDSA Shrine.

After the common opening prayer, the religious representatives and their followers will gather in designated rooms of the EDSA Shrine, for prayer in their respective religious traditions. They will then gather again for the common final prayer at the Holy Ground marker by the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue.

Last month, the EDSA Shrine was the venue of an ecumenical prayer to pray for the success of the meeting of Pope John Paul II with other religious leaders to pray for world peace.

Sin will celebrate a Mass at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

The EDSA Shrine has adopted the theme "Pagkakaisa para sa Kapayapaan" for its celebration on the16th anniversary of the first EDSA people power revolt, which led to the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the assumption of the presidency of Corazon Aquino.

In line with this theme, a vigil Mass dedicated to Our Lady of EDSA will be held at 6 tonight. The Mass will be followed by a penitential procession for peace and a barrio fiesta by the Ortigas Avenue sidewalk.

The theme of the barrio fiesta’s program is peace and unity among various regional groupings in the Philippines.

The EDSA Shrine began its celebration on Feb. 16, the start of the novena to Our Lady of EDSA. During the novena days, the sacraments were administered, community prayers and the Holy Hour were held, and free medical and dental services to the poor were rendered by the EDSA Shrine Community. — Sandy Araneta