3 minute read
May Always Merry, Always for Mary
Every day of the month of May is celebrated in the Philippine Catholic Church to honor Mary through praying of the rosary and fl ower off erings. Two years into the pandemic brought by COVID-19, devotees of our blessed Mother remain unperturbed by the many restrictions sanctioned by the government.
For the members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) honoring our Mother and model goes on, albeit, in many creative forms. Up north, in the province of Tarlac, ADMA members were in full support of the community pantry initiated by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Aptly called Hapag ni Juan, the community pantry was stationed and made available to residents near the Don Bosco School. There were also times when this was brought to nearby barangays for the benefi t of more needy people. Meanwhile in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, ADMA members worked double time. Praying of the novena to Mary Help of Christians was made twice a day - once in the morning at the Holy Family Parish where the chapter is based and once in the afternoon for the benefi t of the senior ADMA members of Brgy. Sapang who are not able to go to the Parish due to the travel restrictions brought by the pandemic. It was also an opportune time for them to teach young people to pray the rosary.
In Lubao, Pampanga, ADMA members who are not allowed to go out of their residence practice their Marian devotion at home. They never failed to pray the rosary and the novena either in group via online or individually.
In San Ildefonso Parish Makati, as part of the feast day activities, a talk was given by former ADMA animator Fr. Nestor Impelido, SDB about the Virgin Mary in the context of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.
Angela Azarcon, ADMA aspirant from Auxilium chapter Better Living Parañaque was featured in the novena video prepared by the ADMA Primaria in Turin. And last but not the least, a fi tting gift to our Mother as we celebrate her in this month is the induction of three members from Auxilium chapter to the ranks of the Association of Mary Help of Christians.
Inspite of the many restrictions and precautions, a devotee of Mary cannot be prevented from celebrating her presence in the Church. The month of May will always be merry, will always be for Mary!
