MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday called on Filipino Catholics to serve others with compassion and humility like the Blessed Virgin Mary, in line with the observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion.
Marcos said that religion and faith bring a 鈥渟ense of community and belonging鈥� that provides stability, purpose, and hope and is important in the spiritual, mental, and emotional health of Filipinos.
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鈥淎s 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,鈥� Marcos said in a letter released by the Malaca帽ang Palace.
鈥淟et 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,鈥� Marcos added.
The President also said that the holy feast holds a 鈥減rofound significance鈥� honoring the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of Jesus Christ and God鈥檚 plan for the redemption of humanity.
鈥淚t holds great meaning among Catholics and invites an opportunity for all people of faith to reflect on the themes of grace, purity, and devotion,鈥� he emphasized.
The Society of Jesus, through the Ateneo de Manila University previously explained that every December 8 marks the day 鈥渙f the beginning of the life of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, nine months before her birthday on Sept. 8.鈥�
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