By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod reminded the entire Catholic community in the local diocese to allow Jesus’ luminosity to light up every family and community this Christmas season.

Bishop Patricio Buzon reminded the faithful to let the Lord be the light to everyone’s daily lives and not let evil and darkness prevail, in his message as the nine-day Simbang Gabi began early morning yesterday.

“Nagakalipay kita sa pagdaog sang kapawa batok sa kadudulman. Si Hesus ang kapawa sang kalibutan,” Buzon said in the two minute-long message played prior to the mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City.

The bishop encouraged the faithful to stand up with renewed hope as the darkness brought by the COVID-19 pandemic fades away.

“Kita tanan naka-lampuwas sa krisis tungod sa aton pagtuo sa Diyos, sa kaayuhan sang isa kag isa, kag sa kapag-on sang aton katilingban,” he said.

Hundreds of worshippers gathered in various Catholic churches in the diocese, the first time a substantial number of people have attended in droves, as most of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted nationwide./DGB, WDJ