Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete called on the faithful yesterday to participate “intensely” in Holy Week activities.

“I hope that we once again take seriously our participation [in] the Holy Week [activities] because this is the most sacred time of the year wherein we are invited to participate intensely in the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” Cortes said in an interview.

Cortes said he is hoping that people will experience a “conversion of hearts” and be drawn closer to God during the Holy Week.

The bishop led the blessing of “palaspas” (palm fronds) on Palm Sunday, April 13, the start of the Holy Week, and will preside over the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 15, where members of the Dumaguete clergy will renew their priestly vows.

It is also during the Chrism Mass that Cortes will bless the holy oil to be used in various sacraments and liturgical rites.

The Dumaguete prelate also called on people to undertake acts of charity to help those who are in need, such as disaster victims, and to prepare for a possible major displacement in the event of a major eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.

Alay Kapwa, a program of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, marked its 50th anniversary on Palm Sunday.

“This is where our people are given a concrete structure where we can exercise charity to our people,” Cortes said. (PNA)