by Clyde Ericson H. Nolasco, Margaux Salcedo
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, in a letter addressed to priests and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan, declared July 16 - August 5, from the Feast of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as “21 Days of Prayer for National Healing”.
The Archbishop called for this 21 Days of Prayer in the midst of “anxiety caused by the current pandemic and the socio-political turmoil.”
He expressed that we are never helpless as we turn to our dear Mother: “We turn to prayer. We turn to the Mother of God. We are never helpless if we cling to the Virgin Mother.”
He also explained in his letter that the 21 days will represent the 21 rebellious acts of the Israelites after the liberation from Egypt found in the books of the Old Testament: “We are in a state of rebellion against God and we are seeing the consequences of our sin. We must repent. We must be consecrated again if we wish to be healed.”
With this, he suggested the following as act of Consecration to Mary:
The Act of Consecration and Prayer for National Healing must be prayed in the masses led by the mass presider.
There will be a Eucharistic Celebration on August 5, to honor the Virgin Mary at the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag at 11:00 am to be limited only for some priests and religious while it will also be streamed online and on different media platforms.
Each family is encouraged to pray the Act of Consecration at home after the family rosary and even repeatedly during the day.
That August 5 must only be a devout pious conclusion of the MASSIVE and WIDESPREAD Consecration in all sectors and communities starting July 16.
The full text of Archbishop's letter:
21 days of CONSECRATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY WITH PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING
TWENTY ONE DAYS OF PRAYER IN LINGAYEN DAGUPAN
We feel clouds of helplessness and discouragement hovering over us and our brothers and sisters. The anxiety caused by the current pandemic and the socio-political turmoil born from various social issues render us not knowing what to do, how to serve as spiritual leaders and how to be disciples with the disciples of the Lord in crisis.
We turn to prayer. We turn to the Mother of God. We are never helpless if we cling to the Virgin Mother.
We declare TWENTY ONE days of CONSECRATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY WITH PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING from July 16, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to August 5, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
The number TWENTY ONE is significant in reference to the twenty one rebellious acts of the Israelites after the liberation from Egypt. We are in a state of rebellion against God and we are seeing the consequences of our sin. We must repent. We must be consecrated again if we wish to be healed.
What are we to do?
1. In all Masses in the archdiocese from July 16 to August 5, the enclosed Act of Consecration and Prayer for National Healing must be prayed after the Post Communion Prayer led by the Mass presider on his knees facing the altar. Please make copies of the Act of Consecration so that the parishioners can join the prayer ALOUD TOGETHER specially on Sundays.
2. On August 5, there will be a Mass in honor of the Virgin Mary at the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag at 11:00am. Due to the limitations set by the pandemic, only the diocesan and religious priests, religious sisters and twenty representatives from ONLA will be in attendance inside the basilica. The Mass will be on livestreaming and the faithful are encouraged to join through the available social media platforms.
3. Please encourage families to pray the Act of Consecration at home after the family rosary and even repeatedly during the day. This is best done by making copies of the Act of Consecration available to the greatest number of people using all the means possible.
4. It is not enough that we have an event to do this collegial consecration on August 5. That day must only be a devout pious conclusion of the MASSIVE and WIDESPREAD Consecration in all sectors and communities starting July 16.
Let us not give in to discouragement and depression. Let us go to our Lady. Let us take comfort in the message of Our Lady to San Juan Diego: Trust in me. I am your Mother.
Sincerely yours,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
While the following is the ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE VIRGIN With Prayer for National Healing: