Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete on Tuesday called on the lay faithful to strive to be holy and be like the saints who are now enjoying a wonderful life in heaven with the Creator.
Bishop Cortes delivered his homily at a concelebrated mass he presided at the church-run public cemetery in Barangay Bagacay, Dumaguete City Tuesday morning in observance of All Saints’ Day.
According to the Bishop, people have ambitions, so why not make it the “perfect” ambition is to become holy and enter heaven after life here on earth.
Monsignor Cortes stressed that anyone can be holy, even though a sinner, for it is by the grace of God and through Jesus that sins are forgiven.
Even saints were sinners and so it is said that sinners can also become saints by following in the footsteps of Jesus and living a holy life, the prelate said.
The Dumaguete Bishop explained in his homily that All Saints’ Day is a time of remembrance and paying tribute to the saints and the faithful deceased who are now in heaven and may also be considered saints.
Cortes emphasized that the saints are intercessors who pray for the living and their needs, and also for the dead in Purgatory, who are suffering and awaiting release in that they may enter heaven.
Immediately after the mass, the Bishop went around blessing the tombs and graves and was joined by the lay ministers following the blessing of the holy water and salt.
Bishop Cortes called on the lay faithful to offer prayers and masses for the departed that they may be relieved of their suffering in Purgatory. (PNA)
