Vice President Sara Duterte encouraged Filipino Catholics to demonstrate love, kindness, and mercy as the nation observed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
In a video message, Duterte highlighted the virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity as embodied by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who showcased resilience in the face of sorrow and loss.
“The enduring faith and steadfast joy exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary demonstrates an example of unwavering love that remains dauntless in the face of challenges and tribulations,” Duterte said.
She urged the faithful to come together in prayer, support the needy, and show mercy to those suffering injustices, particularly in underserved communities.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics, was officially declared a special non-working holiday in the Philippines through Republic Act No. 10966, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017. The day commemorates the Catholic doctrine formalized by Pope Pius IX in 1854 through the Papal encyclical Ineffabilis Deus.
