Catholic Church officials reminded the faithful to be inspired by the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In separate New Year’s messages, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera urged Filipino Catholics to follow Mary’s example and welcome the new year with a trusting heart.
“We believe in God who walks with us and remains faithful to us. We turn to Mary, the Holy Mother of God. She did not have clear answers when she said yes to the message of the Angel,” the head of the Archdiocese of Manila said.
He added that the Virgin Mary did not understand what was happening, but she gave her trust in God.
“She did not fully understand what was happening in her young life. But she trusted. She pondered and kept everything in her heart. Like Mary, let us face the New Year not with answers and solutions but with courage and faith,” said Advincula.
“We welcome 2026 with the heart of Mary – open to mystery, attentive in discernment, questioning without fear, and anchored in trust. We place ourselves, our families, and our country in the loving and merciful heart of God.”
At the same time, the cardinal echoed the message of Pope Francis calling for peace this 2026.
“I join the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV in calling for an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace this New Year 2026. I echo with deep conviction that peace is not achieved by force or fear, but by a disarmed heart and a disarming way of life,” he said.
“True peace begins within us, rejects violence and domination, and grows through humility, dialogue, mercy, and trust. The world needs the peace of the “unarmed and disarming” Emmanuel in the manger, which gives joy and hope to all. Our country needs it even more. Like most of you, I often feel the scourge of a people who have been wanting peace and progress, but to no avail.”
He also asked the people to continue to pray for peace.
“We become Pilgrims of Hope every day of this new year. We journey together in synodality and solidarity,” Advincula said.
“We boldly proclaim that this year, as always, is the Year of the Lord. Let us continue to pray for peace and justice, for truth and accountability, for the conversion of hearts and restoration of conscience in our society,” he added.
On the other hand, Garcera also urged the people to turn to the Virgin Mary.
“As we enter the year 2026, we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Odigitria she who shows and guides the Way (cf. Synod Final Document, no. 155). May she bless the many expectations held within our hearts with the enduring gift of hope,” he said.
