A priest says many Catholics in his parish who have forgotten God have returned to the path of righteousness and have asked for His protection as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fr. Efren Anez of the San Nicolas Parish Church in Bahay Toro village, Quezon City, told me Wednesday that he was extremely happy for those parishioners “who have returned to God’s fold.”
He expressed the belief that the “Coronavirus is a wake-up call for mankind to repent” now and not later.
He was elated that the Catholics in his parish—especially those who had forgotten Jesus Christ—were now praying for forgiveness and protection during this period of uncertainty.
He says many people have forgotten God in these modern times, but he has reminded them to repent because repentance and prayer are very important in everyone’s life.
He urged the faithful to continue praying to stop the spread of COVID-19, which has afflicted more than two million people and killed more than 120,000 worldwide as of Wednesday.
He says the churches will remain closed because of the lockdown, but the church services, including Holy Mass and the novenas, will continue through Facebook.
He says since there is no confession at the moment, the faithful can pray as an act of contrition. A dying person afflicted with CONVID-19 is allowed to use a telephone go to confession to a priest listening at the other end.
Meanwhile, Fr. Efren says the annual observance of the Feast of Divine Mercy on April 19 will be held as scheduled, but also through Facebook.