CBCP declares Nat’l Day of Prayer on ‘Yolanda’ anniversary

MANILA – In unity with the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) declares a National Day of Prayer on Nov. 8, the first anniversary of the natural calamity. On Nov. 8, 2014, the Filipino nation will commemorate the anniversary of typhoon Yolanda that has ravaged the country’s Central Visayas region. Thus, we declare Nov. 8 this year as a National Day of Prayer, especially for the victims and survivors of the typhoon,” CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a circular issued Nov. 4. In addition to this, Villegas invited his fellow prelates and apostolic administrators to a nationwide simultaneous ringing of church bells at 6and00 p.m. on Nov. 8, which will be followed by the CBCP’s commemorative prayer, which reads as followsand A PRAYER WITH THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TYPHOON YOLANDA (November 8) Most loving Father,One year ago, the fury of Typhoon Yolanda made us experience darkness and the pain of losing everything it made us understand the meaning of despair. But in the midst of all these, You never have forsaken us. In the most special way, You gifted us courage and strength to rise again. In the most loving way, You shielded us with mercy and compassion.And you accomplished miracles through those who came to our aid. And as we remember that day today, we thank You for the gift of faith, hope and love. We thank you for bringing us closer to you.We thank you for letting us live another day. Spare our nation from the wrath of nature, as we find ways to care for your Creation. Glory be… Villegas also encouraged prelatures, diocese, schools and organizations to conduct their own activities to mark the said event.(CBCP News)