Pastoral Letter
“Through the Rosary, We Secure the Help
of Our Blessed Mother”
May 01, 1975
To my dear People of God in the Archdiocese of Manila:
Once again, we are in the month
of May, the month dedicated to Mary, our Blessed Mother. In keeping with time-honored
tradition, many of our thoughts and activities are focused on her. The young
ones take part in Flores de Mayo ceremonies, the older ones hold Santacruzan processions, and many of us go on a pilgrimage
to the Shrine of the Virgin in Antipolo.
These practices are praiseworthy
since they are expressive of the devotion that we have for the Mother of God.
Quite often, however, their basic religious nature is submerged by the social
or even frivolous character that the practices assume. This, you must admit,
is most unfortunate. And something should be done about it.
My dear People of God, I am
not suggesting that we do away with these practices. Certainly
not. These practices have become part and parcel of our way of life,
of our customs and traditions. But I do suggest that we supplement them with
something extra, something purely devotional in essence,
something that will express, more effectively than anything else, our love
for Mary.
I suggest that, starting
today and every day thereafter, we all pray the rosary individually or — better
still — together with the members of our families. I suggest that we all take
time out from our busy schedules so that, each day without fail, we can all
spend fifteen minutes in manifesting our love for, and our gratitude to the
Blessed Virgin.
Indeed, we have a lot to
thank her for. Our history as a people would have been different had she not
come to our assistance when we needed her most. We would not have survived
the crisis of La Naval had she not interceded for us.
Today, my dear People of God,
our country is again facing a crisis, from within and from without. Recent
developments in Vietnam and Cambodia are too well-known to be repeated here. Foreign affairs
and military analysts are talking about the theory of falling dominoes, and
they seem convinced that, unless instant measures are undertaken the Philippines could be one of those dominoes.
Within our shores, we are confronted
with serious problems. The situation in Mindanao, the
threat of inflation and recession, peace and order, rising criminality — these
and other problems continue to plague us. Our leaders are doing their best,
but it is clear that they need our help. And it is also clear that we all
need the help of our Blessed Mother.
It is through the rosary that
we can secure this help. It is by asking her interecession
that we can be sure that our Father in heaven will look with favor on our
prayers.
Within the next few weeks,
my dear People of God, a movement will be launched within the Archdiocese.
It is called the Rosary Movement, and its slogan is “To Christ, through Mary.”
The aim of this movement is to get all of us involved in the praying of the
rosary, to make all of us realize that through Mary, she who is the Queen
of Peace, the Comforter of the Afflicted, that we will find peace and get
relief from all our afflictions.
It is a movement that I support
with all my heart, a movement that, I hope and pray, will find a responsive
chord in your hearts.
From this day forward, therefore,
let us all pledge to recite the rosary every day. And, with a certitude born
of faith, we will all discover that everyone who implores Mary’s help or seeks
her protection will not be left unaided.
May our Blessed Mother touch
you all with her tender benediction. And remember,
just as Mary does, I love you all very dearly.
Devotedly yours in Christ and Mary,
(SGD.) + JAIME L. SIN, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
