AS the country celebrated the Solemnity of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, President Marcos urged Filipinos ‘to have the right intentions so they can achieve better outcomes in life.’
In a statement issued on Monday, the Chief Executive noted how Mary being born without sin has paved the way to humanity’s salvation since it allowed her to be the mother of Jesus Christ.
‘The Immaculate Conception reminds us that the way we begin matters. Our intentions shape our outcomes, and the spirit in which we start a mission influences the fruit it bears,’ Marcos said.
He warned how endeavors which were initiated by pride and deceit can result in division and distrust.
‘But if we begin with truth, humility, and compassion for the least among us, we can build a more just and peaceful Bagong Pilipinas: a nation where integrity, service, and a common good guide our ever action,’ he said.
He also highlighted how Mary intercedes on behalf of Filipinos and serves as model for other with her purity, devotion, and unwavering faith.
‘Through her intercession, may our leaders be guided by wisdom and discernment, our institutions purified at the root, and our people united in hope,’ Marcos said.
‘Let us draw strength from her life as we continue building a nation that places God at its center and holds fast to the dignity of every Filipino,’ he added.
Republic Act 10966 declared December 8 as a special non-working holiday for the commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines.
Based on the census conducted by the Philippines Statistics Authority in 2020, over 85 million of the country’s 108 million population are Roman Catholics.