40th day after Jolo bombings pain remains
Local News • 20:45 PM Sun Mar 10, 2019
1,107
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez/ photos by Monsignor Romy Saniel, OMI
Relatives light candles to remember loved ones who perished in Jolo Cathedral bombings 40 days ago. (Photo by Monsignor Romy Saniel)
COTABATO CITY (March 10) - Saying “pain is still deep,” Roman Catholic priest Monsignor Romeo Saniel of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), the Jolo Vicariate administrator, led on Friday the 40th day commemoration of the January 27 twin bombings of Jolo Cathedral.
With Monsignor Saniel was Fr. Jeff Nadua, OMI and the relatives and loved ones of 24 Church goers who perished in celebrating a mass and offering of flowers and prayers.
“Pain is still deep, sorrow is still paralyzing but hope of letting go is a grace of God as we remembered the martyrs who died inside the cathedral,” Monsignor Saniel said as relatives of 24 parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral lighted candles and offered flowers in exactly the same spot where they died.
It was the first time since the bombing that a community prayer was held inside the cathedral.
Cries and wails accompanied by songs filled the cathedral during the commemoration while soldiers stand guard outside and inside the cathedral compound.