FOR the first time since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit, the Filipino faithful will be allowed to go near the image of the Immaculate Conception at the Manila Cathedral on its feast day today.
“After two years of the pandemic, we are bringing back our fiesta tradition of allowing the faithful to go up the sanctuary after the celebration of Masses so that they could come near the image of the Immaculate Conception and offer their homage and prayers to our Lady,” the Manila Cathedral said in a social media post.
Aside from being allowed to to get near the image, the faithful public will also be given a special medal of the Immaculate Conception.
“As our gift to those who will be joining us at the Cathedral for the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, we will be giving each a medal inscribed with the Holy Name of Mary, with the prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium: `We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God,’” the cathedral also said.
Catholics celebrate today the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which recalls Mary’s conception of Jesus Christ without sin.
The Immaculate Conception is considered the principal patroness of the Philippines.
The Fiesta Mass at the Manila Cathedral is set at 11 a.m., with Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula set to preside, and concelebrated with Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown.
Other masses scheduled today at the Manila Cathedral are set for 8 a.m. and 4 and 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said “no work, no pay” policy shall be in effect today, a special non-working day.
“If the employee did not work, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day,” DOLE said.
On the other hand, for work done during the special non-working day, the worker will be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on for overtime work.
As for work done during a special non-working day that also falls on a worker’s rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
