EDSA to celebrate faith aspect of people power

This year, the EDSA Shrine will emphasize the "spiritual component" of the EDSA People Power Revolution, which ended Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship 39 years ago.

- GHIO ONG

Masses will be held at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. today, according to Fr.Jerome Secillano, rector of the EDSA Shrine, also known as the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace.

The 10 a.m. mass will be attended by officials of the Commission on Human Rights, while the 6 p.m. mass will be led by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, vicar of Taytay in Palawan.

Secillano noted that the shrine's focus on faith stems from the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary played a key role in the peaceful uprising, as articulated by then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

While details about other planned activities, such as rallies and speeches at the People Power monument at EDSA and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, remain uncertain, Secillano confirmed in an interview over radio dzRH that the shrine would also host events like the visit of Our Lady of Fatima from Valenzuela City.

The shrine will also hold a feast, which, the rector said, recalls the essence of sharing and prayer that defined the spirit of the revolution almost four decades ago.

The EDSA Shrine, located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, was established on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 1989, more than three years after the revolution that led to the assumption of Corazon Aquino, the country's first female president.

It was canonically crowned by the Vatican on the 38th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution last year.

EDSA's importance