Advincula urges faithful to hear Mass, says it's most effective prayer

MANILA, Philippines: Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Holy Thursday called on the faithful to always go to Mass, saying that it is the most effective and highest form of prayer “The Eucharist is the highest form of prayer because in the Holy Mass, it is Jesus who offers and it is Jesus who is offered,” said Advincula in his homily at the Manila Cathedral.

Advincula urges faithful to hear Mass, says it’s most effective prayer

He pointed out that attending the Holy Mass is very important as a form of prayer, thus Christians should always give importance to it by going to Mass every Sunday together with one’s family.

The prelatet said that the importance of the Holy Mass was shown by Jesus during his Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples.

He pointed out that Jesus did not wash the feet of his disciples because their feet were dirty, saying that it had a much deeper purpose.

By washing his apostles’ feet, Advincula said, Jesus showed the extent of his love to them and that is why he gave his body and blood through his death on the Cross.

“By washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus invites them to deepen their relationship and connection with him,” the clergy said. “And this is what prayer is all about. In prayer we deepen our connection and strengthen our faith with Jesus.” “Washing of the feet is an invitation to always pray so that we maintain our relationship and connection with Jesus,” he further said, adding that it is the reason, as written in the Gospel, given by Jesus when St. Peter refused at first to have his feet washed.

Advincula said that Jesus showed us his love when he washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper and his death on the cross to save mankind from their sins.

“Jesus showed the extent of his love to his disciples and all of us that is why he washed their feet. That is why he gave us his body and blood,” the prelate said During the Mass, Advincula washed the feet of 12 representatives of various sectors, who played a vital role in the formation of Catholic faithful.

The participants were Dina Santos (an elderly), Regina Bautista (parent), Lilia Quintana (catechist), Rev. Fr. Jesus Madrid, Jr. (diocesan priest), Fray Shernan Sarmen (religious brother), Sr. Liliam T. Viana (nun),. Ted Toledo (Church volunteer), Candy Pangilinan (social media influencer), Dr. Didoy Lobaton (Renewal Movement leader), Bro. Bo Sanchez (author of prayer and spirituality books), Dr. Rafael Lopez (artist), Nathan Dublin (songwriter/composer).

The washing of the feet is part of the Liturgy of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which includes the re-enactment of the event when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

This significant tradition of the Catholic Church reminds the faithful that as disciples of Christ, we are also called to serve with a humble and contrite heart