Philippines: Cardinal Advincula celebrates mass with Chinese Catholic community in Manila

On October 13, Archbishop of Manila, Jose F. Cardinal Advincula presided over a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Binondo, Manila, widely known as the Binondo Chinese Catholic Church.

The Mass served as a spiritual preparation for the parish’s upcoming feast day of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, to be celebrated on Sunday, October 19.

The readings for the day were taken from Romans 1:1–7 and Luke 11:29–32. In his homily, Cardinal Advincula invited the faithful to reflect deeply on the virtues of Mary’s faith and obedience, under the theme “Mary, Mother of God.” He reminded the congregation that Mary is not a goddess, but a humble woman who responded to God’s call with her wholehearted “yes.” Through her faith and obedience, he said, the Son of God entered human history, becoming man and the Savior of humanity.

Focusing on the words faith and action, the Cardinal emphasized that “true faith is not about waiting for a clear sign from heaven, but about trusting the God who calls us.” He added, “Mary’s faith is the greatest sign; she believed even in confusion and obeyed even when she did not fully understand.” To call Mary the “Mother of God,” he explained, is not merely a title of honor but also a mission: “She carried and brought Jesus wherever she went. We, too, are called to bring the light and peace of Christ into our homes, workplaces, and society.”

Cardinal Advincula urged the faithful to cultivate a heart of faith and contemplation through praying the Rosary. “Every Hail Mary,” he said, “is a seed of hope sown into a world of darkness.” He concluded by invoking God’s blessings upon the parish community and all Chinese Catholic families, encouraging them to imitate Mary’s faith and charity and to bring Christ to others.

Before the conclusion of the Mass, the Cardinal extended his warm greetings and pastoral concern to the parishioners, assuring them of his prayers as he departed shortly after for Rome to continue his pastoral engagements.

This Sunday, October 19, the parish will hold a grand procession in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, its patroness. The faithful are expected to join in solemn prayer and a floral procession, praising the Queen of Heaven and seeking her continued protection and intercession for the parish and the wider Chinese Catholic community.

Since resuming pastoral service in 1945, the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish has remained steadfast in its Dominican missionary heritage, marking 80 years of evangelization. As the mother parish of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic apostolate, it continues to promote faith formation, education, and charitable works. Over the decades, it has fostered several predominantly Chinese parishes and apostolic centers, strengthening communion and collaboration between Chinese and Filipino Catholics in the Archdiocese of Manila.