Duterte on Immaculate Conception feast: Live up to Virgin Mary’s virtues

Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the Catholic faithful to live up to the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In her message on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, Dec. 8, Duterte hoped that the commemoration would unite the people in prayer.

The vice president said that the “enduring faith and steadfast joy” shown by the Virgin Mary present an example of “unwavering love” amid challenges and worries.

“We are encouraged today to live up to her virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity which underscored the resilience she exemplified in the face of loss and sorrow,” Duterte said in a video message.

“May the solemn observance of this day invite us all to join hands in prayer as we extend a helping hand to the needy, show mercy to those who are facing injustices, and extend love and kindness to our kababayan in the underserved and unserved communities,” she added.

Duterte also encouraged faithfuls to be “guided by our resilience that is rooted in faith in every trying time as we look forward with profound hope and optimism to a better future for every Filipino.”

The vice president noted that her actions are for God, country, and every Filipino family.