Muli nating ginugunita ang pinaka-banal na kasaysayan sa balat ng lupa, ang paghihirap at pagpapakasakit ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo na siyang tumubos at nagligtas sa sangkatauhan.

It is our fervent prayer that in this annual celebration of the Holy Week as the fitting climax to the Christian Ecclesiastical Year, we shall reflect on the agony and the passion of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and His crucifixion in Calvary, and relate them to the thorns of life and the cross that we bear daily on our puny and sinful shoulders.

May the holiest of Holy Week make us relearn in all humility and full awareness the teachings of Jesus, His mysteries and His beatitudes — like love and forgiveness, especially to those who did us harm; goodness and charity to all, particularly the poor and the marginalized among us; the faith that can truly move mountains; and the strength, fortitude and composure to enable our people, at home and those living and working abroad, to stay united and face with confidence the adversities and rigors of life.

As a people and as a nation, we, too, have carried our own cross. But with trust in God Almighty, we have recovered our national cohesion, improved our social and economic life, attained political stability and strengthened our democracy.

Two thousand years ago, in the greatest story ever told, Christ came to Earth so that man may fulfill his destiny according to the Word Made Flesh.

May the Love of Christ and the love for our fellowmen reign supreme in our hearts, not only for the duration of the Holy Week but also throughout our lives.

Isang makabuluhang Semana Santa sa lahat ng ating mga kapatid kay Hesukristo!