OFWs expected to swamp Baclaran church with online petitions

MANILA, Philippines - The National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, better known as the Baclaran church, usually receives a deluge of email from overseas Filipino workers or those living in the provinces, asking for blessings or giving thanks during the Holy Week, according to the church’s rector, Fr. Victorino Cueto.

“The emails that we get usually come from OFWs in other countries like Virginia in the United States and Korea plus those in the provinces who cannot go here,” he said.

In a week, Baclaran Church receives about 2,500 to 2,800 petitions and 1,200 to 1,500 letters of thanksgiving through email and snail mail.

Cueto said they are expecting more letters to come in this week. The number of letters also rises every first Wednesday of the month and Ash Wednesday, he said.

Catholics flock to the Baclaran Church everyday, especially Wednesday, to pray for help and miracles and offer thanks. Many of them pray to pass examinations, go abroad, be cured from illness, have a lifetime partner, have a child, and be given financial help.

 But Cueto said that what was important is that a person who goes to church experiences what it is like to be in a praying community.

 “Attend the Novena. You’ll sense that you a community praying. Here, you know that many of you are praying… the spirit of communion in prayer that is very important. Generally when people come here that is what they feel,” he said.

Cueto said devotees can send petitions online by visiting the church’s website, www.baclaranovena.org.