Letter from the Prelate after typhoon Haiyan

Bishop Javier Echevarria's letter to the faithful of Opus Dei in the Philippines in the aftermath of super-typhoon Haiyan.

Rome, 11 November 2013

May Jesus watch over my children in the Philippines!

We are keeping you very much in mind, serenely entrusting you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin, Regina Asiae .  Be assured that from Rome and from all over the world, your brothers and sisters are praying especially for the Philippines and, in particular, for the victims and their relatives, and for every one of the inhabitants of the cities affected.

We have learned from our Father to look at the whole world with a universal, Catholic heart.  Let us accompany those who suffered the consequences of the typhoon and pray that, despite everything, they may remain peaceful.  God continues to stay by our side, in moments of suffering and those that are more difficult to humanly comprehend.  The awareness of our divine filiation urges us to face problems with the certainty that he holds us in his fatherly hands.  Therefore, fill yourselves with supernatural outlook so that you may also spread it to those around you.  If it is possible to help the authorities in providing assistance to the victims, let us do so.

These circumstances impel us to do more apostolate, with optimism, that is, by praying: prayer, prayer, prayer ….  The magnitude of the catastrophe should move us to ask for more faith, for ourselves and for the others.

Receive the love, the embrace and the blessing of your Father,

+ Javier

To send donations to Caritas Manila to assist those affected by the typhoon, click here .