An invite from Rev. Xp Farinas: Martial Law@54

By E. Maestro

Come and join us on Migrante Sunday, September 20, 2026,

St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church in Vancouver will mark the 54th anniversary of martial rule in the Philippines in its Sunday service with Migrante BC to remember and pray for the many faithful departed during the dark years of martial rule in the Philippines. 

At the end of the service, the congregation will gather around the memorial cross for a candle lighting & prayer service to remember all victims and lost lives, those arrested government critics, activists, and opposition leaders without trial.

We will all recite the prayers for “those who have died, for all whom we remember this day, particularly those who were killed, abducted, and missing during the dark years of martial law in the Philippines, including all workers and peasants, youth and women, indigenous people, professionals and many church people.”

We will also remember those who survived and their families. We will continue to pray for those who peacefully challenge state laws and practices.

May God give them strength and courage to stand their ground for truth and justice. Protect their lives from those who seek to harm them when they voice their dissent. 

May God grant us long and lasting peace! Shalom, Apo Xp

Last Sept 6, Rev. Farinas led the congregation in its Labour Sunday service with the Labour Day prayer: “….Pour out your blessing on all who labour today. Strengthen the hands that build, the minds that lead, and the hearts that care for families and communities. Grant fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity to every worker. Comfort those who are weary and provide meaningful work for the unemployed. In your holy name, we pray.”

Filipino migrant workers are an integral part of the Filipino people, regardless of the thousands of miles away they work in their host countries. Migrante International estimates that “as the largest force of an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos, Filipino migrant workers are spread across more than 200 countries and territories” and that the problems in the Philippines continue to push out at least 8,000 men and women every day to work abroad to help their families survive.

 “On this day, we celebrate and stand with the contract workers whose working hours are set just the minimum so that the benefits can be denied. Let us also stand against exploitation, let us stand with the people who become the target of unfair treatment with threats of deportation.”

St. Mary the Virgin South Hill church has a Migrants’ Ministry, a member of the Justice and Peace Unit of the Archdiocese of New Westminster, and a member of the Churches Witnessing with Migrants-Canada chapter. All are welcome to join the Sunday masses at 808 East 50th Avenue, Vancouver. 

CAPTION: File photo and Photo credit: Northern Dispatch