National Day of Prayer marks first anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan

(Vatican Radio) Thousands of people in the Philippines gathered on Saturday for Masses held throughout the country to remember the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

November 8 marks the first anniversary of the natural disaster, which killed more than 7,000 people and destroyed about 500,000 homes.

In an effort to accompany the people in their remembrance and in the challenges they face in the ongoing reconstruction, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines called for a National Day of Prayer on Saturday. They also issued a prayer for families affected by the typhoon. In a gesture of solidarity, all the church bells in the Philippines rang at 6 p.m., local time.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, media officer for the Filipino bishops, said the reconstruction this past year “has been difficult  because of the extent of the damage”.

“Despite so much effort, we have not achieved even 65 per cent of the reconstruction,” he stated.

Listen to the interview:

Msgr. Quitorio acknowledged the important role the Church has taken on in the reconstruction.

“The Church has been at the forefront of the work,” he said.  “I would not be wrong if I say the biggest help in the reconstruction has been done by the Church” and Church-related organizations.

He noted the significant contribution of Catholic Relief Services and the numerous members of the Caritas Internationalis network worldwide. Most of the work has focused on building houses and giving them livelihoods.

The Church is also accompanying the people in their grief and in their process toward healing, he said.

Following the example of Pope Francis, he said, “we make a priority the lives of the people before we can reconstruct our own convents and our own churches. Our chapels have not been reconstructed. People are holding their Masses in tents, makeshift chapels, where thousands of people gather on Sunday.”

Saturday’s National Day of Prayer is a way for the Filipino people to also give thanks for the blessings and graces they have received since the disaster.

“Now we realize that nothing can destroy our faith, not even the super typhoon,” he said.

Msgr. Quitorio expressed thanks on behalf of the people affected by the typhoon to the international community for its assistance.

“It has been a whole year of pain, a whole year of transformation, a whole year of faith,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude for Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to the Philippines in January. Msgr. Quitorio said the Pope will meet with the poor and speak with them during his time in the island-nation. 

Report and interview by Laura Ieraci