Pray for Yolanda victims, Palo archbishop reminds faithful

Palo Archbishop John Du reminded Catholics to continue praying for the souls lost in the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda, according to a report posted Tuesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

The prelate, in his All Souls’ Day Mass at the San Joaquin Parish on November 2, said he believes that not all the victims who perished in the 2013 calamity were "ready to go."

“We have to pray for the dead, especially or brethren who died during Typhoon Yolanda whom I believe … [were] not prepared [to die], they [were] not yet really cleansed and purified,” Du was quoted in saying.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, more than 6,000 died, more than 1,000 remain missing while almost 30,000 were injured after Yolanda hit the country in 2013.

Du blessed the grave of  Yolanda victims, which is located in the front yard of the San Joaquin Parish Church after the mass.

Faithful told: 'Continue to pray for Yolanda victims' https://t.co/H1gPWZcNlc pic.twitter.com/okAFvA346e

— CBCPNews (@cbcpnews) November 7, 2017

Du also advised the faithful to also prepare for death as the same thing could happen to anyone.

"They did not know that Typhoon Yolanda was so strong that it will victimize some of our brothers and sisters to lose their lives,” Du said on the report.

"We have to learn from Yolanda. Anytime, anything will happen to us that is why it is always good to be prepared. So we thank God for His mercy and compassion,” he added.

The CBCP said November 8, which marks the fourth anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda's destruction, is the feast of Our Lady of Hope of Palo that "celebrates resilience of those who survived the catastrophe and the strength of their faith in the Blessed Virgin Mary." — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News