03/03/2026
Oriental Mindoro's Diocesan Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan
A CALL TO PRAYER AND ACTION FOR OUR MIGRANT FAMILIES || โBe strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.โ (Joshua 1:9).
The Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, under the pastoral leadership of our Shepherd, Most Rev. Moises M. Cuevas, D.D., and through the Diocesan Migration Ministry, expresses its deep concern and prayerful solidarity with our Filipino families caught in the escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Our hearts are heavy as we witness the rising tensions in the Middle Eastโa region that serves as a second home to thousands of our fellow Filipinos, including many from our very own province of Oriental Mindoro. Behind every report of a missile or a threat are the faces of our fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who have sacrificed the comfort of home to serve others abroad for the welfare of their families.
In this hour of great uncertainty, we issue this urgent appeal:
I. A Call to Prayer and Spiritual Solidarity || Together with Bishop Moises M. Cuevas, D.D., we invite all the faithful, the clergy, and the religious of the Vicariate to join in a unified prayer for peace. We entrust our OFWs to the protective mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May the Lord grant them safety, courage, and a calm spirit amidst the chaos of war.
II. A Call for Swift and Decisive Government Action || We earnestly urge the Philippine Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), to act with the highest sense of urgency:
Immediate Repatriation: We call for the swift activation of evacuation protocols for Filipinos in high-risk zones. No one should be left behind.
Proactive Assistance: We ask for the mobilization of all necessary resources to ensure the physical and financial security of those who may be displaced by the violence.
Support for Families: We call for transparent and accessible communication lines for the families here in Oriental Mindoro who are filled with anxiety for their loved ones.
III. A Call for Global Peace || We join His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in pleading with world leaders to choose the path of diplomacy over the path of destruction. Let the voices of the vulnerable be heard over the sound
of weapons.
LITURGICAL REQUEST FOR THE PARISHES
First Friday Mass: March 6, 2026 (Afternoon) || In the spirit of pastoral charity, we humbly request all Parishes within the Vicariate to dedicate their first Friday afternoon Mass to the intentions of our migrant families. We invite our Parish Priests to offer the Holy Sacrifice for the protection of our OFWs and to include the following petitions in the liturgy:
Prayers of the Faithful
Celebrant: Brothers and sisters, as a community that cares for our modern-day heroes, let us bring to our Loving Father our petitions for the safety of our OFWs amidst the threat of war. With faith, we say:
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Holy Church: That she may remain a sanctuary and a voice of justice for the vulnerable, under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV and our Shepherd, Bishop Moises M. Cuevas. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our OFWs in the Middle East: That the Lord may be their fortress and shield amidst the tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US. Deliver them from all harm, fear, and the perils of war. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our Government, the DFA, and the DMW: That they may be granted wisdom and urgency in their actions. May there be a safe and orderly repatriation so that no Filipino is left behind. Let us pray to the Lord.
For the Families in Oriental Mindoro, those filled with anxiety for their loved ones may find strength, peace of mind, and the support of our parish communities. Let us pray to the Lord.
To our OFWs and their families, The Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan walks with you. You are not forgotten.
Given this, on the 2nd day of March, 2026.
FR. JIMSON H. RUGA (SGD)
Director, Diocesan Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People
Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan