A priest blesses an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Grand Marian procession in Manila in 2019. (Photo by Jire Carreon / LiCAS.news)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy feast of the Immaculate Conception. May all blessing be on each one of you.
As I stand today in the midst of you, I deeply admire the great gift of faith of people of Myitkyina. Every year in the normal times, hundreds of you will undertake the journey of faith to Nyaung Lay Pin. Your faith has been a great witness to the other Christians of Myanmar.
Your active participation in the 500 years celebration in Yangon, your colorful presence during the Papal Visit made those celebration a vibrant witness of Christianity to the world. The Pope honored you by holding the crozier made from the Kachin lands.