Manila, April 14 -- Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete on Monday called on the faithful to participate "intensely" in Holy Week activities.

"I hope that we once again take seriously our participation [in the] the Holy Week [activities] because this is the most sacred time of the year wherein we are invited to participate intensely in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ," Cortes said in an interview.

Cortes said he is hoping that people will experience a "conversion of hearts" and be drawn closer to God during the Holy Week.

The bishop led the blessing of "palaspas" (palm fronds) on Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, and will preside over the Chrism Mass on Tuesday where members of the Dumag...