MANILA – The Catholic Church has consecrated the Philippines anew to the Divine Mercy devotion as the country grapples with a national energy emergency.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera said the faithful should look to faith as a source of hope.

“In the face of our current national and global crises, this renewal of consecration would be a beautiful and fitting response of hope in the Lord’s Mercy,” he said in a letter to dioceses, as reported by CBCP News on Friday.

As part of the observance, the consecration prayer will replace the general intercessions in all Masses nationwide on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12.

Garcera described the act as a “profound expression of trust” in Divine Mercy and encouraged dioceses, parishes, religious communities, and Catholic institutions to participate fully.

“Together, let us entrust ourselves, our Church, and our nation to the boundless mercy of God, confident that in His mercy we will find the healing, renewal, and hope we so deeply need,” he said.

The Philippines became the first country to consecrate itself to Divine Mercy in 2025, according to EWTN News, one of the largest Catholic media organizations worldwide.

The move comes as the country faces rising oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national emergency to prevent potential disruptions in fuel supply and stabilize the energy sector.