Even the heavens seem to have wept Sunday morning during the fifth day of Masses for the healing of former President Corazon Aquino in Makati’s Greenbelt Park chapel, which is drawing larger and larger crowds as the novena progresses.

While former Supreme Court Justice and Cory’s Presidential Legal Adviser Adolf Azcuna started reading the novena petition, rain started falling on the domed chapel in the middle of Makati’s bustling shopping and business district. After the Mass, the drizzle has turned into a downpour.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, who celebrated Sunday’s Mass, meanwhile, lauded the family of the former president for declaring that they have entrusted the healing of the cancer-stricken leader to God.

He said the people praying for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery should also pray for the healing of the nation.
 
In an interview after the Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz chapel, Arguelles said the family of the nation’s first woman President is worthy of emulation for affirming its complete trust in the Lord’s infinite healing power.

“Dapat naman talaga nating ipagkatiwala ang lahat sa Panginoon. The former President’s situation is no exemption,” said Arguelles, who described Aquino as a modern prophet for the Philippines.

Arguelles said God had spoken to the Filipino nation through Cory when she joined the people in the “prayer revolution” that led the Philippines to freedom from martial rule.

“Even up to now, she is praying for us more than we pray for her. I believe that Cory would like to be alone in prayer because she doesn’t need our prayers, our nation does,” Arguelles said.

A known spiritual person, the 76-year-old Aquino matriarch was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. She was under chemotherapy since then and underwent surgery last April. She recently returned to the Makati Medical Center after suffering from loss of appetite due to fluid build-up in her stomach.

The family last week said Mrs. Aquino has stopped her chemotherapy sessions. She was also taken out of the intensive care unit and is in a private room at the hospital.

The Aquino family’s spokesperson, Deedee Siytangco, said the hospital has not yet issued the latest medical bulletin on Cory’s condition because the family wants to deal with the situation in complete privacy.

Aside from Siytangco and Azcuna, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senator Loren Legarda and some of Aquino’s former Cabinet members attended Sunday’s Mass.