The overwhelming faith of the people praying for the recovery of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino will help heal her, according to the priest who presided over today’s novena Mass being offered for the healing of the country’s first woman chief executive.

Saying yesterday’s liturgy is very apt as the nation witnesses how the former President continues her fight against colon cancer, Fr. June Sescon of Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt 5, Makati, compareed Aquino to Abraham, who was put to test when God asked him to offer his son’s life as a sacrifice.

“Like Abraham, Tita Cory is being tested by the Lord as she walks in pain and faith. Both of them are no strangers to problems and trials but both of them believe that God will always provide,” Sescon said in his homily.

The priest also lauded the people who attended the novena Mass “out of their faith and concern” for the health of the Aquino matriarch who became an icon of democracy when she took over Malacanang after the Martial Law regime of the late Ferdinand Marcos.

“In the homily, it is the faith of the paralytic’s friends that helped cure him. Indeed, your sincere prayers for Tita Cory’s recovery will also heal the country’s icon of democracy and of prayer power,” he added.

In an interview, Sescon confirmed that Aquino has already received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.

“Tita Cory has a lot of friend priests and she has requested to receive the sacrament, which is usually given to seriously ill but not necessarily dying patients. It is through the viaticum that a dying person receives his last communion,” he added.

But Deedee Sytangco, the spokesperson of the Aquino family, said Cory is already in a stable status.

“She is conscious and aware that people are praying here for her. Her family is appreciative of the concern of the people about her health,” she said, adding that Cory is no longer under medical intervention at the Makati Medical Center.

Meanwhile, President Joseph “Erap” Estrada said his family is one with the nation in praying for Cory’s health.

“My family is always for praying for her immediate recovery. I moattended the Mass with my family and I’m glad to see so many people praying for Cory,” said Estrada, who came along his wife, former Senator Luisa “Loi” Ejercito, and children, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Jacqueline Ejercito Lopez.

Former House Speaker and Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia, together with wife Gina, were also seen at the novena Mass with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Aquino’s former Cabinet officials like Justice Magdangal Elma, Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, Odette Ong, Evelyn Dee, and Ching Escaler, among others.