Papal Visit
“Papa Francisco, bienvenido! Papa Francisco, bienvenido!” These were the first words that the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church heard as he stepped down from the airplane to mark the beginning of his visit to the islands of the Philippines. This rhythmic welcome resounding from the hearts of eagerly waiting Filipinos echoed throughout the nation.
It was a heartfelt, jubilant, euphoric atmosphere filled with screams of excitement as Pope Francis passed by in his Papal mobile. I met someone the day after the Pope left and she eagerly recounted to me her experience while tears started welling in her eyes. The mere memory of seeing Pope Francis pass by on his way to UST filled her with such strong, personal emotions. She told me she could not explain the sound coming from the crowd as she was perched on the second story of a building…she said “it was more like a roar” which was followed by clapping from the crowd after he had passed by. The months of anticipation for his arrival could no longer be contained – everyone just burst out with expressions of love and happiness to see and welcome none other than their Holy Father!
The Order of Malta Philippines was honored and privileged to participate in the recent pastoral journey to the Philippines of His Holiness Pope Francis. Working together with the Order of Malta was a group of 125 professional volunteers made up of emergency medical doctors and technicians, numerous nurses and other lay volunteers. The Health Care Services of the Papal visit was chaired by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Health Care. Aside from health care professionals who devoted their time and unselfish commitment, the Order of Malta together with their partners also provided for 7 ambulances in the 3 designated venues. On January 16, Manila Cathedral had a team of 36 while the afternoon meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena composed of 42 health professionals. The San Juan de Dios Hospital set up the Emergency Room for any emergency needs.
At the Quirino Grandstand on the18th of January was another milestone for the Filipino people. 6 million people attended the Papal mass. The Order of Malta provided first aid and emergency health services by handling 2 first aid tents and providing 2 ambulances with a team of 47 doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians.
The Order of Malta continues its commitment and charism to care for the sick, the elderly, the homeless and abandoned. A poignant moment came at the meeting of families when Pope Francis entered the arena where he encountered an Order of Malta volunteer Doctor caring for Baby Brandon. With a lung ailment, Brandon’s parents only wish was for their 3 year old son to be blessed by Pope Francis. They got their very special blessing, a frozen moment for everyone around. This was followed by tears from the crowd who were overwhelmed by emotions of answered prayers and heavenly grace.
In the Filipinos, Pope Francis said he saw genuine joy evidently seen throughout his five day pastoral visit. With approximately 80 million Filipinos trying to get a personal glimpse of His Holiness in any of the Papal routes, those unable to do so stayed glued to television screens making sure that not a single smile or loving, fatherly embrace would be missed.
To have been blessed by a Papal visit after 20 years is a gift of grace. I had the opportunity to see Saint John Paul II during his Manila visit in 1981, I was in my early college years then and I remember that we all had to wear white dresses when we attended the Eucharistic celebrations. They are still clearly etched in my mind and memory despite the many years that have passed by.
As the Successor to the Chair of Peter, the Holy Father came over to be with his flock, giving solace to hearts and spirits that may have closed and clamped up in grief and hopelessness. To be with his flock that has not heard the joy of the Gospel because of life’s dire circumstances. He comes to his flock to help them see through their blinded eyes the magnitude of help our brothers and sisters are pleading for in the midst of plenty. The underlying theme of this Papal visit is that of “mercy and compassion”. Pope Francis reminds us that “the Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel”.
While still the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he pointed out in a speech he gave shortly before his election as pontiff, that evangelizing presupposes a desire in the Church to “come out of herself”. Our compassionate shepherd comes to show us in his deep and genuine concern for the Filipino people who have gone through unending devastating calamities, especially in the Visayas region. This was his primary reason for wanting to visit us. During his homily at the mass held in Tacloban airport, our Holy Father said that he was a little bit late but…“I am here now”. Like all fathers, he leads, he guides, he protects, he nurtures and he stands tall when all else crumbles. The re-assuring words of comfort of a Father to his children were needed to be heard by many.
In the meeting of families, he asked everyone to preserve the basic unit of the family. Living in a more complicated and wordly life, families and family values are constantly threatened by separation and migration due to lack of opportunities at home. The youth prayed that they become agents of peace and messengers of the Gospel. At the Manila Cathedral, religious men and women were called forth to continue their mission and service to the Church while those who had served and joined our Heavenly creator were remembered.
For all those who saw Pope Francis in the different venues, just seeing him was in itself a gift of faith, for others, it gave renewed faith. The faith of the living Church, the faith of the Filipino people solid but truly human, expressions of unexplained tears freely flowing from one’s own heart. Tears that strengthened faith, tears that strengthened lukewarm hearts, tears that needed to be shed for unhealed and painful memories.
Everyone is called to come out of themselves. Where do we go from here? Where can our gifts be used for the greater good? The culture of indifference has made us less merciful beings towards our poor brothers and sisters. In a world that has become distant and strange, how can we sow back the seeds of love and family to cultivate a better world for all humanity? (MCH)
