This might end up like as a post of scattered thoughts because I don't know where to begin. What I do know is that I want to document and share my experience attending the
Concluding Mass of Pope Francis in Quirino Grandstand and Luneta Park.
Flashback to 1995. Pope John Paul
II went to Manila for World Youth Day. I remember watching him on
television and didn't want to do anything else. I cried.. I smiled.. The
feeling was indescribable! Until now I still wonder why we didn't go to
Roxas Boulevard, especially since we had a place in that area, to
see the Pope in person.
Twenty
years later, it hit the news that the new Pope was scheduling a visit
to the Philippines. Pope Francis who has everyone awed
–– from his colorful
pre-papal history (he worked as a bouncer and admitted to being dazzled
by a young lady during his days as a seminarian) to his interesting
stands on controversial issues (gender identity, annulment, climate
change, atheists and other religions). I wanted to see him but I
didn't know how or when.
All I had left was prayer. I
prayed and prayed and as Pope Francis' visit drew near, my prayer was
answered. I was honestly surprised! A combination of circumstances
which, without going into
details but I'll call 'the silver lining', led me to passes for
the Concluding
Mass on the Pope's last full day in Manila. But I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen next.
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Me and T at the Quirino Grandstand and the stage behind us is where the Pope will celebrate mass. |