Human Shield for Pope Francis

As Catholics, we are privileged to see Pope Francis in person and as to my sister, Amie, and her husband, Kuya Norman, being part of the Human Shield for Pope Francis is really a great opportunity and a great blessing.

I was on my way home and took a bus during Pope Francis' mass at the Manila Cathedral which the Eucharist and the readings are about Peter. I was moved by how our Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle welcomed Pope Francis once more. The message of Manila Cathedral as the first Cathedral in the Philippines, and how a Jesuit priest who is also a historian said that Filipino people are people of Music and Faith which keeps them strong. He also compare His Holiness to an earthquake not that crushed the people but awakens them, a weapon not to hurt them but to protect them... In deed, the faith in every Filipino helped us to overcome the worst and devastating stages of our lives and with music and faith we are lifted, cheered, and standing strong just like how the Cathedrals were built from ground by faith and hardwork of each believers.

Because I need to report to work I was unable to join the human shield but I wanted to share how my sister's reactions were. I don't know how exactly my sister felt during this event but I'm happy to share her posts:

And she saw Pope Francis... Wow! Wickedly Blessed!

And because their baby boy, my nephew, Andrei Pierre is having his 2nd birthday this 17 of January, 2015; they bought him a limited edition Pope Francis Doll...

            

Photo's by: Norman Villareal

Today Ate Lyra Maleon-Dacio is also celebrating her birthday and she had a good way of keeping track of dates and this is remarkably amazing:

She posted:

In 1981 on this day, marked the end of Martial Law in the PH. 
In 1991 on this day, marked the beginning of the Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm.
In 2001 on this day, was the start of EDSA Dos.

In 2015 on this day, Pope Francis journeys to Tacloban. 

That's how these years are interconnected with historical events attached to them. Again Happy Birthday to my Nephew and Ate Lyra!

Viva Santo Papa Kiko! Bless our country and its people. Bless and pray for Tacloban and the world.

Papal Visit in Philippines 2015

2015 is another spiritually commenced and celebrated year for the Philippines as His Holiness Pope Francis will be visiting our country this coming January 15-19. It is indeed a great blessing for the whole nation. 

Our country has been tested in many different ways last year and over those past calamities, devastation, and tragedies; Filipinos remained strong and faithful to their Christian faith and other faith they may have in whichever way they find to connect to our Creator.

This world youth day is a common event for the Philippines which typically happens from changes of Pope to another, thus each provides encouragement to the believers, enlightenment and hope to the none. The theme for the visit of Pope Francis is "Mercy & Compassion". 

I was touched when my sister sent me a message one Sunday asking me to join the Human Barricade which De La Salle University is a part of this coming visit of Pope Francis. I am going. My cousin was also tapped to lead photographers for this event. This is indeed very overwhelming for me. I'm no longer visiting the church, I am still a Christian, but this invite is touching me to a very different way. I wanted to see the Pope in person not just because of the want but the need arose from the moment I read the message. 

I happily opened my calendar at work and found that January 16, 2015 is fully booked with work and I'm hoping God will bless me more than having those schedules cancelled so I will be able to attend the Pope's mass.

Here's the Apostolic Trip of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to the Philippines Schedule:

Thursday 15 January 2015
17:45	Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila
	OFFICIAL WELCOME
Friday 16 January 2015
09:15	WELCOME CEREMONY at the Malacañan Palace
	COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT
10:15	MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES and the DIPLOMATIC CORPS at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Presidential Palace
11:15	HOLY MASS with the bishops, priests, women and men religious at the Cathedral – Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila
17:30	MEETING with the FAMILIES at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila
Saturday 17 January 2015
08:15	Departure by plane from Manila for Tacloban
09:30	Arrival at the airport of Tacloban
10:00	HOLY MASS near Tacloban International Airport
12:45	Lunch with some of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo
15:00	Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor
15:30	MEETING with the Priests, Women and Men Religious, Seminarians and Families of the Survivors at the Cathedral of Palo
17:00	Departure by plane for Manila
18:15	Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila
Sunday 18 January 2015
09:45	Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders of the Philippines at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila
10:30	MEETING WITH THE YOUTH at the Sports Field of the University
15:30	HOLY MASS at Rizal Park in Manila
Monday 19 January 2015
09:45	Leave Taking Ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of Villamor Air Base in Manila
10:00	Departure by plane from Manila for Rome
17:40	Arrival at the airport of Rome/Ciampino