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 | |
