The Jesuits prepared
for the papal visit in various ways. The Jesuit Communications, Inc. (JESCOM)
through its Executive Director, Fr. Nono Alfonso, S.J., covered the entire
visit. JESCOM also produced audio CDs and videos about the visit. Fr. Manoling
Francisco, S.J. of Tanging Yaman Foundation and a well-known composer of liturgical
songs, led the over 100-strong choir and an orchestra during the Papal Mass at
the Quirino Grand Stadium. Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, S.J., Rector of the Loyola
House of Studies and President of the Loyola School of Theology, facilitated
some interviews from the media at the Diamond Hotel in the company of His
Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Fr. Federico Lombardi of the Holy See
Press. Some Jesuits were also interviewed in the ANC Channel and ABS-CBN
network about the Pope’s visit. There were 40 Jesuits who visited the Pope one
evening in his residence. In that meeting, questions were posed by the Jesuits
to the Pope and the Pope tried his best effort to answer them.
My
Feelings on the Visit
I felt jubilant and
ecstatic having known of the Pope’s coming! All the positive feelings came to
me. Pope Francis, after hearing the Yolanda tragedy at the Vatican, meant to
visit the victims right in their own hometown. He is really an excellent model
of “Mercy and Compassion.” He leads by example. He makes true his words and
promises. He is a man-of-action.
What he
did and what inspired me and all of us
It was true enough
that he was afraid of the threats that were made against him by extremist
groups. However, that did not deter his excitement to meet the Filipino people.
In all his appearances at S.M. Mall of Asia Arena, at the Manila Cathedral, at
the University of Sto. Tomas, at the Quirino Grandstand, and in all his Masses,
he exemplified holiness that is rooted from his love for those in the
peripheries (this means margins, borders, outskirts).
When he met with the
Yolanda victims, he skipped his lunch to meet and greet each and every one of
the victims. This is a perfect example of the Ignatian cura personalis or personal care for each soul. He showed
frustration and disappointment when he learned he had to leave Tacloban City
early because of the typhoon. He really wanted to spend more time with the poor and needy there.
He was humble enough
to admit that he does not have all the answers to all questions. For example,
when a young street girl shared her suffering and asked him why God allows evil
in our lives, he just remained silent, and later on warmly embraced the girl
like a real father. During his homily in Tacloban City, he talked about the
suffering of the people there. Again, he did not afford any solutions to this
but instead invited the congregation to gaze, look and contemplate
“Jesus-on-the-Cross.” The main object of adoration and prayer is not him, it is
Jesus, always Jesus.
Pope Francis showed the Ignatian charism in his words and actions. His availability to serve where there is most need propels him to visit the Philippines. He is a Jesuit missionary at heart – from the Vatican to Tacloban, in a very personal and intimate way, he showed Jesus’ mercy and compassion to the weakest, poorest, and smallest.
Rev. Fr. Norberto Luza Bautista, S.J.
What I
would not forget from the Pope
I cannot forget
images and words from Pope Francis when he said Mass at the Tacloban airport.
First of all, he wore the same yellow jacket that all of the people there wore.
He could have cancelled his trip because of the typhoon, but he did not. He
said Mass outside in the middle of the storm. After learning that a young
volunteer died because of an accident, he offered prayers for her, and even
invited his parents to come and visit him in his residence in Manila. Words
from him to the Tacloban victims like, “I
may be late but I am here.” “Pray for me.” are strong and powerful words
from him that I will never forget.
Pope Francis showed
the Ignatian charism in his words and actions. His availability to serve where
there is most need propels him to visit the Philippines. He is a Jesuit
missionary at heart – from the Vatican to Tacloban, in a very personal and
intimate way, he showed Jesus’ mercy and compassion to the weakest, poorest,
and smallest.
Message:
The Church in Hagonoy, Devotional Prayer and the Poor
We are the Church for
the poor, with the poor, and of the poor. We take inspiration from the Gospel
values of Jesus Christ and not from any ideology or philosophy. Like what Pope
Francis said the Church is not a detached NGO. He prefers the image of a
“battlefield hospital” of a church that “smells like sheep.” We have to
question our complacencies and go out of our comfort zones, challenge ourselves
on how we can serve the poor better like servant-slaves, humble and meek in our
ways. We have to be disturbed and continue to work for Faith that does Justice,
a type of justice that fights the evil of corruption most particularly. We also
need to fight against consumerism, relativism, materialism, etc. that plague
our society.
With our good works,
we should not forget to pray and believe in the power of prayer. We pray to
Jesus, Mary (e.g. Mary, Untier of Knots), and Joseph, St. Therese of the Child
Jesus (patron saint of Pope Francis). We also continue to value and promote
family values and battle against the forces that threaten quality family life
(drugs, abortion, divorce, etc.).
One of the graces in the
town of Hagonoy is religious and priestly vocations. Let us continue to pray
for more good vocations. We do not have to look far to be a missionary like
Pope Francis. Look around your neighbourhood and we are ‘sent’ by Jesus to
serve the suffering around us. Do not abandon our piety and religiosity that we
inherited from our ancestors long ago. Let us continue our church and religious
practices, customs, and traditions. This is one gift of Hagonoy to the local
and universal Church and to the entire Filipino people.
Rev. Fr. Norberto Maria Luza Bautista, S.J. hails from Sagrada Familia, Hagonoy, Bulacan. He was ordained a priest on April 22, 1995 and is a professed member of the Society of Jesus (S.J.) or the Jesuits. He is currently the Headmaster of the Ateneo Grade School and the Rector of the Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University.
Photo Courtesy:
GMA News | Rappler.com | Malacañang Photo Bureau
