Dec. 6, 2014, 10:11 a.m. – THE VATICAN lauded
the country’s efforts in ensuring spiritual readiness among Filipinos in time
for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.
In a recollection for papal visit committee members held at the
Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building Wednesday morning, Manila
Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, papal visit committee head, said
Vatican officials had learned about the recollections and “faith-inspired
activities” being done in preparation for the papal visit.
Tagle said Vatican officials were pleased that Filipino Catholics
understand the context of the Pope’s visit.
“Officials in Rome were surprised to find that the Philippines is doing
preparations aimed at developing spirituality and faith. They claim it is the
first time a country which will be visited by a Pope has something like this,”
Tagle said.
However, Tagle said cultivating one’s faith should continue even after
the spiritual activities. He also noted how these spiritual preparations
could apply to both the papal visit and the advent season.
“Spiritual preparations should be on-going. These activities are just
the start since it is still up to the people and the parishes to maintain what
they have learned and reflected upon in the recollections. Since Christmas is
near, everyone is encouraged to do their own personal recollection,” Tagle told
the Varsitarian.
Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, chair for the papal visit committee on
information and media relations, said the advent season, the preparation for
the Lord’s coming, was also a reminder that a “simple, low-key” papal visit was
needed.
Vergara told media attendees that they should prepare for a “unique,
special, and varied” encounter during the Pope’s visit that mirrors God in the
person of the Holy Father.
“This is an opportune
time to also realize [that] Pope Francis is the Vicar of Christ on earth. [The
Pope’s] visit can be seen as the visit of God to each of us,” Vergara
said. Danielle Ann F. Gabriel and Jerome P. Villanueva
