THE VATICAN has 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
