Blessed Paul VI

When I was a kid in Tondo, there used to be a free clinic along Cavite and Fidel Streets named after Pope Paul VI, the first pope to have visited the Philippines way back in 1970; the pope who has just been beatified almost a week ago by Pope Francis. As it was located across the street from where our grandparents lived, we would usually play in front of this clinic (famously called 'Pope Paul') - it was situated facing the east so it provides enough of a shade in the afternoon when the sun is at its peak. Inside the clinic, one could see a photo of a European cleric in full regalia with his right hand raised up in blessing (similar to the photo above). If I am not mistaken, the clinic was erected in memory of this pope who visited the poor of Tondo during that historic papal visit. Sadly, the clinic is now defunct.

We recently had two popes being canonized: John XIII and John Paul II. I guess Paul VI would pale in comparison with the two. Some even commented that he was the forgotten pope.  Being a 'Paul VI baby' since I was born during his pontificate, part of his accomplishments was to reopen Vatican Council II with priorities on a better understanding of the Catholic Church, Church reforms, advancing the unity of Christians, and dialogue with the world. 

Such priorities have turned the Church upside down. Gone were the days when Catholics and their siblings from other Christian denominations such as the Orthodox and Protestants were isolated from one another.  Pope Paul VI also sought a dialogue with the world - Christians and non-Christians alike, everyone!  A Euro-centric Church has become a Church of the world! 

In his visit to the Philippines, it was said that after seeing a poor family in their home, he as badly shaken (Read: http://opinion.inquirer.net/74108/forgotten-pope). The kind of poverty in the slums of the Philippines were a far, far, far cry from its European counterpart!

When I was in college, part of our curriculum was to study the Church's social teachings. "Populorum Progressio", which this pope wrote in 1967, comes to mind. In this encyclical, he called for an economy that serves mankind and not a privileged few. It also discussed people's right to just wages, security of employment, joining a union, etc.

He was also a Marian devotee, writing three encyclicals in honor of the Virgin Mary: "Mense Maio" (1965) where described Mary as the way to Christ; "Christi Matri" (1966) where he recommened the Rosary in light of the Vietnam War and the dangers of atomic conflicts; and "Marialis Cultus" (1974) where he promoted Marian devotions especially the Angelus and the Rosary. At the conclusion of Vatican Council II, he named Mary "Mother of the Church".

Pope Paul also effected reforms in the Roman Curia, introduced Synod of Bishops as a way for the Pope to consult his brother bishops on various topics (the recently concluded Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family is an example), did away with the Vatican army and the papal tiara (I look forward to see his tiara which he donated to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.), and revised the Mass (i.e. The New Order of Mass).

Like anyone of us, he wasn't spared from controversy.  It seems to me that his accomplishments mentioned above have been overshadowed by "Humanae Vitae" which he wrote and for which he is best remembered. In this encyclical, he reaffirmed Church's traditional view on marriage and marital relations and a continued condemnation on artificial birth control. Some actions too of his successors like Benedict XVI have undone what he has introduced such as resurrecting from the lumang baul the 1962 edition of the Mass and calling it the "Extraordinary Form" while the other one as the "Ordinary Form". 

Pope Paul VI (and the charity clinic in Tondo named after him) may have been long forgotten, but Pope Francis' beatification of this humble pontiff seems an opportunity for us all to revisit who this man was and how his ministry, teachings, and reforms are still relevant in our times.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for us!

Post Assumption Thoughts

My family and I went to church last Friday to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary, a holyday of obligation in England and Wales. The church wasn't jam packed, but the atmosphere was solemn.

As we sung the final hymn, I was touched with these lines:

All I have I give you,

Every dream and wish are yours,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of mine, present them to my Lord.

We have recently heard the sad news of the demise of the Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, OP, Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres, former President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, President of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), and first Filipino Rector of UST.  Diagnosed to have lung cancer in 2009, Among (as he was fondly called by the Bicolanos) "...spent hours before the miraculous icon [of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Bicolandia’s patroness] praying he survive the disease until after the 300th anniversary celebration of the devotion in September 2010" (http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=39350). Indeed, his prayers were granted. He later retired in 2012.

For me, Archbishop Legaspi is an example of how it is to be a devotee of Mary, of how it is to entrust to her our "every dream and wish". Our tasks, responsibilities, wishes, and dreams may pale in comparison to what this beloved Marian prelate may have done or aspired for, but if we place them wholeheartedly in Mary's hands, she will present them all to the Lord. Why? Here's what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes: "precisely because Mary is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us. While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is actually 'within' all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God".

Mary, our Mother assumed into heaven, pray for us!

***

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate my brother Giovanni for his safe arrival in the US last week.  Keep up the good work there, Gio! Pray to Mama Mary as you have always been doing! Take care and see you soon!

A Sunday with the Pope

Being in Rome, for me, would be incomplete without seeing the Pope.  During our first trip to the Eternal City, we didn't get that chance to see Pope Benedict XVI - we arrived a day after the general audience and then we heard that he was on a pastoral visit in another part of Italy.  

The papacy has been an important part of our Christian faith.  It traces its roots from St Peter the Apostle who was chosen to lead His Church.  Because of his role as our spiritual leader, we Catholics fondly call the Pope as Holy Father.  

February 23, a day after the Consistory.  I woke up at 5:30am. After having a light breakfast, we made our way to St Peter's Basilica.  We met  some aunts and a lone uncle from the Valdes Family along the way. Tia Dulce Valdes-Barangan and I were teasing each other for we came early this time! There was already a queue at the piazza. My uncle and godfather Noel Valdes looked for some relatives who may already be lining up. Chiara went with him.  Just a few minutes and he was waving his hand to us.  People were in a huddle as we all waited for the doors of the church to be open.  Chiara was enjoying her time with her great uncles, great aunts, and other relatives.  Nidz, Jackie, and I were next to another uncle (and godfather) Paulino "Sonny" Albano, Papa's oldest brother, the patriarch of the Valdes-Albano clan.  Ninong Sonny was recalling stories of how he heard about Tito Orly's appointment as a cardinal.  I asked him how we became related with the Cardinal as I thought it was through the Beltran side (Cardinal Quevedo's middle name is Beltran; the same surname as my great great grandmother's when she was still single). My uncle explained that it was through the Edralin-Estavillo side; his grandmother (Hilaria Estavillo-Albano) and the Cardinal's grandmother were cousins.

Men smartly dressed approached all those in the queue to remind them of their tickets.  Some of the guests such as Ninong Sonny and his wife Ninang Noemi had special tickets. They were asked to follow the men as they have reserved seats in the basilica. 

The church doors were now open. People slowly made their way passing through security checks. As we entered the basilica, I was pointing Chiara to some statues and pictures.  Ushers were distributing Mass booklets for all churchgoers.  We chose seats near the aisle to have a good view of the Pope. We were quite near the statue of St Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of Nurses. (Just a few days before this occasion, we visited his mortal remains at the Church of St Mary Magdalene situated near the Pantheon.) Filipinos from Cotabato, Tito Orly's archdiocese, sat next to us. For some reason, I didn't see Papa, my sisters Nicola and Kristina, and some other relatives from where we were. I later managed to see my 2 sisters who were sat near to us.

Cardinals and bishops started to arrive. Tito Orly approached a few of us before making his way to the sacristy. In preparation for the Mass, the Rosary was recited. Each mystery was announced in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. The prayers though were in Latin.  Afterwards, the choir led in singing the Salve Regina.  Chiara, with a prodding from her mom, joined in the singing - this caught the attention of my aunt Ching Valdes-Aran and an Italian woman who were both sat in front of us.  Towards the last few lines of the song, I suddenly remembered Lolo Paul, Lola Piling, and Mommy Rosie - all three taught me how to sing this song. I couldn't sing any more.  I just felt my eyes wet.

Mass followed immediately.  I held my breath as well as Nidz's mobile phone while waiting for Pope Francis walk along the aisle. Altar servers, cardinal-concelebrants, and finally the Holy Father.  Pope Francis came across as a simple man. His green vestments and miter were not as ornate as his predecessor's. These simple apparel were matched by the papal ferula - a silver cross used by Pope Paul VI. As he walked past us, I made the sign of the cross. I felt blessed! 

On the right hand side of the basilica, I could see the statue of St Peter sat on a chair. One of the feet of this statue is worn out because of the many pilgrims touching it. During the Consistory, the statue was dressed like a medieval pope with a tiara and cape.  Personally, I would prefer an undressed statue.  First of all, St Peter would not have dressed like that. Second, let's keep things consistent with Pope Francis' simplicity.

The Mass was in Latin, but the booklet has provided English and Italian translations. (I wish though that the Mass was said in Italian. Ditto the Rosary. Italian, unlike Latin, is a living language.) Some readings and prayers were in other languages. The verses of the Psalm were in English. One of the prayers in the Prayer of the Faithful was in Filipino!  The Pope, having only 1 lung, recited all the presidential prayers.  In spite of that, his homily - although in Italian - was full of power. He spoke about the Holy Spirit, underscoring our calling to listen to Him "...who enlivens the Church".  He also mentioned the importance of holiness in the ministry of a cardinal. Furthermore, he reminded that cardinals enter the Church of Rome and not a royal court. To illustrate his point, he enjoined all cardinals to "...avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality". Towards the end of the homily, he asked everyone for prayers "that the College of Cardinals may always be ever more fervent in pastoral charity and filled with holiness, in order to serve the Gospel and to help the Church radiate Christ’s love in our world".

After the Mass, we once again huddled near the aisle again to catch a glimpse of the Pope.  As he got nearer to us, some from the crowd shouted "Papa! Papa! Papa!".  This caught his attention and he smiled! 

We proceeded to the piazza for the Sunday Angelus led by the Pope. We met Nicola there as well as Ninong Sonny and Ninang Noemi. While waiting for the Angelus, Chiara had a photo op with an Asian bishop.

When the clock struck 12, we saw the Pope from a far distance (in a window on the papal apartments).  I think the location where the Holy Father leads this Marian prayer should be changed to make him more nearer the people. Being on a window of the apartment where he doesn't reside still shows trappings of medieval power. Why not the balcony of the basilica?

In his message, the Pope mentioned that "in Jesus Christ we are all children of God!" and that "Those who have received a ministry to lead, preach and administer the Sacraments should not consider themselves as possessing special powers, as masters; rather, they should place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to pursue the path of holiness with joy". He later asked people to assist the new cardinals through their prayers: "Pray for us, that we might be good servants: good servants, not good masters!" All of us together....must offer the witness of a Church that is faithful to Christ, animated by the desire to serve the brethren, and ready to go out with prophetic courage to meet the expectations and spiritual needs of the men and women of our time".

It's almost a year when Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope by his brother cardinals.  His first act was to ask people to pray for him.  Let's renew our support to the Holy Father - he really needs it considering the many challenges he is facing: clergy sexual abuse, role of women in the Church, reform of the Roman Curia, family life, to name a few.

Heartfelt greetings, prayers, and best wishes, Pope Francis on the occasion of the first anniversary of your pontificate!  May the Good Shepherd continue to strengthen you so that you may "Feed my lambs...Take care of my sheep...Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17). Viva il Papa Francesco! Noi ti amiamo!

In Simplicity and Humility

There was already a long queue of guests when we - Nidz, Chiara, our friend Jackie Rapada, her daughter Julia, and I - arrived at the Piazza San Pietro that 22nd of February.  As it turned out, we didn't manage to get inside the basilica where the Ordinary Public Consistory would be held. Having said that, we didn't seem to have lost the opportunity to witness the ceremony where the newly designated cardinals would be formally inducted into the College of Cardinals.  Wide screens and loud speakers were installed at the piazza, not to mention seats.  

While waiting for the ceremony to commence,  some Pinoys approached us to ask if the seats next to us were taken.  We told them that these were available.  We had a small chat with them.  They told us that, after hearing that a fellow countryman has been named a cardinal, they decided to go to St Peter's even if they would be outside the basilica.  We learned that they have been living in Rome for quite some time now.  From our conversation, I also heard how the 'Francis effect' has made its way in Catholic schools.  After Pope Francis' election, these schools which used to be exclusive for Catholics have begun to open its doors to people from other faiths.

During this chat, an announcement was made - first in Italian, then in Spanish, followed by French, and finally in English.  It reminded the people to keep the celebration as solemn as possible and to refrain from applauding while the Holy Father makes his way to the sanctuary. A few minutes later, the consistory began.  From the screen, I could see my uncle Larry gazing at the aisle where the Pope is about to pass. I also saw Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sat at the front row with other cardinals. He would later remove his skull cap in reverence to his successor who approached and greeted him before going up to the altar.

I felt a bit nervous as I saw black clouds hiding the sun.  I was hoping it won't rain, but it did. Everyone stood and ran to the nearest available shelter - the colonnades.  There we saw a little boy dressed as a pope with his mother.  Everyone who took notice of this child smiled.  Later, we saw another kababayan - Francis Gatdula. I mistook him as a priest because he wore a black shirt with a Roman collar typical of priests. He told me that he hails from Cebu and is a seminarian in Rome. We shared with him our involvement in the parish as well as in the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North.  A new friendship took shape.  Learning that Bro Francis is preparing for his diaconal and sacerdotal ordinations next year, we assured him of our prayers.  God willing, we may be able to visit Rome the third time. 

The rain stopped just in time for us to see from the big screen the cardinals receiving the biretta, the ring, and the assignation of the title or deaconry from the Pope.  We gave an applause when Tito Orly received his from the Holy Father. Some people looked at us, perhaps wondering.

At the end of the ceremony, the Salve Regina was sung. Bro Francis and I joined in the singing.  After bidding our newly found friend goodbye, we approached the basilica to meet members of our family who may be on their way out.  As I saw most of them, it was an unending hugs, kisses, kumustahan, introductions, and picture takings.

A few of us - Nidz, Chiara, Jackie, Julia, Papa, Tito Larry and Tita Tessa-  joined the rest of Tito Orly's guests for the lunch at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the "Home in Rome" of Filipino secular priests sent by their bishops to pursue further studies at the Eternal City.  A short program preceded the lunch. Speeches were made by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Chito Tagle and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.  There was also a song number ("Climb Every Mountain") by Frs. Tom and Jerry from Ilocos. Finally, it was the man of hour's turn to speak. 

Tito Orly told us that although he didn't cry like Cardinal Tagle when he received the biretta from the Pope, he and his fellow prelate cried before leaving the Collegio for the Consistory.  He added how Cardinal Tagle intimated to him that being a cardinal is not about honor, but service.  (Indeed, when Cardinal Chito made his speech he mentioned his appointment as the cardinal-in-charge of the Collegio. This was met by a huge round of applause to which he cautioned us.)  Tito Orly repeatedly asked people for prayers. Towards the end of his speech, he mentioned that before he returned to his seat after being conferred by Pope Francis, he promised the Supreme Pontiff that he will discharge his responsibilities in simplicity and humility.  

Simplicity and humility.  I guess I have witnessed these throughout that blessed day in February. In Tito Orly's openness and approachability (I was touched when Chiara gave her a hug which he reciprocated. Apart from this, I also saw how he engaged himself with the many people who were there at the lunch as well as the reception at the Paul VI Hall.), Chiara and Julia's innocence, the many Pinoys' fervor, the little boy dressed as a pope, Bro Francis' friendliness, Benedict XVI's presence in the Consistory, and Pope Francis' choice of new cardinals and his call for the cardinals' cooperation and communion with him and among themselves.

Simplicity and humility. Virtues we all need to serve God and one another sans the publicity and media hype (Incidentally, media presence was barely felt during the lunch and reception. This could be in keeping with the new cardinal's virtues).  Virtues we need to practice if we are to show Jesus' compassion to all.  Virtues we must constantly put on to "be peacemakers, building peace by our words, our hopes and our prayers" (Pope Francis' Homily during the Consistory).

Happy 75th birthday, Tito Orly, this coming 11th of March! May you continue to be that simple and humble servant that you have always been, ever ready to listen to the Shepherd's voice.  May God, who has constantly called you to serve His people through various ministries in the Church, bless you a hundredfold. Ad multos annos!

***

Tomorrow, 8th of March is Lola Piling's 99th birth anniversary.  Tito Orly once wrote how Lola was supportive to seminarians preparing for the priesthood. He was one of those who received such a support from Lola. I guess she is smiling from above knowing that Tito Orly is now a cardinal!

Happy birthday, Lola Piling! May we continue your legacy of supporting the Church, its shepherds, and would-be shepherds! We love you.

Live Life Beautifully

(The first item below is the reflection I shared during the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help organised by the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Church on 23 February 2013.)

I was walking past Super Drug(a drug store in the UK) a few days ago when my attention was caught by its poster which says: “Live Life Beautifully”. Of course, that store was enticing buyers to purchase a host of their products that could ‘beautify’ their customers. As to what extent in their lives, that is another story.

Lent offers a similar message, but presented in a rather negative slogan: “Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” Being dust all along and being dust in the future isn’t beautiful at all. This is Lent’s wake-up call for us. And with this call, Lent offers us 3 important gifts: Prayer, Penance, and Charity. Here in our parish, they are given a more practical context: Live simply, sustainably, in solidarity with others.

Most if not all of us have been availing of these gifts every Lent and even beyond. Perhaps it’s good to ask ourselves:

Prayer


Do we pray like Samuel who once said “Speak, Lord your servant is listening” or do we just want God to listen to what we have to say to Him?

Are we like the Pharisee, in Jesus’ parable, who prayed as though God would be impressed with all his good deeds or are we like the tax collector who couldn’t even raise his head to heaven, but could only strike his breast while saying “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am a sinner”?

Are we like Jesus who always prayed that His Father’s will be done?

Penance

Do we fast and abstain just to lose weight or do we do it to alleviate the sufferings of others?

Do we make sacrifices grudgingly or with a smile?

Do we face our crosses with a moan or with trust?

Charity

Do we serve the community just to win people’s praise?

Are we just after the number of likes in whatever religious posts we make in Facebook?

Do we feel bad when someone else has outdone us in our service in the parish/community?

Are we annoyed when people don’t see eye-to-eye with us?

Do we love because we are compelled to do so or do we just love to love?

Are we choosy when being nice to others?
Fr Richard Veras, a parish priest in New York, commented that “There is a temptation to see Lent as a time of self-improvement, during which my focus is on myself. However my sin shows me that my hope can never be in myself. My only hope is that someone save me…Let our focus be not on ourselves, but on Jesus…He is the one who saves me from my miserable condition; it is his merciful gaze which awakens and transforms me.”

If we focus our prayer, penance, and charity on Jesus, Lent can be a wonderful experience for us. Not something that we avoid or something that we commemorate for the wrong reasons. Rather than a sad occasion in the life of the Church, Lent can be a moment of rejoicing because of the salvation that the Lord has won for us. Such is the beauty of Lent! Yes, we are dust, but if we follow Jesus faithfully and lovingly, our destiny is far better than dust. Our destiny is to be with Him forever.

Let’s therefore ask Mama Mary’s help that like her, our attention and our actions will be only in and for Jesus. And let's encourage and nurture others - our kids, our colleagues, our neighbours - to do the same.

United with our Lord in this holy season, let us live life beautifully!

***

Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on February 11 came as a shock. It was just a day ago when the Gospel was about Simon Peter being chosen by the Lord to be a 'fisher of men'. We acknowledge the Pope as St Peter's successor (As I write this, it's the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, a celebration commemorating the primacy of Peter in the community of believers; an unbroken role filled in by Peter's successors, a.k.a.the popes).  The resignation is new to almost everyone since the last pope to step down lived 5 centuries ago.  Some quarters cried foul saying the Pope can't do that because it's like saying 'No' to God.  I learned that the Pope can do that in his own volition as contained in Canon Law.  I was shocked and yet I admired him for doing such a courageous act.  It has been said that John Paul II once contemplated of resigning,  but in the end left everything as is.  I could understand Benedict's decision for he would have definitely witnessed how his predecessor ebbed away.

Benedict XVI has been described more as a teacher than an administrator of the Church. Compare his writings against the various controversies that bedevilled the Church in his term: Vatileaks, Vatican Bank controversies, sexual scandals involving priests, etc. Some commentators consider him as a weak pope for not being able to effect the needed change in the Roman Curia (the departments and agencies in Vatican).  The process involved in the new English translation of the Mass is an example of how the Roman Curia imposed changes to the English-speaking churches rather than leaving things in the hands of the bishops conferences. To be fair, Benedict did what he could to reach out (read: meet up) with victims of sexual abuse. By doing so, he has acknowledged that such evil existed. Unlike Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who dismissed the issue as mere gossip. The Pope has also sanctioned Fr Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, when it was discovered that he  was involved in sexual abuse and sired children. During John Paul II's time, this priest was untouchable as his congregation gave huge donations to the Vatican.

There is a buzz that cardinals who will be electing Benedict's successor next month are looking for a pope who will bring order to the Curia. Indeed, there are curialists who have behaven badly which put the present pope in bad light.  If a revamp can be done, then the collegiality of bishops (with the pope as primus inter pares) as envisioned by Vatican II will become a reality. And I also hope that they would look for someone who' will reexamine  the current English translation of the liturgy.

This Lent. let's offer our prayers, penance, and charity for Benedict XVI thanking God for his leadership, service, and example.  Let's also offer these Lenten gifts to the College of Cardinals that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to elect a pope who will be a true shepherd of the flock and fisher of people.

When Heart Speaks Unto Heart

The alarm clock went off at 1:30 that Sunday morning (19th September). I got up slowly and made my way to the kitchen to get some breakfast. I later got myself fixed. As I was tidying up the kitchen, someone was knocking at the door. “It’s Bridget!”, said the lady in a very soft voice. Bridget Casey was our parish pilgrim coordinator who kindly offered me a lift to Becket School where all coaches in our diocese would be making their way to Cofton Park. It’s in this park where, hours later, the Holy Father would preside in the Mass and Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

It was obviously dark; the pavement was wet and it was cold. On the car was Mary Harris, a Eucharistic minister. We drove to Our Lady’s Church to meet fellow pilgrims who have been congregating in front of the church. Bridget went out to make a final check. She brought another fellow parishioner to her car, Pauline who lives “4 minutes away from the church” as she told us.

Becket School grounds were being filled up with cars, people, and coaches. I saw more fellow parishioners like Rita Connell and son John, her sister Jean Durkin, Maureen Hancock, Sr Francis, etc. The parish has been well represented; sadly Fr Paul was unable to make it being a Sunday.

Marshals have been deployed on almost all areas guiding people, announcing which buses have arrived, etc. We rode on Bus 8. Bridget introduced herself and welcomed all passengers – we shared the coach with parishioners from the Cathedral and Hucknall parishes. There was a Filipino couple on the same bus as I was.

An hour and a half or so, we arrived in Cofton Park. People from various parishes and dioceses across the country were processing to the venue – some where carrying their parish banners. I met a couple of Filipinos – who were in their jovial mood ready to see the Pope.

After passing through security checks, our group settled on a spot to the left of the aisle leading to the main stage – another stage has been allocated for some singers who soon led us in a handful of praise songs. Bishops too were at hand to lead us in prayer and in reflecting on some of Cardinal Newman’s writings. We may have been wet and feeling cold during that time, but our spirit was not dampened! From time to time, a priest (I would imagine) would go to the podium and welcome or motivate people in preparing for the Pope’s arrival and for the Eucharistic celebration. There were a number of big screens which showed what’s happening on stage as well as monitor the Pope’s travel to the park.

A moment of hush followed after. I closed my eyes and remembered my loved ones and everyone else who were not present in that occasion. Later I saw priests garbed in white marching down the aisle to the main stage. People were anticipating that the Holy Father would also pass that way. I had my camera ready and while waiting had a chat with or a smile at fellow Filipinos who came from other parts of the country. I saw banners and flags of various colours including a huge Filipino flag. There were two interesting banners. One said “B16 (short for Benedict XVI) es Petrus (literally “Benedict XVI is Peter” highlighting the Pope as St Peter’s successor.) Another one said “Omnes cum Petro” (“All with Peter”).

No sign of the Pope. Growing impatient, I went back to where our group was when suddenly the big screens showed the Pope riding on the Pope mobile which made its way on another route! People started to clap their hands or wave their flags. We saw how babies were brought near the Pontiff who in turn kissed and blessed these. As these things took place, one thing was noticeable – the drizzle stopped, the clouds gave way to the sun!

Mass followed shortly. When the Pope declared Cardinal Newman as “Blessed”, his portrait on stage was unveiled. The proclamation was met with a great round of applause. One of England’s sons has been raised to altars!

I was delighted to see Deacon Jack Sullivan proclaiming the Gospel that Sunday – his recovery from a debilitating illness was a miracle obtained from Cardinal Newman’s intercession, the miracle that has made Newman eligible for beatification.

The Pope’s homily began by underscoring that day as the Lord’s day, “when our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and changed the course of human history for ever…” He then moved to cite what is more ‘local’ – the remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Pope could relate very well with this occasion having “lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime…” Finally, he mentioned Cardinal Newman’s beatification as “…another, more joyful reason why this is an auspicious day for Great Britain..."

The Pope delved on Blessed John Henry's motto Cor ad cor loquitur ("Heart speaks unto heart" which is the theme of his state visit). He said that this motto "gives us an insight into his (Blessed John Henry's) understanding of the Christian life as a call to holiness, experienced as the profound desire of the human heart to enter into communion with the Heart of God."

The Holy Father cited a reminder from this new blessed that faithfulness to prayer gradually transforms us into the divine likeness. The Gospel that Sunday conveyed that no one can be the servant of two masters. Benedict XVI told his listeners that Newman's teaching on prayer explains how faithful followers of Christ are taken into the service of our Lord. He went on by on quoting Newman: "I have my mission. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place...if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling."

Recalling the Pope's homily vis-a-vis Blessed John Henry's life and teachings, I kept asking myself: "When was the last time I really prayed from the heart?" I may have said prayers a hundred times, but have all these been 100% from my heart? I may have attended many Masses, said a thousand rosaries, but my mind might have been somewhere else. If I don't pray from the heart, I am like a withered plant deprived of water and all the nutrition I need!

And because prayer prods us to serve, I asked too: "When was the last time I really did something good out of love?" I may have given monetary contributions to charities or shared my 'excess goods' with those in need or participated in any parish celebration, but may have done so because of fame or false pride or just being 'one of the good guys'? (Incidentally, during the Papal visit I saw a huge and strange poster which said something like "You don't need God to be good".) if I serve without love, I'm like chaff that when ignited easily burns up! (Ningas-cogon as a Filipino cliche goes.)

I'm glad the Pope presented Cardinal Newman not as a theologian and an intellectual, but as a priest, as a pastor of souls. By doing so, he made it clear to all that holiness is achievable even in the most simplest of activities.

The Mass concluded with everyone felt being blessed to be in that once-in-a-lifetime event. For me, this was the first beatification ceremony I attended. The celebration was followed by song numbers from a Catholic secondary school in Birmingham to the audience's delight. I recall "Sway" and "Twist and Shout" to name a few. This occasion was a real fiesta for this archdiocese and for the whole of England!

I'm pretty much sure that we all went home refreshed. Life goes on. Our mission continues - as individuals and as a community - inspired by Blessed John Henry, a man who was tested just like you and me, yet had a fruitful life. A man whose heart always sought God's very own.