Vidal visits loved ones at Carreta amid recovery

HE is still recovering from a mini-stroke he suffered over a month ago, but Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal managed to visit the graves of family members at the Carreta Cemetery in Cebu City yesterday morning.

“I came here to remind those who have gone to their rest that I have not forgotten them and that I’m praying and offered Masses for them,” said the 82-year-old Vidal, who was accompanied by two nuns and house assistants.

The retired prelate waved his hands and smiled at people inside the cemetery as he walked to the tombs of his father, sister and aunt buried beneath a big lomboy tree.

Vidal said he offered at least three Masses yesterday, including one at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Mausoleum where the past archbishops of Cebu and other priests are buried.

The cardinal said he likewise prayed for all the faithful, the Pope and those who asked him to intercede for them.

At the cemetery, he said a prayer before he sprinkled the graves with holy water. Vidal’s father Fructuoso Sebastian Vidal, Sr. died in 1994. Vidal’s aunt and sister are buried next to his father.

“They still have the occasion to be remembered by us because we are still in communion with them,” Vidal said.

“Whether you like it or not, they (souls) know what we are doing. They know what is happening here. They know whether we are good or bad,” he added.

The cardinal bantered with reporters, saying he preferred to be interviewed standing because he’s not old yet.

He took a seat for the 10-minute interview.

When asked about his health condition, Vidal said “trying to recover.”

The cardinal was brought to the hospital last Sept. 17 after he had difficulty speaking.

It was found out that he suffered from a transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke.

He was discharged from the hospital a week after. He was admitted back to the hospital soon after, when he again had difficulty breathing.

His doctors allowed him to recover at home a week later.