HOLY NIGHT. A giant lighted cross illuminates the altar where Pope John Paul II administers the Holy Eucharist to first communicants during the papal Mass at the old Lahug airport in 1981. The photograph is among those featured in an exhibit at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO)
“John Paul II had Cebu in his heart.”
Thus said Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, a witness to the late pope’s visit to Cebu in 1981.
Leyson was 15 and a high school student, when the Holy Father presided over an open air Mass at the old Lahug airport (now the Cebu I.T. Park) on Feb. 19, 1981.
“It was a very big event. Six months before his visit, all parishes in Cebu were singing the same liturgical hymns so people would get familiar with the songs that will be used in the papal Mass,” he said.
“Everything was rehearsed even the cheers from the crowd. And it helped because when he arrived in Cebu, everything was in order amid the huge number of people who came to see him,” he added.
MAAYONG BUNTAG, SANTO PAPA. Pope John Paul II at the Archbishop’s Residence where he had the chance to talk to the elderly. (REPRODUCED BY CHOY ROMANO)
Birthday
Leyson was among a chorus of 5,000 who were brought together by renowned liturgical composer, Msgr. Rudy Villanueva, for the papal Mass.
Leyson was unable to come close to the Holy Father. But after a decade, Leyson eventually did.
While he was in Rome to pursue his studies, Leyson was asked to sing the Responsorial Psalm during the inauguration of a new parish in Rome with John Paul II as the presider.
Pope John Paul II accompanied by the clergy led by Cebu Archbishop Julio Cardinal Rosales as they arrive at the Archbishop’s Residence.
‘From Cebu’
He said he was suddenly called by the papal liturgist and asked him to go to the sacristy.
“I was told ‘just obey.’ Moments after, the pope arrived and went straight to me. He held my arms and asked ‘from where are you?’ I said ‘from Cebu.’ I thought that was the reason why the liturgist called me,” Leyson said.
“And someone took a photograph of it. And I have it. Just imagine. You’re not the one holding him. He’s the one holding you,” he added.
Leyson met John Paul II several times especially when he was named vice postulator of the cause for sainthood of San Pedro Calungsod whom the pontiff beatified on March 5, 2000.
Pope John Paul II also gave Leyson a rosary bearing the papal coat of arms, a unique design which symbolized the late pontiff.
Rare privilege
“I call it a rare privilege. And I think he has Cebu in His heart. Every time he and Cardinal (Ricardo) Vidal met, he won’t call him ‘Ricardo.’ The Holy Father will say ‘Tseebo’ (Cebu),” Leyson said.