OK TO BE INSTANT HOST
Palma
While Cebu has a “minor” role to play in next month’s papal visit, Archbishop Jose Palma said the Cebu archdiocese is ready to be a host on short notice.
Calling Francis a “pope of surprises,” Palma said Cebu is ready in case there’s a sudden change in the itinerary for the historic visit on Jan. 15-19 to Manila and Leyte province.
“We’re not discounting the possibility (that the pope will visit Cebu). Even Rome doesn’t want to be completely constrained by his strict schedule. Sometimes, they are told by the Holy Father ‘I want to visit that, I want to meet these kinds of people.’ That’s why others are hopeful that even if they don’t appear in the schedule, there may be surprises waiting along the way,” Palma said in a press conference yesterday.
Although the chance of a major schedule detour is remote, Palma said Cebu, which has an international airport, is willing to receive the Holy Father in case problems crop up at the last minute.
“(In case of problems in Manila), we can say ‘Holy Father take a helicopter, land in Cebu.’ In one week’s time we can prepare. I’m not sure what surprises await us. We just pray that whatever they are, these are wonderful surprises for those who expect them,” he added.
Pope Francis is set to travel to the Philippines for a pastoral and state visit, primarily to visit calamity victims of typhoon Yolanda. Only Manila and Leyte are in his itinerary.
SINULOG GUEST
Event organizers of the Sinulog festival have a rough contingency plan in case the pope decides to drop by Cebu City for the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 18.
“You can never tell,” said Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.
He said they can let the pope sit at the grandstand’s VIP section or the enclosed media studio at the upper portion, but are still trying to figure out how to set up a bullet-proof cubicle.
Ballesteros said the organizing committee has included a surprise visit by the Pope in its preparations, and are closely coordinating with the Sto. Niño basilica.
But if he doesn’t come, “maybe he will watch in January 2016” when the International Eucharistic Congress is hosted in Cebu, an event church officials hope Francis will return to attend.
Cebu’s role is “minor” said Palma but presents a rich opportunity to share the devotion to the Sto. Niño as Philippine bishops asked for “one group” to present the sinulog prayer dance.
The renowned Sandiego Dance Company led by choreographer Val Sandiego will perform the sinulog during the papal Mass at the Rizal Park on Sunday, January 18, the feast of the Sto. Niño.
Sandiego will also get to teach basic dance steps to the expected crowd of six million while waiting for the Pope to arrive.
The archdiocese of Cebu, like other dioceses in the country, will send delegates to Manila composed of priests and lay persons, being prepared by Msgr. Daniel Sanico, vicar general.
At least five Cebuanos will also reportedly dine with the pope when he visits Palo, Leyte on January 17 to comfort calamity victims but Palma said he has no hand in the selection of the guests, who will come from the “poorest”.
“We recognize that the main idea of the Holy Father is to bring to us the love of God and the assurance that he is one with us, especially with victims of calamities. That’s in the heart of the Holy Father,” he said.
Palma yesterday hosted a half-day recollection for media practitioners in the chapel of the Archbishop’s compound.
In his homily, he said bishops from other countries, especially in Europe, often tell him how surprised they are at the faith and religiosity of Cebuanos.
While most churches in Europe are “empty” of people, attendance is high during Mass in Cebu, particularly on Sundays and special liturgical feasts.
On one occasion in Labangon, Palma recalled that a foreign bishop who was awed by the crowd told him after Mass “You no longer have to evangelize here in Cebu.”
Palma replied, “I told him ‘Of course we do’. But his point was that he was amazed by the number of people who go to church,” he said.
Despite the vivid expressions of faith, Palma urged people to deepen their spirituality and put into action everything they learn from the church.
SAFE TRAVEL
For the coming visit of Pope Francis, Palma yesterday composed a prayer for his safe travel and successful mission.
“Loving Father, we praise and glorify you as we look forward to the visit of Pope Francis to our country this coming Jan. 15 to 19, 2015. Being the vicar of Christ, the pope brings to us the message of hope. As a people, we have experienced loss of thousands of life, destruction of property and crops, and untold pains and sufferings. And so we believe that the God who aspire us to arise, is on the pope,” the prayer read.
“As he comes in our midst, he brings God’s mercy and love. The Pope brings hope and renewed efforts to face life with contenence and courage. We thank Pope Francis for his visit to Manila and Tacloban. We pray that the spirit of love will permeate in our hearts. We pray that the spirit of unity will bring us together to pray, to participate at Mass, to listen to his message, and renew our commitment that we become persons, families, communities, and a country that say yes to the Lord and yes to the call to be one nation. Finally, we ask you Lord to protect our pope so he will be protected from all dangers and he will be guided to bring love to us all. Amen.”
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