Who will dine with Pope Francis when he visits the country on January 15-19 next year, and what can we expect from the visit?
Less than five months away, the list of those who will be privileged
to stand closest to him is shaping up. In one of the meals, places have
been set for the five survivors of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in
Bohol, according to Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso. The bishop was
interviewed over Church-run Radyo Veritas yesterday.
Earlier, Palo Archbishop John Du revealed that Pope Francis will dine
with 30 individuals composed of Super-Typhoon Yolanda and earthquake
victims.
“He (Pope Francis) will be going to Palo (Leyte) and we will be
sending some of my people there who were victims of the quake, five of
them. They will eat with the Pope,” he said.
The Pope is expected to arrive in Tacloban City on Jan. 17, 2015. Pope
Francis will be in the country from Jan. 15 to 19 after a visit to Sri
Lanka.
Other than standing closer to the Pope, church officials expect that
the visit will result in more religious vocations, an official of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on
Culture (CBCP-ECC) said.
Sr. Mary Anthony E. Basa, CBCP-ECC executive secretary, said she is
convinced that the Holy Father’s mere presence will give rise to a wave
of vocations, inspiring many Filipinos to consider the religious life.
“I look forward to seeing a renewed interest in religious vocations,” she said in a CBCP News post.
“Being the Vicar of Christ, the Holy Father’s visit is going to be a
grace-filled moment for us. Filipinos must take it as an opportunity to
have a deeper faith and hope in God,” Basa added.
Basa reminds the faithful that Pope Francis’ visit is primarily about
hope, charity and forgiveness, mercy and compassion offered to the
millions of people experiencing social injustice, especially survivors
of typhoon “Yolanda” and similar calamities.
She encourages Filipinos to prepare themselves spiritually for the
apostolic visit, which according to her is an event that can strengthen
the bonds of the Filipino family as well.
Bishop Medroso is hoping that the Holy Father would also visit Bohol
even for a few hours only. “It is also my dream that he would come to
Bohol, even for just one or two hours to counsel our people.” he said.
He revealed that 33 churches under his diocese were also ruined by
the earthquake, which struck Central Visayas last year. This is aside
from the 11 heritage churches.
Despite the situation, he said, the church continues to cater to the
needs of the people as they were able to set-up alternative churches
using tents where they temporarily hold their Masses.
