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| Blessed John Paul II, pray for us! |
Six years ago, I was seated on the floor in front of my television set inside my room. I was watching and taking pictures and videos of Pope John Paul II’s burial. Several nights before I didn’t have enough sleep. I went on vigil with the people in the Vatican for the Pope until he was pronounced dead. In my small room, I felt the sad atmosphere in the Vatican and made me cry. I prayed for the eternal repose of his soul. It was like I was also there. I could feel the solemnity of the Mass. I almost felt his holiness. I was deeply moved watching the sad expressions of the people. Pope is just loved by the people of the world, that includes me, of course.
Tonight, since four o’clock this afternoon, I was again squatting in front of my television set. Also taking pictures and videos watching the Holy Mass for the Beautification of Pope John Paul II. This time the feeling was different. It is no longer sadness. This time it’s happiness, excitement, oh, I just can’t put my feelings into words. I felt the solemnity of the celebration. It was as if I was also there with the thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. I was particularly moved to tears when the veil covering his picture was raised. For me it was an unexplainable feeling. A part of me was saying thank you to remarkable person that touched all people of the world.
I personally saw him on his Pope mobile when he visited the Philippines to celebrate the 1995 World Youth Day. It was one of the most unforgettable event in my life. I can’t almost believe I was looking at a saint, a person next to Christ. Even if it was a very brief moment when he just past my way, I already felt his holiness and left me teary eyed. My heart was crying out loud “I have seen the Pope! I have seen the Pope!” On my way home I kept on relieving the incident and enjoying the feeling again and again with a big smile on my face. It was worth the wait for more than an hour and the walk for two hours from Makati to Roxas Boulevard.
I really wished I was present at the Vatican City for all these momentous events. I wonder what would have been the feeling when one is there. But thanks to the new technology, I was able to feel the event as if it was happening in front of my very eyes.
The pictures and videos are my only remembrance from the Pope. My most treasured one was the picture I personally took from my camera.
We love you Pope John Paul II!
Forever you will be in the hearts, not just to Filipinos, but to all the people in the world. The Greatest Pope ever lived in the entire Catholic Church.
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| Pope Benedict XVI on his Pope mobile before the mass |
