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Category Archives: Religion

Mabuhay! Blessed Pope John Paul II (We Love You!)

Today marks another chapter in the colorful life of Karol Wojtyla, popularly known to the Christendom as Pope John Paul II, as he is beatified by his successor Pope Benedict XVI – another first in the history of the Roman Catholic Church wherein the former Pope will be beatified by his immediate successor.

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I was fortunate enough to see Pope John Paul II up close when he visited the Philippines in January of 1995 for the World Youth Day. I was in 3rd Year High School then, and I volunteered as a Medic for our school. It was a Saturday, the day before the historic 15 JAN 1995 Holy Mass of Pope John Paul II which was recorded (and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, too) as the largest Papal gathering in Roman Catholic history with over 5 million in attendance*. As the Papal convoy was leaving the Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), the Presidential Security Group asked the WYD volunteers to form a human chain along the route towards Roxas Blvd. Since I was wearing our school’s WYD vest with the “VOLUNTEER” marking at the back, I and several of my schoolmates were asked to be part of that human barricade. Then minutes later, here comes the head of the Papal convoy followed by the Popemobile and John Paul II waved at us! What they say is true: you’ll be frozen the moment you see the Pope in person – saying to be star struck is an understatement.

Mabuhay ang Santo Papa Juan Paulo II! Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.

 

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In celebration of this momentous event, hereunder is the lyrics of the World Youth Day 1995: Tell the World of His Love.

Tell the World of His Love

Composed by Trina Belamide

 

For God so loved the world,
He gave us His only Son,
Jesus Christ our Savior,
His Most Precious One.

He has sent us His message of love,
And sends those who hear,
To bring the message to everyone,
In a voice loud and clear.

REFRAIN

Let us tell the world of His love,
The greatest love the world has known,
Search the world for those who have walked astray,
And lead them home.
Fill the world’s darkest corners,
With His light from up above,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.

(Repeat 1,2, Refrain)
(Repeat Refrain)

The greatest love the world has known,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.
Tell the world of His love.

 

Tell the World of His Love_Page_01

Download the entire score sheet here.

St. John Bosco’s Relic in the Philippines

The Philippine is very much indeed privileged to be visited by the Pilgrim Relic of St. John Bosco from December 2010 until mid-January 2011. Don Bosco, as he is popularly called/known, is the patron saint of the youth and printers. He died on 31 Jan 1888, and was canonized saint on Easter Sunday 1934 where he was given the title “Father and Teacher of Youth.” His incorruptible remains can be seen in Turin, Italy.

But in preparation for the 200th birth anniversary of Don Bosco, they decided to have a pilgrim relic tour of each and every country where the presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) can be found — and the Philippines is one of those countries where the SDB presence is very strong. What was brought to the Philippines is a resin replica of the body of St. John Bosco; the relic contains the saint’s right hand in a sealed case and inserted at the chest of the sculpture. The face of the was sculptured based on Don Bosco’s death mask.

Pictures from the relic’s arrival at our parish on Christmas Eve can be seen here, while pictures taken during the Send-Off Concert last 26 Dec 2010 are here. I was able to take some videos of the event as well:

Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime event and I was indeed privileged to had grown of Don Bosco’s teachings even if I did not went to any of the Salesian-run schools.