WE may be thousands of miles and an ocean away from the Philippines, but many Filipinos in America share the excitement and the blessedness as the beloved Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, visits our Motherland.
As Filipinos in Los Angeles kept the tradition alive as they celebrated the “Sinulog” — the Feast of Santo Nino — they fervently offered novena prayers for the safe journey of Pope Francis to the Philippines. They believe the Pope and his message of faith, love, and compassion comes at the time when Filipinos need them most, having gone through trials and challenges one after the other, especially in recent years.
This sentiment is shared by kababayans wherever they may be around the world. This collective experience has been made possible by social media, and the blow-by-blow coverage of ABS-CBN News Team brought to Fil-Ams via The Filipino Channel.
Near and far, many Filipinos are touched by the Pope’s visit as they feel a strong connection to the Pontiff, his message resonating well to the faithful Catholics, comprising 80 percent of the Filipino population.
North America News Bureau Chief talked to San Francisco Vicar for Clergy Fr. Raymund Reyes about this strong affinity kababayans feel with Pope Francis.
Fr. Reyes enthused about his own personal encounter with the Pope that somehow exemplifies the kind of leadership the Pontiff not only talks about, but also live.
Fr. Reyes recalled how in 2013, he was fortunate to have tickets that allowed him a ring-side view, allowing him to get so close to the Holy Father. But, he told Henson that what the Pope did was a pleasant and humbling surprise.
“All of a sudden he appeared at the back and went to the people without a ticket and spent half an hour greeting them,” he recalled. “Now that was a change.”
Fr. Reyes expressed optimism that this is a sign of things to come for the Catholic Church under the stewardship of Pope Francis — a love for the poor and the least in society.
“I think this is the universal language of the church now; from doctrinal to love for the poor,” he explained.
But part of the reasons why many Catholics, who have lost faith in the Catholic Church, have at least considered revisiting their faith life again, is Pope Francis’ bold move to shake the very hierarchy of the church.
Paul Henson reported on Balitang America how in Pope Francis’ 2014 Christmas message, he criticized the church bureaucracy for too much gossiping and thirst for power — just a few of the problems of an institution rocked even by sex scandals.
This, according to Fr. Reyes, is a reminder for the clergy to get down from the pulpit and get in touch with humanity.
The message of inclusive love and compassion is another reason why Catholics have gone back to Church, as Poe Francis’ actions and examples have been a welcome departure to the “holier than thou” arrogant attitude and demeanor of many self-righteous Catholic leaders and lay people.
As Henson reported, Pope Francis is easily remembered for his striking words like “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gays in the church. Or when he celebrated matrimony for live-in or previously divorced couples.
But Fr. Reyes pointed out that the underlying message of this is not faith without responsibility.
“The pope still affirms teachings on family, marriage, homosexuality. But while the church affirms these, we are called to be merciful and not exclude people for their beliefs, or orientation,” he said.
Pope Francis connects with Fil-Am youths
One of the things that the older generation laments is how the younger generations of Filipinos in America have seem to have lost their faith and prayer life. But when Pope Francis became leader of the Catholic Church, parents and grandparents of young Filipinos in America have reasons to be hopeful and thankful for.
As Balitang America Correspondent Rommel Conclara reported, this is evidenced by the experience of the Junior Apostolates for Christ or J.A.C. has been bringing the word of God to teenagers and young adults through weekly prayers meetings and annual spiritual retreats for the past 30 years.
“I think he was following the footsteps of Pope John Paul II who truly brought the youth to the church because without the youth coming behind us, behind the adults, there won’t be any more people in our church,” Mario Vierneza, JAC founder and adult coordinator, said.
These Fil-Ams say that they continue to be inspired by his humility and devotion.
“Even those who are non-believers are inspired by the Pope, as well by his actions of humility – stopping to hang out with the poor and basically being Jesus in this time,” member Ralph Baluyut told Balitang America.
“Now the youth that I get to work with have a Vicar of Christ who is doing exactly what Christ is supposed to be doing,” Youth Coordinator Michelle Pastor added.
These young people intimated that the Pope indeed connects well with the younger generation of Catholics.
“He’s connecting a lot better we those who are struggling with their faith,” Youth Coordinator Aaron Sales explained. “Not only going through social media, through Twitter or being able to take a picture of two, but being able to make the faith real — that it’s not just something in a book, that it’s something to live your life by.”
Conclara further reported that the J.A.C. is also considering a pilgrimage to join Pope Francis this September in Philadelphia for the World Meetings of Families which would be his first U.S. visit as Pope.
(To be continued)
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
