El Effecto Francisco: El Papa del Cambio

        Celebrating the liturgical year being the year of the poor, we, Christ’s Faithful have become privileged enough to have an exemplar icon of a leader of what it is to serve the poorest of the poor being a Servus Servorum Dei. Having a pope like Pope Francis is truly a blessing to the entire Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, Pope Francis has made a remarkable gesture when he was elevated to the papacy last March 13, 2013. The supreme pontiff who is known for his simplicity and humility, who constantly desire to embrace and share his faith to everyone keeps on urging us to recover the original freshness of the Gospel through comprehensive and effective renewal of the church structures and vision. Here in the Philippine Church setting, it would be an avenue to reflect upon as we continue to express our faith.

       As the Philippines has the opportunity to meet such one-of-a-kind celebrity, then beyond reasonable doubt, it is a privilege not to be neglected. Certainly, his visit to our country will result a big impact to believers and non-believers of Catholic faith alike. This is inasmuch as for the faithful it is a hustle-free anymore to meet the pope in person instead of going to Vatican while for non-believers, it is an opportunity for them to get acquainted of a down-to-earth person not as a leader but as a real man in words and actions while observing his legacy on the essence of mercy and compassion. As for me as a seminarian, if given a chance to be acquainted with him, then inevitably it would be a great opportunity for me to experience. I would feel gratuity so to think if this will happen. However, sad to say that as the pope visits here in our country on January 15-19, 2014, I will not be one of the persons who will have the chance to meet him in person. Be that as it may however, I will remain grateful because he does not forget his flock here in the Philippines who needs comfort being victims of the last calamities: viz. earthquake and typhoons. Hence, kudos to Pope Francis and mabuhay ang Pilipinas!