by Card. Luis Antonio Tagle

The Archbishop of Manila writes a pastoral letter to the Catholic community. His memories of Paul VI’s journey (1970) and its influence on his spiritual life. An invitation to share - at the end of the trip - their own stories.

Manila (AsiaNews / CBCP) - Can a papal visit change something in a person's life and that of a society? For the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal. Luis Antonio Tagle, it can. To prepare the Filipino community for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis (15-19 January 2015), the cardinal has written a letter to the Catholics, describing how such a papal visit - that of Paul VI in 1970 - was a decisive moment in his journey of faith.

Dear Friends,

The Philippines has been blessed with three previous papal visits: Pope Paul VI in 1970, St. John Paul II in 1981 and 1995. With jubilation we welcome Pope Francis in January 2015. Some might ask, can these visits make a difference in our individual and societal lives? They can - if we allow them! Let me tell you a story. My story!

I was 13 years old when Pope Paul VI visited the Philippines. With many fellow students milling around me, I craned my neck and steadied my eyes so I could see him as his car rushed before us. The serene face and demeanor of the pope impressed me. The image has not left my mind, as well memories of his visit in Tondo. Eighteen years later, in 1985 I went to the Catholic University of America to pursue graduate studies in Theology. Due to my interest in Vatican II, my director proposed a track of studies that I gladly followed. I did my Licentiate thesis on Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini (the future Paul VI) and his plan for Vatican II. For my Doctoral dissertation I studied Episcopal Collegiality in the Thought and Practice of Paul VI. I had not imagined in 1970 that one day I would "travel into" the mind, heart and soul of this great pope who steered the renewal of the Church in the modern world. My studies on Paul VI and Vatican II led me to many tasks that involved my collaboration with St. John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis. The papal visit in 1970 mysteriously opened a door for me to the mystery and mission of the Church.

The pastoral visit of Pope Francis focused on Mercy and Compassion would certainly offer vast opportunities to experience grace, to hear callings, to disturb comfort zones, to value the poor, to renew society, to care for creation and to live honorably. At the end of the visit and at some unknown future, let us share stories of how the journey of Pope Francis to us has led us to other journeys of faith and mission.

 + Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle

Archbishop of Manila

 

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