CEBU, Philippines - The Papal Legate to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Cardinal Charles Maung Bo said Filipinos are a great “mission” being the biggest Catholic community in Asia.
In his homily during the opening Mass yesterday, he said the country has helped in promoting the growth of Catholicism in Asia. Cebu in particular, he said, is the door of Christianity.
“Your light has shown in every part of the world through your sons and daughters whose exemplary faith shown in ages. In some part of the world, Catholicism means Filipino presence,” he said.
“Sa Hong Kong, London, sa Rome, Dubai ang Filipino ay nasa lupa, hangin, tubig. Nasa lahat ng dako ang dugong Filipino,” he said.
According to Bo, Pope Francis loves the Filipinos dearly.
For the last five decades, Bo said, the only place that welcomed the priests and laity with open arms and cared for them pastorally are the Filipinos and the churches in the Philippines.
“You have shared the bread of hospitality, the bread of your knowledge and the bread of love for the people who came here,” he said.
Eucharist, poor inseparable
Another message of Bo yesterday was the inseparability of the Eucharist and the poor.
With around 10 million children dying every year due to starvation and malnutrition, he said the biggest mortal sin is seeing a child dying of starvation, stressing that the love of the Eucharist is similar to expressing and giving love to the poor.
“Let us give love and compassion to the poor,” he said reflecting this year’s Jubilee of mercy and compassion.
Bo said the 51st IEC highlights the presence of God aside from promoting an awareness of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who concelebrated the Mass together with Bo and other bishops and cardinals, presented to the people a Bible given by Pope Francis as a gift.
“A year ago as a nation, we were blessed by the visit of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He came to strengthen us after the devastating natural calamities that hit our country. Today once more, we feel his paternal affection for having sent your eminence as his personal representative to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in Cebu,” Palma said in his message of salutation to Bo.
He, together with the clergy and the laity of the archdiocese, welcomed Bo to Cebu which he reiterated as “the cradle of Christianity in Asia, the home of the SeñorSto.Niño and the land of the young martyr, San Pedro Calungsod”.
Palma said in the coming days of the Eucharistic Congress, he expects everyone to reflect the path towards bridging the differences in the society.
“May the Eucharist move us to become missionaries of mercy in a world wounded by hatred and indifference,” said Palma.
The Mass ended with a grand fireworks display.
350,000 strong
The opening Mass attracted at least 350,000 people yesterday afternoon yet the police did not record a single crime during the event. Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, director of Police Regional Office-7, said no crimes were reported to the Waterfront Police Station. However there were people treated for wounds and scratches as well as for dizziness and other medical emergencies.
He added that when he inspected the site he was overwhelmed by the number of people inPlaza Independencia and the streets surrounding it.With yesterday’s attendance he said the concluding Mass at the South Road Properties this Sunday may well draw at least 1 million people.
He said on Sunday they will fully deploy all security personnel including the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other force multipliers. They will also install more x-ray machines and machine operators and inspectors for the safety of mass goers.
Politics aside
Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella was able to take part in the celebration of the Eucharist yesterday. “Right at the very outset when I held the chalice containing the Eucharist, I felt the strong presence of the Lord,” Labella said. With tears in his eyes, Labella recalled his experience floating in the waters off Batangas for 36 hours after Princess of the Orient sank in 1998.
Vice President Jejomar Binay had his own unforgettable experience, joining the crush of humanity hearing the Mass. It was inevitable some people in the crowd would recognize him and he would shake hands with them. Binay, who came from Bohol just to attend the Mass, also greeted the bishops as they quartered in For San Pedro before the Mass.
Sacrifices
A sister of the Religious of the Assumption who came here all the way from France expressed her happiness to join the IEC as part of her golden celebration for her 50 years of her vows.
Sister Stella Ranz said this was the first time she attended such an event and that she does not mind going so far for this, saying the Eucharist is the main source of each and everyone’s life.
In honor of his mother, a 62-year-old man traveled all the way from Bulacan to attend the opening Mass.
Julian Quinabo, a retired Theology professor of the University of Santo Tomas and resident of Meycauayan, Bulacan, waited alone for the Mass to start.
Quinabo, a father of two, shared a story of struggle and faith his mother told him when she was still alive.
Half a century ago, a contagious disease took all the family but his mother and her brother. Because of that, his mother lost faith and started to wander away from God. But it was during the first IEC in the Philippines in 1937 when she decided to go back to God.
“Rather than complain or what, you will just have to accept your lot and allow God to work in your life. I think that’s how God works,” he said. — Kristine B. Quintas, Ma. Fatima R. Secuya, Bryner L. Diaz, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Reinhard Julius O. Buhia and Jan Michael T. Lumayag/BRP