Private Mass with Pope Francis

(Part 1 of 2)

On 25 May 2013 at 7am in the private chapel of Sancta Martha papal residence inside the Vatican I said Mass with Pope Francis. Also concelebrating with me was Cardinal Cachavillan, former secretary at the papal nunciature in Manila in the mid-1960’s who knew me  as seminary rector in Jaro Iloilo. Only the two of us were with the Holy Father at the altar.

There were 15 other concelebrating priests in the spacious chapel among whom was our Fr. Junar de la Victoria who will defend his doctoral thesis in Canon Law in Rome’s Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce day after tomorrow. He and my 2 sisters and 3 nieces were also at the chapel together with several religious and lay people. I read in Italian a part of the Eucharistic Prayer III. I offered my personal intentions for those who entrusted themselves for that Mass – the sick, those with problems and difficulties, relatives, friends and benefactors. I felt a liberating inner joy when His Holiness gave me the embrace of peace!

After the Mass Card. Cachavillan and myself were given time each to converse with the Pope. He reiterated to me that Sr. Lucia Canale, an Argentinian and  presently the delegate superior of the Daughters of Saint Anne in the Philippines whose letter and gift I just handed to him, is the niece of a former archbishop in Argentina. Then he asked where did I learn to speak Spanish. After telling him that in Jaro Seminary in Iloilo the Spanish Vincentians were our professors, I asked him if he will come to the Philippines for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 he smiled and said in Spanish that he knows about it but he is not sure.

Then the priests, religious and lay people followed us, each one being introduced to the Pope and received his blessing allowing each to kiss his ring. When I introduced my 2 sisters and 3 nieces by name Pope Francis suddenly cracked a joke in Spanish causing us both a loud laughter to the surprise of everyone! The joke was about those who having no children to worry about the devil gave  nephews and nieces instead! (But I do laugh and at times worry about those who maliciously spread since the 1970’s till now a definitely false rumor that I had a child!) Then the Holy Father invited us for a group photo after which he said to me in Spanish, “Reze por mi” (“Pray for me”). Touched deeply by this humble gesture I nodded with a smile as I again kissed his ring.

The following is the report in English from Vatican Radio of the Holy Father’s homily in Italian on the day’s gospel passage (Mark 10:13-16). A very important message for us bishops, priests, religious and faithful engaged in pastoral work, in diocesan and parish offices, as well as in seminary and religious formation.