Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI

Photo credit: Children dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes dance for Pope Benedict XVI during the Pontiff's 85th birthday celebrations in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican April 16, 2012. REUTERS/Gregorio Borgia/Pool

Do you have someone in your life you consider your hero? I have plenty of them. But today, I will write about the person to whom I dedicate this blog – Pope Benedict XVI. I came up with this blog because of his call (see the About page). It is but proper to write a post about him.

I couldn’t keep myself but to reminisce the experience I had during the World Youth Day. Truly, the experience is without measure. It is priceless.

One of the perks of joining the World Youth Day is seeing the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Since then, I became his raving fan.

To me, Pope Benedict XVI is very humble. If you went to the World Youth Day, you can tell that.

Before the World Youth day, he wrote to us – the youth. He already kept us in mind (I bet he still is). He wanted to reach out and show that he cares, even if we are still young and inexperienced.

During the World Youth Day, he did not mind the extraordinary summer heat of Madrid. We could have easily understood if he did not pursue with the Papal Mobil Parade if he wanted to because he is already old and his body might not be able to take it. But he pursued even if he turned pinkish and it was obvious that he got very tired. (The youth who complained will be embarrassed).

He did not complain when it rained in the Cuatro Vientos Aerodrome. He stood strong even if the wind almost knocked him off. He even sincerely thanked the youth for praying with him.

He knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament like a Child of God.

To me, he is an epitome of strength, of great faith, of a true leader. I see Christ in him.

If ever I get the chance to go to the world youth day again, I will still shout with all my heart. Esta es, la juventud del Papa. We are the youth of the Pope. I am a youth of the pope.

Belated Happy 85th Birthday Papa Ratzi!  We, the Catholic Youth love you!

I'm Sorry :'(

Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do. This is the first of the Seven Last Words of Jesus before He died on the cross. In relation to this, I’d like to relate my personal experience on the Holy Week.

After the mass of the Lord’s Supper last Thursday, I went to the confessional to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Because there was a long line of penitents, I was able to think and reflect. As I waited for my turn, my thoughts went back two years ago – the time when I again went to the Sacrament after ten long years.

2 Years Ago...

I was accompanied by a new found friend to the chapel where I approached the priest in the confessional. I was scared to go but I went anyway.

I so longed planned to go to confession that time but for some reasons, I was not able to go. Perhaps I didn’t know where to start. It was then that I met this friend whom I believe God sent as an instrument to help me.

It was timely because at that time, I was carrying something heavy in my heart. It was the effect of sin. I was guilty and ashamed and I had low self worth.

Guilt causes shame. Shame is bad for the confidence. Shame is bad for self-image.

Photo credit

When it was my time to go, I inhaled deeply and entered the confessional. I told the priest everything. After which, I was liberated. I was not condemned by the priest. Instead, I was forgiven. He was compassionate.

That brings me to the event in the bible when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law brought an adulterous woman to Jesus. Jesus did not condemn the woman, rather, He showed compassion. It was the start of her conversion. Somehow, I felt like the adulterous woman in the bible. I knew that my conversion started after that confession one faithful evening.

I also felt like the Prodigal Son who, after squandering his father’s wealth and realizing his mistakes, went back to the father. He expected to be rebuked and condemned but he was not. Instead, he was welcomed by his father with open arms.

That’s what Divine Filiation is to me. That’s what I meant in my last post entitled Moving Forward. Because of His grace and great mercy, I was able to go back to Him. My past sins were forgiven. All my guilt and shame were washed away. I regained my confidence. Suddenly, the world is bright and my future is bright. I no longer dwelt in low self worth. All because I know that I am a daughter of God.

He loved me first. As a result, I loved Him back.



I'm adding this post to Sunday Snippets

Sunday Snippets – A Catholic Carnival

I am writing this post because I was invited to join the Sunday Snippets – A Catholic Carnival. It is where catholic bloggers gather to share their best weekly post. It’s my pleasure to be invited. To learn more about the carnival, click here.

I only have two posts the past week. One is about Asking for wisdom instead of a sign and the second one is about my moving to another company where I also talked about the confidence that the Divine Filiation brings. Although the picture in “Give me a sign” is cuter, I think that “MovingForward” is better because it highlights how everything is possible with God. It talks about how my world became a world of possibilities again because of Him.

To read more about my two posts, click the link below.

1.       Give me a sign

2.       Moving Forward

Thank You Rann for inviting me.