by: ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA
Published by The Varsitarian
The University of Santo Tomas, the only Pontifical University in Asia, will be one of the venues for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.
In a press conference held yesterday at the Arsobizpado de Manila, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle announced the official itinerary of the visit, which includes UST.
Pope Francis will hold a brief meeting with different religious leaders in UST at 9:45 in the morning. On the same day, at 10:30 in the morning, Pope Francis will hold a meeting with the youth at the UST Parades Ground.
Published by The Varsitarian
The University of Santo Tomas, the only Pontifical University in Asia, will be one of the venues for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.
In a press conference held yesterday at the Arsobizpado de Manila, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle announced the official itinerary of the visit, which includes UST.
Pope Francis will hold a brief meeting with different religious leaders in UST at 9:45 in the morning. On the same day, at 10:30 in the morning, Pope Francis will hold a meeting with the youth at the UST Parades Ground.
According to Tagle, UST is historically a special place for papal visits since UST is a Pontifical university.
“By tradition and history, from Pope Paul VI to St. John Paul II, the encounter with the youth happened in this University,” Tagle said.
The last pontiff to visit UST was St. Pope John Paul II, who visited the University on Jan. 13, 1995 for the celebration of World Youth Day, and on Feb. 18, 1981 when he came to Manila for the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino to be canonized as a saint.
The closing Mass of the 1995 World Youth Day at Rizal Park drew five million faithful Catholics which drew five million faithful, the largest crowd during St. John Paul II’s pontificate. Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines also marks the 20th anniversary of the celebration of World Youth Day in Manila.
Blessed Paul VI also visited the University on Nov. 20, 1970 when he met all the bishops of Asia.
According to Assoc. Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, director of UST-Office of Public Affairs, the best way for Thomasians to prepare for the visit is to prepare spiritually. “God has always been good to our beloved University. It is a moment for us to show the world what Thomasians are servant leaders,” Fontanilla told the Varsitarian. “We have to prepare spiritually to have strength from within to be able to show the world that Thomasians are really made of our commitment to serve.”
Aside from Tagle, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio, Bishop Mylo Vergara, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)—Episcopal Commission on Social Communications, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Coloma, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and Ambassador Marciano Paynor also graced the press conference.
There has been no official announcement if a holiday will be set during the pope’s visit, but Ochoa said the Palace is considering it since heavy traffic around Metro Manila is expected.
The papal visit's theme is "Mercy and Compassion"; it reflects the pastoral character of Pope Francis' pontificate which has captured the secular world's attention.
Original article: http://varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20141115/pope_francis_to_meet_religious_leaders_youth_in_ust_on_jan_18_2015
“By tradition and history, from Pope Paul VI to St. John Paul II, the encounter with the youth happened in this University,” Tagle said.
The last pontiff to visit UST was St. Pope John Paul II, who visited the University on Jan. 13, 1995 for the celebration of World Youth Day, and on Feb. 18, 1981 when he came to Manila for the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino to be canonized as a saint.
The closing Mass of the 1995 World Youth Day at Rizal Park drew five million faithful Catholics which drew five million faithful, the largest crowd during St. John Paul II’s pontificate. Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines also marks the 20th anniversary of the celebration of World Youth Day in Manila.
Blessed Paul VI also visited the University on Nov. 20, 1970 when he met all the bishops of Asia.
According to Assoc. Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, director of UST-Office of Public Affairs, the best way for Thomasians to prepare for the visit is to prepare spiritually. “God has always been good to our beloved University. It is a moment for us to show the world what Thomasians are servant leaders,” Fontanilla told the Varsitarian. “We have to prepare spiritually to have strength from within to be able to show the world that Thomasians are really made of our commitment to serve.”
Aside from Tagle, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, apostolic nuncio, Bishop Mylo Vergara, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)—Episcopal Commission on Social Communications, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Coloma, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and Ambassador Marciano Paynor also graced the press conference.
There has been no official announcement if a holiday will be set during the pope’s visit, but Ochoa said the Palace is considering it since heavy traffic around Metro Manila is expected.
The papal visit's theme is "Mercy and Compassion"; it reflects the pastoral character of Pope Francis' pontificate which has captured the secular world's attention.
Original article: http://varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20141115/pope_francis_to_meet_religious_leaders_youth_in_ust_on_jan_18_2015