“No estamos solos” means “we are not alone”.
Pope Francis’ Shepherd One flew to Tacloban City, the area ravaged by supertyphoon Haiyan, in the midst of threat of another typhoon, Amang. Despite the more than 100 km/hr wind brought by Typhoon Amang, more than one million three hundred thousand people trooped to Tacloban Airport, the ground zero of Haiyan, to listen to the pontiff. Imagine a sea of people in yellow raincoats listening to Pope Francis, himself garbed in a raincoat. It is a very touching sight. It shows one of Filipinos’ greatest trait, resiliency. This same trait gives us the strength to continue with our lives after a devastating typhoon or a destructive earthquake. It might be the reason why we are always cheerful.
I took the photos while watching the mass on TV. I watched 9TV because they have the clearest pictures. I took the last photo while watching ABS-CBN Sports & Action.
Sea of yellow raincoats intently listening to Pope Francis
First reading
Pope Francis gave the homily in Spanish which was translated to English. He said, “no estamos solos” and the ten-minute long homily (including the English translation) is very heartfelt.
Listening to the homily
Prayers of the Faithful were in four languages, English, Waray, Cebuano and Ilonggo.
Presentation of the Gifts
The Lord’s Prayer
Pope Francis hugged the people around him during the Sign of Peace
Pope Francis asked the people to have a period of silence
The yellow raincoats bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence
Towards the end of the mass, Pope Francis addressed the crowd in Spanish. I transcribed what he said:
(Hemos celebrado) la pasión, la muerte y la resurrección de Cristo. Jesús nos presidió en este camino. Y nos acompaña cada momento que nos reunimos orar y celebrar. Gracias Señor, por estar hoy con nosotros. Gracias Señor, por compartir nuestro dolores. Gracias Señor, por danos esperanza. Gracias Señor, por tu gran misericordia. Gracias Señor, porque que hiciste ser como uno de nosotros. Gracias Señor, porque siempre estas cercano a nosotros aún en los momentos de cruz. Gracias Señor, por darnos la esperanza. Señor, que no nos roben la esperanza. Gracias Señor, porque en el momento más oscuro de tu vida, en la cruz, te acordaste de nosotros y nos dejaste una madre, tu madre. Gracias Señor, por no dejarnos huérfanos.
I missed the first few words in Spanish, hence the (Hemos celebrado). I also know that it has mistakes. 🙂
Pope Francis giving the final blessing.
Here are some of the interesting scenes captured by the people behind the coverage.
The grand choir that did a marvelous job! They were singing in the rain!
Scenes at the papal mass in Tacloban City
Pope Francis rode the popemobile and made his way through the several quadrants in Tacloban Airport to give the people the chance to see him up close..
Pope Francis waving to the crowd. He is a tireless man with the energy of a person half his age. 🙂
***Tomorrow, January 18, 2015, Pope Francis will officiate an open-air mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Officials expect more than six million people to attend the mass. I will be one of them; I will be there at the break of dawn. 🙂 The weather reports are gloomy. Typhoon Amang that welcomed the pope in Tacloban City is traveling to Manila to greet him tomorrow. I am praying for the safety of Pope Francis and the people who will attend the mass, a bright and sunny day and clean portalets. 🙂