It was truly a miracle the way things worked out so I could attend Pope John Paul II’s beatification on May 1, the Sunday after Easter. And more miracles happened along the way, in that awesome, once-in-a-lifetime journey to Vatican and back.

I had the rare privilege of meeting Pope John Paul II twice and even kissed his hand. The first time was in 1988, when I worked as head of media relations under the Office of the Press Secretary during the administration of the late President Cory Aquino. In a courtesy call at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, I was with a small group covering the event that was called to meet the Pope. It was then that I kissed his hand. The second time was in 1995.  I was in the choir that sang during the World Youth Day Mass in Luneta, Manila.

I had stood so close to the Pope, my face so near his. I knew in my heart I was in the presence of a saintly man. The experience moved me to tears. It felt as if a strong energy was entering my body. And now years later, on the sacred occasion of his beatification, I just had to ask myself: How could I not attend this solemn, most sacred event?

First miracle: Easy flight

Months before the beatification, different groups had approached me about joining the special trip-pilgrimage to the Vatican. Used as I am to the fast lane and last-minute travel arrangements, I took my time preparing for the trip.

But then my dear father-in-law fell ill and died shortly after. By the time I was ready to attend to the details of my trip in earnest, all travel slots had been taken. I panicked. I called out to Pope John Paul II: “Please let me be with you at your beatification.”

From out of the blue, a very dear friend in Cebu, Joy Gothong, texted me that Blessed Pedro Calungsod had been approved by the Vatican for canonization. I replied that that was super great news and told her how I wished I could go to Pope John Paul II’s beatification, but there were no more slots in travel agencies in Manila. And with Holy Week approaching, I barely had three weeks for my Schengen visa.

“I’m going,” she said, “I’ll ask my travel agent if she can accommodate you.” My friend added, however, that she was making no promises.

Then one after another, Pope John Paul II made everything so easy for me to join the Cebu group to the Vatican.  I didn’t even have to go to Cebu for my Schengen visa!

Second miracle: “Totus Tuus”

It was my first time to fly out of Cebu for travel abroad. I was the only non-Cebuano-speaking member in the group of 35.  To some extent, the language barrier was a challenge. But then we had English in common, such that we could always resort to it when my Tagalog and their Cebuano didn’t work.

At the Vatican on Sunday (May 1), I was one of millions of pilgrims of diverse nationalities and languages. The air was very cold. It had rained all Saturday night and none of my copilgrims wanted to join me at four in the
morning.

I walked alone from our hotel, Casa Tra Noi.  At 4:30 a.m., I stood among fellow pilgrims, not one of them able to speak English.  As the day wore on and more people arrived, I was right outside St. Peter’s Square, with a good view of the giant screen that showed what was happening inside. But it was frustrating because everything was in Italian. Outside of Tagalog, I could only speak English and did not understand Italian or any of the languages the others spoke.

And just then, I realized, it wasn’t words that moved people. It was what was in our hearts. Whatever the nationality—Russian, Italian, German, Filipino—we all went through a deeply spiritual experience. We cried as one, we shared and we prayed as one, even though no words were spoken.  I knew we were filled with the Holy Spirit, who saw the love in our hearts; the love of God that made us understand each
other.  Somehow it dawned on me that it must have been like this for the apostles. When words failed, they gave of themselves; they shared what was in their hearts. I guess that was what Blessed Pope John Paul II’s “Totus Tuus” was all about. Total giving. That is why he is the Pope of the people and loved throughout the world.

Third miracle: Sunny weather

For two days prior to the beatification, it was raining in Rome.  The weather forecast, which was always accurate, said there was a 60 percent to 70 percent chance of rain on May 1.

“What if it rains? What will happen to the millions of people, the unprecedented crowds that gathered in Rome, many of them sick or old, from all walks of life, from all over the world?” Bob Gothong, one of the pilgrims, told me during dinner on the eve of the Pope’s beatification.

June Keithley said she pitied the sick and the old people.

I told Bob and June: “Don’t worry. God will not allow anything to happen at the beatification except goodness for all, especially for those who came. I believe God, our Father in Heaven, sees what’s in our hearts and will grant all our prayers. I was brought here miraculously. I can see a downpour, yes, but it will be a downpour of blessings for all.”

At around 9 a.m. (3 p.m. Manila time) on May 1, the clouds disappeared and the sun shone brightly. The sky was all blue. Pope Benedict, presiding over the beatification rites, read the beatification prayer. Everyone stood in solemn silence, eyes fixed on the giant screen. When the picture of Pope John Paul II was unveiled, everybody cheered, shouting: “Pope John Paul II, we love you,” in all languages. We applauded and clapped, crying tears of joy while white balloons covered the blue sky. I felt a gentle breeze pass around us.  At that moment, I felt so blessed to be there, to feel and share this overflowing sense of love and joy. I looked around. There was not a face without tears—tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears of release and surrender. And there was no rain all day.

Fourth miracle: Manna from Heaven

After the beatification rites and the Mass, all were high in love and gratitude. The atmosphere was absolutely uplifting. Forgetting hunger or thirst, nobody was moving to leave just yet. It felt so good just being there.  And then to our surprise, along the side street where we were, food was distributed:  Lunch packs, mineral water, apples, kiwi, baby carrots, all kinds of food and in great quantities.

It was all very orderly. People did not push or pull to get their share first or to get more than enough.  The spirit of sharing and camaraderie truly prevailed.  It reminded me of the Old Testament’s manna from heaven for God’s people, and the New Testament’s miracle of the loaves and fishes to feed the crowds that followed Jesus.  My copilgrims who were lucky to be at St. Peter’s were surprised that we had food. Then, I realized that Pope John Paul II wanted me to be with the people outside—to see how simple they were, how patient and persevering, how strong their faith. He wanted me to see the power of faith.

I was so happy to learn from the pilgrims who were at St Peter’s Square that out of the blue, while they were standing before the beatification ceremonies started, our pilgrimage chaplain, Fr.
Allan Delima, was asked to concelebrate the Mass.  It was like Pope John Paul II telling our group “All your petitions and prayers are granted by God.”  Alleluia!

Fifth miracle: Terror down

On May 2, (Rome time) my daughter texted me from Sydney: “Osama bin Laden was shot last night (Sunday) in Abbottabad, Pakistan—abbot meaning father or priest. I thought of Pope John Paul, Mom, immediately! Osama and his son died. US Navy SEALs firefight. Man-to-man battle, not bombs nor heavy artillery. Really great, Mom! Love you! ”  I shared her text with fellow pilgrims. Yes. I have no doubt that this came about through the intercession of Blessed John Paul II. He destroyed communism when he was alive, now, he’s destroying terrorism. And it is not mere coincidence that this incident, this major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, happened one day after his beatification. It only shows how much he loves us all.

Back home

The trip home was not without hassle.  My luggage was overweight, what with all the souvenirs I wanted to bring back to friends and loved ones, including at least, 300 rosaries. Since the charge for the overweight added up to almost the cost of an upgrade to business class,  practical or not, I opted to upgrade. But my luggage was still overweight. Miraculously, the clerk at the check-in counter was kind enough to just ignore it. Thank God! Thank you, Blessed Pope John Paul II!