I can’t count anymore with my fingers how many celebrations I attended at St Peter’s Basilica or at St. Peter’s Square presided by His Holiness Pope Francis I. But there were some events that has left more impact in me like the Papal Inauguration of the Supreme Pontiff, the Pauline General Audience and my own personal encounter with him during the May 17th General Audience at St. Peter’s Square.

These events has given a lot more meaning in my missionary journey as a PDDM-PAULINE religious. I practically started my journey as a missionary in Rome in time of the election of the new Pope which eventually elected Pope Francis as the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

I can’t forget what Pope Francis said during his homily in his inauguration which was also the Solemnity of St. Joseph ( March 19, 2013). The Pope gave emphasis on the needs to care for the earth and for each other as Joseph cared for Jesus and Mary. He said: How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own. Joseph is a “protector” because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions. In him, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation! The vocation of being a “protector”, however, is not just something involving us Christians alone; it also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world. (vatican.va)

The Pope’s message served as a guide and an inspiration in my journey.   There were challenges and difficulties particularly during the first year but I never gave up because there was always this strength that sustained me to go on and accomplish the mission……that I did not come “only to work” but “to work for a mission”, because the joy of working and living for the LORD exceeds them…CHRIST, the core of my vocation.

Deo Gratias!