July 16 - 31, 2016
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
The Sir Knights of the Assembly
of Infant Jesus #2692
During their annual potluck picnic held Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Wilket Creek Park in
North York, Ontario. Seated at center is Fr. Simon deGale, Chaplain of the San Lorenzo
Ruiz Council #8809 and Pastor of the St. John XXIII Parish, honoring the Knights with
his presence during the gathering. St. John XXIII in Don Mills, Ontario is the homebase parish of the Assembly of Infant Jesus #2692 and Council #8809. The Assembly
of Infant Jesus is composed of most members of Council #8809, those of the Our
Lady of Assumption Parish Council # 12582 and those from the Maharlika Council
#7488. On its 2nd year, the event was conceived by Deacon Bob Rosales (3rd from
right) – Grand Knight of Council #8809 during his incumbency as Faithful Navigator of
Assembly #2692 for the Fraternal Year 2015-2016, aimed at strengthening the bonds
among members, on the one hand, and with – and among the members’ families, on
the other. (Council 8809 PR)
Pope Francis goes to
Krakow for WYD
Krakow, Poland - Many special moments are anticipated during Pope Francis’
visit to Poland this week for World Youth
Day, especially considering his visit to Auschwitz and his meeting with 10 Holocaust
survivors.
However one thing that could easily
slip through the cracks in the lead-up, but
will likely be a major part of what shapes
the trip, are his evening dialogues with
youth from the balcony of the Bishop’s
Palace.
Every night when he comes back
to Krakow after the day’s activities, Pope
Francis will appear on the palace balcony
to address youth gathered below.
Given Francis’ spontaneous nature
and the personal connection he forms
when engaging with groups in more intimate settings, the off-the-cuff conversations will likely be what sets the tone for the
trip, more so than his scheduled activities.
The tradition was initiated by St.
John Paul II, who spoke to youth from the
balcony every time he visited his homeland
as Pope.
John Paul II, who was originally from
Wadowice, Poland, moved to the Bishop’s
Palace in Krakow Aug. 10, 1944, while
studying at the Archdiocese of Krakow’s
clandestine seminary, forced to go underground when Poland was occupied by Nazi
Germany and the Soviet Union during the
Second World War.
As Pope, St. John Paul II returned
to Poland nine times in 1979, 1983, 1987,
twice in 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999 and
2002. During each of his pilgrimages to
Krakow, the Polish Pope would stay at the
Bishop’s Palace, and would come out on
the balcony each night to greet and speak
with youth gathered below.
The famous window from which he
spoke is located just above the entrance to
the building. A statue of the St. John Paul
II was gifted to the diocese in 1980 and
now stands in the courtyard below.
Benedict XVI also imitated the gesture during his visit to Poland in 2006, and
now Pope Francis will do the same during
WYD, continuing the legacy of the great
Polish Pope, which is still blatantly alive
and thriving throughout the country.
St. John Paul II established World
Youth Day in 1985; the first event was
held in Rome in 1986. Since then it has
occurred in various cities throughout the
world, typically every three years.
World Youth Day in Krakow officially
kicks off July 25 and lasts through July 31,
with Pope Francis arriving July 27. It will
be Pope Francis’ second World Youth Day
during his pontificate.
Other highlights to watch out for
will be his gestures, since he speaks louder
with his actions than his words. Especially
noteworthy will be his actions during his
visit to Auschwitz, where he will sit in silence at Block 11, and will meet with 10
Holocaust survivors as well as 25 “Righteous Among the Nations.”
Francis will likely also make a lot
of references to his predecessor St. John
Paul II, given the fact that he is not only
in the great Saint’s homeland, but also
given the fact that the Polish Pope is still
so widely recognized and revered in Polish
society, even for those who aren’t necessarily religious.
Apart from these highlights, the
rest should be a fairly normal WYD scene.
However, while Francis’ schedule is packed
with different events, we can’t leave out the
possibility of at least a few papal surprises.
(E. Harris, CAN)
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FAITH AND RELIGION
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