Europe 102: A celebrity Pope, a talented Brother, and an Italian Lady surprise

It's truly Christmas time in the air! It's not just because of the wreaths, lights, made-up Christmas trees, and belens but for Filipinos it's also the consecutive Misa de Gallo (dawn masses) or Simbang Gabi (evening masses). The time to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for the mass. It may sound like a torture especially for all those sleepyheads (including me in a no-class day :)). However, I look forward to it everyday because it not only prepare you spiritually for the coming of Christ but it's also a fun bonding for me and my siblings with a super early breakfast. Going to the Vatican City is something that we (me, my family, and maybe majority of the Catholics) would consider a big fulfillment... more so if you can actually see the Pope.

An audience with the Pope

Just one of the excited audience.

After quite an adventure looking for the bronze door, we set off the next day for the Papal audience. Frankly, I don't know what to expect. When I told my sister that I would be able to see the Pope, I was still in disbelieve. I couldn't imagine how easy it was for us to do this considering the 2-weeks notice at the website. We also realized that it was also the Papal audience before Christmas and the last one for the year. Spell lucky. :) I was starting to imagine that it would be like a big mass-like gathering... well, it turns out not exactly.

Securing our tickets with us, we went to the same gate and got in line with the rest of the audience for the security check. The line wasn't that long, I think a blockbuster hit at the cinema would be longer. And the security check are like the ones at the airport. The people were a mix group from Asians, Africans, Europeans/Americans, etc... from priests, nuns, and others with no religious affiliations (like us). The commonality is that you can sense the same feeling of anticipation and excitement. Everyone seem to wear their best smiles (knowingly or unknowingly) except maybe the ones at the security checks.

We finally got beyond the bronze door and went into a huge modern hall where the audience was held. There wasn't any statues or picture of saints which churches usually contains except for a sculpture (I think, of resurrection) at center of the stage. The place was very comfortable and modern... more like a hall where you held concerts or conference rather than religious gathering. (Later on, I found out that the hall is called Pope Paul VI.) I'm not good with assumptions but my partner says that it was about 2000 people there but it doesn't feel crowded at all. In fact, there are still a lot of vacant seats available... maybe the rest just didn't find the trick of the bronze door. ;)

Anyways, we found a seat amongst a group of single men... unfortunately, for my girlfriends, they are bound to be single forever. Well spiritually, more like “In a Relationship” with Christ. These were the fine men of the Legionaries of Christ and one of them is Brother Colin. By the way, we also met a few others and one of them just got ordained this year! So, I just want to give a shoutout greeting of congratulations to Fr. Matthew Schneider! Continue to be an inspiration and a reflection of Christ in today's world.

Well, since we still have no clue what's going to happen, it's quite such a breather to have conversations with Brother Colin. Like being with someone who went to the same concert before, he told us of what to expect.

There he is! (blurred)

When the people started to shout and cheer, we knew that Pope Benedict just came in. If you know nothing about the event, you would probably think that Tom Cruise or some celebrity is in the house (although, some other might also consider the Pope as a celebrity). The cheers was contagious. And that was one of the longest cheer that I have ever witness in a gathering. Maybe second (or same level) to a Backstreet Boys concert with 20K+ audience and 90% female. It was both fascinating and fun and I feel like I'm in a concert and it was just the beginning. After the crowd has been settled, the program started. When the opening prayer started, it still feels surreal for me. I think I was wearing a smile while praying (in Italian). I just realized at that time my item #8.

8. Pray at the Vatican City.. I also want to get a rosary from there for my mom & sis

Although, I just wished to pray at the Vatican, God made it more special by having the Pope lead it with such an excited crowd. (By the way, getting a rosary was easy, they're everywhere! :)) Another entertaining part of the program was when the bishop (as emcee) did a roll call of the organizations from different countries. Every group went to cheer on as their country was called. Germany even have their cheer song. It was really cool. I bet I'll also be cheering and standing if a group from the Philippines were also called. That's how great the mood was. It wasn't that long. About an hour and a half. It only took that long because the Pope gave a Christmas message in a LOT of different languages. And we learned from Brother Colin that it was the first time that he gave a message in Arabic. And when he started saying “blessings to you and your family at home” (not in verbatim), my heart tightened... my home is half-way across the globe... the only thought that came to my mind was that I strongly wished that they were there with me... at least for my mom. I know that they would feel as overwhelmed as I was. Maybe some day, I hope I can bring (some) of them with me.... some day. I went out of the hall feeling grateful... it was a short but meaningful encounter.

A n Italian lunch out with the Brother

With the men in black, Brother Colin and
newly ordained Fr. Matthew Schneider.

We still have conversations with Brother Colin and eventually we decided to have lunch together. He brought us to this traditional Italian restaurant which serves wine(!) for lunch(!). I think wines for Italians are like Coke for Filipinos. The lunch was great... although, I don't know the names of the breads and pizzas that we ate, I just remembered the ambiance. It has a taste of Filipino in it. I guess, the long tables and audible family conversations made it Filipino-ish... also, the owner seems to know everyone in there including Brother Colin. There's not a lot of new people that we met traveling through Europe. So, we truly welcome his company. Anyways, what's the probability of meeting a priest at the Vatican? :D

Mostly people would assume that we will talk about religion... well, part of it is but mostly we talk about us, about people and humanity in general. I was always curious about how or why priests (or nuns) chose a vocation which I think tops the list of service-oriented duties (along with social volunteers). And in all my conversations with seminarians (not a lot), their decisions are not entirely a defined choice by them, nor something of a chance, but also a divine one. His story is not so different. When I was little, I wanted to be a nun because I really like what they wear and they look serene. Soon I found out the reality beyond the uniforms. So, I switched my goal to wanting to be a doctor. Anyways, I forgot to mention that he's also an insanely talented linguistic, who speaks fluently in Italian, German, French, and of course, as an American, English... that's the linguistic part. The talented part is that he also a pianist and plays for concert. Maybe one day we also get to witness that. :)

I think our conversation was as long as the audience with the Pope (maybe longer :D). I never realized that a conversation with a seminarian, a scientist, and an ordinary girl about life and its choices would be that interesting. He invited us to visit Rome again next year in time for his ordination. I hope that the invitation still stands... and I hope that we will have the time and opportunity to be back... and this time, maybe meet Pope Francis :)

My surprise: A Fair Lady... in Italian

I know that my Vatican experience was something for the books. From our adventure with the bronze door to the actual audience. And in between these schedules, the Man was able to pull out another surprise. Prior to this was this. It's quite an exhausting day walking around, so when he said that we have an appointment at 9pm, I was just like “ok.. I just have to rest for a while” after at the apartment. Since he didn't want to mention what the surprise is, he just says something like “Are you not going to change?” And since I'm a bit exhausted... and I also didn't feel like changing... and I don't think I look like a drab with pants and a jacket on. Therefore, with all these reasons, I didn't change my day trip's attire. Little did I know that it was a clue.

We started looking for the place... well, he started looking for the place and I just went with him. And finally we reached the stop. I was like “Are we getting in there?? Are we really watching this?? Oh-my...” On my mind: “This is on my list!” Yes, he plans to check off one of the items on my list, my #6. 

6. Watch opera or musical theater (any Mama Mias?)

English Title... Italian Content  :D

And the play was My Fair Lady. It's one of my wishes to watch an actual musical play. I generally love music and I love Lea Salonga. But the chance of getting to watch anything close to a famous musical play living in Zamboanga City was veryclose to zero. I also enjoyed our theater production back in college... it was one of my college highlights.

Outside, I was in awe just looking at the poster. And super excited. I'm not sure why he chose that play. But if I remembered it right, that's the only play available in English. Although, I have heard of the play (or the movie), I have no idea what's the story of My Fair Lady is. This is my first. And I'm going to enjoy it. And I did. :)

When we finally get it, that's when the idea of clothes set it. Everyone looks like they came out of a fashion magazine. I actually packed a dress for such occasions. If I only knew! I feel like I'm going off to watch a movie rather than a play. Although, I can see some pips looking at my direction, I was thinking what better off to enjoy a show than in your most comfortable clothes... as long as you don't freeze. :D

There is just one uncertainty about the play: if it's in English or Italian. Alas! It's in Italian! My first musical play is in Italian! :D This is one is once again for the books.

I'm not a fan of the lead actress' singing (I've seen far greater singers in the Philippines) but her acting was very laudable and entertaining. Overall, the show was awesome, fun... and dream-like. Somehow, I felt like a little girl once again... the music and the singing reminds me of a lot of Disney movies... and I felt like singing “Do... a deer, a female deer... Re... a drop of golden sun... ” or “somewhere over the rainbow...”... not that it's any of My Fair Lady's songs.

Although, in Italian, one thing is for sure, “Fair” in My Fair Lady does not pertain to color. :D My #6 was indeed awesome... and the awesomeness I owe to the Man beside me. I was wrong again. He can indeed pull a surprise. And what a surprise! These are the moments that I can't help but be grateful for. He's a doctor in making daydreams into real memories. Thank you.

Now, moving on... aside from the Vatican (and our little detour), there are more to Rome... but we'll just have to rediscover the ancient city on my next entry. :)