WHILE PLANNING the
trip I was able to reserve eight audience tickets to see Pope John
Paul II; he held audiences with the public every Wednesday at the
Vatican. On the day we were to have an audience with the Pope I
received a call from a Sister informing me that he was very ill and
we would not be able to see him in Vatican City. She did say we could
go and see him at his summer home, Castel Gandolfo. We quickly found
out where Castel Gandolfo was and how to get there by bus.
WHEN WE got to the bus
stop the line was already long and we were nervous about making it
onto the bus. Two buses had already left the station without my
family; but luckily a third bus came along. It was an odd sight
because the bus was packed with brides and grooms. [It is tradition
for the Pope to bless couples that married throughout the year.] A
bride asked us where we wanted to go. We told her Castel Gandolfo and
she said we were on the right bus.
![]() |
Saint Pope John XXIII |
WE FOLLOWED the
couples through the small town and entered Castel Gandolfo’s
courtyard as we passed the Swiss Guards. The crowd was approximately
300. From a decorated platform and surrounded by several clergymen,
Pope John Paul II talked to the crowd for over an hour. He spoke in
Polish, Italian, French, English and Spanish. Pope John Paul II
blessed us several times and he said his blessings included members
of our family, our children and their children’s, children. He also
blessed any religious articles and photos we had in our possession.
Sadly, one could see how weak Pope John Paul II was as he struggled
with his words.
THE ATMOSPHERE was
electrifying! People from all over the world were genuinely ecstatic
to see their ‘Papa’. They clapped and cheered for him. A Boy
Scout band played music and I asked the Scout Master where they were
from and he proudly said, “We are from Bethlehem were Jesus was
born.”
WHILE IN Rome, we
visited St. Peter's Square, heard Mass and received Holy Communion at
St. Peter's Basilica, toured the tomes of Popes buried underground,
saw the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo, the Roman Coliseum
and the Catacombs. Our visit to Rome was awesome!
SEEING Pope John Paul
II canonized as a Saint was exciting too and I can say I saw, in
person, a living Saint, Saint Pope John Paul II.
Jesus is whipped carrying the cross. |
PASSION REANACTMENT:
On Good Friday, April 18, 2014, five Catholic churches in Little
Village St. Agnes, Good Shepherd, Epiphany, St. Roman and Our
Lady of Tepeyac joined together to sponsor “Via Crucis de
La Villita” the reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The procession began with parishioners walking from 26th
St. & Sacramento Ave. west to 26th St. & Kostner
Ave. The crowd estimate was five thousand [5,000] Mexican Catholics
(men, women and children) walking in the procession. “This was a
spiritual event for the community and churches; it opens the doors
for the parishes to work together in other things,” said Martin
Encisco, a Deacon at Good Shepherd Church.
THE REENACTMENT BEGAN at the time “Jesus” [Jaime Nieto]
was taken by Roman soldiers and presented before Pontius Pilate.
The criminal, “Barabbas”, stood next to Jesus when Pilate asked
the crowd whom should he free. The group [actors and actresses
dressed in costumes] shouted “Barabbas.” The Roman soldiers put
“thorns” on Jesus' head and began pushing him to carry the wooden
cross and “whipping” him. Jesus was being whipped as he carried
the cross [1.8 miles] for the crucifixion.
DEACON ENCISCO said
“Via Crucis de LaVillita” will become an annual event in
Little Village during Lent. The five churches, parishioners,
coordinators and actors did an outstanding job.
CICERO REGULAR DEMOCRATIC
ORGANIZATION
CICERO DEMOCRATS: Charlie
Hernandez, Democratic Committee of the Town of Cicero held a
special meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 to elect new officers of
the Cicero Regular Democratic Organization. Invited guest speaker was
August Sallas a life-long Democrat.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, a Cicero Democrat, also spoke to
the party members about the goals of the Democrats in Cicero. Charlie
and Lisa congratulated the newly elected officers.
ART EXHIBIT: Carlos
& Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery is presenting two
internationally known Mexican artists: Hector Duarte, from
Michocan, and Jesus Acuna, from Zacatecas. The opening
reception will be Saturday, May 24, 2014, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
at Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery, 1538 W. Cullerton St.,
Chicago. For more info call Len Dominguez 773/580-8053.