A day of FAITH and UNITY

Sep 20, 2024

By Elvina Fernandez
The National Stadium erupted with cheers as Pope Francis arrived at 4.30pm., greeted by over 50,000 eager attendees who had gathered hours earlier to witness the Papal Mass, the highlight of his three-day visit to Singapore.

Attending the Papal Mass with such a vast congregation was an experience of a lifetime, etched forever in my memory. The month leading up to this momentous event was filled with reverence, including confession, increased prayer, reflection on the Word of God, abstinence, Mass, and Holy Hour.

As I entered the stadium, the sheer scale of the gathering struck me profoundly. People from all walks of life, diverse nationalities, and various ages had come together, united by their faith. The anticipation of the Mass, shared with a congregation of this magnitude, filled me with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and deep gratitude for what truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime blessing.

Among the attendees were invited guests including 2,600 children ranging from kindergarteners to junior college students, 310 migrants, 1,000 elderly parishioners, 250 wheelchair users, and 3,000 Catholics from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) countries. The sense of community was palpable, with everyone sharing smiles, discussing prayer, exchanging faith experiences, offering peace greetings, and praying together.

The arrival of Pope Francis was an overwhelming experience of faith. His readiness to greet and bless every child who approached him and hand them a rosary deeply touched me. It brought tears to my eyes to see him so close — about 30 rows of chairs from the altar on the stadium pitch.

As the Mass began, the sight of Pope Francis on the altar was awe-inspiring, evoking a profound sense of peace and unity. The readings, hymns, and prayers resonated deeply, weaving a spiritual connection throughout the service. The Mass was further elevated by the presence of 280 priests and 50 bishops and cardinals, enhancing the solemnity and grandeur of the occasion.

A particularly proud moment for me was seeing Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur seated next to the Pope. As the current President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, he was honoured with this prominent position. Cardinal Sebastian Francis of Penang was also given the special honour of reciting parts of the Eucharistic Prayer during the Mass.

The Pope’s homily, delivered with compassion and wisdom, touched on themes of love and forgiveness, leaving a lasting impact on all present. Part of the homily that spoke out to me was, ”The love that God shows us and that he invites us to share with others; respond generously to the needs of the poor; is marked by compassion for those in sorrow; is quick to offer hospitality; and is persevering in times of trial. It is always ready to forgive, to hope, even to the point of returning a blessing for a curse.”

The effort to organise the visit was monumental, involving two co-chairpersons, 28 main committee members, 17 subcommittees, and a 5,000-strong volunteer contingent. Many started the planning and organising work as early as February 2024. The dedication and hard work of these individuals ensured that the event was a resounding success.

Being part of such a large congregation was both humbling and uplifting. It reminded me of the strength and resilience of our faith community. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of collective prayer and the importance of coming together in worship.

It was more than just a religious event, it was a celebration of faith, unity, and hope. And also a reminder that despite our differences, we are all part of a larger, loving community. It has also inspired me even more to live out the values of compassion and unity in my daily life.

Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore was both a state and pastoral visit, highlighting his role as the head of Vatican City and the Holy See, which oversees nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. This visit has been eight years in the making, with invitations extended by former President Tony Tan in 2016 and President Halimah Yacob during her term. Originally planned for 2020 to coincide with the Church’s bicentennial celebrations, the visit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Holy Father’s serves as a powerful call for us to rekindle our faith, deepen our love for God, and embrace a renewed zeal to share the reason for our hope with one another.