Filipinos and expats all over the UAE are now preparing for the grand celebrations of the Papal Visit, specifically for the Papal Mass which will take place at Zayed Sports City this coming February 5.
Filipinos have keenly expressed their gratitude towards the UAE government for making the momentous event possible and eagerly await the day when they’ll get to meet the Pope.
Here are their personal intentions:
House Maid, 8 years in the UAE
“Bukod sa peace of mind at good health, ang panalangin ko lang kay Pope ay sana madagdagan na ang aming pamilya at magkababy na kami ng aking asawa. Laking pasasalamat ko Gobyerno ng UAE kasi sa edad kong 33yrs old ngayon ko lang makikita ang Pope na siyang namamahala sa sa mga Katoliko sa buong Mundo.”
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Banker, 14 years in the UAE
“We will prepare ourselves – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Iba kasi ang pakiramdam especially ito ay isang event na very rare to happen or should I say, hindi ko akalaing dito ko pa makikita ang Pope. To the UAE Government, its rulers, and leaders – I cannot Thank you enough but from the bottom of my heart, maraming salamat po. You will always be in my and my entire family’s prayers.
Mahal na Santo Papa, maraming salamat sa iyong walang sawang pagmamahal sa aming lahat na anak ng Diyos. Your selflessness and faithfulness are so great that you always give yourself inspite and despite of anything. Your exemplary gestures embodies the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ and this alone makes the me feel so honored.”
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Investor, 30 years in the UAE
“We pray that the Pope, through the Papal Mass, will grant us more wisdom, strength and faith, not to lose hope and ask his blessing and prayers for peace and unity in the whole world. Mabuhay ang UAE Government, and we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for inviting Pope Francis here in the UAE, thus giving us a great opportunity to attend this papal mass.”
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Personal Assistant, 6 years in the UAE
“Naguumapaw ang kasiyahan ko nung nalaman kong nakakuha kami ng ticket ng aking asawa. Ipananalangin ko una sa lahat ang aking pamilya lalo na ang aming mga anak na nasa Pilipinas na ilayo ng Diyos sa anumang kapahamakan at karamdaman. Pangalawa ang aming trabaho dito sa bansa at pangatlo ang bansang Pilipinas na naway makamtan na tunay na kapayapaan at ilayo sa mga taong makakasira at makakagulo sa progreso ng bansa. Taos pusong pasasalamat sa paganyaya ng gobyerno ng UAE kay Papa Francisco na lumahok sa dayalogo ukol sa relasyon ng simbahang Katoliko sa ibat iba pang relihiyon dito sa bansa.”
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Accountant, 5 years in the UAE
““I am deeply grateful for this once a lifetime opportunity to be in a Papal Mass, and would like to commend the UAE Government for being true to its promise of great tolerance to all to exercise our religious freedoms. My prayer will be a prayer of thanks. It will be a prayer of appreciation and not of supplication.”
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Professional Electrical Engineer, 3 years in the UAE
Kailan niyo po kukunin ang ticket ninyo?
“This is a very momentous event, an experience of a lifetime. I pray for my family’s safety at all times, for the Filipino Community’s strengthened unity and strength and guidance for all our government officials here in the UAE. May this experience heal all the pains and ease out negativities of all Filipinos, and May we all continue to transcend positivity, love and peace to make this country and the world a better place to live in. In behalf of the Filipino Community here in Abu Dhabi, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the UAE government for making this possible. To realize the dreams of most Filipinos here to get the chance to attend the Papal mass.”
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Senior Health Unit Coordinator, 12 years in the UAE
“Ang aking dalangin ay Kapayapaan ng aking puso at isipan; Kapayaan ng Mindanao, ang aking lupang sinilangan. Maraming salamat sa UAE Gov’t at napakabuti nila sa lahat ng mga expats lalung-lalo na sa usaping relihiyon kasi binigyan nila tayo ng kalayaan na makapag-samba at makagawa ng mga religious activities dito sa bansa nila at ipinapakita nila sa buong mundo ang Year of Tolerance.”
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Admin/Document Controller
“I pray for forgiveness of our sins… that God continue to bless us with love, unity, good health, safety and good work, for my family, siblings, colleagues, friends, my church community and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. To the UAE government – Words are not enough to say thank you for the 1st ever event allowing the Pope to visit. Thank you Lord for this is an answered prayer to be part of the Papal mass. To God Be the Glory!!
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School Principal, 19 years in the UAE
“I go to church not to always ask something from God but to thank Him for our everyday blessings. I pray for the safety of my family and to everyone and for the peace and unity to the whole world most especially to my homeland, the Philippines. Thank you UAE for this great opportunity of building bridges of tolerance and that religion is not a hindrance to attain unity and peace.”
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“May God continue to use me as an instrument of healing so that many will be blessed with good health. I am very grateful to UAE government na nag initiate sila na gawin ang taong ito na Year of Tolerance kasama na ang different religions. This opens a dialogue with different religious leaders especially our Pope na naimbitahan nila dito sa UAE at magkakaroon tayo ng chance na makita ang Santo Papa.”
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Office Assistant, 20 years in UAE
“I will pray that everyone will have peace and experience unity around the world, especially in the Philippines and Syria. I will pray for my family, for the sick people to be healed. I will pray for the Philippines to unite in prayer to stop the corruption. I am so grateful to the UAE goverment for inviting Pope Francis because of their kindness to everyone, giving us the opportunity to meet the Pope on the upcoming Papal Mass.”
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Electronics Engineer, 4 years in the UAE
“Lubos na kasiyahan ang aking nadama sapagkat simula nuong makarating sa akin ang balitang darating ang Santo Papa dito sa Abu Dhabi sa aking kaarawan. Para sa akin, aking hiling na patuloy na maging matatag ang aming pamilya sa lahat ng pagsubok na aming kinakaharap, na maging buo at sama-samang harapin ang lahat ng problema. Aking ipinanalangin ang mabuting kalusugan ng aking mga magulang at ng buong pamilya, maayos na trabaho, mabuting mga kaibigan at ligtas ng kapaligiran. Para sa lahat, nawa ay mangibabaw ang pag-ibig sa bawat isa nang sa gayon ay hindi na makaramdam ang mga nangungulilang OFW na sila ay nag-iisa.”
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The Papal Visit marks 1st visit of a Pope to the MENA region. Themed ‘Make Me a Channel of Your Peace’, the visit is a positive response of the pontiff and the Vatican to the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE.
In line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’ the visit is part of the celebrations of the ‘International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity’.
Pope Francis’ full itinerary in the UAE:
Sunday, February 3
1:00 PM – Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10:00 PM – Arrival at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Official Welcome
Monday, February 4
12:00 PM – Welcome Ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi
12:20 PM – Official Visit to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in the Presidential Palace
5:00 PM – Private meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6:10 PM – Inter-religious Meeting at the Founder’s Memorial
Discourse of the Holy Father
Tuesday, February 5
9:15 AM – Visit in private to the Cathedral
10:30 AM – Santa Messa in Zayed Sports City — Homily of the Holy Father
12:40 PM – Farewell Ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1:00 PM – Departure by plane to Rome
5:00 PM – Arrival at the Rome/Ciampino International Airport
