Vidal recalls fondly days leading to canonization

“BEAUTIFUL, very solemn, very meaningful.”

That’s how Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, described  the liturgy-rich days leading up to the Oct. 21 canonization, which gathered Filipinos in a series of Masses, reunions and joyful celebrations.

He returned to Cebu last Thursday from the historic Rome event. “I was very, very happy that at least a Filipino, a bisayo at that, was there at the altar to represent the Philippines,” he said.

“We experienced the canonization of our kadugo. It was a different experience. I have been attending the beatication and the canonization of other people from other countries but I did not feel that much then,” said Vidal.

Filipino pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square and those watching the live telecast around the world cheered when the Pope finally announced the martyr’s name as “Saint Pedro Calungsod of the Philippines”.

The Pope “even mentioned Cebu”, Vidal pointed out.  The Cebu cardinal had a role in the ceremony, reading the anamnesis, the Greek word for reminiscence or memorial sacrifice, during the Mass.

Asked if  he felt tired in Rome, the 81-year-old prelate said “a little.” “But you know when you are happy, you do not feel that you have to walk long. The sun was up up,” he said.

Vidal had an episode of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar during the thanksgiving Mass inside the St. Peter’s Basilica a day after the canonization.

He called the master of ceremonoies to ask candy, which he ate.  “It was gone after,” he said. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol