Pope to Pinoys: Keep asking God why

In these times of suffering, never tire of asking God why.”

This was the message of Pope Francis to the Filipino community as he blessed the mosaic of San Pedro Calungsod that was yesterday enthroned inside the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy.

“We cannot explain why things like this happen; there are so many things we cannot explain. When children start to grow up they don’t understand and ask their moms and dads so many questions. Psychologists call it the “why age”, they don’t wait to hear the answer but continue with other questions. Children need to feel their parent’s love and attention in that phase of insecurity they need the eyes and hearts of their parents,” the Holy Father said.

“In these times of suffering, never tire of asking why, because you will attract the tenderness of the Father and his attention, just as children do when they ask ‘why’. In these times of suffering prayer is of even more help,” he added.

Pope Francis assured the Filipinos of his continued prayers especially for the victims of supertyphoon Yolanda.

The Pope’s message was posted by Cebuano priest Jan Limchua on his Facebook account.

Limchua, who is presently studying in Rome, was among those who attended the blessing of Calungsod’s mosaic last Thursday.

The mosaic representing the first Visayan martyr was enthroned at the crypt beneath the main altar of the basilica where the bones of St. Peter the Apostle and the previous popes are venerated.

The design of the mosaic is exactly the same with the painting of Calungsod in Cebu and other parts of the Philippines.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle celebrated Mass after the blessing.

A painting of St. Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint, already graces the left side of the basilica’s main altar.

It was the idea of Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Merceditas Tuazon to request the Vatican to allow them to put up an image of Calungsod inside the St. Peter’s Basilica in recognition of the country’s contribution to Christianity.

Calungsod was a teenager from the Visayas, who went to the Marianas Island for a mission. He and Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest, were killed by two angry natives who opposed the Catholic teachings on April 2, 1672.

Calungsod was canonized last Oct. 21, 2012.