Blind lector to serve at Pope Francis’ Quirino Grandstand mass

Despite being blind, Ma. Divina Zambales, or Divine, has been an active member of her local church, where she serves as lector.

 

In January, she will be given the chance to help lead the congregation in prayer, in a mass of a lifetime, one presided by no less than Pope Francis.

 

According to a report on 24 Oras on Tuesday, Zambales has been tapped as lector to be held on the afternoon of January 18 at the Quirino Grandstand.

 

Officials of the papal visit organizing committee said they expect the crowd at the said mass to surpass the six-million-people mark that gathered there during the visit in 1995 of Pope John Paul II, who's now a saint.

 

Divine, who lost her eyesight as a child due to a brain tumor, said she felt blessed" with the opportunity to be a lector at the mass, and get close to Pope Francis.

 

"Masaya ako kasi sa dinami-rami... ma-feel mo na blessed na blessed ka talaga," she said.

 

Aside from Zambales, Ronald Yambao, who is deaf-mute, has also been invited to meet the Pope.

 

In sign language read by an interpreter, Yambao said he wants his family "to be blessed by the Pope," adding that he wishes to thank the pontiff "for visiting the Philippines.

 

Persons with disabilities are among those chosen by the Pope to meet him during his visit. Their impact on the Filipino family is also one of the three aspects that will be discussed before the Pope during the meeting of families at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 16. 

 

In an interview with GMA News, Fr. Nonnette Legaspi, minister for persons with disabilities at the Diocese of Novaliches, Pope Francis brings a wave of hope for people like Zambales and Yambao.

 

"Maramdaman nila na they belong to the church, na they are not just recipients of healthcare services," he said. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB, GMA News