‘Everyone's involved’ as UST prepares for 4th papal visit

The University of Santo Tomas is no stranger to papal visits, having been graced three times by two popes in the last 45 years.

In preparing for its fourth papal visit — this time by Pope Francis — an official told GMA News Online that virtually everyone took part in the preparations in their own ways.

Pope Francis will be visiting UST on Sunday morning for an encounter with representatives from various youth groups, a practice similar to the trips made there by his predecessors, now-Blessed Paul VI and Saint John Paul II.

"Everyone is involved on campus," UST public affairs head Giovanna Fontanilla said. "The university created a committee for the visit, headed by our rector (Fr. Herminio Dagohoy). Each member is assigned a particular task for different concerns, like physical arrangements, medical needs, security, media."

She added, however, that this was done in line with the government and Church's preparations as they are the main organizers for the Pope's visit.

Ina Vergara, president of the UST Central Student Council, said each faculty, college, or school of the university "have student volunteers for the upcoming event," which will be attended by 24,000 youth representatives, plus what officials expect to be a larger number from the general public.

"Some of them would act as human barricades, ushers, etc.," she told GMA News Online in an email. "Selected student leaders will also be participating in the visit as they would duly represent the student body."

'Thomasian Expressions'

But the preparations, Fontanilla said, went beyond the needs for the event per se. The Catholic university held recollections and retreats for students, faculty, and staff.

Also, they launched an activity called "Thomasian Expressions," where faculties and colleges are tasked to convey their appreciation for the Pope through creative ways related to the programs they offer.

"For example, CTHM (College of Tourism and Hotel Management), they prepared a menu for the Pope -- under the notion that they will be given the chance to serve the Holy Father. The College of Architecture came up with designs of Popemobiles. IPEA (Institute of Physical Education and Athletics) came up with tango, a favorite of Pope Francis! See, even if it's not going to be used, these are expression of the students' love for the Pope," she said.



A songwriting competition was also launched in October 2014 for the university's community, including its alumni.

Irineo Hernandez III, who works for UST's Educational Technology Center, won the P20,000 top prize for his song "Mercy and Compassion Towards Unending Grace."




"That was our way to get everybody involved. These ideas were made not only to get everyone excited, but to invite them to prepare spiritually for the event," Fontanilla said.

Open to the public

The event is part of the Pope's itinerary for his five-day pastoral and state visit to the Philippines. In UST, he will meet with 24,000 young people, as well as 10 leaders of various religions.

While no papal Mass will be held there, Fontanilla reiterated that UST on Sunday will be open to the public, without a need for tickets.

"They just have to come," she said. "But the open field is allotted for the young people, because it's an encounter with the young. There are designated areas for them."

She said widescreens have been set up "all over the campus so they will have a view of the Holy Father."

Meeting with the youth

The youth delegations who will meet the Pope at UST are not all students of the university.

Fontanilla earlier said that "it's a lot more of other students and young people than [those from] UST."

Youth representatives were chosen from several groups, including:

- the Archdiocesan Commission on the Youth (AYC),
- the Episcopal Commission on the Youth (ECY),
- the Catholic Educational Association (CEAP),
- the Association of Catholic University of the Philippines (ACUP), and
- the youth participants of the 2nd Philippine Conference on New Evangelization.

The Pope will also hear testimonies from four participants -- two young people who are out-of-school (male and female), a college student, and a volunteer for relief operations for victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

A pre-program will start at around 6:30 a.m., which will go on until the Pope's expected arrival at 10:30 a.m.

The program proper will include the enthronement of the cross, as well as a liturgical service that includes readings from the Bible, a responsorial psalm, and the Gospel. —KBK, GMA News