The 53rd Eucharistic Congress Continues: My experience in Juan Bautista de Cotocollao Parish

The 53rd Eucharistic Congress Continues: My experience in Juan Bautista de Cotocollao Parish.

After a full Monday of various spiritual activities, some Bishops were assigned to celebrate Masses in parishes. I was missioned to St. John the Baptist de Cotocollao.

I met a very packed congregation in a prayerful mood. Despite the traffic that delayed me a bit, the people, numnering about 500, were praying and waiting. The prayer mood was obviously strong and unmistakable. The parish priest, Fr. Lenin Padilla, and his associate Eduardo, who spoke no English were visibly excited. Mary Jose a young lady, the only one who spoke English well was my interpreter, translating from English to Spanish and vice versa. The Mass was as lively as we have it back home in Nigeria, except it did not last as long as ours do. When the Mass finished , I thought it was time to disperse, the requests for photographs kept me much longer. Individuals and groups wanted photographs and more photographs. Many wanted blessings on their foreheads. Arranging the many persons surging forward was not easy for those who wanted to lead me back to the sacristy to unvest. The parish arranged a very lovely traditional meal called “la tonga” for me. It was a native delicacy. I hope they send the recipe to me.

The parish priest on behalf of the whole parish gave me a gift of a Marian statue and another senior lady gave me another one of Jesus. As I tried to leave, more requests for photographs and blessings continued. I thought it was only in Nigeria that people get so excited about photographs and individualized blessings and can spend so much time asking for these. The people of Cotocollao showed their hunger for the spiritual. My message to them was about universal brotherhood and sisterhood; urging them not to trivialize or adulterate our faith, and to realize that we must do the little, no matter how little, to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers even if because they are poor and marginalized caused by those in authorities who should care for them.

I came back late to our lodging because the people were so warm-hearted and wouldn’t let me go easily. God has certainly blessed us with many lovely and warm-hearted people anywhere and every time.

May this Eucharistic Congress not only have a personalized transformative effect but also a universal and cosmic healing and reconciliation.