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Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Vade retro, Satana!
By Chic Fortich
"VADE retro, Satana!" This was the middle line of a Latin prayer for St. Venedict, the original man after whom our new Pope is named.
It means, "Get back, Satan!"--this is the middle and most effective line in the prayer which St. Benedict and all his companions used to fight against Satan, all the demons, and today's terrorists.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, today's Pope Benedict XVI, was born in Germany, and was even recruited to become a Nazi. But he refused the recruitment, because he preferred to be a priest.
From his stance, we can proudly say that he looks strong, and is obviously courageous. Definitely a type demons and terrorists should avoid.
He is known to be the adviser of Pope John Paul II since the latter began his work at the Vatican.
On the other hand, Father Benedict, the saint, was also a largely built man, who began the black frock used by the Benedictines. In this black frock they would face anyone--demon, devil, or even terrorists--and drive them away.
The similarity between the present Pope and the saint to the ages quickly struck me, and made me smile widely, and with delight.
I talked to two high school classmates of mine, and they seemed to have different views.
Gody Vitorillo Andaya told me she still had reservations about Pope Benedict, mainly because she had reservations about Germans.
"I think they tend to be strict," she said, and told me about a Filipina friend who had married a German, who was very strict.
"And his prejudices against the bayot, for me, seem too far. Remember, we have very few priests left. We even need women who want to be priests," she concluded.
But she admitted that these are her initial reactions, and might change.
Dulce Flores was all for Pope Benedict XVI.
"Even if he is already 78, he looks strong. His face may look strict, but that's the way I like him.
"For one who has been the long-time adviser of his boss, I believe he will continue all of Pope John Paul II's plans. We're going to have a very good Pope."
As for me, I continue smiling widely, and with delight. In my mind, I have visions of a great worldwide battle to be fought--and won by Pope Benedict XVI as leader, and all anti-terrorists following him.
Because it is really the terrorists we continually fight, more so in this new millennium.
The directions set ardently by Pope John Paul II will be finished by Pope Benedict XVI with guts and daring, and courage which he will spread all over the world.
I, too, believe that we are getting closer and closer to a catastrophic war, which will finally end in PEACE. And the beginning of God's thousand-year reign.
That's what He promised to us, and it is coming soon.
Sister Adele of the St. Paul bookstore beside Fatima Chapel on Don A. Velez street, has promised me to ask their Manila office to send her copies of the
Prayer of St. Benedict. It's a prayer that will give each one of us courage. I'll announce its arrival.
(April 27, 2005 issue)
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