#3530
17 January 2015
Post-Nov Brothers as Papal Human Barricade (FIN)
MAKATI: January 17, 2015 - The Post-Novices of Canlubang, with their assistant, joined the Ampons and Ampans of the Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati to serve as human barricade along the streets where the Papal entourage would pass.
The pictures seem to tell another story. On top are some of the young Salesians who had helped in maintaining order. The second picture shows the first line of volunteers and the police line. The third picture shows how the crowd managed to cross the other side so that they could see the Pope better, because he was seated on the other side. All pictures were taken during the Pope's afternoon trip, returning to the residence of the Papal Nuncio.
Thanks to the Assistant of the Post-Nov, Br Jerome Quinto SDB, who shared the details and pictures.
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Mission intention of January 2015: For all Salesians of Don Bosco
That as a Congregation which goes forth in a Church without borders may the Salesian Mission Day
2015 inspire every Salesian to have the missionary audacity to go out to the peripheries.
EAO Prayer Intentions- 17th of month: pray for Myanmar, 18th of month: pray for Thailand, 19th of month: pray for Cambodia
Post-Nov Brothers as Papal Human Barricade (FIN)
MAKATI: January 17, 2015 - The postnovices joined the Ampons and Ampans of the Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati to serve as human barricade along the streets where the Papal entourage would pass.
The volunteer human barricade is a crowd control measure implemented along the Papal Route. The volunteers, usually nearby residents or members of a nearby institution, would form a line, standing with arms linked, on both sides of the road. These volunteers will stand facing the road, while behind them are the throngs of well-wishers, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis. The Policemen in uniform will then form another line, but facing the volunteers and the crowd from a distance of half a meter. In this way, the volunteers with the Police would complete a two-layer human barricade. This will keep the crowd from pouring into the street, allow the smooth passage of the convoy and ensure the safety of the Pope.
At 4:00 am, Saturday, the postnovice brothers were up and ready in their uniform shirts and official IDs to serve as human barricade for the Pope's convoy. They joined the group of scholars-boarders taking up courses at the Don Bosco Vocation Training Center (TVET) -part of the DBTI, Makati. These boys and girls, familiarly called Ampons and Ampans, are being cared for by the Salesians. They have their living quarters near the Training Center, since a big number come from far away provinces. In fact, there are now 59 of them who come from the typhoon-struck provinces of Tacloban, Samar and Leyte.
After an hour and a half, the young Salesians together with the Ampons and Ampans were already on their posts along the Papal route to the Villamor Airbase, from where the papal group will fly to Tacloban. Around 7:00 AM, the papal convoy passed. They were so happy to see the Pope pass by, smiling at them.
A few hours later, at 2 O'clock in the afternoon, they were again asked to form the barricade, because the Pope was returning earlier due to the inclement weather in Tacloban. There was same feeling of excitement and expectation as the crowd raised their voices to greet the Pope who was waving at them. They again caught a glimpse of the Pope, but the view was not as close since Pope Francis was seated at the other side of the car, and faced the crowd on that side.
After these two intense moments of having a glimpse of the Pope from a distance, the brothers returned to DBTI, to a more tranquil accompaniment of the Pope's messages and activities on TV. Meanwhile, tomorrow, will be the Pope's last full day and he will celebrate the Sunday Eucharist with the people.
