Roman Catholic | The Adobo Chronicles

pope-francis-child-1 MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – For a country where more than two-thirds of its 100 Million population is Roman Catholic, a visit by the Pope is an event that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for its citizens.

Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines next week will see millions of Filipinos lining the streets and holding 24 to 48-hour vigils to secure their place where a public mass will be officiated by the pontiff. We have put together a top ten list of things you must bring or have if planning to attend any of the Pope’s public appearances in Manila:

A hat or umbrella to protect you from the sun or rain.
A gallon of drinking water for every person attending.
A travel size deodorant. The smell could get nasty in a crowded environment . (A Brut cologne would work just fine).
A clean hand towel to wipe off perspiration, or to keep dry if it rains or drizzles.
An anahaw (dried palm leaves) or Chinese accordion silk fan to keep your cool in 100-degree weather.
A can of SPAM, pork and beans or Vienna sausage for every person attending, plus a can opener if the can does not have a lift-off top. The street food vendors will be taking the day off. Of course they also want to see the Pope.
Bring your pets so they can be blessed by the Pope. Remember, he recently said all animals go to heaven. Make sure, they live (and die) in grace.
Your favorite rosary so that it can be blessed by the Pope. If you don’t have one, buy one NOW. The selling price could double or triple in the coming days. Especially pearl rosaries.
Your cell phone so that you can text your friends and relatives if you get separated or lost in the crowd.
Last, but most important of all, heed the advice of the head of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA): wear an adult diaper. There will not be enough portable toilets for everyone to use.

The Vatican – It’s Palm Sunday this weekend, the day Roman Catholic rituals include a procession re-enacting Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem – complete with waving of palm tree branches – as well the reading of the longest gospel in the liturgical year.

The Palm Sunday gospel narrates ‘The Passion of Christ,’ including his last supper, agony in the garden, arrest, trial and crucifixion. It will be read in church services all over the world and during the Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square officiated by no less that Pope Francis.

In yet another of the many changes Pope Francis has initiated since he was elected leader of the Catholic Church, The Vatican just announced a different Palm Sunday service that will replace the reading of the pages-long Passion of Christ

In a prepared statement, Pope Francis said that instead of reading the long gospel on Palm Sunday, he will tweet a shortened version of the passion during Sunday’s services. He is encouraging Catholics planning to attend the services at St. Peter’s Square to bring their smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices so that they can call up and read the Pope’s tweet at the appropriate time during the mass.

Catholic faithful in Rome were quick to praise the Pope’s announcement, saying that the tweet will cut down the lengthy Palm Sunday services they are subjected to year after year. Members of the clergy said they are so looking forward to see how the Pope will deliver the Passion of Christ in 140 characters or less.

The Vatican encouraged Catholic churches throughout the world to follow Pope Francis’ example and also tweet the Palm Sunday gospel to their churchgoers.

(iReporter Spandan Chakrabarti, a non-Catholic, contributed to this report)