• About
  • Contact
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Catholic Sabah
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

    Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

    Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

    Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

    Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

    Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

    God is my CEO

    God is my CEO

    Religion emerges as stronger marker of identity for Singaporeans – IPS study

    Religion emerges as stronger marker of identity for Singaporeans – IPS study

    Thailand’s bishops launch synodality implementation phase through 2028

    Thailand’s bishops launch synodality implementation phase through 2028

    Pope to Augustinians: “Peace begins with what we say and do”

    Pope to Augustinians: “Peace begins with what we say and do”

    Pope to Christian politicians: ‘Values’ without Christ cannot change the world

    Pope to Christian politicians: ‘Values’ without Christ cannot change the world

    Caritas MJD equips community with life-saving skills

    Caritas MJD equips community with life-saving skills

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    Our over-complex, tortured selves

    What makes a good marriage?

    Asia reminded me that life is about more than the carnal and secular

    Asia reminded me that life is about more than the carnal and secular

    New maps of virgin territory

    New maps of virgin territory

    What to do when there’s nothing you can do

    An unnatural wound

    Praying with our eyes

    Praying with our eyes

    Praying with our hands

    Praying with our hands

    Pastor: A central but relational ministry

    Pastor: A central but relational ministry

    Lector: A vital but denied ministry

    Lector: A vital but denied ministry

  • Feature
    Indonesian diocese leads farmers in boosting progress, environment

    Indonesian diocese leads farmers in boosting progress, environment

    Finding true peace amid conflicts in religious life

    Finding true peace amid conflicts in religious life

    Vietnam’s Catholics lead grassroots battle against plastic pollution

    Vietnam’s Catholics lead grassroots battle against plastic pollution

    Catholics build ‘faith bridges’ across generations in Seoul

    Catholics build ‘faith bridges’ across generations in Seoul

    From Rules to Relationship My Theology of the Body Journey

    From Rules to Relationship My Theology of the Body Journey

    What I learnt from hugs and high-fives

    What I learnt from hugs and high-fives

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

  • Statements
    Violence and Bullying Have No Place in Malaysia CFM Demands Swift Action

    Violence and Bullying Have No Place in Malaysia CFM Demands Swift Action

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

    Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

    Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

    Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

    Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

    Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

    God is my CEO

    God is my CEO

    Religion emerges as stronger marker of identity for Singaporeans – IPS study

    Religion emerges as stronger marker of identity for Singaporeans – IPS study

    Thailand’s bishops launch synodality implementation phase through 2028

    Thailand’s bishops launch synodality implementation phase through 2028

    Pope to Augustinians: “Peace begins with what we say and do”

    Pope to Augustinians: “Peace begins with what we say and do”

    Pope to Christian politicians: ‘Values’ without Christ cannot change the world

    Pope to Christian politicians: ‘Values’ without Christ cannot change the world

    Caritas MJD equips community with life-saving skills

    Caritas MJD equips community with life-saving skills

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    Our over-complex, tortured selves

    What makes a good marriage?

    Asia reminded me that life is about more than the carnal and secular

    Asia reminded me that life is about more than the carnal and secular

    New maps of virgin territory

    New maps of virgin territory

    What to do when there’s nothing you can do

    An unnatural wound

    Praying with our eyes

    Praying with our eyes

    Praying with our hands

    Praying with our hands

    Pastor: A central but relational ministry

    Pastor: A central but relational ministry

    Lector: A vital but denied ministry

    Lector: A vital but denied ministry

  • Feature
    Indonesian diocese leads farmers in boosting progress, environment

    Indonesian diocese leads farmers in boosting progress, environment

    Finding true peace amid conflicts in religious life

    Finding true peace amid conflicts in religious life

    Vietnam’s Catholics lead grassroots battle against plastic pollution

    Vietnam’s Catholics lead grassroots battle against plastic pollution

    Catholics build ‘faith bridges’ across generations in Seoul

    Catholics build ‘faith bridges’ across generations in Seoul

    From Rules to Relationship My Theology of the Body Journey

    From Rules to Relationship My Theology of the Body Journey

    What I learnt from hugs and high-fives

    What I learnt from hugs and high-fives

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

  • Statements
    Violence and Bullying Have No Place in Malaysia CFM Demands Swift Action

    Violence and Bullying Have No Place in Malaysia CFM Demands Swift Action

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Catholic Sabah
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Pablo, who died at 21, to Pope Francis: ‘I cannot be at WYD but will follow from Heaven’

August 3, 2023
in World
Pablo, who died at 21, to Pope Francis: ‘I cannot be at WYD but will follow from Heaven’

The late Br. Pablo Alonso with his parents 

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Aug 3 2023

As Pope Francis travels to Portugal, a Spanish journalist gives him a letter from Pablo, a young professed Carmelite, who died from cancer in July at the age of 21 and writes the Pope to promise that he will accompany pilgrims at World Youth Day from Heaven.

Pablo knew he would not be able to go to the World Youth Day. Ewing’s sarcoma, a tumour that develops at any age and in any part of the body, had given him no hope.

He did not know, however, whether during the days when Pope Francis would meet thousands of young people in the Portuguese capital for the world event, he would still be alive or already in Heaven, close to the One he called the “Beloved,” Jesus, who “gave me so much, consoled me so greatly, and made me so happy!”

In Heaven, shaking things up

Pablo himself wrote this in a letter delivered to Pope Francis aboard the papal plane bound for Lisbon: “I do not know if, when I receive this letter, I will be able to accompany you in prayer, or if God, in His infinite mercy, will have already called me. In that case, I hope He will allow me to give you a hand – and all the better – from Heaven, ‘shaking things up’ and celebrating, as you rightly say.”

Died a Carmelite

Pablo Alonso María de la Cruz Hidalgo died on 15 July. He died as a Carmelite, having entered the Order “in articulo mortis,” taking his vows in his room at the Hospital Clinic in Salamanca.

His religious consecration was a response to that “ardour” given by faith that he said he felt in every fibre of his body debilitated by six years of illness.

His story – which in some ways is reminiscent of that of another young man passionate about Christ, Blessed Carlo Acutis – reached the Pope’s hands during the flight to Lisbon, thanks to Eva Fernández, a well-known journalist of the Spanish broadcaster Radio Cope, which in each Apostolic Journey stands out for its particular choice of gifts to be delivered to Pope Francis.

Something to remember for the funeral

This time it was more than a gift: it was the testimony of life and faith of a young man put black on white by himself lucidly and serenely. Pablo employed the same lucidity and serenity to design a keepsake for his funeral: a flowered cross with the inscription “A Tree of Eternal Life, a sign of hope because the author of Life rests there.”

Pablo, born on 26 July 2001 in Salamanca, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at the age of 16. It was a period of very hard trials, during which, however, he said he felt God’s call to consecrated life and began to pray especially for the conversion of young people: “That they may know the love of God, manifested in Jesus in the Eucharist, and for the unity of the Church.”

Encounter with Christ

In his letter to the Pope, he recounted the years of his illness: “I am aware that everything has a reason in God’s plan. Between ups and downs, better and worse days, and with much purification through illness, today I look at my life and I can confess that I have been and am happy.”

“I have discovered,” the young man continued, “that the centre of my life is not illness, but Christ. As I told my friends, my family, my Carmelite brothers: ‘Through suffering in sickness I have met God, and through death in sickness I will go to Him. And for this I thank Him.'”

In prayer, from the hospital or from Heaven

In another part of the letter delivered to the Pope, Pablo wrote that he would have loved to participate “in the WYD in Lisbon with you and with so many young people from all over the world.”

“I know from experience,” it reads, “that no one can extinguish the inner fire that a young person in love with Jesus can have.”

“I pray to the Lord that this fire of God’s love burns in Lisbon, and how I would like young people to know Jesus, my Beloved! He has given me so much, consoled me so much, made me so happy! Physically I am without strength, but the communion of saints will allow me to participate with you in a deeper way and not less.” – Vatican News

Previous Post

Pope Francis begins Apostolic Journey to Portugal

Next Post

Pope Francis arrives in Portugal for World Youth Day

Related Posts

Aug 31 2025
Readings

Aug 31 2025

August 31, 2025
Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian
News

Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

August 30, 2025
Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations
Asia

Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

August 30, 2025
Next Post
Pope Francis arrives in Portugal for World Youth Day

Pope Francis arrives in Portugal for World Youth Day

Recent News

Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

August 30, 2025
Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

August 30, 2025
Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

August 29, 2025
God is my CEO

God is my CEO

August 29, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

July 15, 2024
Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

May 20, 2025
Minor transfer of priests

Minor transfer of priests

November 11, 2023
Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

April 29, 2025
The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

April 28 2020

April 28 2020

Aug 31 2025

Aug 31 2025

August 31, 2025
Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

August 30, 2025
Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

August 30, 2025
Aug 30 2025

Aug 30 2025

August 30, 2025
Catholic Sabah

Catholic Sabah is a media organization based in Sabah Malaysia. We bring you the latest Catholic news right to your doorstep!

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Asia
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Borneo: Ordinary Person, Extraordinary Faith
  • Chinese
  • Feature
  • Focus
  • Im on my Way
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
  • Local
  • Making A Difference
  • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
  • Nation
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Readings
  • Reflection: Straight Talking
  • Statements
  • Vatican
  • World

Recent Additions

Aug 31 2025

Pope: Proclamation of Christ is mission of every Christian

Human Fraternity Fellowship continues legacy of Pope Francis in new generations

Aug 30 2025

Toririmo manahak sokodung sambayang kumaa do Paado

God is my CEO

  • About
  • Contact

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Statements
  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.