By Elise Harris
Manila, Philippines, Jan 16, 2015 / 03:51 am
Eighty-two year-old Natividad camped out in Manila overnight to see Pope Francis – despite a health history of clinically dying and coming back to life three times, according to her sister Sinida.
"When Natividad was dying I kept on praying to the Lord, and after a few minutes she was alive. That's a very big miracle, so I am very thankful. And I keep on praying," Sinida Auzela told CNA Jan. 16, saying that out of all the miracles she has seen in her life, that has been the biggest.
Sinida, 77, and her older sister waited in the grass-covered space outside of Manila's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception overnight in order have a good spot for his Jan. 16 Mass with bishops, priests and religious from the Philippines.
Arriving at 9:45 p.m. last night, the sisters remained in their position until the Pope's Mass at 11:15 today local time.
If given the opportunity, Sinida said that "I will ask the Pope to ask the Lord to pray for us, and then to heal my sister…she can't walk (well) – she walks very slowly. She can kind of move a little bit, and she can kind of talk."
"(But) I'm happy she is still alive. Three times she was dead. That's a miracle," she said, explaining that her sister was given the name "Natividad" because she was born on Sept. 8, which is the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.
The pontiff's Mass took place as part of his Jan. 15-19 visit to the Philippines, which follows the theme "Mercy and Compassion." The voyage falls directly after the Pope's two-day trip to Sri Lanka.
For Sinida, to have the Pope visit the Philippines is "really a peace. He brings peace to every country. That's what we keep on praying (for)."
A former English Grammar teacher, Sinida and her sister come from the Philippine city of Lipa Batangas, where the two have lived for 50 years.
The two sisters currently live on their own, with no other relatives. With no source of income, Sinida said that they are dependent on the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development for financial assistance, adding that they "are so nice – they are helping us thanks to God."
Pope Francis' constant attention to the elderly, sick and poor has brought a lot of hope, she said, explaining that "it's going to happen to us. The Lord is going to touch those people who are going to help us. Without the Lord's touch there would be no help at all."
In reference to Pope Francis' September encounter with the elderly and grandparents in the Vatican entitled "The Blessing of a Long Life," Sinida said that she grateful for reaching the age she has, and that her life has been more blessed as time has gone on.
The Pope's affirmation of the elderly and the importance of their role in the Church is important, and sends the message to "always have faith in the Lord. Don't lose hope."
