A historical day

I'm sure many of you heard or saw news reports from Pope Benedict's last general audience as Pope before he retires on February 28 at 8:00 PM.  Probably most of you heard that there were around 150,000 people inside and around St. Peter's Square to hear the Pontiff give one last catechesis and blessing.  So, I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I just have to say...

I WAS THERE!  

and

IT WAS PRETTY COOL!

Okay, got that out of the way.  I must say, it was a pleasure and a joy to be in the crowd.  From a simple historical point of view, this isn't something that happens very often (or really ever at all).  I have been reflecting on how lucky I am to be in Rome during this time.  No matter your religious beliefs or feelings of the Church and Papacy at this time, I think most would agree that this is a historically unique moment.  As I said in an earlier post, I am struck with how much attention the Vatican continues to garner in a western world that is becoming more and more secularized.  For those who share the Catholic faith, this is not only a historic moment for the Church, but also a  time for deep reflection and prayer, as well as a time to give thanks to God and look forward in hope.  It is a time of great grace. 

So, let me share about the day.

It started normally with our community mass at 6:00.  (Yes, that is our normal time!).  After a quick breakfast, 8 of us left the house at 7:00.  (Now remember, the Audience starts at 10:30).  We hopped on a bus, then on the subway to the stop near the Vatican.  Our rector had waited in line for two hours the day before to pick up the tickets we had reserved.  But, even with the tickets we were not guaranteed a seat.  In fact, my ticket number was 64,081...and, yes, I think they're printed sequentially.  Before entering the Square, we stopped in a sea of people outside the colonnade that circles the square.  I figured we had reached our final destination.  However, the crowd was moving, and as it turns out, we were allowed through security and into the Square.  In fact, as we entered, they just opened up the "second section" and we were able to find front row seating in our section which meant we would be very near the pathway that the Pope would take.  Needless to say, we had awesome seats. 

The crowds starting to gather in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

With Bros. Dani, Nereo, Bosco and Javier.

Also in our group, Bro. Les and Frs. Andre and Pachi.

I passed the two and a half hours of waiting by reading a book (yes, school work...I think the Pope would be proud), meeting two journalism students from Chicago who were sent to cover the story for Northwestern University, and talking with the Swiss Guard who was near our seats.  It was fascinating to talk with him.  Some interesting facts about the Swiss Guards:

• You must be Swiss and Catholic
• The guards serve for two years, and new recruits are brought in three times a year
• Every year, there is a special audience with the Pope to meet the current Guards and their parents
• The Swiss Guards are there to guard the Pope (not the Vatican, per se).  When Benedict leaves the Vatican, he will go to Castel Gandolfo in the nearby hills.  There will be Guards present until 8:00 (his time of retirement).  At that point, the Guards will (technically) leave because there will not be a Pope to protect.  Their mission changes to serve and protect the Cardinal-electors until a new Pope is elected.
• He mentioned that this is a somewhat stressful time (for many reasons) because, given the secrecy and the Conclave procedure, no one knows when a new Pope will be named.  They will have probably less than an hour to get ready for thousands of people to enter the Square when white smoke is seen.
• It was interesting to watch him interact with the many people trying to get around the barricade he was watching.  Folks come up with any story to try to get a better seat.  He held fast.  He also told us that the priests are very difficult because they think they own the place, and that the Italian Sisters can be quite forceful!  

Our friend Peter the Swiss Guard.

At 10:30, the festivities began.  The Pope entered in his Pope-mobile and made a circuit through the crowd to cheers of "Viva Papa" and "Benedetto, Benedetto." 

There were also all kinds of flags.

 From our position, we were about five feet away from where he passed.  Pretty cool! 

I tried to get a picture, but Javier's hands got in the way.

Ahhh, there's the money shot!  By the way, no zoom on the camera!  We were that close.

Just one more.

The Audience began with a reading from the book of Colossians about  gratitude, read in several languages.  Then, the Pope offered some reflections.  He pretty much said "Thank You" to God and to all people for their prayers and support.  He also said that his pontificate has had the good and the bad.  Using the image of the Apostles fishing in the boat, he said there were days of calm seas and sun, but also days of rough seas and storms.  Maybe my favorite line was: "I always knew that the Lord was in this boat, and I always knew that the boat of the Church is not mine, is not ours, but it is the Lord's." Words of strong faith and humility!  He also repeated the motivations for his choice of resignation - given his health, it is for the good of the Church.  Finally, he commented that he would continue to serve the Church through a life of prayer in the footsteps of his namesake, St. Benedict (the Father of western monasticism).  He is "not abandoning the cross, just resting in a new manner near to the cross."  Good words for all of us to hear.

Believe it or not, the Pope is up there under the canopy.  Even though the picture doesn't show it, we were pretty close all things considered.  But, my binoculars did help, too.

He repeated his message (in a much shorter form) in several languages.  Then, he led the crowd in singing the Our Father and imparted his blessing upon us - extending it to our families and all loved ones back home.  So, consider yourself blessed!  All I can say at this point, was that it was quite moving to be there.  I think I'm still processing the enormity of what I witnessed today. 

We all have our opinions about Pope Benedict XVI.  We have all heard the many criticisms (some of them not unfounded.)  But, what I saw today was a man of great humility and courage.  This could not have been an easy choice (and not popular with some).  It was unprecedented!  But, it is also a lesson in knowing our own limitations and in remembering that the Pope is a human and a human office.  I really believe that he will lead the rest of his life in solitude and prayer - the fears of having "two popes" or "two spiritual guides" are unfounded in my opinion.  At this point, I know very little about the theology of Joseph Ratzinger.  But, my hunch is that we can learn much from him, simply from these last few days. 

And now, we wait for white smoke.

A Cardinal from Germany came down to greet some German pilgrims.  Who knows, maybe this is a picture of the next Pope!

And, of course, the Germans brought a band.

Bro. Dani took a few videos.  Here are links to them:

Video #1: My musings on what was going on inside the Vatican.

Video #2: This is in Italian, but Bro. Dani says he could be taking the video of the first American Pope, and I respond that I'm reading a book on the Acts of the Apostles.  If I'm going to be Pope, I probably need to know this stuff.


Ciao!

Gearing up to say farewell...

Just a quick post (particularly for those who don't have Facebook).  On Wednesday, 27 February, Pope Benedict XVI will give his last general audience as Pope.  To celebrate the occasion, school has been cancelled (like a Vatican Snow Day) and we will be going down to join what I expect to be hundreds of thousands of people for one last Audience.

Got my ticket.  Now I just need to find a thermos for some coffee.

Don't worry, I'll take a bunch of pictures and get a post up of the event as soon as I can.  Until then, you can ponder this picture, compliments of Marianist Artist Bro. Charlie.

Maybe we need a "write the caption" contest for this one!

Ciao!

Benedetto XVI

The past several days have been marked by profound silence, and then profound noise.  Allow me to explain.  
This past week, the seminary community made its annual silent retreat.  Sr. Marie Joelle Bec, former Superior General of the Marianist Sisters, gave us conferences each day, reflecting on the thoughts of Mother Adele, Foundress of the Marianist Sisters.  Except for her talks and our times of common prayer, we were asked to remain in silence.  This included meals.  I can now signal "Can you hand me some wine?" without saying a word :)  I probably "speak" better in silence than I do in Italian!  The retreat was a time of great grace and listening for me, and I thank everyone for their prayers.

Our group at the end of the retreat.

As we ended the retreat, we hopped on the train and went directly to St. Peter's for Pope Benedict's General Audience.  These are typically held on Wednesdays, and when the weather is good, they are held in the Square in front of the Basilica.  It was an intimate gathering with us and several thousand friends filling the square!

However, our General Secretary was able to get us good seats on the side of the stage, putting us very near to the pontiff.

The Pope enters the square in his popemobile and winds through the gathered crowd to cheers and much applause.  He is quite the celebrity!  After a scripture reading is proclaimed in several languages by various bishops (and in our case one abbot), the pope gives a talk in Italian.  This time, it was on the liturgy, "the work of God...and the work of the people."  Afterwards, pilgrim groups in attendance are recognized according to language and the Pope greets them in their own language.  Typically the groups cheer or sing when their name is called.  Not to be outdone, the "Members of the Seminary of the Society of Mary" gave a rousing cheer to which the Pope turned and waved to us.  At the end, all chant the "Pater Noster" (Our Father in Latin) and the Pope gives his blessing.  Finally, any dignitaries that are present greet the Pope individually and offer him gifts.

I offer you some pictures from the day.  It was a quite joyful experience, and goes to show that the Pope is very much loved and respected by many, many people.

Among the pictures, is something that has never been seen before - I am wearing a Roman collar.  It is recommended that we don clerical attire for "official" events such as this one.  I will admit that it was a little "weird" to put it on for the first time.  But, just another thing to get used to in this crazy adventure of mine!  And as our rector continues to remind me, "piano, piano" (slowly, slowly.)

Ciao!

So, there it is!

Waiting for "Il Papa."  With Brothers Bosco, Daniel, Nereo, and Chinnaia.

With Bro. Javier.

You've heard of "Where's Waldo?"  The new game is "Where's Benedict?"

I love the expression captured on Pope Benedict's face.  It's either that he was surprised to see me, or the popemobile was going too fast.  I'll let you be the judge :)

Pope Benedict giving his talk.

Yes, we were close enough to get pictures like this.

Trying to capture just the right picture...

...and the Pope turns to wave at me :)

The final prayer and blessing.

As Pope Benedict was leaving, he stopped to hold and bless a baby.  Afterwards, many people were lining up to get their picture taken with the baby and her parents!

It's not everyday you get background like this.

Some of the new seminarians with our directors:  Fr. Pachi (Rector), Brothers Nereo, Daniel, Me, Javier and Les (Vice-Rector)

As we were heading home, Bro. Les made a new friend.