My Son Peter Meets the Pope
Watching Pope Benedict XVI as he waved from his car or processed to the altar, I was struck by his unrushed reverence. When he stopped to shake a hand, it was deliberate. When he stopped to smile, it was at someone. While the mass with its many gorgeous choirs and symphonic arrangements and necessary additional pageantry stayed amazingly on schedule, the Pope seemed neither hemmed in nor troubled by the time limitations. His blessing of the people at the presentation of the gifts was profound because it was personal, earnest and present.
When mass was delayed by a few exuberant youth groups shouting and cheering, “Viva La Popa!” and “Pope Benedict, We love you!” he allowed himself a smile but returned the focus of the crowd to what it should be; what transcended who was saying the mass, the liturgy itself.
Throughout the day, Pope Benedict spoke eloquently of what this nation and the faithful that populate it have done for and continue to do for the world, showing a “Faith Family” reflective of nearly every culture and continent, which seeks to invite all people into the community of souls that is God’s kingdom. His homily moved some to tears with the thoughtful simple elegance that characterizes his writing.
He asked us to pray for the gifts of conversion, forgiveness and growth in holiness. Like the professor that seeks to make the students fall in love with the subject, rather than the teacher, he assured us such prayers would be answered, and result in both joy and strength. This pope was a humble man of great quiet reverence for Christ, calling us to be likewise, vessels of faith to the world.
In addressing the thornier issues of the scandals in the Catholic Church and past and present injustices that continue to injure American society, Pope Benedict appealed directly to those present or watching, to be a part of the American chapter of the Catholic Church and foster healing whenever and wherever possible. He beseeched us to “pray fervently” for justice and peace. Calling us “dear friends,” he asked we be witness to Christ. He challenged us to allow our faith to permeate every aspect of our lives, and thus society. “Those who have hope must have different lives!” he urged in his final blessing, commissioning the faithful that had come; “by the witness of your faith, by the fruitfulness of your charity, may you point the way towards that vast horizon of hope which God is even now opening up to his Church.”
Was his message heard? I asked my eight year old son as we left, “What did you think of the Pope’s visit?” “That was the coolest mass ever!” he said. The focus for him had been the mass and the message, not just the man. “Amen.”
Spiritual Hot Cocoa
Sherry Antonetti is a mother of eight children and a freelance writer of humor and family life columns with prior publications in Absolutewrite, the Catholic Standard, Beaumont Enterprise and the Washington Post. She can be reached at 
