Kate and I (and fellow teacher and friend, Kevin) took these delightful boys to Dunwoodie Seminary in Yonkers to the Papal Youth Rally on Saturday. Note Wilfredo in the upper left-hand corner. Wilfredo wore his best summer suit in honor of Benedict, but when he arrived and saw everyone in jeans he was embarrassed to leave the car. Kate convinced him he would be the most handsome one there. What a a darling!The event itself was really, really, really, terrible. With 25, 000 people in attendance, it was very poorly run and organized. Loud, obnoxious "musical" performances blaring for 7 hours, including rapping priests, hot weather, and lots of garbage made for an uncomfortable and frustrating wait. The low came when, after waiting 21/2 hours on line for food (you weren't allowed to bring in food or water, we teachers didn't eat all day, can't exactly be away from your kids for 2 hours) 6 of my students were locked out of the event. With NO previous warning, security locked down the arena, preventing hundreds of people, many of whom had traveled great distances from seeing the Pope. Mothers were actually separated from their children! The boys were very, very disappointed, although they handled it with their usual grace and good humor. When we finally met up with them hours later among a throng of people all leaving at once, I asked them what they did. Their reply, "Well, we mostly just sat in the dirt and played with sticks." Terrible.
But Benedito!
He arrived amid frantic cheering. Cardinal Egan's introduction was interrupted at least a dozen times by eruptions of applause and Benedict just stood there with his bright, shy smile. He was so obviously enamored by the young people, who in turn were utterly charmed by this most holy man. His humility is literally mesmerizing.
His address was marvelous and clear. He thanked the crowd and gave us an "A ploose for singing de Happy Birsday in German". He seemed very relaxed and even went off-book numerous times to our delight. He sat down after his address, having forgotten to give the Spanish portion. When his secretary whispered a reminder, he got back up and said "It seems I forgot the Spanish." The crowd roared!
Here are some pictures!
Sweet as pie freshman wait patiently for the Pope.
Spanish born Samuel gives an interview to Telemundo. Previously educated in Spain and England, Sam transfered himself to St. Agnes as a junior from the fancy prep school he was attending in the city. Didn't like the kids! Utterly orthodox, he loves the Church and the Pope. At one point during the endless noise from the stage, he said to me with wry smile, "Miss, don't people today understand the power of silence in encountering God." Rock on Sam.
Juniors march among the crowd to their fateful lunch line. We saw them again 6 hours later.
Two of my best boys, juniors Dimitri and Sam, wait with me for the Popemobile to drive by. Dimitri said, "Miss, my heart is bumping!" Unfortunately a backed up schedule caused them to bypass us.
Our view of the stage.Joyful Pope!
9 comments:
I watched it on EWTN and Fr. Neuhouse was a bit cranky over the "musical" wait foe the pope. Thank God for satellite TV!
The belief that teenagers need constant noise to amuse them is way off. They really don't! They would have happily sat quietly and played Scrabble or talk or kick the soccer ball.
And perhaps it is a unique ministry, but the rapping, rocking priests did not seem to "connect" with the youth. The combo of habits and hip-hop just caused (for us anyway) a disturbing dissonance. Sam wondered aloud if it was grounds for excommunication.
Know what the pope's middle name is?
ALOIS!!!!
Jimmy is named after the Pope!
Dave saw this before I did and let me know. I told him it meant I was holier than him...until he told me that Hitler's father's name was also Alois. Way to go, parents.
HA!
Wow, Clare.
I heard via EWTN all about the "noise" factor at this event.....no kudos given there. And so gratifying to know that some your boys understand the concept of silence and beauty. I can't help but think that so much of how they respond is because of all you've taught them.
OK, confessions time: I thergot you were going to be at this particular event and instead thought you were going to be at Yankee Stadium ( on Sunday) with Chad and Mary. Must have been Mary's "Clare snagged 3 tickets" that confused me. Althoug truth to tell, doesn't take too much to confuse me these days.
So now you understand better the message I left on your phone early Sunday morning.
MARY: your call to me Sunday was soooooo cool! You at Yankee Stadium with good seats and all the good noise in the background...everyone sounding so excited. I don't think I've ever heard you so excited.
Watched the event later that night and TRIED to find you and Chad...and how thrilling was it to watch the Pope Mobile makes it's way around the stadium...I could almost feel the enthusiasm right through the TV set.
Let us know...
Actually, Mom, I was at both...!!
Soo exciting!!! I thought of you all during Martha's shower and was really jealous!
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