Friday, April 1, 2005 -- Showing their love and respect for the
world’s most dynamic spiritual leader, students, faculty and staff
at St. John’s University held a special prayer service for Pope
John Paul II today at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens
campus.
“This was our way of joining the rest of the world in a
prayerful show of love for Pope John Paul,” said Victoria Migliore
’98C, ‘01GEd, a campus minister at St. John’s. “We appreciate the
energy and optimism he has brought to people all over the
world.”
Speaking from Rome, Italy, Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.,
President of St. John’s, told CNN that the entire world was united
in prayer for the Holy Father. “This man has touched so many lives
in so many different ways,” said Fr. Harrington, who was visiting
St. John’s Rome campus. “Tonight, for example, here in Rome, my
sense is that the soul of Rome is shining forth. “I presume that’s
what’s happening all around the world right now.”
St. John’s has a long and personal connection to Pope John Paul
II. The Holy Father received Fr. Harrington and members from St.
John’s soccer team after the team won the National Championship in
1996. At a special convocation on the Queens campus in September,
2004, St. John’s honored His
Eminence Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State and
Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, with an honorary Doctor of
Law degree.
The campus prayer service was especially appropriate given Pope
John Paul’s strong connection to Catholic youth, said Victoria
Migliore. “This Pope had a very special bond to the young
people of the Church,” she said. “His presence and message have
helped so many young people stay committed to the Faith. That’s the
legacy he leaves.”
Victoria and her sister, Paula ‘98C, ‘01GEd, helped lead a
contingent of St. John’s students to the Holy Father’s World Youth
Day celebrations in 2000 and 2002. “It was clear that the Holy
Father felt a genuine, deep concern for the youth of the Church,”
Paula recalled. “When he spoke, he referred to the young people as
‘my young friends,’ ‘my dear friends.’ He invited young people to
be the future of the Church.”
At this time of remembrance, we invite you to share
the personal recollections of another member of the of the St.
John’s community.