This past Saturday, I and many of my peers had the privilege of
seeing the Pope at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. Our small
group did not stick out among the 25,000 others witnessing the
leader of the Catholic address this comparatively small percentage
of his followers, yet the day remains one we shall not soon
forget.
In the early hours of the morning we boarded the bus
enthusiastically, not knowing exactly what to expect from what
would turn out to be a nearly 18 hour excursion. What we got were
high temperatures and poor logistics, something to be expected for
such a large gathering. The eased, concert-like atmosphere gave the
initial impression of a simple spring festival. As the hours ticked
by, the wait became almost a trial of patience and endurance, made
only more difficult by long-lines and price gouging of the
understaffed vendors.
Unlike most events where such inconveniences would lead to only
anger, these had the strange effect of forming a simplified bond of
camaraderie. As I waited in one of the aforementioned lines talking
to students from a school in New Jersey, a circle of musicians
began to form. Before long, the group had a singing and dancing
following seemed to never diminish. On my way back to my own group,
being stuck at a bottlenecked entrance, I met a couple roughly my
age who were engaged, a jovial priest, and a triumvirate of tweens
balancing their recently acquired food. At first, they all were
annoyed at the immobility of the human clump, but gradually began
to relax and converse, sharing in the distress.
The hour drew close to five, and the crowd returned to their
designated spots on the vast field. Suddenly, a shout rose up like
a storm as the Holy Father’s motorcade appeared on the giant view
screens. We waited in eager anticipation as he made the slow
procession first to the chapel, then along to the infamous
“Pope-mobile”. The moment he took the stage, the storm rose again,
this time amid an ocean of gold and white flags. His Holiness began
to speak, leading to a sound just as awe inspiring: silence among
the group of 25,000. One can only imagine what it feels like to
know legions of individuals traveled leagues for a glimpse of your
presence and the sound of your voice.
The Pope’s message, in which we the youth hold the power of the
present and the future, still remains fresh in our minds. It was
also a message of forgiveness, as the most prevalent quality of
humanity is to err, yet we should not let these errors tear us
apart. It is unlikely that these words of wisdom shall incur a
drastic change in the world, or even in the country. But still, if
they have worked to enlighten the hearts and minds of any of the
thousands in attendance, this humble papal visit was worth the time
and effort. I know it was for me.