Pope Benedict’s premier visit to New York is a time to
celebrate, even more so, I found, after seeing him in person at the
Youth Rally on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. The
rally preceding his appearance presented several cultural acts of
Irish and Korean dancers, as well as a slew of Christian singers
and bands, whom we enjoyed while obtaining complimentary food and
water from the vendors in the adjacent field. Also featured were
Father Stan Fortuna spreading the Word in Gregorian chant-inspired
rap, Third Day jamming out with guitar-fueled Christian rock, and,
my personal favorite, Matt Maher, the self-described “missionary
musician,” who excited and energized the crowd in preparation for
the Pope’s arrival.
When the Pope finally appeared, we were rewarded for our long
hours of waiting in the dusty field by his visible enjoyment of our
volubly happy reception. Contrary to previous reports, which had
him painted as a harsh theologian, the pontiff was cheery, almost
grandfatherly in his interaction with the audience and youth
representatives, who welcomed him through speeches and symbolic
gifts of bread and maize. However, the Pope’s address was
distinctly pragmatic, and urged the young pilgrims to “be guiding
stars to others” in a world full of, among other things, the
threats of racism, violence, poverty, and the degradation of girls
and women. The Pope also referred to the Church’s image, which he
said despite the current perception that they “speak only of
prohibiting,” in fact “nothing could be further from the truth,”
and invoked us to pursue a “personal relationship with God” and
“sense of wonder” towards life.
I will always remember the Pope’s visit, not only for his wise
words, but for the light of Christ which shone through his charming
and endearing self. His address combined practical advice with
spiritual consolation, and his presence was a lesson in enduring
humility and grace.