However the trip was more of a blessing than anything else. Despite one of our buses leaking fuel on the way there, we made it safely and with the help of our professors were able to navigate the city which ,at 6am, was already overflowing. As we made our way towards St. Peter’s what became the most evident was the love of the Church for JP II. Millions of people were cramming and pushing and literally packed themselves shoulder to shoulder throughout the streets, just to show their love and respect for him.
As mass began and Pope Benedict gave the title of ‘Blessed” to JP II and unveiled his picture, the streets erupted with pure joy. People were crying, singing and clapping and as the relic of John Paul II ,a vial of his blood, was brought to the Holy Father and then placed on a stand for the whole world to venerate the crowds began to chant and cheer. Nevertheless I believe the most touching moment was when the Holy Father was giving him homily and spoke of John Paul as his dear friend, and that he would always be loved and now he was blessed, and you could see the tears streaming from people’s eyes.
The only word that could truly describe the trip to Rome for the Beatification of JohnPaul II would be ‘Adventure’. Taking a break in the middle of finals, spending all night on a bus, literally fighting through the crowds just to get a peak of the Holy Father, and riding a bus all night again to get back just in enough time to study for finals the next day.
It was such an incredible experience to be surrounded by people who love him so much, and who with us had traveled thousands of miles to their spiritual home on earth to honor him. It was such a mind-blowing experience, and I would like to thank the Gaming staff for allowing us to make such a great pilgrimage during our final week in here. I hope future students who come here will have the chance to experience what we were privileged to. Blessed John Paul II, pray for us!
No comments:
Post a Comment