Wednesday 6 April, 2005

Masses are being held in the Basilica under the Chair of St. Peter each morning this week at 10:30am. Today a group of us from S. Monica College joined P. Mario Bettero, OSA, the newly appointed Parroco (priest responsible for the daily liturgical operations) of St. Peter Basilica. P. Mario was appointed the Friday before the Pope passed away; what a first weekend he had! We all joined in concelebrating in the Mass with the congregation of faithful seated in the pews directly behind the main altar of the Basilica. There is a beautiful window of the Holy Spirit above the Chair and in the late afternoon the sun shines so brilliantly through the window. This morning I kept praying that the Holy Spirit would guide us as Church throughout this period of transition. We are still in a period of mourning and preparation for the funeral on Friday morning, but we are also reminded each time we see a Cardinal walking through the streets that there will be an upcoming conclave which will begin on April 18, 2005.

With each passing hour, the lines approaching the Basilica grow to unbelievable lengths. Yet, people are still willing to join in and to wait 12 – 15 hours now for a few seconds to view Pope John Paul II and to pray for various intentions. The long wait does not seem to deter anyone from approaching the Basilica. There are people of all ages helping each other along the way. The young people are the ones who usually provide the energy and joyful songs at just the right time to lift the spirits of a sometimes gridlocked experience of no movement for an hour. The older pilgrims, and more experienced ones, help with the practical aids of umbrellas to provide shade from the strong sun and extra rations of snacks to share with all. When people first join the line it is a bit quiet but then they begin to make new friends; trying to communicate in both verbal and non verbal ways. People who were strangers in the beginning wind up praying, supporting, helping and many times, consoling each other during this very emotional experience.

I am reminded of the Gospel of Matthew 6:34, “When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” As the chief shepherd of our church has now gone back to God, we are the ones who must continue to live out the gospel message and teach each other many things. I have learned so much this week about sharing, patience, endurance, dedication, forgiveness and hope. However, the main message of the Gospel is always LOVE which we have truly witnessed in the tribute this week.

Thursday 7 April, 2005

The funeral is now only one day away. As I write these words, the toll of the bell from this past weekend has now been replaced with the sound of hovering helicopters. The necessary measures of security must be taken and the preparation for the unprecedented event of so many Heads of State, gathered at the same time to pay their respects to one man, is incredible. I was informed that I have a ticket to help as a Eucharistic Minister for the funeral and am feeling so very blessed this day. The logistics of how the funeral liturgy is going to be organized are still being worked out.

The security forces closed the lines last night allowing no more people to join, however, those who were already in line will be able to enter the Basilica. They are expecting the last person to pass by the Pope somewhere around 10:00pm this evening which will then allow time to prepare the Basilica and the Piazza for the funeral tomorrow morning at 10:00.

People have begun to set up a small space for themselves all along via Paolo VI right outside our front gate; a ritual that is happening all over the eternal city. This will be another night of vigil similar to the one held the night the Pope died.

In memory of the Pope we had Mass and Vespers for the dead this evening at St. Monica College. Our Prior, P. Brian O’Sullivan, OSA from Ireland, presided over the liturgy, while P. Wieslaw (Gabriel) Davidowski, OSA from Poland, preached. Gabriel reminded us that the first words that John Paul II said to the gathered crowd in the Piazza, were not “Be not afraid!” which we keep hearing repeated this week, but rather, “May Jesus Christ be praised!” These are words we learn from each other….Both phrases are important to pass on to each other and remind each other especially as we experience this period of transition.

There is a prayer vigil with a World Youth Day style going on in John Lateran Basilica right now and is being broadcast throughout the city. The tradition of World Youth Day was initiated under John Paul II’s leadership. I am sure that the chants of “John Paul II we love you!” will ring throughout the night.

At the very same time, on this side of the Tiber River, a quieter prayer service is going on inside St. Peter Basilica where those closest to Karol Wojtyla are able to spend some private moments in prayer. Sometimes one can forget the real sense of personal loss many people are experiencing with this man’s death.