Florida Catholic | Many Have Lasting Memories Of Papal Visit

Many have lasting memories of papal visit

Pope Benedict XVI makes an impression from near and from afar.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 05.09.08

VENICE | Catholics from the Diocese of Venice who had a chance to go and see Pope Benedict XVI during his apostolic journey to the United States knew they were part of something bigger than themselves.

Ashley Zornow, a University of Florida junior who had two exams and a 20-page paper to write the week of April 21, jumped at the chance to see Pope Benedict XVI celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium.

“I felt I had to be there,” said Zornow, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Myers. It didn’t matter that she and others from the Diocese of Venice were in the left field upper deck of the stadium and the pope was far away, many said.

“When he said, ‘Peace be with you,’ and we all said, ‘And also with you,’ it really moved me,” she said of the 56,000 people speaking Mass responses in unison. “It was perfect.”

Roberta Edwards of St. Jude Parish in Sarasota said the pope’s message was upbeat, peaceful and calming at the same time.

“Everyone was so excited,” said Edwards. “No matter the culture and faith, they were all so moved by him. It was wonderful from start to finish. It really was like a three-day festival in New York while he was there.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane was able to be in the presence of the pope on three separate occasions in two days. He first stood on the South Lawn of the White House during the pope’s reception; he sat in the pew of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with his fellow bishops to hear a personal message; then he participated in the papal Mass at Nationals Park.

“The meeting with my brother bishops with the Holy Father was very moving,” the Bishop Dewane said. “Being there with the vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter, was special. It was emotional to reflect on the spiritual presence of the man. He spoke to us about what is of most concern to the bishops – that is the shepherding of their flock.”

Bishop Dewane said the gesture of the Holy Father to come to the United States will have a lasting impression on all Catholics.

“He is internationally recognized around the world as the moral leader, a true leader in the moral realm,” he said. “He speaks to us all.”

Steve Clemente, a seminarian at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary and member of St. Ann Parish in Naples, stood in front of the stage at the St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y., for the youth rally April 19. He said he was awed by the impact Pope Benedict had on 2,500 of his fellow seminarians and the 25,000 other young people.

“The young crowd’s reaction to this 81-year-old pope really struck me,” Clemente said. “They adored him. They knew he was there for them.”

He added that he was also inspired when Pope Benedict spoke to the seminarians directly: “Dear seminarians, I pray for you daily. Remember that what counts before the Lord is to dwell in his love and to make his love shine forth for others.”

Lina Williams said the highlight of the New York trip for herself and her fellow Ave Maria University students was their chance to see Pope Benedict up close on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral April 19.

“When I first caught a glimpse of his face, as he greeted the crowds crammed onto the steps of the cathedral, I was filled with joy! The look on his face was not one that a great leader might have when he greets his supporters, it was the look that a father would have when his children came running to greet him,” Williams said.

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