Each time, it was closer. The events certainly made an impact upon my life. I’m sure they made impact upon many others as well. All assembled for Mass this past week in the auditorium of the high school bearing his name. I shared with the students my own encounters with the man and how, in each encounter, I came ever closer. Mass that day also included installation of the student council members. They are student leaders. Leadership is a nebulous term. Hundreds of book have been written on the topic. What is it exactly? Is it something beholden only unto extroverts and “quarterbacks” on playing fields, in the halls of congress, or those before the cameras of Hollywood? Saint Pope John Paul II was a leader. I’m certain that most would agree. I, personally, think that the title, “the Great,” should be affixed to his name, because of the magnitude and profundity of his writings. I encountered this greatness in person three times in my life. The first time I was in high school just like my assembled listeners. I stood on a crowded corner in Center City. After a long while of simply standing and waiting, a noticeable roar went up among the crowd. I stood tip-toed trying to see. In a flash, the popemobile passed. I only caught a glimpse of the white skull cap and the very top of the Holy Father’s head. It was all so fast, yet I caught a glimpse of “the man.” I went home tired, but satisfied. It had been a long day. The next encounter took place years later in Denver at World Youth Day. I was an adult leader. We gathered at Mile High Stadium on a dreary, rainy, overcast day. There were preliminary speakers and thousands of restless youth. Finally, the Holy Father arrived. The air was electric. He approached the microphone and opened his mouth to speak. In that moment, the clouds parted, the rain stopped, sunshine started to appear, and a most brilliant rainbow appeared over the stadium. The pope paused and pointed. The whole stadium pointed skyward. The rainbow is the symbol of God’s Promise. It is a sign of Faith and Covenant. We stood silently in awe for a moment with the future saint. Also, in that moment, I knew that there was something special about this man. I wonder how many seeds of Faith and Vocation were planted or nurtured that day as was my own. My third encounter was much closer. I actually shook hands with His Holiness. I was in the seminary on my Spirituality Year. Seminarians from the Archdiocese of New York also participated. They were required to be present when the Holy Father visited their seminary just outside of NYC. We were invited to join them. The Holy Father prayed Evening Prayer with us and encouraged us. It was strictly enjoined that we were not to leave our seats, but we couldn’t help ourselves. As the pope was coming down our side of the chapel aisle, we rushed down to the edge of the pew stalls and leaned over with arms and hands extended. To my surprise, it was my hand that was grasped. He stared right at me. His deep blue eyes were penetrating. It was as if he was staring right into my soul. I can never forget the feeling. Mystical is the only way that I can describe it. Something changed in me that day. All of this I shared with my young charges this past week. Pope John Paul II helps us to understand leadership. True leadership encourages and unites. Wherever the saint went, he brought people together and he, quite literally, brought down walls that divided such as those that stood at one time in Berlin. This is what Jesus, Himself did. He brought people together beginning with the Twelve. He would come to bring Gentiles and Jews together while always continuing to invite those who stood yet apart. It’s what a true leader does. This is what student leaders are called to do and this is what all of us are called to do in our various leadership roles as student at PJPII, parent, priest, or “ordinary” Catholic in the pew. Pray for leaders and leadership. Pray to be a true leader yourself! Pope Saint John Paul (the Great!), pray for us!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson