A Personal Anecdote about John Paul II

[DemBones DemBones]

My husband attended a papal audience in 1985, while he was teaching in Italy for a semester. It was a big outdoor audience in St. Peter's Square, with Il Papa riding by in the Popemobile. We were not Catholic at the time and Mr DB was with a large group of students and faculty, some of whom were Catholic.

There were ropes to keep people out of the path of the Popemobile and everyone near the rope held their hand out in hopes JohnPaul II would touch it. My husband had his camera in his left hand and snapped a photo just before His Holiness touched his right hand with his own. He was the only one in his group to be touched by the Pope and there was a lot of excitement. Mr DB was very moved by the experience and felt something powerful had happened.

Three years later, we decided to attend our local Catholic church and subsequently were received into the sacraments.

O8)

I'm going to see if I can get the photo of John Paul II scanned later today and post it here so watch this space.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I saw him in the 70s when he spoke in DC

My best friend's dad was on the dais with him because he was a Knight of Malta.

I had a beautiful photo of him coming into the auditorium at Catholic College, but I can't find it.

I will never forget that beautiful smile.

God be with him.

[Padraig18]

2. I saw him in 1999,in St. Louis.

I will always remember it.

:)

[Nashvilliberal]

3. I can't believe you're not a cradle Catholic...

because your posts display such a thorough knowledge of the Faith. That's very impressive to me, since I've had the benefit of being Catholic from birth, and I've learned a few things from reading your and other posters in this group.

I'd love the see your photo of John Paul II, if you can get it scanned.

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Well, you know the old saying about converts making

better Catholics!

I don't think converts are "better," mind you, but we made the choice and most of us did some research about what we were getting into. Also, I was later on the RCIA team so I've done presentations on various topics. Finally, I'm just a knowledge geek. :shrug:

But I envy cradle Catholics their experience of being Catholic all their lives. I always wanted to be Catholic but was born into the wrong family. Perhaps my desire to be Catholic began when I was born in a Catholic hospital. (I asked my priest once and he said I shouldn't say I'm a cradle Catholic but I can say I began in a Catholic cradle!)

My husband was also born in a Catholic hospital -- St. Thomas in Nashville!

[Padraig18]

5. One poster asked (respectfully) why would be so upset if JP@ died

His/her questions were very respectful, so I explained that the Pope was my spiritual father and the Church my spiritual home, and they accepted that; I was able to explain that there is also (for me, any way) a certain bedrock security that comes from being a Roman Catholic, being part of a 2000 year-old institution. The knowledge that the Church has always been there and will always be there provides me with a serenity that no other temporal institution can.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. So true! Both that the Holy Father is a spiritual father

and we'll sorrow when he dies and that the Church is a spiritual home. I have always liked the sense that I can go into any Catholic church anywhere in the world and feel at home. I also like that my Catholic "family" is there but not pushy, by which I mean that newcomers to a parish aren't swooped upon by people eager to invite them to the potluck supper, etc. You can socialize and get involved in parish activities or you can just go to Mass to be fed. And you don't have to dress up, either, but you can if you want to.

[Padraig18]

7. "Where two or more of you gather in My Name, there is love."

:D