Reflections on the Papal Visit (1)

The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Britain has been hailed as a great success, containing a series of significant messages.  Below is the first of a series of reflections by Jesuits and their associates.  It was written by Philip Harrison SJ, who is studying philosophy at Heythrop College, London.

Waiting outside the chapel at St Mary's College, Twickenham, last Friday, with 19 other Jesuits in formation, I found myself thinking about the last papal visit.  Growing up in a parish in Bristol, I remember hearing the many stories of that visit, which took place in the year I was born, 1982.  I couldn't have imagined back then that one day I would be attending a service presided over by the Pope as a Jesuit scholastic!

The prayer service began before the Pope arrived and included psalms, readings and music.  The beautiful chapel of St Mary's, built in 1963, was a perfect setting for the service.  The sun poured in through its stained glass as the choir sang a piece by Martin Forester and Liebster Jesu by J.S.  Bach.  After this time of prayer, three representatives of religious congregations involved in teaching addressed those assembled to meet the Pope.  The last of these was the Jesuit Provincial, Fr Michael Holman, who encouraged all of us gathered there to recall the hugely positive impact of Catholic schools founded both at home and abroad with a concern especially for the poor and marginalised.  He spoke about Christ at work in the world, the Christ who is our hope and who makes out of history something new. 'Perhaps', said Fr Holman, 'we can see this Jesus most of all in our young people.' It was a striking reminder that despite the many difficulties in the Church, young people are its future and the opportunities and respect we offer them really matter.

Suddenly, from outside the chapel, we heard the first shouts and cries welcoming the Pope.  A great cheer rose up in anticipation of his arrival.  The congregation began to sing a setting of the Latin words, Veni Sancte Spiritus ('Come Holy Spirit').  The singing continued and grew into to a crescendo.  As the Pope walked in, surrounded by bishops, monsignors and security guards, I was struck by the thought that he seemed so ordinary.  Just a small man dressed in white.  It was almost hard to see what the fuss was about! As soon as he began to speak, though, the significance of his presence began to sink in.

The Pope spoke eloquently and surprisingly about education, with the theme of education as wisdom, saying that education 'is about forming the human person, equipping him or her to live life to the full - in short it is about imparting wisdom.' He also credited St Columba, St Augustine and St Benedict as great teachers of the Church, making the connection between their work of missionary evangelisation and education.  Perhaps most powerfully, he expressed a deep sentiment of gratitude to those present and to many others for their work with young people.  He also fondly remembered his own education by the English Ladies (the Sisters of Mary Ward) to the delight of the assembled religious.

Those twenty or so minutes in the presence of the Pope have created for me a lasting memory, part of a collective memory of this visit for many Catholics.  The significance of his visit surely goes beyond the words he has spoken over these few days.  His visit is a gesture which reveals the Catholic Church today as a Church which is leaving behind the spirit of timidity that has marked the public expression of its values.  In the Pope's presence, I felt part of a Church with an important message about the deep value of young people which needs to be heard in our society.  I hope that I will still be talking about it by the time the next papal visit comes round.

First published on Thinking Faith: www.thinkingfaith.org


 The Papal Visit