Reflections on the Papal Visit (8)

Somewhat ironically, given that he is currently a chaplain/teacher at the Jesuit school in Glasgow, Fr Gerard Gallen SJ was unable to attend the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow.  This was due to the fact that on the day of the Scottish leg of the Pope's visit he was travelling by coach to London with representatives of all the Scottish Catholic secondary schools, including the two school captains from St Aloysius' College.

Along with two other coaches we formed the 140 plus pupils making up the Scottish school contingent of the 4,000 pupils and students gathering at St Mary's College, Twickenham, for the 'Big Assembly'.  The Scottish Catholic Education Service has to be commended for their effort in planning this huge 'school trip'!

We were delighted to learn via mobile phone of the wonderful weather Glasgow was enjoying on the day, apparently it had been some 15 years since rain had failed to fall in Glasgow on 16 September! Although many had doubted the wisdom of such an open-air gathering, the gamble certainly paid off as reports are nothing but positive about the whole day the Holy Father spent in Scotland.

Our group spent the night billeted in the halls of residence of St Mary's and the security led to a number of our pupils commenting that they felt they were extras in an episode of 'CSI London'! The Scottish contingent gathered early in the morning, securing a good vantage point from which to view the leader of the Assembly! We certainly won the pre-main event singing contest, creating a celebratory atmosphere with impromptu and then directed singing of hymns as we waited for the Assembly to begin.  When the Popemobile appeared there was a huge rush of excitement and adrenalin.  The stewards who had been keen to keep the groups penned in within marked boxes on the grass had no chance, as the youngsters moved to show their appreciation for the Holy Father.  Never has such enthusiasm been shown for the leader of a school assembly!

The Pope seemed animated by the enthusiasm of the youngsters and he united, uplifted and inspired - in essence fulfilled his Petrine office.  Don't take my word for the effect it had on the school children though, read their own reflections from their feedback given on the long, but worthwhile, 11-hour coach journey back to Glasgow.  They can be viewed on the web page above.