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Pope Francis at the beginning of mass
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Dear Family and Friends,
Yesterday was my last day of school. Ever. Well, who knows,
but probably for a long time.
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Francis before the Blessed Sacrament
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On Thursday I went with some friends to Corpus Christi mass
with Pope Francis at Saint John Lateran Basilica. Saint John’s is special for
me since I’ll probably be ordained a priest there December 14th.
After a beautiful mass with Francis, we started our procession from to Saint
Mary Major’s Basilica. As the procession started, all of us were straining our
necks to see Francis. Benedict used to travel atop a giant popemobile with the
Blessed Sacrament, as did John Paul. The popemobile arrived, but there was no
Pope, only the Blessed Sacrament and two deacons. Where was the pope? I thought
maybe he’d travel in the smaller popemobile.
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| popemobile with Blessed Sacrament on top but no Francis |
Then all of a sudden my friend saw him. Pope Francis was
walking behind the Blessed Sacrament, head bare. Though there were thousands of
flashes going off, he wasn’t waving at anyone; he was rapt in prayer. He looked
just like any other priest.
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| Francis was walking behind! |
We followed him the whole mile-long procession
route down the Via Merulana, singing hymns and prayers. There was a special
spirit of recollection and brotherhood among us all. When we arrived at Saint
Mary Major’s, Pope Francis blessed us with the Blessed Sacrament on the front
steps, then we sang a song to the Blessed Mother before heading back to our
homes.
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| on the Via Merulana |
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| Francis following |
What an evening well-spent! It was so neat to be able to
walk the streets with Francis.
God bless him and you!
Brother Kevin
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| Francis in the procession |
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| Halfway down the Via Merulana |
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| Getting close to Saint Mary Major's |
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| at St Mary Majors |
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| Francis praying before the Blessed Sacrament |
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| Francis blessing us with the Blessed Sacrament |
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| Singing a hymn to Mary |
