Anointing of the Alter (Private Mass w/ the Pope)

This was taken @ the Private Mass the Holy Father had with the Seminarians and religious in WYD 08 in Sydney Australia. I was one of the very lucky few to get in. First of all my alarm didn't go off and we (me Sr. Janelle, Sr. Serena, and Sr. Carol) almost missed our 4:15 train. Luckily though when we got there was only about 30 other seminarians in front of us. By the time we were let in there were about a thousand seminarians and religious behind us. But when we got up to the check in line, they didn't have my name on the invitation list, even though I called 2 days before to confirm it was on there. they told me to stand a said and after about 30 other seminarians were let in a guy came up to me just wrote my name and diocese down and let me in (which I guess didn't happen for any other people they were just turned away!) I did loose my great place in line but, I WAS IN! And there was only one full line of people in front of me so I was only one person away form where the Pope would be walking! I started talking to the guy in front of me when he said that he was a part of the group of guys who camped out all night, from Madison Wisconsin. I said oh there is a guy form Madison that goes to our seminary! He said " oh yeah Matt Arias! He's just 2 people down!" so I had been standing next to one of my best friends for 15-20 mins without even knowing it! Then big music started planning and a procession came through and we continued talking because we thought the Pope would have his own big booming entrance music on, but the exact opposite happened! He came in absolute silence! I hear the Italian Seminarians yell Viva La Papa! And I turned on my camera quick and looked at the door to see the Holy Father beaming with happiness to see us! So with camera in my right hand and my left hand out stretched as far as I could and 3 rude French seminarians trying to push me away, I came with in inches from touching the Pope! If he hadn't been distracted by the Sr.'s of Life on the other side he would have shook my hand! This one event has changed my life and has given me encouragement that I am following the path that God wants me to follow!
I have give Saint Rita credit because this is just one of the many IMPOSSIBLE Miracles she worked for our trip.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Pope
• WYD

[RimbaudDreams]

Where is Matt Arias now? I am friends with him, knowing him from St. Gregory the Great at Lincoln, NE, and, now, he seems just to be gone? Is he alright? Thanks!

[se7ensorrows]

@RimbaudDreams Irronically neither one of us are in the seminary any more. I left last week, and he left a year and a half ago. I left with great peace and consolation. and after long discernment. He left last year and was really weird about it. he has kept in contact with very few of us and all I know is that he went back home.

[RimbaudDreams]

PART ONE: I think those most idealistic & probably those who would be the best of priests, ultimately leave seminary & most often hurt over it. One grows up knowing the favored class priests lives within, that, one day we'll not be "lay people." We know the distinction the choice holds, and, it can really be heartbreaking to ‘leave.’ The stigma, when I left, was almost of shame. That, I failed, when, it

[RimbaudDreams]

was an great experience which helped shape me and helped me grow as a person. I'd assume it's like divorce, when once both were filled with great joy and love for each other. My heart goes out to Matt. And, my best is sent to you. I'm glad PART TWO: you are comfortable in your choice. I can only wish you the very best and trust you will now find real happiness in life, something someone hiding behind a collar, I believe, can never find. ------Michael