Brandon Macadaeg
(left), a seminarian for the Oakland Diocese, and Father Larry D’Anjou,
diocesan vocations director, await the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI
in Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C., April 17.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDON
MACADAEG
‘The
crowd stood up
and the cry of joy
was deafening.’
By Father Larry D’Anjou
Special to The Voice
I got up at 4:30 a.m. on April 17 in order to
join Oakland seminarian Brandon Macadaeg and other seminarians from
Theological College as we made our way to Nationals Stadium for
the papal Mass. Even at the early hour the metro transportation
system (similar to our BART) was packed.
The new stadium was set up especially nicely for Pope Benedict’s
visit. There was a grand “sanctuary” created in center
field with a large, beautiful crucifix and high canopy. The altar
was large, comparable to the papal altar in St. Peter’s Basilica
in Rome, complete with candles and crucifix. Two large columns on
either side of the canopy, covered with suitable gold and white
fabric, housed the massive sound system.
I got vested with many other priests in the stadium’s “President’s
Club” and found my place on the field in the section marked
for visiting priests. I was seated between an older priest from
North Carolina and a younger Franciscan priest. The fraternity of
the ordained priesthood created an immediate bond between me and
these two men I’d never met.
As the beautiful morning sun worked its way across the field and
the stadium began filling up, I thought about what a privilege it
was to be there — so many faithful people gathered together
to experience the Eucharist with the successor to St. Peter. What
a joy and thrill!
The procession of bishops accompanied by the hymn, “Go up
to the altar of God” heightened everyone’s anticipation.
The first electrifying moment occurred when the popemobile entered
the stadium. The crowd stood up and the cry of joy was deafening.
I felt so moved by the response of affirmation that tears welled
up in my eyes.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Mass was the sense of
communion and harmony — 47,000 Catholics were fulfilling their
role in the sacred liturgy calmly and communally. I was deeply struck
by the peace and goodwill that existed there — the mildness
and gentleness — such a contrast to our everyday experience
of disharmony and discord. Only the true presence of Jesus can bring
this kind of union and communion to the human family.
“I pray that they all may be one as you and I are one,”
Jesus said (Jn 27:22). It seemed that we were as close to heaven
as any community of 47,000 people could be — indeed we were!
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‘A reaffirmation of my
vocation to the priesthood’
By Brandon E. Macadaeg
Special to The Voice
It was on the Third Sunday of Easter that I was
chosen to serve Solemn Vespers for Pope Benedict XVI during his
meeting with the American bishops at the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception during his first apostolic visit to the United
States.
I was stunned by the news because I was going to meet the Holy Father
without even traveling to Rome. The pope was coming to Mary’s
Shrine, a place so familiar to me, a place so instrumental in my
discernment to the priesthood, and a place so dear to my heart.
He was coming to me! He was coming to my home!
On April 16, after seeing the great crowds forming on the front
lawn of my seminary, it finally hit me that he was really coming
and I was going to meet him. The other servers and I joyfully awaited
the arrival of the Holy Father in the Crypt Church sacristy where
an old television was hooked up so that we could watch his arrival.
When we saw him ascending the steps of the Basilica, someone exclaimed,
“He’s here! He’s really here!” Tears of
joy began to build up, but I held them back. We all lined up, ready
to meet him and excitement overshadowed our nervousness. We heard
the sacristy elevator descend from the Upper Church and then emerging
from the elevator was His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI!
We erupted into a great applause and the Holy Father had a gracious
smile on his face. Each person was personally introduced to him.
Msgr. Walter Rossi, the rector of the Shrine, introduced me to the
Holy Father and told him that I am a seminarian. The Holy Father’s
face lit up and he said in a deep voice, “Wow, seminarian!”
I kissed his ring and after I stood up, he gave me an affectionate
smile that I will always remember. I was truly in the presence of
a humble, holy servant of God.
Meeting the Holy Father that evening was certainly a reaffirmation
of my vocation to the priesthood. With his gentle smile he was approving
my vocation to the priesthood and was encouraging me to persevere
in it.
Sometimes I am criticized for aspiring to become a priest, but the
approval, support and love that I received from Peter in our midst
triumphed over any discouraging criticism I have ever received.
In that brief encounter, the Holy Father directed my focus from
himself to Jesus Christ and reminded me that “all things are
made new in Christ, Our Hope!”
The following day, I had two more opportunities to see the Holy
Father, first at Mass in Nationals Stadium and then at the Catholic
University of America. We seminarians sat on the field near the
altar. The joy in the stadium was astonishing.
When the Holy Father arrived, he circled the field in the popemobile.
Papal flags were waving, people were cheering, cameras were flashing,
and even priests vested for Mass ran towards him in hopes of catching
a perfect glimpse.
Amidst all the excitement, there was a tremendous sense of peace
in the stadium because we knew that the Vicar of Christ was with
us. I witnessed the vivacity of the Catholic Church in America and
I am so proud to be part of it. Nobody wanted to leave the Mass
because the peace was so incredible.
After lunch, we awaited the pope at Catholic University. We received
a hero’s welcome as we were being ushered through an enthusiastic
crowd of students anticipating his arrival. Our young peers cheered
for us, supporting our answering the call to a lifetime of service
to Jesus and His Church as priests.
Just as our witness inspired many of them to follow God’s
invitation to holiness in their own vocations, their witness inspired
me. I saw the hope of our Church. Together, we young Catholics will
bring about a renewal that the Church needs. Pray for us! We need
your support!
When the Holy Father arrived, he came straight to us and his gentle
face lit up. He remarked, “So many! So beautiful! So well-dressed!”
Then we chanted “Tu Es Petrus” (You are Peter).
The Holy Father loves his seminarians and he has great expectations
of us. He taught us that we need to be seminarians totally in love
with Jesus and his Church and only then may we become the “alter
Christus,” the true face of Jesus in the world today.
We are very blessed to have Pope Benedict XVI as our shepherd and
teacher. He is the greatest mind in the world today. He loves us
dearly. Let us be open to him for he gives us the authentic Catholic
faith and the beautiful message of a world built by true freedom
and lasting peace. Viva il Papa!
(Brandon Macadaeg is a seminarian of the Diocese of Oakland who
is studying for the priesthood at the Theological College, the National
Seminary of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
He is a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc Parish in San Ramon.) |
