“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
Back in 1998, we brought a large group over to Rome for the Feast of Pentecost. We were scheduled to have a special rosary with St. John Paul II in the Vatican Gardens, but the crowds in St. Peter’s square rushed towards the gate when it opened for our group, so the Swiss Guards asked if we could form a human chain to keep the crowds under control. Our group of High School aged guys volunteered for the job, and before long the guards were about to close the gates because the garden area was completely full. Our guys offered to wait outside to control the crowds and to help lead everyone in a rosary on the steps of St. Peter’s along with Fr. Anthony Bannon, LC. This was a tough sacrifice, but they did it with a great spirit.
Two days later, we went to a Papal audience in St. Peter’s Square and as we entered the plaza, a Swiss Guard came up to me and mentioned that he could open up the barricade for our group, because St. John Paul II would be driving right down this particular aisle. One hour later, the Pope drove down that aisle and most of our kids were able to touch him and see him up close. God did not let our little act of charity go unnoticed!
