After celebrating the Immaculate Conception feast day, I thought sharing the following story from one of our own Regnum Christi members about his experience meeting President Obama would be worthwhile. In our politically divided country, and in our “politically divided” church, I believe this story shows how, with the help of Our Blessed Mother, we can build bridges over the things that separate us.
Let’s call this man David. David is the police chief at a major university in the state of Ohio. President Obama was planning a campaign stop at this university prior to the election, and David was heavily involved in the planning process.
A few days before the visit, he received what he described as a “very gracious” call from the Secret Service asking him if he would like to have a photo opportunity with the President. Apparently this invitation was extended to local supportive politicians and dignitaries, the police chief and the sheriff who helped provide additional security for the event.
“I hesitated,” said David, knowing he and the president disagreed significantly on many issues.
“I didn’t want to accept everything taking place,” he said. And he wondered if accepting this invitation would be a tacit approval of all that he disagreed with. But, with recourse to prayer, David believed he should say yes to the invitation.
On the day of the event, just prior to the President’s public appearance, David was at the end of the line of local officials and leaders, waiting to meet the President. The meeting was to take place in a closed-off secured area. He noticed each person who entered got a very brief 5 to 6 seconds to shake hands with the President and stand in front of the patriotic background to have their meeting photographed.
Before he arrived that day, David had gone to Eucharistic Adoration. “It became evident what I was called to do,” he said. “I was a surprised I was being led this way.”
While he stood in line, David prayed. Then his turn finally came.
“And I got about 25 seconds,” he remembers with a smile.
“I walked up to the President and shook his hand, introduced myself and said, ‘My family and I pray for you a lot.’”
President Obama stepped back and said, “Really?” David said the President was genuinely taken aback.
He thanked David and asked him what church he attended.
David said he was Catholic and told him the name of his parish.
Then David reached into his pocket and took out two Miraculous Medals. The medals were from several he obtained while visiting Ephesus in Turkey, the purported home of the Blessed Mother while she was living with St. John the apostle. (“I save these medals to give out on special occasions,” David had told me.)
He told President Obama these were for him and Mrs. Obama. He said they contain a special grace, and will protect those who wear them.
President Obama accepted the gifts and put them in his pocket.
“Thank your church for me, and please pray for my daughters,” the President said. David said he would.
He left the meeting, thankful for what had just transpired.
“I was at peace,” he said.
I think we can all learn a little from this exchange, and perhaps, look to Heaven with hope and peace as we make our Advent preparations, and as the New Year approaches.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
