The Pope’s outstanding charisma draws thousands to the streets despite America’s tightest security ever, writes Andrew O’Connell
Money couldn’t buy the positive publicity the Catholic Church in the US enjoyed last week during Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Several news networks provided wall-to-wall coverage of every stage of the tour.
A papal visit is manna from Heaven for 24-hour news channels given their fascination with motorcades and helicopters. I switched to CNN on the morning the Holy Father was leaving New York for Philadelphia.
A breathless news reporter was describing the scene outside the Pope’s residence and explaining insignificant details of the Pope’s route to the airport.
One wonders what the casual viewer makes of it all. One journalist reported the scene in a Philadelphia pub on Saturday night where men sitting at the bar asked for the TV to be turned up so they could listen to the Pope’s address at the Festival of the Families.
Not everyone was overcome with excitement though. Papal visits to the US are accompanied by the tightest of security and one New York commuter took to Twitter to ask: “I go to church, but when will this nightmare be over?” Viewers tuning in to one of Pope Francis’ Masses would see very little of the charisma for which he is known. I’ve seen him in person on one occasion – at the canonisation of Popes John Paul and John XXIII in Rome last year. There were no smiles and waves. On occasion he even looked glum. And he often appears that way during Mass. During processions in and out of St Peter’s Basilica, he rarely raises his hand in greeting or benediction.
In that sense, he is continuing Pope Benedict XVI’s attempt to ‘turn down the volume’ on the personality of the celebrant and draw the focus to where it belongs: God. Indeed, at times last week, it seemed as though the Pope was asleep during Mass, only for his eyes to open suddenly indicating that he was in fact in a period of intense reflection.
Of course, it’s a different story when he hops in the Popemobile. Then we see personality galore. But when he wears the sacred vestments, it’s a serious business.
Finally, last week’s ceremonies highlighted the Hispanic complexion of US Catholicism. During previous Papal visits, paragraphs of homilies were delivered in Spanish but on this occasion it often felt like the official language of the tour.
While it’s always difficult to measure the long-term impact of papal visits, we can be sure that even if they never attracted a convert, they certainly reinvigorate the faithful.
PRAYER IN THE CITY I called to St Teresa’s Church, Clarendon Street last Thursday for Evening Prayer with the Presentation Brothers. It was part of a CORI (Conference of Religious in Ireland) initiative for the Year of Consecrated Life. A CORI member organisation is leading prayer in the city centre church each Thursday evening throughout the year.
The brothers’ involved young people in a way that was more than tokenism. There was something authentic and attractive at the sight of lay people leading the prayer with such sincerity. Lisa Murphy from Glasthule parish added to the atmosphere of reflection, singing the Lourdes Magnificat quite beautifully.
If you’re in the city centre on a Thursday evening, call in and join in the praying.
Taking a stand
The annual Ploughing Championship has become Ireland’s National Fair. The vast exhibition area draws huge crowds each day.
This year, as before, there was a good representation of faith groups, including the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, EWTN, Franciscans, Irish Pilgrimage Trust, Jesuits, Legion of Mary, Medjugorje Council of Ireland, Mary’s Meals, Pure in Heart, Rosary of Our Lady of Fatima, St Vincent de Paul, and the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny.
But it was Sr Gwen and Sr Monica from the Carmelite Monastery in Delgany, Co. Wicklow who stole the show ending up on RTÉ’s evening news and profiled in The Irish Times, complete with their distinctive habits and cheerful personalities.