On a rainy day here in Joliet, I flew in an on-time, properly inspected airplane, and landed on a beautiful spring like day in Washington, D. C. The temperature was a perfect 71 degrees. The sky was a robin’s egg blue, grass and trees were green, tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers abounded. A buzz of excitement was evident as I got into a cab to the hotel. “We may have to go using a round-about way because the pope’s Mass is still going on” I was told by the cab driver with a definite Spanish accent.

At the hotel I was informed “no, my room was not ready”. It was only 10:00 a.m. and of course they would store my luggage and keep my room if I was late getting back from our meeting with His Holiness. Everyone I talked to was envious, Catholic or not they wished they had a ticket.

I arrived at the Catholic University campus about 1 p.m. for our 5 p.m. meeting, “after all, we had to get through security.” At 3 p.m., everyone was pronounced clear. We were all in our assigned places, names on the back of our chairs by 4 p.m. I did not see an empty seat. I believe we numbered about five hundred in all, superintendents and college presidents.

A special choir rehearsed between 2 and 3 in blue jeans, and then appeared formally dressed at 4:30 to sing the same songs in welcome of the pope. “Yes they did sound better in tuxedos.”

We were told the pope would arrive on campus at about 4 p.m. We watched his arrival in the 30-car entourage on a big screen television in the hall where we were been waiting. Hundreds of students were gathered in a large courtyard. They were so excited. They had been waiting all afternoon too. They clapped and cheered the Pope on his way in. They were truly wonderful examples of Catholic youths at their best. All of us educators beamed as if they were our very own students. And indeed Catholic University can and should boast that they take the best from our schools in Diocese all across the country and confirm and further develop their faith.

The pope finally arrived in our hall to a more subdued but no less appreciative applause. Welcomes were sung and spoken; dignitaries were introduced; and greetings and gifts were exchanged. The pope, humble yet regal, in white, waved, smiled, bowed and blessed. He seemed to be all we hoped for.

His message began. The room was quiet as all strained to hear the Holy Father. His accent was heavy, his tone gentle and respectful. His words were profound, and his praise of Catholic educational institutions eloquent. He quoted St. Paul when he told us our footsteps are beautiful since we bring “good news.” The Holy Father greeted us as bearers of wisdom and indeed as superintendents and college presidents we are a group advanced in age and, we hope, wisdom and grace. Pope Benedict called on Catholic schools and Universities to untiringly present truth informed by faith, intelligent charity and service derived from our love of Christ.

He stated “the church’s primary mission of evangelization plays a crucial role in our educational institutions.” The church serves all members of society by purifying reason, by shedding light on questions of morals/ethics and upholding the essential of right and wrong. He continued by saying that teachers and administrators in Catholic institutions have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This requires public witness to the way of Christ.

In closing, Pope Benedict stated … “bear witness to hope. Nourish your witness with prayer. Account for the hope that characterizes your lives (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) by living the truth which you propose to your students. Help them to know and love the One you have encountered, whose truth and goodness you have experienced with joy.” With Saint Augustine, let us say: “we who speak and you who listen acknowledge ourselves as fellow disciples of a single teacher” (Sermons, 23:2). With these sentiments of communion, I gladly impart to you, your colleagues and students, and to your families, my Apostolic Blessing.

There was little to say after that. We applauded as the pPope left. We sat quietly and watched on the big screen television as the Pope’s motorcade made its way through campus. Again students clapped and cheered all along the way. Our hearts were joyful as we slowly made our way off campus and to our hotels.

I realized it would take much reflection time to incorporate all that I had heard and experienced. Writing this for you is just a first step in doing that.

— Benedictine Sister Helen Jean Kormelink, superintendent of Catholic Joliet diocesan schools.