Every spring, the executive directors of Catholic Charities agencies from around the country gather in Washington, D.C., for our annual meeting. This April, our meeting was greatly enhanced by the addition of the pope’s visit to the Unites States. I was privileged to receive an invitation (along with 12,000 others) to the White House for the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn. I was filled with pride to be part of such an historic event. The president and the Holy Father were eloquent in their words of welcome and gratitude for spending time with the American people, and being present on the shores where such great history had occurred. Clearly, the pope was here as a religious leader who was promoting the work of Christ ever in our midst.

Mass at Nationals Stadium occurred on Thursday, April 17. What a spirit of excitement and wonder! As the thousands of people came pouring into the stadium, smiles and hellos were the words and actions of the day. Anticipation filled the hearts of all there and a palpable exhilaration was present. Musical performances filled the hours before the celebration of the Eucharist. The air was abuzz with enthusiasm when the announcement to take our seats and the procession of Bishops began. The popemobile entered the stadium to great cries of joy and “Vive Le Papa!” Vatican and American flags waved and the excitement grew. As the cardinals processed in, we knew the Holy Father himself would soon be in our midst! As he came in, again, a great swell of cries of welcome and joy sprung into the air. We were all overpowered by the presence of him in our midst.

During the liturgy, he was reverent and obviously enjoyed seeing and hearing the cries of welcome at the beginning of the Mass. The music was beautiful and prayerful with Gospel choirs, the Cathedral choir, opera singers and the congregation itself lifting their voices to God. The Pope spoke of our need to place Christ in the center of our world and to avoid the consumerism and materialism that overtakes our world. He spoke respectfully of the great tradition of the Catholic Church in America from the early colonial days. And he spoke eloquently of hope, hope that comes from our belief in Jesus Christ.

What a blessing to be a part of such a wonderfully spiritual experience. I had the sense that Pope Benedict XVI is very human and was especially gratified and humbled by his meeting with victims of the sexual abuse crisis. He showed by example that having Christ as the center of your life allows great compassion and love to pour out from your heart and soul. Thank you, Holy Father, for the opportunity to touch your heart and soul and to be humbled by it! Vive Le Papa!

— Kathleen McGowan, executive director of Catholic Charities for the Joliet Diocese