I believe that the visit of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to the people of the United States has brought us, by what he said and by his very person, hope. A man of extraordinary intelligence, scholarly and extensive learning, unassumingly articulate and clear, Pope Benedict is obviously a man who deeply loves God. His words reflect a humble heart in search of truth. And the truth of his words, point always to the centrality of God in our personal and collective lives; and the urgency for us to live and act on God’s cry for healing, justice, compassion, peace, union with God for each of us and for all humankind. And the enthusiastic response of the crowds who were there, and what was stirring in our own hearts as we watched the proceedings of this visit, reflect our own yearning for the same. Pope Benedict’s obvious intimacy with God invited and encouraged us to look at, take the time, and savor our own intimacy with our God. And I, suspect that Pope Benedict’s gentle, but clear and direct exhortations, reminders, and even challenges, have given us cause to pause, to reflect on our own lives—each according to our specific call—how this mutual love of God with each of us, invites us to renewed and joyful fidelity to our personal call, and to compassionate outreach to our brothers and sisters near and far.

And I believe that this visit to us by Pope Benedict XVI will not only impact on us as Catholics, but on the many of the other faith-persuasions who look to him as a pastoral and moral spiritual leader.

I believe that this has been a truly “completive moment.” It was a time when we let ourselves be touched by the Spirit of this moment of the Papal visit; a time when we were drawn into whatever “truth” God desired to give or deepen in us—individually and collectively—about ourselves personally, our Catholic faith, our life together… and about God’s urgent call to each of us “ to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8); a time when we savored the gift of faith that is ours, and at the same time, to honor and desire for all, that same freedom and joy.

This visit of Pope Benedict will surely bring us to continuing personal and collective prayerful reflection on who we are and the greatness of heart and action in God, to which we are called, personally and together. How very hope-filled!

Thank you, Holy Father, Pope Benedict, for coming and touching us all so deeply.

— Notre Dame Sister Theresa Galvan, director of the diocesan Office of Vicar for Religious