By Mary Malloy
No, they were not watching baseball or listening to their favorite band. The high school freshmen had experiences that will last them a lifetime - they got to see the Pope.
During his six-day visit to Washington D.C. and New York, Pope Benedict XVI spoke on world issues, visited a synagogue and Ground Zero, and spoke those who took his messages to heart - the youth.
Kaitlyn Harmon, 15, a freshman at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, attended the Papal Rally for Youth and Seminarians at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers last Saturday by winning a lottery held at her school in February. She went with 23 other students from her school, and two teacher chaperones.
"The crowd was yelling for him," said Harmon. "And they quieted down when he spoke. It was amazing to represent Sacred Heart, and the Pope was so humbled about everything."
At Yankee stadium on Sunday, Anthony DiCanio, 14, a freshman at Chaminade High School in Mineola, said that after a "Concert of Hope" the crowd "went wild" when the Pope came out on the field. "He rode around in his Popemobile around the field's warning track," he said. "Then went toward the dugout to put on his vestments." After being welcomed by Cardinal Edward Egan, the Pope said a complete Mass, and recited the Prayer of the Faithful in eight different languages." It was fascinating," said DiCanio. "People were listening, really listening to him. I felt moved afterward, and at peace."
"He made us feel happy just to be in his presence," said Harmon.
