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New Yorkers see a lot of things in their daily lives. So when Pope Francis referred to Catholics being witnesses, even in “the smog,” in his homily at the Papal Mass in Madison Square Garden, it was definitely relatable.
“One special quality of God’s people is their ability to see, to contemplate, even in ‘moments of darkness,’ the light which Christ brings,” Pope Francis said to the 20,000 people who filled the “World’s Most Famous Arena” Sept. 25.
“Knowing that Jesus still walks our streets, that he is part of the lives of his people, that he is involved with us in one vast history of salvation, fills us with hope,” the pope said gently.
Hope and the Light of Christ were two themes of the Holy Father’s message during the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice he offered that evening. Concelebrants included Cardinal Dolan; Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C.; Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United Nations; Archbishop Bernardito Auza, apostolic nuncio to the United Nations; Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; a host of other archbishops and bishops; and several hundred priests.
The pope challenged the faithful to ask: “What is it like, this light traveling through our streets? How do we encounter God, who lives with us amid the smog of our cities? How do we encounter Jesus, alive and at work in the daily life of our multicultural cities?”
The pontiff pointed to the prophet Isaiah, whom he said, “can guide us in this process of ‘learning to see.’” The various names Isaiah called Jesus, including “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace,” the pope said, all represent ways one can witness Jesus.
The pope told those gathered, “God is living in our cities. The Church is living in our cities…She wants to relate to everyone, to stand at everyone’s side, as she proclaims the marvels of the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace.”
To resounding applause, the Holy Father concluded by saying to Catholics everywhere, “We ourselves are witnesses of that light.”
The Mass was offered primarily in English, with readings and prayers in Spanish and Latin, and the pope’s homily delivered in Spanish. The prayers of the faithful were offered in Gaelic, Mandarin, English, French and Italian.
Pope Francis first appeared 40 minutes before his scheduled arrival. Within seconds, the arena was filled with cheers and applause for the “people’s pope” as he was transported around the main floor in a golf cart.
The triumphant music of a full orchestra, led by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, director of music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, resounded from behind the gorgeous altar adorned with white flowers and draping white curtains.
Seeing the pope for the first time erased any thoughts of the hours many Mass-goers had spent waiting on line before entering the Garden due to security precautions.
“People usually get really grumpy. This was the politest line I have ever been in,” said Mark McAllen of St. Ann’s parish in Yonkers.
Relating a story of one of his encounters outside, McAllen said, “This lady lost her ticket and a priest was asking if anyone had an extra one. A guy gave her his ticket and she started crying. It was a really amazing moment.”
Another line, the one for Communion, was served by some 200 deacons and 150 other Eucharistic ministers who assisted with the distribution of the Eucharist.
Pope Francis, wearing green and gold vestments, linked himself to the past by using the pastoral staff and golden chalice of Blessed Pope Paul VI during his apostolic visit to the United States 50 years ago.
“He’s really a special pope. I have a lot of friends who aren’t Catholic who really seem to like him. I think it’s because he tries his best to really greet people and make it really personal,” said McAllen, a 20-year-old student at Manhattan College.
McAllen said he would long remember the pope’s humble smile when he finished his homily and said, “And please, I ask you, don’t forget to pray for me.”
At the end of Mass, Cardinal Dolan told Pope Francis, “It is clear how much we welcome you, how much we love you, how much we need you, how much we thank you for your visit.” The audience showed its agreement with another long roaring applause and outcries of “Viva Papa!”
The pre-Mass program, “Francis, Our Pope: A Journey of Faith Through the Heart of New York 2015,” featuring Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan and Broadway stars, had a spiritual bent and serene ambiance. Highlights included Ms. Hudson’s beautifully powerful version of “Hallelujah,” and Kelli O’Hara’s emotion-filled rendition of the “Our Father.”
Bill Hoffacker was another St. Ann’s parishioner chosen by lottery to receive a ticket. “I am inspired by the pope,” said Hoffacker, who belongs to the Knights of Columbus and his parish council, and is an usher at his parish.
Speaking of Pope Francis, Hoffacker said, “What he is doing for the Church is wonderful. His actions and generosity towards the poor and how he reaches out into the community really inspire me.”
Sharing his personal journey of faith, Hoffacker told CNY he is a convert to Catholicism—he was Lutheran before. “My faith is very important to me,” he said. “And something like this—to be in the same room with the pope is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
