The sisters left Via Casilina for the Vatican at half past five in the morning. While moving in the cold, their goal was to see Pope Benedict one last time. Even in the bitter cold, their hearts and minds were warmed up by their earnest desire. The nuns from Kerala, Sister Maria, Sister Sherin, Sister Renu Maria, Sister Manju, Sister Daisy, and Sister Alphonsa, all from Kerala and belong to the Daughters of Sacred Heart of Jesus (DSHJ), share their experience from the Vatican.
Despite the freezing cold, the desire to see Pope Benedict one last time warmed their hearts and minds. These Keralite nuns arrived there even before the Vatican Square was under police control. Police restrictions began around 7:30 Italian time. They completed the security checks and got entry by 7.45.
“From four o’clock in the morning, thousands started to gather in Vatican Square to have a glance at Pope Benedict. St. Peter’s Square is a reminder that Pope Benedict was a Pope, whom the whole world embraced with love”, they were witnessing the affection of the faithful from the Vatican.
After clearing the security checks, there has been a long queue to get inside; they looked around and were surprised to see the crowd, people from different countries, speaking in many languages… People from different parts of Italy, people who love Pope Benedict from different parts of the world, students from different countries… It proves how much they loved the Pope: they made such a big sacrifice and reached the Vatican early in the chilly morning. It has been a great experience for students from different countries. Everyone has been hoping to catch the last glimpse of their beloved Pope.
Another peculiarity has been that a large number of people who have come to have a glimpse of their beloved Pope are youngsters. Not only devotees and priests, but also many youth also came over. This has been clear proof of their love for their Holy Father! Even those who don’t know much about the Pope, despite the fact the Pope has been all over the media these days, are among those who have come over here to know more about him and get a glimpse of his great personality.
“As we stand in the queue we are convinced that we are going to see a saint… It was the only notion that guided us, we are going to see the mortal remain of a saint. We are not going to attend the canonization of a saint, but we are going to see a saint in person, that thought makes us stronger,” Sister Maria DSHJ adds.
Beloved Pope in Silence
There has been a long queue of people, but everything is quiet while entering St. Peter’s Basilica. Just as the Pope had asked before his death, the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica was furnished with all simplicity. Years ago, he had written in his will how his funeral rites should be conducted. He sleeps very quietly without any celebrations or fanfare. A candle is lit nearby. The body of the Pope lay in front of the altar. His last journey has to be silence and simplicity which he had perpetuated during his lifetime. Everything is very calm here!
“Standing here, I feel, the great Pope, who calmly endured, prayed and worked for the unity and goodness of the Catholic Church during his life, is passing and that reminds once again of his last journey”, Sister Sherin gives expression to her experience of meeting the Pope.
Viewing the mortal remains of Pope Benedict has been one of the most sacred experiences of these nuns who belong to the DSHJ congregation. Thousands have made their pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square even as these sisters returned after visiting Pope Benedict, whose life was marked by holiness and wisdom. Respect and prayer to the most powerful and courageous Holy Father of this age who is on his way to eternity!
Sunisha V.F.
(This story is adapted and translated from www.lifeday.in, the sister newspaper of Catholic news.in)