An experience of a lifetime...an evening to remember

Last time, I spoke about the wonderful and blessed visit of Francis Cardinal Arinze to the St. Louis Archdiocese on Nov. 10 – 12. After his keynote address on Saturday and his celebrating Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday morning, he visited the seminary.

He arrived at the seminary just before 4 pm and met with all the students for a Question and Answer session. Unfortunately, I had to be at the Cathedral until nearly 5 pm and was not able to attend the Q&A. I did return in time for Solemn Evening Prayer at 5 pm that was presided over by His Eminence.

After Evening Prayer, we had a formal dinner. Now, we had been unable to take photos with Cardinal Arinze after the 10 am Mass because of a bunch of fanatics that were harassing him which resulted in them having to whisk him away. Msgr. Brier, the personal secretary of Archbishop Burke, was serving as aide to the Cardinal and at dinner, he told me that Cardinal Arinze would take photos with me after the lecture that he was to give to student body and priests of the diocese.

His lecture was wonderful and after he finished, I waited patiently while others flocked around him. Msgr. Brier slowly moved him toward the door but stopped in front of me. I introduced myself again and he remembered me serving as deacon for him that morning. Msgr. Brier explained about not getting photos at the Cathedral, so he posed with me for a couple of photos. Before he left, however, Msgr. Brier told him that I have some scapular medals with me. He asked me to open the cases and he blessed them!!!! The picture at the top shows the Cardinal posing with me.

The weekend was an absolutely outstanding, unforgettable and blessed experience!! I was both blessed and humbled to be able to serve as deacon for His Eminence. I never thought ever, that I’d have an experience like this and I will never forget it as long as I live. Until next time…God bless.

posted by: crossman at 20:42 | link | comments |
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