This was an actual conversation in class today

A student- “So Friar Matt, if you aren’t going to be here with us the next couple days that’s ok with me.”

Me- “Why wouldn’t I be here?”

Another student “We assumed you would be going to meet the pope.”

Me- “Oh right, well I was offered the possibility of a private meeting. He wanted to know what it was like teaching a Curley but I told them no. I couldn’t bare not being with you for even a single day.”

A number of students “What? Are you serious?”

Me-”I told you never underestimate how crazy I can be!”

I am not EXACTLY sure what they were getting at, I am hoping that they desired me to have an experience of meeting the pope and sharing their love and admiration for him and his ministry rather than hoping for a chance to watch a movie and have a substitute teacher for the day. I am hoping it is the first and well I will keep hoping.

I have spent a bit of time the last few days reflecting, reading and praying about first visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. I was moved when I learned that the basic proclamation of the Holy Father is that Christ is our Hope. A theme so important that he wrote an brilliant encyclical about it.

I know that I will be trying to follow as much of the visit as I can via the internet and TV. I am excited that he will be visiting my old haunts: The Basilica of the National Shrine and CUA. Those are two places where I spent some very special times and moments of my life.

Getting in the spirit of the papal visit. There is a display case in the main foyer which will highlight parts of the visit. I hope to show some of speeches and homilies in class and 4 Curley students were lucky enough to be chosen to attend the Papal Mass at Washington Nationals Stadium. These will be some exciting day ahead of us!

peace and prayers,
friar Matt