A Special Roman Experience
by Mary Ewens, OP
Sr. Mary Ewens receives communion from
Pope Benedict XVI.
A Sister living in Rome sometimes has special opportunities, like my chance to receive communion from Pope Benedict XVI at the April 2 Mass commemorating the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. How was that arranged? At papal Masses, a small group of people are given special tickets enabling them to receive communion from the Pope. The head of protocol controls those tickets. He happens to be a Nigerian priest, friend of one of my Nigerian Sisters. She requested tickets for herself and me. In theory anyone can write to request such tickets.
It was a warm, sunny day, and the Mass was outside facing St. Peter’s Square. As I worked my way through crowds and security barriers, successive ushers pointed me in the right direction. For the final stage, I was escorted by a man in a black tailcoat.
There were five rows of 10 chairs each, set up below the steps that lead into St. Peter’s. Most in the group were Sisters in habits, plus two American seminarians, and a sprinkling of Italian laity. The altar was at the landing at the top of the steps; we were not close to it. There were huge pots of purple flowers blocking the way of any vehicle that might try to approach, and a man sitting in a chair in front of us, back to the altar, watched the crowds. We were led up the steps to receive communion after showing our tickets one more time.
Two photographers snapped photos. Six were taken of me in the few seconds it took to receive communion. The Mass ended around noon, and by 3 p.m. we could see the pictures and order copies, a very efficient operation.
Later I learned that our Toni Harris, OP, had been at the Mass but had not noticed me in the Pope’s communion line. Various Sisters who watched on TV did report seeing me. It was a pleasant way to spend a “work” day, watching the pageantry, listening to glorious music, gazing into the Pope’s eyes for a few seconds: a once-in-a-lifetime experience!