Thank You, Holy Father

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On Friday, Pope Benedict XVI will no longer be the supreme pastor of the Church.  The Church and I will move forward, but we will never forget the blessings of having been part of the flock led by this spiritual shepherd.  So many individuals have been influenced and formed greatly by this holy and erudite man.  It has been a pleasure to hear his prayers and spiritual direction as well as to read his catechetical and theological works.  He has been a teacher, mentor, and something of a spiritual grandfather to many, including myself.

Derek & his wife shake hands with Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 22, 2006)
It was seven years ago today that I returned from my honeymoon and pilgrimage to Italy.  During those travels, I had the great fortune to attend a papal audience, to look into the eyes of Pope Benedict XVI, and to shake his hand.  When my wife and I clasped our hands with his, we felt as though we were communicating with him.  Silently, underneath all the expressive exuberance around us, he seemed to be thanking a newly-married couple for its faithful witness.  My wife also noticed that he seemed to be entrusting us with many blessings if we were to continue presenting that witness to the world.

That singular moment, which seemed like an eternity (but was, in reality, probably only a few seconds), is a microcosm of Pope Benedict's modus operandi.   Although he is brilliant and gifted, he never has assumed that he is the most important part of the Church.  Better than anyone else, he knows that the spread of the Gospel must be entrusted to those individuals and families who are gifted in unique ways to do so; and he knows that each individual and family has something special to contribute.

Thank you, Holy Father, for reminding my family and me of that reality.  Thank you, Holy Father, for proclaiming that message by your example for eight years.  Thank you, Holy Father, for the blessings that will flow for many years beyond your papacy!


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