a NOLA girl in a Big world

Today – we have guest bloggers – My parents, Roy & Diane. Enjoy!

As guests, we have large shoe’s to filled. We’ll give it our best shot.

::Palm Sunday::

Today is the day to start our adventure bright and early for the Angellus Palm Sunday mass at St Peters square. Our guide Marco from yesterday said to get to security by 6:30 am. Well, that’s quite early for a 10 o clock mass, but it’s the Pope. We prepared for the event by getting snacks to eat while we waited in line, with umbrellas in tow, we were prepared for rain as the forecast called for thunderstorms.

Let’s just say we were not alone at the gates to St. Peters. The Pope really draws a crowd. But, these nuns, priest and other pilgrims, had no idea with who they were dealing. You see we are Jazzfest “professionals” and we know how to race for a spot.

The entry went smooth other than Lindsey having a position match with an Nigerian nun who was quite persistent to get ahead. Once inside, our Jazzfest skills became apparent. We were able to get one of the best seats in the house, on the rail for the entry of Pope Francis. Marco told us where to sit so we could see the Pope in the popemobile.

The altar and crowds in St. Peter’s was amazing. The security was heavy but watching the Swiss guards in their brightly colored uniforms distinguished the importance of supporting the Pope.

Being Palm Sunday, palms and olive branches were given to us to wave to symbol Christ riding on his mule as people waved their palms. The procession of priests, bishops, cardinals and the Holy father was majestic. The colors of red and rose with yellow braided specialty palms proceeded down the aisle in front of us. As we watched for the Holy Seed we were shocked to see this man in red walking with a wooden stick wobbling with old knees and his facial expression was that of one who carries the weight of the church. Once we truly saw his face we realized it was Pope Francis. He was in deep thought and mode of representing Christ on the day of Palms. This man blessed our palms then celebrated the mass in front of thousands who attended just like us.

The mass was glorious and in Italian but we were surprised to realize that we understood a lot the service however in Italian.

Something to be said for 2 thousand years of tradition and attending Mass weekly. We have to interject here that “jet lag” caught us a little. Roy did his typical “I have my reverent eyes shut routine” and Diane did a little head nod during the Pope’s sermon. But, to her defense it was all in Italian.

Once the mass ended the Pope went into St. Peter’s. Then, emerged again in his white Pope garments. This man gleamed with enthusiasm for his disciples as he stood in his popemobile. When he passed our location everyone was screaming for “papa”. His smile truly exhibited his love of people and Gods message. Diane purchased a card with a saying of Pope Francis that reads ‘The three words for the harmony of the family: permission, thanks, sorry. Do not end the day without making your peace’. Pope Francis rocks!!!

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Some special notes for this day are as follows: once we sat down in St. Peter’s square they began to say the rosary. The rosary is a special prayer to our families as Diane can remember rosaries in Bed with her grandmother, her mother and now herself praying constantly as we rest for all who are sick and for the members of our family both living and dead and Roy remembers his grandmother saying the rosary while attending Mass with him as a boy.

Our post is called “it never rains on the Pope”. Well, we can attest to this fact because we witnessed this event. As the mass ended, the rains began with a slight drizzle and when the Pope reappeared the rain stopped, he drove around the Square greeting his people. Then, once he stopped and went to his apartment, the rain began again. Wow this man truly is the Vicar of Christ.

It was a special day for the four of us because we received the special blessing of Angellus from the Pope. It’s a three part blessing and very sacred. I have several rosaries blessed by the pope for family and those who we continue to pray for that are sick.

Truly a once in a lifetime day, viva Papa, you rock.