Ginger West just knew she had to be at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral on Monday, Jan. 2 for a Requiem Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes in memory of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
After the former pontiff died at age 95 on Saturday, Dec. 31 in Rome, and she heard later that day that Bishop Fernandes would offer a special Mass to honor Benedict XVI on Jan. 2, she immediately flashed back to the exact date 10 years earlier.
On Jan. 2, 2013, she attended a Mass with then-Pope Benedict as the celebrant at the Vatican along with two grandchildren plus third-year theology seminarians from the Pontifical College Josephinum and Father Eugene Morris, then-director of sacred liturgy and an assistant professor of sacred theology at the Josephinum.
West, a devout local Catholic who is an active supporter of the Josephinum and vocations to religious life, couldn’t help but notice the significance of the dates exactly 10 years apart.
“They were so impressed with (Benedict),” she said. “We were able to get special seating in the audience, and it just was so special to be in his presence.
“I remember like it was yesterday, and so January 2 is a very important date to me.
“My grandchildren were very, very touched by (Benedict’s) words and by the pomp and circumstance of that beautiful, beautiful audience and all the different languages that were spoken.”
One of the seminarians who assisted at the Mass was Father Sean Dooley, now the pastor at Columbus Our Lady of Peace Church. He was joined by Father Vince Nguyen, now pastor at Columbus St. Mary, Mother of God and St. Ladislas and Corpus Christi churches; and Father Cyrus Haddad, now pastor at Washington Court House St. Colman of Cloyne Church.
Father Dooley presented a reflection last week at his parish on his encounter with Benedict XVI before that Mass in 2013.
“In January of 2013, my seminary class was honored to serve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for Benedict XVI,” he said. “It was Epiphany, and four bishops were to be ordained at this liturgy.
“The night before, we were given a ‘pep talk’ by one of the priests. I remember his words: ‘Gentlemen, you are to be clean shaven, hair combed and your shoes polished.’ Gulp!
“The day arrived. The sun was rising over the domes. I felt like I was in a movie, walking toward St. Peter’s Basilica in my cassock. As soon as we arrived, we were taken into a room as some cardinals were vesting for Mass.
“Suddenly, an Augustinian friar approached us seminarians. He handed us some of the vestments for the pope. We were told to line up. I looked to the left and noticed I was standing next to Michelangelo’s Pieta!
“Then, one of the monks handed me the pallium. (The pallium is what the pope and archbishops wear to symbolize their authority.) The monk told me to go into the sacristy, and there stood Benedict, facing the crucifix and praying as he prepared for Mass. I remember he made a gesture of gratitude toward me. Crazy!
“I could tell that Benedict had not shaven his face that day! Come on! I had to shine my shoes!
“In all seriousness, I will treasure this memory. It is a good reminder of his quiet holiness and his humanity. The last words of Benedict XVI were ‘Lord, I love you!’ I pray we may say those same words in moments of difficulty in our lives.
“Death shall have no dominion. May he rest in peace.”
A month after the group from Columbus had the privilege to be in Pope Benedict’s presence, he made the surprise announcement that he was stepping down because he felt he no longer had the strength and energy to lead the worldwide Church.
Benedict lived his final years on earth in prayer and contemplation, leaving a legacy of spiritual works and memories that will touch souls now and forever.