My Four Encounters With Pope Benedict

I've had the privilege to see Pope Benedict XVI - see him with my own eyes, that is - four times. And though the great John Paul II has been a monumental example for me as a Christian and a priest, Pope Benedict has been the first pope I really knew.

When he was elected, I knew of his reputation from the Catholic blogs I read at the time - all those trusted authors were excited about this Joseph Ratzinger. I remember sitting around the TV with my (mostly protestant) housemates in my senior year at Mount Union. When I heard "Ratzinger" amid a bunch of Latin that I didn't understand, I thought, "This is good." That night at praise and worship, I draped the Vatican flag over my drum set.

Less than a year later, I found myself studying for the priesthood - and reading Pope Benedict. Here was a brilliant man who could communicate the faith with incredible clarity. I loved it. Since then I've been able to read a bit more and he  surprises me every time - with his depth, precision, and obvious love of the Lord.

So, now that I'm slightly recovered from the shock of Monday's announcement, I've been thinking of the chances I've been given to see this man in person.

The first time was when BXVI traveled to the US in 2008. I traveled with my seminary to Yonkers, NY to see him. Like most trips you take in seminary, there was the feel of a pilgrimage about it - and the suffering as well. We stood in the "mosh pit" area in front of the stage for about 8 hours before the holy father finally got there.

I remember the thrill of seeing him for the first time. What struck me most was his enthusiasm and joy at interacting with the young people and seminarians gathered in that field. I'll never forget these words that he addressed to the seminarians:

The People of God look to you to be holy priests, on a daily journey of conversion, inspiring in others the desire to enter more deeply into the ecclesial life of believers. I urge you to deepen your friendship with Jesus the Good Shepherd. Talk heart to heart with him. Reject any temptation to ostentation, careerism, or conceit. Strive for a pattern of life truly marked by charity, chastity and humility, in imitation of Christ, the Eternal High Priest, of whom you are to become living icons. Dear seminarians, I pray for you daily.

For a taste of that event, check out (if you dare) my attempt at filmmaking on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2.

The other 3 times I saw Pope Benedict were during one amazing week in Rome. I went there with a priest friend right after this past Christmas and we were able to get tickets to both First Vespers for Mary, Mother of God and Mass on the day itself.

Vespers stands out in my mind because, after being passed from one Vatican usher to the next as they tried to figure out where to seat us, we ended up near the front of the church, right on the aisle. Yes, seeing BXVI up close when he entered and exited was great, but it was also my first real liturgy with the holy father. Being in that church, with the pope, praying together with Catholics from all over the world, in Latin ... it was overwhelming.

The next morning surpassed that. For Mass on January 1, we had tickets to distribute communion. That meant that we sat behind the main altar from the beginning of Mass up to the offertory. Right before the Eucharistic prayer, we were guided, holding the hosts we would distribute, to the side of the main altar.

As a priest, I aspire to celebrate the Mass as reverently and intentionally as I can. I don't want it to ever become something I do without thinking, or take for granted. Being that close to Benedict as he celebrated the sacred mysteries only confirmed me in that desire - and encouraged me to strive to go deeper.

After Mass, we joined the crowd in St. Peter's square to hear the pope address us from his window.

All of those experiences were pretty normal, as far as seeing the Supreme Pontiff go. My last encounter with Pope Benedict was more of a surprise.

The day after the solemnity, we decided to take the tour of the dome of St. Peter's. You buy a ticket at a little window and then scale hundreds (and hundreds) of steps up to the very top of the basilica. After that journey, we spent quite a while at the top, just looking at Rome.

One of us pointed out the Paul VI Audience Hall. Then we saw a whole crowd of people coming out and realized that it was Wednesday, when the pope traditionally holds audiences. As we watched the crowd leave, we noticed, in a small alley behind the hall, a black car with two members of the Swiss Guard standing nearby. "It couldn't be," I thought, but we waited and watched.

After a few minutes, some clerics came out - followed by a small man in a white cassock. They got in the car and drove off to wherever the pope parks.

It was an unexpected and yet strangely personal moment.

I'm thankful for all of these moments. Through this man - a man just like me - I've encountered Christ. By his words, his prayer, his prayer and his life, I have been enriched. For that I will always be thankful.

Holy Father, you are in my prayers.