Frome Selfie to a Prayer

Recalling a Special Moment with Pope Francis

Some years ago, in fact, it was the fall of 2015, I found myself scrambling to get a religious visa in order to travel to Cuba. It was an extraordinary intersection of a number of meaningful moments in my life. First, it marked my return to the country of my birth, almost a week to the day, 50 years prior, that I left Cuba with my mother. I was preparing for the launch of my first book, and my uncle, who is a bishop in Cuba, invited the family to join him as he received Pope Francis on his apostolic visit to the island. The Pope was on his way to the World Meeting of Families in the U.S., which I was planning to attend, but I changed my plans to jump on this opportunity for what turned out to be a transformative pilgrimage and reconnection to my family still in Cuba.

I’ve written about the experience in several places, but I want to share with you something I rarely talk about: gazing into Pope Francis’ eyes.

Pope Francis landed in Havana and made his way across the country to the diocese of Holguin, where the devotion to Our Lady of Charity started with the discovery of a miraculous statue of the Blessed Mother, and then was ending his trip in Santiago de Cuba, at the National Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre for a Mass and his departure for the United States.

In Holguin, he celebrated a huge public Massm and then met with my uncle, the Bishop, and other priests for lunch and rest before the next leg of his journey. I joined my aunts, uncles, and my mother in the sitting room off the chancery dining room for an opportunity to have an private meeting with Pope Francis. It was a beautiful moment for my uncle, who served with the Pope on regional committees when he was Archbishop. It was a moment of intimate sharing between friends, shepherds and flock, and of course, Pope and Bishop.

It was both formal, with many introductions and protocol, and intimate and familial. At one point, at the urging of my children, I was emboldened to ask Pope Francis if he would allow me to take a selfie. That is perhaps one of the most transformative moments in my life as a Catholic. I had intended to kiss his ring, in awe of the Apostolic Succession and the rich symbolism of the Fisherman’s Ring. Instead, I boldly asked for a picture. He was holding my hand warmly in both of his as we spoke about my husband and children, and my career as teacher and newly minted author.

The tenderness with which he held my gaze was supernatural. I knew he was the Pope, but in that moment, as I asked for the selfie, it was as if I was looking into the eyes of my heavenly Father, lovingly indulging a silly request. It passed quickly. He said yes. I snapped not one, but two because the flash blinded us, and suddenly the press corps descended into the room when they heard the head of protocol call out “No selfies!”

Too late! I got the picture. His body guard took my phone from me and I was sure it was confiscated to delete the photo, but instead, he took pictures of our meeting for me. And I made the L’Osservatore Romano! My mom has the picture they snapped of our selfie!

So now, as we pray for Pope Francis, I don’t want to eulogize him in anticipation of what will be some day, but rather, share a lovely memory of his kindness and gentleness. May the Divine Physician grant him strength and healing, and may the Blessed Mother ease his discomfort, wrapping him in her tender care.

simple advice for you

I ran across this wonderful video on the Aleteia YouTube channel and I want to share it with you. It’s short. It’s simple. It’s Truth, capital T.

I didn’t really begin to understand the Father’s love until I had children of my own. I gained a better understanding of my parents, and the unconditional love for my own children that wants nothing more than what’s good for them. How beautiful to love our children — how beautiful to be loved. How overwhelming good and beautiful to entrust ourselves to a loving God who will pick us up. Every time.

 

 

 

WPC: Gathering

Pope Francis

For where there are two or three gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them. ~Matthew 18:20

This gathering of faithful Catholics, Pope Francis fans, and curious seekers made a lasting impression on me. It was part of a re-connection to family in Cuba that coincided with the Pope’s visit to Cuba. You can read a little more about the trip here.

The gathering was festive and joyful. The Mass in Holguin was over, and Pope Francis came out in his popemobile to greet the people. It was an eclectic collection of people that day — a microcosm of the community. There were many who were curious or wanted to see the Pope in person. Everyone called to him and he smiled and waved and tried to be present to everyone in that happy assembly.

Although the open field lent itself to a carnival atmosphere, in truth, it was the Celebration of the Eucharist that drew the crowd, and in the end, it was a solemn and overwhelming experience to find myself in the midst of such a beautiful gathering.

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