Blessings from the Pope for NT09
31 May 2009
Ballarat’s visit to Italy on Northern Trident 2009 (NT09) has coincided with a special time in the Christian calendar; Pentecost, the third most holy celebration on the Christian calendar after Christmas and Easter. In the Vatican City this date is traditionally celebrated by a mass conducted by the Pope in St Peter’s Basilica.
For two of Ballarat’s crew members, Chaplain Russell Smith and Petty Officer Writer Catherine Harvey, this special period on the Christian calendar took on particular significance when they were invited to attend the mass at the Basilica on the final day of the port visit.
“We were honored to accept the invitation that was so graciously extended to us and excited about representing Ballarat in such a significant church on a special day for Christians” said Chaplain Smith
“When the ushers walked us up the main aisle, past the public viewing seating and toward the seating next to the altar I was speechless. We were seated in the front row amongst nuns and other visiting guests such as the Pope’s brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger” said Petty Officer Harvey.
Like most churches, St Peter’s Basilica is set out in the shape of a cross. For the service, Chaplain Smith and Petty Officer Harvey were seated in the transept to the left of the altar while the transept to the right was filled with children and adults who made up the extensive choir supporting the service. The Pope, dressed in gold, entered through the main door of the Basilica and in a procession surrounded by archbishops dressed in purple and cardinals dressed in red, moved toward the altar through the nave of the Basilica to conduct the Service and Mass.
“The whole experience of the Pentecost Mass at St Peter's Basilica was very powerful, even for a non-Catholic. To be at the center of gravity for the Catholic Church, saying mass in three languages and bringing prayers in another eight was a powerful experience for any person of faith. The sheer number of people involved and the variety of expressions of worship in voice, song reverberating around the huge dome, the visual contrasts and colours all combining to engage the spirit, emotion and intellect in the occasion.” said Chaplain Smith.
For Petty Officer Harvey a highlight came when the nun sitting next to her introduced herself, telling Petty Officer Harvey that she was a nun of the German Schoenstatt Order who were accompanying Monsignor Georg Ratzinger.
“The Schoenstatt Order has a shrine to Our Lady in Mulgoa, Sydney. I attended youth groups and school camps run by the Schonstatt Order when I was a teenager. As I spoke with her I soon discovered that she knew personally many of the nuns who had supervised me back then. It was a very special and touching connection that I will remember forever.”
The Pope concluded the mass, closely passing the Ballarat crew members as he left the Basilica. Before leaving he paused, turning in their direction to bless those gathered in the left transept of the Basilica before he retired to his personal quarters from where he addressed the massed crowd in the Piazza San Pietro below.
“It was an overwhelming experience and an unexpected opportunity arising from the Northern Trident 09 trip. Although I was emotional during the service I left St Peter’s Basilica with a new calmness and inner peace” said Petty Officer Harvey.
