Preserving memories
June 14, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI seemed to enjoy his ride through the throngs gathered at the vatican last week. Photos by Mac McKerral
The "masters" worked tirelessly on dome and ceiling paintings, often using them to deliver personal messages through art.
Vatican creators left no stone unturned, literally.
Before anyone who stumbles on this blog gets their Rosary in a twist, I am a baptized Roman Catholic, attended Catholic schools for 12 years, did a brief stint at an Augustinian seminary and taught at two Catholic schools. I still practice my faith, with “practice” the operative word because it takes constant “practice,” and at times I do not do so well.
Going forward in this blog, I mean no disrespect.
After touring the Vatican and hearing some discussion about miracles, I came to the conclusion that it’s a miracle that any stone, marble, artwork or gold remains in the world.
Grasping the significance of the Vatican — beyond the enormous wealth and power the church amassed from it, arguably on the backs of the poor and less educated through a combination of force and fear — becomes difficult.
But I pushed “anti-religion” thoughts aside as I entered St. Peter’s and did what I knew how to do — practice my faith.
A lot of things deserve praying for these days, and so I did that as I wandered about the huge testament to the church’s first pope.
Eventually, I took a seat on a wooden bench and watched people pass by the body of Pope John XXXIII, preserved and in a glass, climate-controlled case.
Some popes get tabbed as possible saints. You might have read in June that the process for Pope John Paul hit a snag.
The arduous papal path to sainthood includes the pope’s body remaining perfectly preserved 25 years after death. Some popes got encased in bronze to make sure their bodies remained intact.
Pope John XXIII got a traditional burial but was exhumed after 37 years. The Vatican News Service reported at the time that the “Body of Blessed John XXIII is Remarkably Well Preserved.”
Upon exhumation, Pope John XXIII got dipped in wax.
The exhumation came for two reasons: His enormous popularity as the “People’s Pope” drove the Vatican to create a way for more people to see the body. And he was on the sainthood track.
Throughout my life, I recall my mother always having two pictures on her bedroom wall or dresser — President John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII.
“What about her husband of near 40 year?”
He didn’t make the cut.
As the viewing line for Pope John XXIII ebbed and flowed, my thoughts about growing up Catholic ebbed and flowed — but got stuck on a trip I made years ago to Niagara Falls, N.Y., to attend the funeral of my Uncle Bill, my mom’s brother. She could not attend because of health reasons and asked me to represent the family.
I flew to Buffalo, N.Y., where my Uncle Carl picked me up.
Uncle Carl spent more than 25 years as fire chief in Niagara Falls and everyone from “The Falls” to Buffalo knew him.
On the way from the airport to the wake for Uncle Bill, we stopped at a number of corner, neighborhood taverns where everyone, particularly the bartenders, knew Uncle Carl, offered condolences and bought us drinks.
By the time we reached the funeral home, we became suitably embalmed with shots and beers.
After an hour or so at the wake, Uncle Carl tugged on my jacket sleeve and asked if I would approach the coffin with him — his first time and to see his brother for the last time.
I took him by the arm, and we went forward and kneeled next to Uncle Bill.
After a minute or so, Uncle Carl leaned into me and whispered, “He looks awful.”
“He’s dead,” was the only response I could come up with, one that satisfied Uncle Carl, who nodded with a satisfied look on his face.
We said an “Our Father” and stepped away.
Uncle Bill looked fine, but perception is more important than reality, I have learned.
At St. Peter’s, I got in the queue to view Pope John XXIII and made a quick sign of the cross when I passed, while thinking about my mom, Uncle Carl and a host of others.
Pope John XXIII looked fine.
Advertisement
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts, and thank you so much for giving the kids such a great experience. -Leslie Diehm (Jan’s mom)
Mac–you rock, and so does your blog!