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Returning Home from a Trip of a Lifetime

canon3-allan2-400People from Ave Maria who attended the canonization of Popes John and John Paul II had different experiences, but they all agree on one thing – it was an experience of a lifetime.

At least a dozen Ave Maria residents and students went to Rome for the event, and most say they came back profoundly affected.

"It was beautiful; it was amazing; it was like nothing I've ever experienced before," said Chelsea Allan, who made the trip with her 12-year-old son John-Paul. (pictured above right)

Mrs. Allan said that when Pope John Paul II was beatified in 2011, she told her son she would take him to the canonization. "I knew that he would be canonized in my lifetime – I just did not think it would be this soon," she recalled.

She made arrangements to go to Rome as soon as the date for the canonization was announced last fall, but didn't tell her son right away, surprising him with the news on his 12th birthday in Febraury.

Getting into St. Peter's Square the morning of the canonization was a challenge, and she and John Paul lined up at 1:30 a.m., finally being admitted to the square at 7:30 a.m. "We basically stood in the same place for six hours," she said. "But I wanted my son to participate knowing that some day in his life it probably will mean a lot more than it does now."

canon5-vasquez2-400For Peggy Vasquez, who went with her three children,all of whom are 14 years old, the canonization was "a life altering event for my family."

"My three children were totally touched by the experience and they are different human beings today. I think their attitude toward their faith is more deeply blessed because of this beautiful experience that my family will treasure for a lifetime." Left, Kealan, Peggy, Madison and Ian Vasquez. Below right, the family watching the canonization Mass.

Mrs. Vasquez initially thought she might not be able to actually stand in St. Pater's Square for the Mass and ceremony. "We lined up at 5 p.m. on Saturday, but by midnight the crowds became so suffocating that I decided to go back to the apartment we were renting nearby," she said.

canon4-vasquez1-300"We got up the next morning and walked to St. Peter's square and then just walked right in at 9:30 a.m.," just a half-hour before the ceremony began. "It was a miracle. We got there and were told we could walk right in. We couldn't believe it."

Mary Kathryn Lee was one of several Ave Maria University students who were there, something she said, "I will probably remember for the rest of my life."

She spent the hours between 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday "literally packed like sardines" among the throngs of people.

"Yet, despite the pain from our feet and the lack of sleep, there was so much energy and we remained optimistic. People prayed the rosary and were constantly singing. We were fortunate enough to stand next to pilgrims from Poland who shared their food with us and taught us Polish songs."

canon-mk1-300The Mass and ceremony, though, "were well worth the wait and lack of sleep. Many prayers were answered as these two great saints were canonized. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend."

Miss Lee (at right in picture at left with Ryann Rooney, Joe MacDonald, Corinne Mannella outside the Pantheon) spent part of her time in Rome with Michael Novak (below), the noted author, philosopher, writer and theologian who knew Pope John Paul II well.

The former pope "felt close, powerfully close," Mr. Novak recalled. "There was so much mutual love, and I felt everywhere -- in the square, in hotel, and everywhere."canon1-novak-350

 

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