June 17, 2020
Lucky PC students witness papal installation
Father Shanley wrote this story for The Cowl while studying at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, during the 1978-79 academic year. Published on Nov. 29, 1978, it is excerpted here.
By Brian J. Shanley ’80
Fribourg Correspondent
“Do you know how lucky we are?” was the theme of Sarah Flanagan’s famous speech last year to her fellow students at the University of Fribourg. As we sat in ’64 Hall on the eve of our departure I think that few of us could have honestly answered yes to her question. Indeed, even now, after over a month, I do not know how many of us have grasped how truly fortunate we are to be studying in Europe.
Ten of us, however, have even more to be thankful for. On Sunday, October 22, 1978, 10 students from the Providence-in-Europe program sat 17 rows away from the front steps of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and witnessed the installation of Pope John Paul II. Amongst the immense throng that crowded St. Peter’s Square for this historic occasion, we sat comfortably in our chairs 25 yards away from the altar.
The news of the election of a Polish pope was a surprise to everyone. I was incredulous upon first hearing the news. “Did you hear about the new Polish pope?” someone asked me as I sat in a cafe. At a time when the Church’s position on communism is one of the most vital issues confronting it, the cardinals elected the first pope from a communist country. It would truly be an historic occasion and we were only a 12-hour train ride away.
We left as soon as possible to allow us time to see the city. There was a group of about 20 American students on the train that left Berne for Rome on Wednesday night, October 18. Other Providence students made the trek later in the week.
We spent the days before the installation being awed by the grandeur of Rome, especially the Vatican. The Basilica of St. Peter is the largest church in the world and also quite possibly the most glorious. Many of you will recall being shown pictures of it in Civ. Let me assure you that it is even more glorious than they would indicate. (Incidentally, those of you who consider Civ a waste of time will change your minds when you visit Rome.) The Sistine Chapel is simply overwhelming. Michelangelo’s frescos, especially “The Last Judgment,” are magnificent and awe-inspiring.
The events which culminated in our fantastic vantage point Sunday began on Thursday afternoon. (We met) Bishop (Louis) Gelineau, (who) happened to be touring Rome with a group of Polish-Americans from Rhode Island. He related that he was trying to get tickets for his group. He also said that if he could obtain extra tickets he would give them to us. This was splendid news. It had become obvious by now that nearly half of the square would on Sunday be reserved seating.
We labored to restrain our excitement as we waited to hear from the bishop. On Saturday evening we ventured to the Trevi Fountain, an interesting night spot. From a phone booth nearby I called the bishop’s hotel room to find out if he had received the tickets. When he answered in the affirmative, we could not contain our joy.
We rose early Sunday morning and rode the bus to St. Peter’s Square. We were there by 7:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony. We were to rendezvous with the bishop at 8:30 by the obelisk in the center of the square. We flocked to him like children to a long-lost father. Clinging to the precious slips of paper as if our lives depended on it, we followed the bishop toward the seating area. To say that we were highly excited would be to risk understatement.
One more surprise was to befall us now. We had assumed that the tickets would allow us to sit on the benches in the back of the seating area. We were in error. The tickets were for the front, center section. We scrambled to get as close as possible.
We found ourselves amongst people of every nationality. There we were, the official delegation from Providence College: Peter Cameron, Martha Reynolds, Thomas Downes, James Ready, Wilma Mondi, Rosanne Russo, Lauren Brosnihan, and I (with two students from the University of New Hampshire and La Salle College). After being seated we turned to each other and uttered the now-famous question: “Do you know how lucky we are?”
The installation was as much a spectacle as a holy ceremony. The crowd pulsated with excitement. The people were a show in themselves: the colorful and proud pilgrims from Poland, the large groups of nuns and priests of every nationality, and the ubiquitous Italian vendors. Another show was provided by the dignitaries who paraded across the steps to take their seats as witnesses; there were kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and sundry other representatives of various governments.
The ceremony itself was moving, dignified and inspiring, an age-old ritual performed before our eyes. The pope exuded holiness, wisdom and strength. He charmed the crowd with his linguistic abilities. Images of that day — John Paul II sitting for the first time on the papal throne, the queue of cardinals paying homage to Peter’s successor, the sacred moment of consecration, the army of priests distributing Communion to the crowd, the papal benedictions, the new pope embracing a young boy who had presented him with flowers, the pope addressing the crowd from his window after the ceremony — have made indelible impressions on our memories. It was the most thrilling moment of our lives. When it was all over we were totally exhausted. And yes, we were lucky.
