31 People Inspired by Pope Francis (who I met)

by | Sep 29, 2015 | Uncategorized | 3 comments

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I was blessed to go to all the public events of Pope Francis in DC and the concluding Mass in Philadelphia. While there I went around with a microphone asking people what they thought about Pope Francis or what made them get up to see him. Why did I do this? I have 3 reasons: most of all, I wanted to get the message of the positive Pope Francis was doing out there; second, I got a press pass which let me make asking for an interview seem more natural, and finally, I was invited to be part of the #GoodIsWinning Digital Street Team started by @popeishope to send out such messages. The point of the #GoodIsWinning DST was to have a bunch of young people out there getting the positive stories related to Francis’s visit. Here are some of the best responses in no particular order.

#1. This Amazing Nun

This nun was so humble that she initially said “no” when I asked to interview her. Her reason was she needed the superior’s permission. She had the best spiritual reason for being excited about Francis: he brings the joy of Christ!

#2. This non-Catholic who sees Francis as the message of Christ. She was really happy to go on microphone because she was so excited. This was still an hour or so before Francis came by for only a minute.

#3. This youth minister from Cleveland who thought Francis greets each like a long-lost friend.

Walking back from the Sunday Mass, I see this young lady in a group and she starts talking about why she was so excited about Francis. I was thinking “Wow, this is an amazing response.” Yet, when I ask her to go on video, she almost refuses out of shyness.

#4. This young man who wants to be Pope. As I was talking to this young man, he says he wants to be a priest and then Pope. He was brought up in a mixed marriage and chose the faith in elementary school so he could become Pope.

#5. This young lady was excited about Pope Francis having dinner with the homeless.

#6. A fellow Tweep (twitter user) who recognized me. She felt connected to the universal Church seeing Francis.

#7. My former professor

In the tweet I just list him as a priest from our Seminary (@lccheshire) but he was there back when I was there in 2001-2004. He’s great with music and languages. I did the technical part on recording a CD to model proper Gregorian Chant for the Legion worldwide. He thinks Francis is opening hearts.

#8-10. 3 giggly girls I stopped these young ladies after the Pope Francis parade in DC hoping to interview 1 of them. They instead each wanted to give a short reason.

#11. A priest from Juniper Serra’s hometown

As we were getting vested for the Mass of SAINT Juniper Serra’s canonization, I see this priest confused about seating with obviously broken English so I try to translate. It turns out he grew up on the same street as Juniper Serra.

#12. “Servant Leadership” You can tell this young man is smart as just spontaneously, he starts talking about how Francis teaches “servant leadership” without thinking about it.

#13. A Re-vert

This woman is returning to the Church because of how personal Francis is.

#14. I even got 3 bishops And Bishop Coyne gave the best response. I actually got all 3 in the media filing room where I was waiting for Francis to arrive to the US.

#15. The cutest kid

I took a few videos of kids. None were as cute in their responses as this girl. If you like cute, watch the video.

#16. A mom who sees continuity and newness This woman was attending Mass in Philly with her family and explained how he both was new and kept continuity.

#17-20. These 4 nuns were all happy and spontaneously elected a spokesnun.

#21. We never see this in Philly This man was impressed by how much Francis had improved attitudes in his hometown, Philly.

#22. Common Catholic Girl

This university student has an amazing spirit on Twitter – keeping it Catholic and funny. Since her account is Anon, I did the interview Anon.

#23. This simple priest While waiting for the Juniper Serra Canonization, I was walking around asking priests and this priest gave the most concise and faith-filled answer why he was excited about Pope Francis’s visit. (I’m thinking we should almost make this a pro-Catholic meme.)

#24. The optimist

I got to the Juniper Serra canonization early and the lines were LONG. That didn’t get this girl’s excitement down.

#25. “I want to hear the truth from Pope Francis” This sister is with a community from Spain and of the 3 sisters there, they elected her simply because the rest of them didn’t speak good English. Yet she gives a great reflection on how the Pope shows us the truth.

#26. The Pope AND the Popemobile

100% boy! He wants to see the Popemobile almost as much as the Pope.

#27. A Southern Baptist Papist Yes that seems like an oxymoron but this young Baptist woman was excited by Francis.

#28. Evangelization Needed

This woman thinks Francis is re-igniting evangelization.

#29. The Kind Young Man This Boy loves Francis’s charity and got up early to see him.

#30. The attentive woman

After the Pope’s Mass, I ran into this lady and asked her what she thought of the Pope’s Mass. She felt like in heaven from the Pope and the music.

#31. A Korean Religious Brother I ran into this young religious brother from my community (Legionaries of Christ) as we recognized each other. He is preparing to go back to Korea for a year of mandatory military service & came to be the World Meeting of Families with a group to strengthen himself for that.

There were many more. On Twitter I think I posted 100 videos. These just stood out. I think now we have the opportunity to thank Francis for his visit.

Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC

Teens need to experience Christ. I am a Catholic religious priest with the Legion of Christ who tries to help them do that. Part of doing that is running this blog. Currently I'm stationed in the DC Metro area preparing material for RCSpirituality.org (Regnum Christi Spirituality Center), studying an advanced Theology degree, and helping youth ministry freelance.


Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC


Teens need to experience Christ. I am a Catholic religious priest with the Legion of Christ who tries to help them do that. Part of doing that is running this blog. Currently I'm stationed in the DC Metro area preparing material for RCSpirituality.org (Regnum Christi Spirituality Center), studying an advanced Theology degree, and helping youth ministry freelance.



3 Comments

  1. D. Scott Miller
    D. Scott Miller on September 29, 2015 at 9:25 am

    excellent. I’m looking forward to a long sit down to watch these.

    Reply
  2. MGM
    MGM on September 29, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Nice photography.Thank you. It sure will be shared to the world.

    Reply

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