10,000 priests and the Pope celebrate their vocation

Submitted by seminarian Jason Keas:  

What a great sight to see — Pope Benedict blessing over 10, 000 priests in St. Peters Square in an open car after the  Mass closing the Year for Priests! 

Priests from all over the world fill St. Peter's Square as the Holy Father blesses them

 It was a great privilege to be part of this historic year for priests. The seminarians were seated to the left of all the priests.  We got to the section first and had excellent seats.  How powerful it was seeing priests file to their seats — which took hours —  before the Mass began. They came from all parts of the world, speaking many different languages, and their coming together to celebrate  with the Pope was a witness of the unity and family of the Catholic Church.  We didn’t get a translation of his homily until a few days later,  so when we did,  it was good to reflect again about the event of which we were a part.

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With the Holy Father on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This is from seminarian Thomas Haan:

Pope Benedict XVI rides through St. Peter's Square on vigl of the Sacred Heart, 2010

On the evening of Thursday, June 10, we gathered in St. Peter’s Square for adoration and Benediction with the Holy Father. This moving experience on the vigil of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, combined with his session of questions and answers, made for an incredible night. This picture is of Pope Benedict XVI as he arrived in St. Peter’s Square that night.