Newly ordained Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost is in Rome attending the formation course for new bishops. As his time permits, he is sending photos and regular updates on the program. Below is the seventh – and final -- installment.
Greetings from Rome for Day 7 – Monday, Sept. 19, the optional memorial of St. Januarias, bishop and martyr, and the final day of new bishops’ school.
Today’s theme is “The Encounter with Peter.”
The morning began with breakfast at 6 a.m. We were on buses and moving toward Vatican City by 6:45 a.m. When we reached the walls of the Vatican, we drove through a gate behind the basilica and were ushered through a rear door by the security guards. We found ourselves entering St. Peter’s near the main altar. There were already early morning tourists in the basilica so 180 bishops in house cassocks and zucchettos suddenly arriving en masse became a photo opp. We were escorted by security guards to a side section of the basilica that had been roped off. There we vested for Mass.
Once all the bishops were vested, we processed to the chapel and altar that are immediately behind the main altar in the basilica. It was a moving moment for me since above the altar where we celebrated the Eucharist is the well-known stained-glass window of the Holy Spirit. That representation of the Spirit has always been significant for me.
I celebrated my Mass of thanksgiving the day after my ordination to the priesthood in 1984 on the Solemnity of Pentecost. My mom made the chasuble that I wore. On it, she reproduced the image of the Holy Spirit from that stained-glass window in St. Peter’s. As we processed up the main aisle and I saw that window above the altar where we were about to celebrate the Eucharist, I thought about my mom and dad. I wondered what they would think about all of this. My mom and dad and my entire family were very much a part of my prayer this morning at that altar underneath that image of the Holy Spirit.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, the prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops, presided and preached at Mass. Although most of the liturgy was celebrated in Italian, I recognized the orations as being the prayers for the Mass for the Pope. Cardinal Ouellet provided us with a written translation of his homily which focused on the bishop being a “light for the world” in response to his call from Christ.
At the end of Mass, the procession moved from the chapel to the stairs that are immediately in front of the main altar in the basilica. Those stairs lead under the main altar to a place where the relics of St. Peter are housed. Each of us was given a moment to reverence the relics of the apostle.
After removing our Mass vestments, the Swiss Guard led us out the rear of the basilica, through some back alleyways, into another building and up several flights of stairs until we found ourselves in the Clementine Hall. This is an audience room where the Pope often meets with large groups of dignitaries. Much to my surprise, I ended up in a chair next to the door through which Pope Francis walked about 45 minutes later.
Our time with him began with a short address by Cardinal Ouellet who explained to the Holy Father where we were from and what we have been doing this past week. Pope Francis then made some brief comments and opened the floor for questions. This lasted for a little more than an hour. Each of us then had the opportunity to introduce ourselves personally to Pope Francis, to shake his hand and receive a rosary from him. It was an amazing experience!
This brought new bishops’ school to its conclusion. On Sept. 20, I will be on an early morning flight heading back to the United States and the Diocese of Cleveland. I am looking forward to being home! Please know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout this time. I ask for your prayers as well that I may grow into this new ministry as a good shepherd and servant.