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Mostly Cloudy They’re thrilled to see the pope
Molloy students, staff going to pontiff’s N.Y. Mass on Friday
Catholics from across New York will swarm New York City on Thursday and Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis as he makes his first visit to the U.S. But five lucky people from Molloy College won’t have to hope: They have tickets to see the pope when he comes to town.
Two students, and two employees of the school’s Office of Campus Ministries, were the lucky ones selected to go to the Mass the pope will celebrate at Madison Square Garden on Friday. And one student will be at the papal motorcade through Central Park preceding the Mass.
“I was so excited when we called the students and told them they got the tickets — it was like the Prize Patrol came to Molloy College,” said Sister Diane Capuano, one of the Campus Ministries employees who will attend the Mass. “They were so excited, and it touched me so deeply.”
Lucia Agosti and Krystine Abberton will attend the Mass, along with Kathleen Carey of Campus Ministries. Student Michelle Lithgow will be at the motorcade procession.
The Archdiocese of New York informed the college a few weeks ago that it would be given four tickets to the papal Mass. But it wasn’t until just last week that the students were selected to go.
“We had a drawing of students who work with us [at Campus Ministries] and who we knew would enjoy it,” Capuano said.
The students said they were excited about the chance to see the pope in person. “I think it’s important that we students got this opportunity, because he talks about many issues that we have to face in the future,” said Lithgow. “I think it’s really awesome that our school has recognized the students who are very into their faith, and we get to show that in another way.”
“Meeting the pope is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Abberton. “He’s one of the more progressive popes that we’ve had. And he brings up things we’re facing in the world today, and especially in America today. And I think that more people are able to relate to him in America because he’s brought up hot issues.”
Abberton said that the chance to go to the papal Mass comes after a trip last year, organized by Molloy, to southern France, where she saw where the Dominican order was formed. “It’s been a year of faith-filled opportunities,” she said. “This just caps it off.”
