Why I’m not going to see the Pope

As you’re probably well aware if you’re reading this, Pope Benedict flew to the US today for his six-day visit. It culminates on Sunday with Mass in Yankee Stadium which 3,000 Boston pilgrims will attend.

I hate to admit it, considering how many people would love to go, but I could have had gone. Our office was coordinating the pilgrimage and if I’d wanted to go, I could have. So why didn’t I?

For one thing, there’s no way we could bring the girls. The buses leave their starting points at 5:45am on Sunday and don’t get back until 11:30 that night. And I couldn’t leave Melanie to deal with the girls by herself all day while I jaunt off the New York. In addition, my niece has her confirmation Mass on Sunday and we want to be there for that.

And I’ve been to papal mega-Masses before in both Rome and Paris for World Youth Days. Let’s just say that they’re not exactly conducive to prayerful meditation and worship and now that I’ve done it, I don’t feel the need to do it again.

I don’t intend to toss cold water on anyone else’s enthusiasm. By all means, if you’ve never seen the Pope or been to a papal Mass, you should if you get the chance, whatever the size of the crowd.

But for me, at this time, it’s not something we decided to do.