Denver Catholic

BY ROXANNE KING ROME—Among the 800,000 faithful crowded in and around St. Peter's Square for the April 27 canonization of two popes were most of the Denver archdiocese's pilgrims. The 45-member group who took part from a side-street felt blessed to do so, citing the experience of the universal Church, the event's histori- cal value and small "miracles" they encountered. After making their way to- ward St. Peter's in the pre- dawn hours hoping to get a spot inside the square to wit- ness the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XIII, the Denver group was dispersed by massive crowds onto the streets where the 10 a.m. Mass was shown via a large screen. Some stood for hours, some sat with no view of the screen— but they said the experience was worth it. "I was so glad I was here!" said Agnes Schmerge of St. Pe- ter Church in Greeley. "It was a great experience of the uni- versal Church with all the dif- ferent countries represented and the songs and prayers you heard in different languages. "I liked everything; even the pushing and shoving was ex- pected with numbers like this so I wasn't let down." With temperatures in the 60s under a pale sky, pilgrims were grateful there wasn't more than a brief sprinkle of rain prior to the Eucharist starting. "Right after the canon- ization, the sun came out," Schmerge said. "It just cleared nice and bright. It didn't last too long, but it was wonderful." Pilgrims saw it as a glimmer of God's approval. "I noticed that at the mo- ment of consecration the sun came out, too," added Noël Stewart of Sacred Heart of Je- sus Church in Boulder. "There were these little 'miracles.' "I couldn't see the screen so I just put my head down and prayed for all the people whose intentions I carried, and I was filled with peace." That she was surrounded by some of her fellow archdioce- san pilgrims was another "mir- acle" for Stewart that gave her comfort. And where in other situations the close quarters and high excitement could lead to altercations, Stew- art saw peace brought about through prayers said by other pilgrims around her. "Prayer is a powerful weap- on," she said. Like the others, Patrick INDEX Archbishop's Column ......................2 The Catholic Difference ..................4 Real Life Catholic .............................4 Letters to the Editor .......................4 Nun of the Above quiz ...................13 Puzzle Page ......................................13 Bulletin Board ................................. 14 Service Directory ...................... 14-15 PHOTO BY JEFFREY BRUNO CHURCH HISTORY IN THE MAKING An estimated 800,000 pilgrims pack the massive square in front St. Peter's Basilica in Vati- can City April 27 for the double canonization of two former pontiffs, Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. APRIL 30, 2014 114 Years of Service to the Gospel Volume XC - No. 17 www.DenverCatholicRegister.org I Follow us on INSIDE CANONIZATION PAGE 8 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 3 Archdiocesan campus adds 'saint' to official name PHOTO BY LARA MONTOYA Denver marks historic day with pope tributes Double the graces See Canonization, Page 8 Pilgrims enriched by historic saint-making day

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