Franciscans attend Washington & New York Papal ceremonies

Sister Barbara Johnson (left) and Sister Maria Sena outside St. Patrick's Cathedral before the Mass.

04-21-2008 - The week was memorable for the Franciscan community as every center followed with enthusiasm the events of Pope Benedict XVI's papal visit to the United States. Beginning with Sister Clare Hunter's presence on the White House lawn and ending with the Meriden Sisters and Brothers attending the culminating papal Mass at Yankee Stadium, the Community was represented at five of our Holy Father's appearances. Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, and the Falls Church, Virginia, Sisters were invited to the papal Mass at Washington Nationals Park. Sisters from Meriden, Connecticut, and Sister Bernardone Rock, representing the Diocese of Duluth, attended the papal Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Later in the day, Sisters in formation welcomed our Holy Father at the Youth Rally at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, New York. Sisters and Brothers from Meriden were part of the Archdiocese of Hartford delegation to the papal Mass at Yankee Stadium on the final day of the Pope's visit. The photos are scenes from St. Patrick's Cathedral and Yankee Stadium Masses.
Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, priests pray silently
until the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI.
Sister Maria Sena (left) and Sister Kieran Foley await the start of the papal Mass.
The red hats of the deceased Cardinals hang from the towering ceiling of the cathedral.
Sister Bernardone Rock and Reverend Stephen Daigle
represented the Diocese of Duluth at the Mass.
Partial view of the majestic organ.
A crowd of 57,000 persons filled Yankee Stadium for the papal Mass.
A view of the Cardinals, bishops and priests surrounding the altar.
Franciscan Sisters and Brothers exclaim as live doves are released into the air to signal the arrival of the Holy Father. Front row, from left, Sister Maria Sena, Sister Barbara Johnson, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee and Sister Catherine Mary Clarke. Behind them are Mother Miriam Seiferman, Vicar General, Brother Leo Maneri and Brother Rufino Grealy.