Vocations Office of Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Follow us:
  • Home Page
    • Prayer for Vocations
    • Calendar of Events
    • Links
  • Archbishop Gomez
    • Answering God's Call
    • In this time of mission
    • To pray for priests and promote vocations
    • Five priorities for the Year of Faith
    • Vocations are born from a Catholic culture
    • The world awaits holy priests
  • Our Seminarians
  • Real Stories
    • Priests >
      • Class of 2018
      • Class of 2017
      • Class of 2016
      • Class of 2015
      • Class of 2014
      • Class of 2013
      • Class of 2012
      • Class of 2011
      • Class of 2010
      • Class of 2009
      • Class of 2008
    • Lives of the Saints
    • More Young Men Choosing Priesthood
  • Multimedia
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Resources
    • Vocations Resources
    • Discernment Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

The day I met a future saint and a first lady

9/15/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
When I entered St. John’s Seminary College, I never imagined having the opportunity to meet a future Saint, Pope John Paul the Great, and the beloved First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan. The chance encounter was brief but etched in my memory forever. During Saint John Paul the Great’s papal visit to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1987, I had the amazing opportunity to accompany Father George Sullivan who was a part of the support team for the Papal entourage.  

One of the official visits made by the Holy Father was at the Immaculate Conception School in Los Angeles. The First Lady accompanied the Holy Father’s visit to the school. I was stationed in another room waiting for the visit to conclude and to assure that the traveling Bishops were in their proper vehicle. I recall being asked to locate one of the Cardinals because the entourage was about to leave for Mass at Dodger Stadium.  

I entered a secured tent that covered the entrance of the school and a Secret Service agent stopped me immediately. I was standing perfectly still when Pope John Paul II and Nancy Reagan walked from the school into the covered tent. I was standing directly next to the Pope and First Lady as they embraced and the Pope bestowed a special blessing to the First Lady. Since I was standing inches away from the First Lady, I am sure I received a partial blessing. 
​
Reflecting all these years later, I now spend my priestly ministry searching for men, like Saint John Paul the Great, to answer the call from God to serve as a Priest of Jesus Christ. His words continue the echo in my mind: “Be Not Afraid.”

-Fr. Stephen Davoren
 
 
1 Comment

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    September 2017
    May 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Prayer
    Priests

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.