PHILADELPHIA >> As the World Meeting of Families comes to a close, attendees were reflecting on the week of fellowship they shared with others and looking forward to the new experiences they would have over the weekend when Pope Francis arrives.
From all over the country, families and clergies filled the Pennsylvania Convention Center to take part in Mass, speeches and sessions at the World Meeting of Families. On Friday, the last of the events was wrapping up.
“I see two things happening,” said Sister Virginia Herbers, from St. Louis. “There is an electricity everywhere you go in this hall. People are anticipating the events with the Pope. But there is also this solid and beautiful gathering of people. Even if Pope Francis wasn’t coming, this would be a wonderful experience, and the fact that he is just makes it all the more fabulous.”
Sr. Herbers is staying in Malvern with about 100 other nuns, and said one of her favorite parts of the trip so far has been to “be with all of those religious women and share in the joy of this event.”
The halls of the convention center were packed with a diverse crowd – people of nearly every race, nationality and age – taking in the final hours of the meeting. The most common sentiment was gratitude to be amongst fellow believers. The World Meeting of Families was an opportunity to meet people from around the globe.
“Just to see how universal the church is, how much bigger it is than what we see in our own cities, has been incredible,” said Therese Aaker, 23, of Denver. Aaker is part of a group of missionaries that visits college campuses.
Keith Major, of Steubenville, said he came to see friends and meet new people.
“I met so many people from the Catholic world,” he said. “It has been a nice place for everyone to meet under one roof.”
Even though Pope Francis was in New York City Friday, Julie DeMadria was visiting Philadelphia from her home on Long Island. She said she preferred seeing the Pope in Philadelphia, and that New York would be “a madhouse.”
As a retired NYPD officer, DeMadria said she was thankful she wasn’t involved in security for the Papal visit, and she could enjoy her trip. She came with her friend, Doreen Firestone, who performs a traveling show called “The Prodigal Daughter.”
“Can you believe we’re here? We are so fortunate. We will be seeing the Pope on Saturday and wasn’t the Mass amazing?” she said.
Outside of the convention center, many were enjoying seeing Philadelphia, some for the first time, others returning to a city they said they had enjoyed in the past.
“It lives up to its name,” said Sister Herbers. “I’ve heard it called the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. It’s been a fantastic week.”
DeMadria said Philadelphians had been “friendly and giving.”
Aaker was loving her first time in Philadelphia, she said.
“The way the city is responding, no matter what their religion, has been encouraging,” she said. “It’s all really exciting.”
