The Pope welcomed the Armed forces, Police and Security Personnel from around the world to celebrate their spiritual bond — with each other, and with their fellow man
By Anna Artymiak
American police officers from the City of New York pose with a member of the Swiss Guard in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome,
where a Mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces was held (Photo: Katarzyna Artymiak)
The Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel in early February was the last big jubilee event at which Pope Francis took part before his long hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The central point of that jubilee was the Holy Mass on February 9, celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. The delegations were informed that most probably the Holy Father would not be present, so when he finally arrived at the sagrato (forecourt) of the Basilica, there was an immense ripple of joy.
It is worth going back to listen to the Pope’s words for the occasion. The Gospel for that Sunday spoke about Jesus’ calling of Peter and Andrew at the Lake of Gennesaret. Francis, in the first paragraph of his homily – the only fragment he read himself – reminded us all that: “God’s three attitudes are closeness, compassion and tenderness. Let us not forget: God is near, God is tender and God is always compassionate.”
In a subsequent part of the homily, read by Master of Ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Francis invited those present to follow the Lord’s example “to see, to come aboard (the boat) and to sit down,” which means to keep our eyes open, to serve “the good, freedom, and justice” and to “uphold law and order” and give an example of “taking the part of the defenseless.”
“They teach us that goodness can prevail over everything. They teach us that justice, fairness and civic responsibility remain as necessary nowadays as ever. They teach us that we can create a more human, just and fraternal world, despite the opposing forces of evil,” said the Holy Father.
The Pope’s words then encouraged those present “never to lose sight of the purpose of your service and all your activity, which is to promote life, to save lives, to be a constant defender of life.”
The presence of the Pope was a cause of joy, but at the same time serious worry, as the venue of celebration was changed from inside the Basilica to the outside Square. It was a pretty warm day, but still very windy. But Francis wanted to be present, despite his pronounced cough; indeed, he was visibly ill. Five days later, he was taken to the hospital.
In ancient and medieval times, the presence of armies often meant invasion and destruction. On this day, Rome embraced the military and celebrated its particular calling. For many of the participants, it was a rare occasion to meet their international colleagues in a spiritual context, rather than only a professional one.
“I can say it has been an absolute honor to be part of the jubilee with the Holy Father,” said Joe Rao, a New York City police officer.
“In my career as a police officer, I have seen many of the worst sides of humans’ behavior toward each other. To get to experience the pure joy and brotherhood of the jubilee with the Holy Father and all my brothers and sisters in the profession from around the world was truly amazing,” he said.
“The feelings of so many could be seen on their faces as we all enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience of celebrating Mass with His Holiness.”
Among American pilgrims there was a group from the US military led by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA. They represented the US Army, Navy and Air Force. They came from US military installations in Alaska, California, New Jersey, Nebraska and Japan. Some retired military also joined the group from Colorado, Maryland, Oregon and North Carolina.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the US Military Archdiocese and President of the USCCB, celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls for the Armed Services and Police Jubilee (Photo: Katarzyna Artymiak)
The pilgrimage for the US military archdiocese lasted five days and was conducted with the spirit of pilgrimages from days gone by. The service members visited all four Papal Basilicas and passed through all four Holy Doors, a traditional from the earliest years of Jubilee.
Their pilgrimage started a couple of days before the Vatican’s events, on an incredibly beautiful, sunny day. Archbishop Broglio celebrated the opening Mass at St. Mary Major Basilica in the splendid Chapel of the Crucifix.
The wooden crucifix there, as Archbishop Broglio noted, goes back to the first half of the fourteenth century, “before the European presence reached our continent for the first time.”
This is the most recently rebuilt chapel of St. Mary Major, designed by Italian architect Ferdinando Fuga for the Holy Year of 1750.
Dr. Mark Moitoza, Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization for the US MIlitary Archdiocese
The group was also accompanied by Dr Mark Moitoza, Vice-Chancellor of Evangelization who remarked: “Catholics in the military are serving everyday. They recognize what it means to sacrifice for others. They also know what it means to be welcomed and recognized each time they move. A typical service member may move every two or three years.
“This pilgrimage permits time to renew their relationship with Jesus Christ while experiencing faithful Catholics serving in the military around the world. They gather together in Rome to pray for peace and to remember that Lord is always with them.
“I know from my own experience growing up in a military family that the shared sense of welcome and hospitality made a difference each time we moved.
“In my work today, I continue to encounter that hospitality grounded in the peace of Christ when I visit military installations or connect with them from the Cardinal Edwin O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, DC, which supports Catholic priests and coordinators with resources they need to help the faithful draw closer to the Lord,” Dr. Moitoza said.
Brandon Kim, 730 AMF Yokota Air Base Japan joined the pilgrimage as a new convert to Catholicism thanks to the example of his best friend. It was his first trip to Rome and to the Vatican.
“I’ve only seen pictures of Rome, churches online. It is surreal to actually be here,” he said. “The Mass was amazing. All the different militaries and uniforms… but something I will never forget was praying at the Holy Stairs. That was very powerful. Feeling that suffering, that pain, knowing how much more the Lord suffered for us. I want to come back next Jubilee Year.”
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