Lolek

Are you familiar with the name Lolek? It was a nickname of John Paul II's given to him during his younger years. It is also the name of a one-man performance that covers the early life of our late, beloved pontiff up to his ordination to the priesthood. This performance, along with a short period of Eucharistic adoration was hosted by the St. Paul Seminary this past weekend.

The performance was put on by Jeremy Stanbary, founder of Epiphany Studios, a non-profit Catholic-Christian based Theater Production Company and Art Studio that is equipped to take its performances to churches, schools, etc. It was held in the Baumgaertner Auditorium (named for a previous rector of the seminary) and played to a full house! It was exciting for me to see so many people from Christian organizations across the University of St. Thomas campus and beyond to commemorate the life of John Paul II one year after his death. St. John Vianney Seminary, Campus Ministry, Catholic Studies and St. Paul's Outreach were all represented, as well as others from the university and those with no St. Thomas affiliation. Jeremy's performance was excellent!

Following Lolek, the majority of those who had been at the performance joined us in the St. Mary's Chapel of the seminary for a short period of Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, complete with beautiful, powerful and prayerful music organized by a small group of seminarians from both seminaries and a short reflection on Pope John Paul II given by our very own rector, Monsignor Aloysius Callaghan. It was truly inspiring to see so many people of varying ages on their knees before the Blessed Sacrament, deeply drawn into the music and singing their hearts out. This was especially the case for the last song of this period of adoration, "Lady of Knock," which is one of our rector's favorites. During this song, the chapel was filled with the voices of those gathered. As one of our seminarians noted, whether you are Irish or not, everyone is Irish when they hear that song!

I think I'm still recovering a bit from that evening, but what a powerful one it was. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of it. John Paul II, we love you! Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever!