Arlington Heights deacon: Seeing Pope Francis was a 'miracle'
Deacon Don Grossnickle wouldn't miss an opportunity to attend Mass in the United States with Pope Francis, but the way his weekend came together was “somewhat of a miracle.”
Not only was Grossnickle, of the Our Lady of the Wayside parish in Arlington Heights, able to attend the papal Mass on Sunday in Philadelphia, but he was also able to serve other worshippers. He was able to spend time with his family. He was able to assist in the baptism of his granddaughter the day before.
Grossnickle had a lot to be thankful for.
“God is being good to us. We're very blessed to celebrate with this pope that's so popular around the world,” the 67-year-old said. “It's not likely that I'm going to see the pope coming to the United States again. This is a beautiful coming together of events.”
After spending his morning helping disabled worshippers find a comfortable place for the pope's visit, Grossnickle stopped at the Knotted Grotto, where visitors write their prayers and intentions on a piece of paper.
On his, he said, he thanked God for his family — a very important part of his life.
Moments later, Pope Francis appeared nearly 10 feet away from him in a surprise appearance along the papal parade route. He went inside and prayed for all of the intentions that had been placed within the Grotto.
“I felt very loved,” Grossnickle said. “To be honest with you, you almost feel like, ‘Could this be? Is this a miracle that he came to seal our prayers?' It's such a privilege.”
A few hours later, Grossnickle was watching the papal Mass from inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul — only after entering the cathedral with hundreds of other deacons in a procession.
“It was like being a rock star,” he said. “Thousands and thousands of people on both sides were waving.”
When it was time to give out Communion, Grossnickle went outside to serve those who were not inside the church.
Grossnickle called his trip a pilgrimage. Deacons are called to serve, he said, and the trip allowed him to live out that calling.
But being in the presence of Pope Francis — whom Grossnickle described as charismatic, loving, compassionate, warm — was a humbling experience, he said.
“He inspired me to be prophetic, to be called to serve at every opportunity,” Grossnickle said. “It's a happiness to think that I can finish my life in the service of others, if I can only be half the religious person he is. It gives me something to shoot for, and that's not a game to be won.”