Deacon Stephen Choi, who serves at St. Aloysius parish in Great Neck, won a lottery to attend evening vespers with Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The service was mainly for members of the clergy.
Deacon Choi and his wife spent three hours going through security, being screened with metal detectors “like at the airport. Many avenues and streets were blocked by barricades. The New York governor, senator, mayor, police commissioner and many VIPs were waiting for him at the entrance.”
A choir and orchestra played music before the pope arrived.
“It was so cheerful and joyful,” Choi said.
Even though a column obstructed his view of the pope, he said, he saw the whole liturgy on a screen and read the English translation of the pope’s Spanish homily.
“His message was the spirit of gratitude and hard work,” he added. “He especially expressed his gratitude to the religious women (nuns) of the United States. When he said, ‘What would the Church be without you?…I love you very much,” all the sisters yelled out a cheer.”
Choi, who leads the Korean community at St. Aloysius, said he felt inspired by the pope.
“Though he is the successor of St. Peter and leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, he was truly humble,” he said. “His smiles made me comfortable. His words and deeds were genuine.”
Choi and his wife got home at 11 p.m. “tired and joyful. It was absolutely worth it,” he said. “This opportunity and experience strengthened my faith.”
