AUCKLAND Fifth-year seminarian Cameron Surrey says he took great encouragement from his brief but intimate encounter with Pope Benedict XVI because I know how much the Holy Father loves priests and seminarians. Mr Surrey was part of the International Liturgy Group that was formed for World Youth Day, a role Wellingtons Josie Leota also had. It was his participation in that capacity that saw him chosen to join the Pontiff on the boat-a-cade across Sydney Harbour.
Mr Surrey twice had a chance to speak individually to the Pope.
On the first, Mr Surrey kissed the Holy Fathers ring and thanked him for coming to Sydney. The Pope asked Mr Surrey where he was from, to which he replied he is a seminarian in New Zealand. He was asked to give the Holy Fathers greetings to his brother seminarians.
Pope Benedict then gave Mr Surrey a blessing, at the seminarians request.
Later, as the group of pilgrims waved to onlookers with the Holy Father, Mr Surrey saw another opportunity.
I was standing right behind him, so after a few minutes I tapped him on the shoulder and said, Holy Father, maybe after WYD you could come and visit us in New Zealand, Mr Surrey recalled.
He said I think with a smile It would be very difficult.
I asked that he remember us in New Zealand, assured him of our love and prayers, and that while we are a small country, we have a big part to play in the world.
Mr Surrey said he felt very comfortable with the Pope, whom he said was like a very wise and holy grandfather.
I felt I could have said anything to him, no matter how trivial or even silly, and he would have taken the best out of it. His humility is like that of a child, and because of this his greatness is very hidden.
Mr Surrey, currently on pastoral placement in Rotorua, said fellow World Youth Day pilgrims have returned to New Zealand profoundly touched by this very vivid experience of God, of the Holy Father, and of the size and universality of the Church.
He expects young men and women may be moved to follow our Lord radically in the religious life.
