Unplanned: Group members involved with planning Archdiocesan Synod meet Pope Francis during pilgrimage

It wasn’t planned, but some of the planners for the Archdiocesan Synod met Pope Francis during their recent pilgrimage to Rome. Some were on the Synod executive team, others on the prayer team, some were involved with data analysis and others offered a variety of contributions. But all were involved at “a pretty high level,” said Archbishop Bernard Hebda. 

“It was a wonderful way to be able to go to Rome, thanking the Lord for the blessings that he’s brought our way through the Synod so far, and also asking for continued blessings as we move forward with the implementation of the Synod and more evangelization,” Archbishop Hebda said. He recently spoke about the pilgrimage with Tom Halden, director of the Office of Communications for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, for an upcoming episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show.  

In advance of the trip, Archbishop Hebda wrote to the head of the pontifical household, asking if Pope Francis might be available to meet the group. “There’s always a possibility, but they don’t make commitments,” he said, “and if the weather weren’t right and they had to shorten the audience or move it to a different place, those things can happen.” When a bishop is present, “tradition or practice” is that he has the chance to meet the Holy Father, Archbishop Hebda said.  

Pope Francis readily remembered the archdiocese, “and some of the things we’ve experienced in the course of his pontificate,” the archbishop said.  

Many in the group were able to shake the pope’s hand, speak with him and receive his blessing, the archbishop said. And group members had their photo taken with Pope Francis. “He gave all of us a rosary as well to remember the occasion,” the archbishop said. 

The group’s pilgrimage began in Assisi, which Archbishop Hedba said was “a beautiful opportunity” to reflect on how one person — someone like St. Francis preaching the Gospel, St. Clare doing the same at her convent or the teenage Blessed Carlo Acutis — can have an impact on the Church “and how important it is that we all become evangelizers.” 

During the interview, Halden asked Archbishop Hebda to describe the difference between a trip or vacation and a pilgrimage. To hear Archbishop Hebda’s response and to hear the full interview with details about other highlights of the trip to Assisi and Rome, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” show at 9 p.m. Oct. 28, which repeats at 1 p.m. Oct. 29 and 2 p.m. Oct. 30 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. 

Produced by Relevant Radio and the archdiocese, the latest show also includes interviews with Deacon Joe Michalak, director of the new Office of Synod Evangelization for the archdiocese, who describes the upcoming pastoral letter from Archbishop Hebda; and Allison Spies, archives program manager for the archdiocese, who discusses training she underwent to salvage heritage collections in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or flood. 

Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.