Two Brothers from OLPH Church Journeyed to See the Pope
Two brothers, one a seminarian and another a campus ministry director, traveled to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis. To get there, they took a nineteen hour bus ride with a group of more than fifty pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The details these two brothers observed were each slightly different, but both agreed that this opportunity is something they will never forget.
Michael and Peter Klatt grew up in Glenview as members of the parish, and they both attended OLPH School. Michael (44) began volunteering with Catholic Relief Services in Central America, and eventually this service led him to the Seminary. He now is in the First year of Theology at the Our Lady of Suyapa Seminary in Honduras.
Peter Klatt (34) is currently the Business Manager of the John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His brother Michael suggested he come along on the pilgrimage to see Pope Francis.
Their first encounter with the Holy Father was seeing him address the crowds in front of Independence Hall on Saturday, September 26 in Philadelphia. Although the speech was only about 30 minutes long, "the event was quite moving," said Michael.
"After the speech culminated, a group of people started running toward a side street, so we followed them," Michael continued.
As a procession of vehicles sped quickly past, the brothers could see the Pope through the open window of his black Fiat. "Pope Francis was looking right at me and my bother and other pilgrims there, and I just remember his big smile. We saw him from about 10 feet away. I decided not to try to take a picture. I just focused on his face and his smile as he passed by. That was one moment that I will definitely treasure my whole life."
Michael and Peter also attended the Pope's Mass in Philadelphia held on the steps of the art museum on Sunday, September 27.
Peter said, "when you see [the Pope] in person, you can tell how genuine he is. He's not just interested in Catholics. He is interested in reaching out to all kinds of people."
In fact, while in Philadelphia at the Mass, Michael says he met a woman who told him she didn't practice any religion. "This woman was so touched by Pope Francis' outreach to all people, not just Catholics, that she was moved to travel many miles, from Chicago to Philadelphia, for a chance to see him in person."
Peter agreed that the trip was inspiring. "Seeing all the pilgrims who are inspired by Pope Francis reminded me that the path to true happiness is getting out there and helping others," he said.
