Blessed Pope John Paul II: A Personal testimony
The second miraculous encounter was at his funeral. Although we all saw his life coming to an end, the world was shaken when he finally died. However, as the funeral drew near, I began to experience a strange longing to be at that sacred event. I thought it would be a wonderful chance to say […]
The second miraculous encounter was at his funeral. Although we all saw his life coming to an end, the world was shaken when he finally died. However, as the funeral drew near, I began to experience a strange longing to be at that sacred event. I thought it would be a wonderful chance to say goodbye to a man who had inspired and touched my life so much. But, from what the media was saying, it looked impossible for one to attempt being at the event. Everywhere you turned, flights to Rome were fully booked. As the days drew near, the media reported that international flights were no longer allowed to land in Rome and that human traffic was no longer allowed within a radius of the Vatican precincts. Pictures and stories of people flocking in from different parts of Europe and campers prepared to sleep for days ahead of the event made me even more desperate to be in Rome. Then an idea came to me and I decided to follow my instincts. What, I thought to myself, if I could make an attempt to travel with President Obasanjo? I decided to act.
I called President Obasanjo. After the pleasantries, I told him that I was calling to find out if he was going to be at the funeral of the Holy Father. No, he said, but I have made adequate arrangements for my representation. Sir, I said to him, I think you should be at this man’s funeral. I can testify to what he did for you and other Nigerian detainees during Abacha’s time. I know how he led the campaign to save your lives. I think you owe this man a lot and the least you can do is to be at his funeral. What is more, he gave us two Cardinals, expanded the Church in Nigeria. And, you know, Sir, the Presidents of smaller African countries and even people like President Mugabe could be there. It will not be right for Nigeria to be left out of this world event.
Rather surprisingly, President Obasanjo listened attentively. Ok, Fr Kukah, can you call me back tomorrow? Let me think about it and see if I can change a few things because I had really no plans to go. The next day I called him as agreed. He said to me: I have taken your advice and I will go. Then, came the words I had wanted to hear: By the way, President Obasanjo said, would like to go with me? I laughed and said to him: Sir, do you think that we Catholics can allow a Protestant like you to wander around St Peter’s Basilica unaccompanied? Feeling like a man who had just won the lottery, I said to him, Why do you think I have made this suggestion to you? Of course, I will like to go. However, let me make one suggestion. Can you call Archbishop Onaiyekan, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and request him to accompany you officially? No, problem, he said, I will get my people to reach him.
On the eve of the funeral, off we went to Rome on the Presidential jet. The next morning, as we drove to St. Peter’s Basilica, my heart was beating so fast because I just could not believe that I had pulled this off. Taking off in the morning with sirens blaring on the streets of Rome, I sat in silence as we drove past hordes of humanity, scampering to just get a glimpse of this event. We were driven and dropped off literally beside the Sacristy of St. Peter’s. I took my seat, literally a ringside seat and as I turned around and saw the sea of humanity, I crossed my heart, knowing that indeed, Pope John Paul was already a saint and I was a beneficiary of his miracle. For Archbishop Onaiyekan as a big man, this would have been routine, but for small me, this was nothing short of a miracle.
Next is the third miracle. It was past midnight on one February night and I was listening to the news when I heard that the late Holy Father was going to be beatified on May 1st. The next day, I immediately called my travel agent and booked a flight to Rome. I did not want to leave anything to chance. The same day, I called my friend in Rome, Fr Godwin Onah and asked if he could find me accommodation. Then of course the news came that about one and a half million people were being expected at the funeral. I knew I had to be at St. Peter’s but this time, I was hoping to be at the Square not the Basilica again.
After I completed my travel plans, I emailed my good friend, Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachuckwu, the Pope’s Chief of Protocol (the first African to hold such a position!) informing him of my travel plans. At this point, I was convinced that long leg had its merits. I knew how tight things would be for him. For a whole month, I did not hear from him, but I understood. Then I called another friend Fr Barnabas Shabayan to say that I would be at the beatification. Interestingly, he told me he had planned to travel to South Africa and I could use his room. With his school being less than ten minutes walk to the St Peter’s Basilica, I thought I had secured a good enough deal. I did not want to bother Msgr. Nwachukwu and so I simply assumed the poor man was already swamped with receiving foreign Heads of States and Delegations. Then Fr Barnabas called back to say that actually, the Rector of his College, on hearing that I was a Monsignor, had decided to offer me a separate accommodation. My God, does it ever get better, I thought to myself.
Before my departure to Rome on the night of April 29th, I decided to call Msgr. Nwachukwu again as I headed for the airport in Lagos. I left a message on his phone to say I was on my way. When I did not hear from him, I simply decided to relax. After I boarded the plane, made a few calls, I was about to switch off my phone when an international call came through. Lo and behold, it was Msgr. Nwachukwu. He apologized profusely for not getting back to me and then in his usually calm voice said: Matthew, I am sorry I have not been able to get back to you. I have been swamped, as you know. However, I have secured a ticket for you. In other to be sure you get a good seat right in front, I have put you down as one of those to distribute Holy Communion. Security and Protocol people will let you through when they see your ticket. Inside the Basilica, they will give you a Surplice and an Alb for the ceremonies. Since I know where you will be staying, I will deliver the ticket there before you arrive.
Oh my God, I said to myself, I will be distributing Communion at the beatification of Pope John Paul 11? Will I still get another chance of a front seat again? Well, I said to myself, it just does not get any better than this. It was a great way to end a divine circle.
On the morning of May 1st, I arrived at 8am to find that the entire vicinity was a sea of humanity. I snaked my way through. I flashed my ticket and the Protocol people bowed in salutation instead and let me through. Swede Guards, famous for their politeness and decorum simply bowed in salutation again. As I walked down to exactly where we had been dropped during the late Holy Father’s funeral, I crossed myself as I entered St. Peter’s Basilica. On entering, right before me was the coffin of the late Holy Father surrounded of course by guards. I stood in shock, knowing that this is a moment anyone who had come for this event would have paid for. I walked right to the coffin, touched it physically, crossed myself and gave praise to God and thanked blessed Pope John Paul. When we vested and processed out, I sat a few seats ahead of where I had sat at the funeral ceremony. My God, I said, the rest of the world may have come to beatify Pope John Paul 11. For me and millions of others Catholics and non Catholics, Christians, Muslims, believers and unbelievers all over the world, this it was a mere formality, a ritual. He will remain one of the greatest figures of the last century. He left behind a Church that Jesus would be proud of. He, faithfully and successfully turned the arc of history towards human freedom and justice. In doing so, left the world a more blessed place and therefore affirmed the mission of Jesus: I have come that you may have life and have it to the full(Jn. 10:10).