“…Even the moon hastens close tonight…”

(Pope John XXIII “Moonlight Speech Window of the Apostolic Palace, October 11, 1962)

This past Saturday we had the privilege of seeing the moon at its closest in over 30 years. I want to thank Chris Allen for sharing her privately taken pictures of the moon. We use them with her permission. It reminded of a beautiful and impromptu speech that Pope John XXIII had given from the window of the Apostolic Palace on the evening of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Through the great research of a blog called Whispers in the Loggia, I give you the actual video of the speech (in Italian) and the English Translation. Enjoy!

Translation:

“Dear sons and daughters,

I feel your voices! Mine is just one lone voice, but it sums up the voice of the whole world.

And here, in fact, all the world is represented here tonight. It could even be said that even the moon hastens close tonight, that from above, it might watch this spectacle that not even St Peter’s Basilica, over its four centuries of history, has ever been able to witness.

We ask for a great day of peace. Yes, of peace! ‘Glory to God, and peace to men of goodwill.” If I asked you, if I could ask of each one of you: where are you from? The children of Rome, especially represented here, would respond: ah, we are the closest of children, and you’re our bishop. Well, then, sons and daughters of Rome, always remember that you represent ‘Roma, caput mundi’ ['Rome, the capital of the world'] which through the design of Providence it has been called to be across the centuries.

My own person counts for nothing — it’s a brother who speaks to you, become a father by the will of our Lord, but all together, fatherhood and brotherhood and God’s grace, give honor to the impressions of this night, which are always our feelings, which now we express before heaven and earth: faith, hope, love, love of God, love of brother, all aided along the way in the Lord’s holy peace for the work of the good. And so, let us continue to love each other, to look out for each other along the way: to welcome whoever comes close to us, and set aside whatever difficulty it might bring.

When you head home, find your children. Hug and kiss your children and tell them: ‘This is the hug and kiss of the Pope.’ And when you find them with tears to dry, give them a good word. Give anyone who suffers a word of comfort. Tell them ‘The Pope is with us especially in our times of sadness and bitterness.’ And then, all together, may we always come alive — whether to sing, to breathe, or to cry, but always full of trust in Christ, who helps us and hears us, let us continue along our path.”
–Pope John XXIII
“Moonlight Speech”
Window of the Apostolic Palace
11 October 1962

I find the speech to be truly father like from a Pope who truly loved his flock. Pope John XXIII was really a good soul who cared deeply for his people and this impromptu speech showed it. I also found the image of the hundreds of thousands of faithful carrying candles to the Vatican to be very moving. It is a great visual reminder to me that our lay people really are called to be light to the world, or as our beloved late Holy Father Pope John Paul II reminded us that our lay people are “leaven in the world.” It is also a great time to pray for our beloved Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as he continues to do such a great job leading us. I personally love and admire the work that he does (with so much love and charity) reaching out to others in reconciliation and renewal.

This second picture from Chris Allen shows the moon as it departs prior to the dawn of a new day. Wow! Chris, I hope that you got some good rest! Thanks for the pictures. Thanks to each of you, my parishioners and friends for bringing the light of Christ out to the people, in spite of the darkness of error and sin. You really are a light to the world!

You’re the Best! Fr. Brad