The Rev. Bernard McGarty, visiting scholar of Ecumenical Studies at Viterbo University, was in Yankee Stadium along with many Aquinas High School students for the appearance by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday. If he could use only one word to describe the experience, McGarty said, that word would be “serene.” But we decided to give him a few more words.

NEW YORK CITY — The wrecking ball will demolish this American shrine in November, but on Monday the stadium rocked to the presence of Pope Benedict XVI and 57,000 energized participants.
It is “Alleluia,” “Resurrection,” and “Peace Be With You” all in one chorus.

It is the house that Ruth built, the homeplate where Lou Gehrig gave his tearful farewell, the sod where the Packers played the Giants, the venue of rock concerts, a Billy Graham crusade, a Eucharist celebrated by Pope John Paul II with Helen Hayes reading Scripture, where Army and Notre Dame played when Rockne coached, where Dimaggio and Mantle roamed center field.

It is the most famous stadium in America.

But unless the Yankees win the world series in October, today is the last hurrah for this Bronx real estate.

My reaction as a priest of five decades is that this is similar to harvest time on a farm. Seeds planted earlier bear fruit.

I see 80-year-olds who were taught in Catholic School about the pope and now see one in the flesh.

I see people in their 60s and 70s saying, “He is my pope, my spiritual father.”

I see middle-aged individuals saying, “We need solid moral teaching for our world.”

I see college students saying, “I never thought about relativism until now.”

I see teenagers with unlimited optimism declare, “We will live in a better world.”

We live in a world of critics and cynics, but negative individuals are not in this stadium. The act of proclaiming, “I believe,” gives direction and joy to these people.

There is euphoric solidarity and community. There is thirst for the mystical experience in this material world. At the stadium today, the mystical was prolonged for three hours. I say to myself, “This is Camelot. For three shining hours, this is Camelot.”

The hours of long bus rides, stalled traffic, waiting in line, sitting and waiting and waiting is worth it.

When 50,000 participate in communion, I think of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Benedict preaches harmony between faith and reason. Thinking and believing harmonize this day in New York and at Yankee Stadium.

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