Pope Benedict at Bellahouston Park Glasgow

For the first three days of this week, it rained and rained and the wind blew.
On Thursday the sun shone and the sky was blue.
Pope Benedict arrived in Edinburgh, met the Queen, and later drove through to Glasgow to celebrate Holy Mass.
We arrived at Bellahouston around 12.30pm. We had a walk of about a mile and a half from the temporary bus station.
The park was already well filled, with every one without demur going to their allotted zones, even when, like in ours, the Altar was out of view. But there were 2 large screens.
As the hours went by, there was music from Susan Boyle, the Strathclde Police Pipe Band, hymn practises, school choirs, and audio visual presentations by numerous groups.
Everywhere flags were flying...Papal flags and the Scottish Saltire.
As 5pm grew nearer, the tension grew. Then we saw on the large screen the arrival of Pope Bendedict from Edinburgh.
He moved to the Pope Mobile and toured the park to a tremendous ovation from all present.
Finally he was back at the altar area. An annoucement was made asking us to prepare for Mass. Immediately, every single person ceased talking. Everyone became still and silent. It was awesome to be in the midst of 70 000 people, and to hear not a voice and to see everyone so still.
I wonder what the Police and Security staff made of that.

Arcbishop Conti gave a wonderful welcome to the Pope, outlining succintly the Catholic Heritage of Scotland. How apt we were celebrating the feast of St Ninian.

The Mass was said in English, Gaelic and Latin. The canon of the Mass was in Latin. It added so much to the dignity of the occasion,and not at all contentious as some had claimed it would be come. One priest wote to the newspapers that it was because there was Latin, many catholics were staying away form the event!

Throughout the Mass, the entire congregation of 70 000 kept still and silent, except to join in the hymns and responses. Many stood, many knelt, and many sat in their portable chairs.
Even at the distribution of Holy Communion, as people move around, not a voice was heard.
And as the Mass progressed and as the sun began to sink, the chill began to be felt from the wind which had blown all day.
But it didn't bother us too much. We had our the Holy Father amidst us!

After the Final Blessing and dismissal, the crowd roared their goodbyes as the Pope left for Glasgow Airport for his journey to London.
Then we pilgrims began our journeys home, our mind and souls uplifted by the events of this glorious day.

Finally, praise must be heaped on those who made all the arrangements ; Stagecoach Buses ; Glasgow City Council ; The safety Marshalls ; Strathclyde Police - visible all aound us - smiling and cheerful and helpful - and keeping watch on the steep wooded hill above the Park.
Thankyou all. Thankyou Holy Father. Thankyou all the Pilgrims for the respectful way you all behaved throughout the whole of this unforgettable day.