Diocesan priests recall their encounters with the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Father Luke Meyer
Pastor of Sts. Anne and Joachim in Fargo

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike” (Matt. 11:25).

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who was elected Bishop of Rome in 2005, and took the name Benedict XVI, wrote and spoke with a voice that was at the same time marked by gentleness and strength. A voice of clarity and light in a chaotic and dark world, his radiant witness was grounded in a childlike faith and simplicity, burned with a deep love for Jesus, and expressed by a mind that was as sharp as a polished arrow in the Lord’s quiver. For me, his voice was a welcome and faithful echo of the voice of the Father in heaven, imparting a peace and confidence in my heart I had never known before.

As a young man, I read so many of his works, from his engaging book length interviews with the journalist Peter Seewald (God and the World, Salt of the Earth, Light of the World, Last Testament), to his theological and liturgical works (Spirit of the Liturgy, Principles of Catholic Theology, Eschatology) that were so lucid and relatable. As a priest, I found much wisdom in his papal encyclicals (God is Love, Saved in Hope, The Light of Faith, completed by Pope Francis), and charming reflections on the saints in his Wednesday audiences. Time spent with the voice of Joseph Ratzinger was always time well spent.

In 2012, I had the chance to briefly meet Pope Benedict in person after the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in Rome. I was so moved by this encounter. This man, whose voice I had known so well from a distance, was now looking at me face-to-face, and I saw in his eyes, even with the burden of many years and responsibilities, the most sincere faith, care, and interest. I felt known and loved, encouraged and strengthened by this holy man of God and successor of St. Peter, who I knew to be truly a Holy Father.

“Our hearts are full of sadness, yet at the same time of joyful hope and profound gratitude,” are the words I now echo to you, as words spoken to us by Joseph Ratzinger at the funeral of St. John Paul II. The Church and the world have lost a great theologian, a great pastor, and a great Pope. I am grateful for all these gifts, but probably most of all I share a profound gratitude for a man whose spiritual fatherhood taught me childlike faith, to trust in the goodness of God, and how to be a beloved son of the Father in heaven, the source of the deepest hope and richest wisdom.

Father Michael Hickin
Pastor of churches in Mooreton and Mantador

As a student in Rome, I lived with a group of men discerning their vocations in a house called Casa Balthasar. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (future Benedict XVI) was our “patron” who served as chief advisor and head of the board. We got to have Mass with him once a year, followed by a question and answer session. On one occasion, I worked up a load of courage and rehearsed some questions that’d let him know how theologically attuned I was. During the Mass, I had an experience during the chanting of the Creed that reduced me to tears, like real blubber. Afterwards, I just hugged the shadows and listened. It was as though Jesus stepped in to let me know, nobody here to impress but me, and I gottcha.

Ten years later, once ordained, I became a member of the Casa’s Board of Directors. At one of our meetings, Cardinal Ratzinger gestured with his hand and spilled a full glass of orange juice on my lap. My mom wished I’d have saved those pants, or at least the hanky I used to clean up. No relics, except the memory of his gracious kindness and phenomenally limpid expression of our Christian tradition.

Father Matthew Kraemer
Pastor of churches in Velva and Karlsruhe

I was walking back from class to the seminary in Rome. I was with a few other seminarians, and we had to wait at an intersection because Pope Benedict XVI’s motorcade was going by. I think he had visited the mayor of Rome or something and was driving home. We were the only ones standing there, and when the Pope’s car passed by he looked right at us and waved. It was a quick moment, but also a special one. The Pope caught us in the ordinariness and routine of seminary life. Perhaps he found joy in seeing us, and we certainly found it in seeing him.

Father Peter Sharpe
Pastor of churches in Steele, Medina, and Tappen

My vocation to the diocesan priesthood was influenced by the generosity of Joseph Cardinal Razinger. Before I attended seminary, I lived for two years at a house of formation that he helped found. In my early 20s, I made a pilgrimage to Israel and had a strong sense I could be a priest. That didn’t fit with my plans at the time. Then several things adjusted in my life and I went and studied in 2001 at Casa Balthasar in Rome, an international house for young men who were discerning their vocations. The Casa was started by a group of friends of the Swiss theologian Hans Urs Von Balthasar, which included Cardinal Ratzinger. The Cardinal, busy man that he was, had little direct oversight of the house. He did visit once during my time there for an evening meal and discussion. (If I remember correctly, I made cream of spinach soup from scratch for a future pope. Using large amounts of the Italian version of sour cream is very important). We had a newly converted Christian from Lebanon staying with us at the time, and he asked the Cardinal a couple of questions to which Ratzinger gave a beautiful and concrete response in Italian. When he noticed the man was struggling to follow, he addressed his question in English. I don’t remember the full content of the conversation, but I was struck by Cardinal Ratzinger's ability to focus on the questioner and try to give a genuine response.

We also attended a birthday celebration for Ratzinger held for him by his Bavarian countrymen in Trastevere in downtown Rome, and got to see the Cardinal be serenaded by a band, and even march a few steps with them. Lastly, we went in 2003 to a celebration up at St. Benedict’s birthplace in Norcia, and were there when he blessed part of the monastery. Who knew at the time that the papacy was only two years away and the name of Benedict would again rise to such renown? I am grateful for these brief encounters with a man who truly knew and trusted Jesus Christ.

Father John Cavanaugh
Pastor of churches in Reynolds and Thompson

I had the privilege of concelebrating the Canonization Mass for St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Rome in October 2012. Pope Benedict was the celebrant of the Mass, and I was near the altar and was tasked with distributing the Holy Eucharist to those attending.

Father Chris Markman
Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center in Grand Forks

I have a fond memory of being able to pray vespers, Evening Prayer I of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, with Pope Benedict at St. Paul’s Outside the Wall during my first night ever in Rome when I was in seminary. I was also blessed to meet him three times in person. The first time for the NAC’s (North American College) 150th anniversary, the second time the day before my Diaconate ordination in Rome, and the third time when Bishop Aquila went to Rome for the U.S. Bishop’s ad limina visit, at which point I had just been ordained a priest.

Father Jason Lefor
Pastor of churches in Pisek, Bechyne, and Lankin

Some members of the Bethlehem Community of Benedict Oblates and I traveled to Rome in January of 2003 to meet with Francis Cardinal Stafford in regard to the laity’s role in the Church and his upcoming trip to the Diocese of Fargo.

During some down time Lydia Reynolds, Rosanne Sharpe, Nathaniel Sharpe, and I set out for an adventure. The four of us ended up seated in four gold thrones in a grand room being entertained by Monsignor Charles Brown (yes, his name is just like Charlie Brown). Monsignor Brown (now Archbishop Brown) was at that time Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s American secretary. He was so very gracious to us and gave us the most delightful treats. We stretched his hospitality by requesting to meet Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as we had a gift of Bethlehem Books that we would like to personally give to him. Monsignor Brown explained that it didn’t seem possible as Cardinal Ratzinger was putting the final touches on Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical on the Eucharist that was to soon be released. However, Monsignor Brown took our phone number and said that if there was any way possible in the next three days he would call us and let us know.

Two days later, as the whole group of us were at lunch, and just as the large order of pasta and pizza arrived at our tables, the phone rang. It was Monsignor Brown. He said if we were at Cardinal Ratzinger’s office in 15 minutes we could meet him for a brief time as he was on his way to deliver the final draft of the Encyclical. We “crazy” Americans bolted from our chairs, threw money on the table to cover the cost of the meal without eating it, and sprinted across St. Peter’s Square to Cardinal Ratzinger’s office. It was an awesome experience to have the Swiss Guard formally acknowledge us and introduce us into the Roman Curia’s Offices.

We stood inside the building’s inner court and Cardinal Ratzinger descended the steps into the courtyard to approach a waiting vehicle that was to take him to Pope John Paul II. To me it seemed like a prince coming down to bless us. As he arrived to where we were standing, Monsignor Brown introduced us. We told him that we were friends of Father Joseph Fessio. Cardinal Ratzinger broke into a beautiful smile when he heard this. He asked if we were from Texas, as Jack Sharpe and myself were wearing cowboy-looking hats. We all laughed and said, “No, from Fargo, ND.” He laughed and mentioned how cold it must be.

He explained to us that it was a great day as the Encyclical on the Eucharist was now finished. Jack and Jean Ann Sharpe told him that it was their 29th wedding anniversary that very day. He broke into a devilish grin and teased Jean Ann about putting up with Jack for so many years. We asked him if he would be willing to bless them and he graciously agreed. He prayed a beautiful prayer of blessing over them. It was at this point that Jean Ann asked if he would allow us to sing a song for him. He smiled and eagerly agreed. We sang “Maria Walks Amid the Thorns.” As we sang a tear ran down Cardinal Ratzinger’s eye. When we finished, he explained that this was a song that his mother sang to him in Bavaria as a child. It brought many memories back for him, and he shared a couple of quick stories with us.

It was at that point that the driver demanded that they must be on their way. It seemed almost as if he was reluctant to leave us. To this day, I almost tear up myself when I recall this memory. We have remained friends with Archbishop Charles Brown as well.