USU community honors life of pope
Utah State University students and staff honor Pope John Paul II by remembering the good he has done in the world.
Jake Menotti said he always knew the pope would die someday, but had never considered the effect it would have. John Paul II traveled constantly. He was never just a “high, distant authority,” Menotti said.
“He practiced what he preached,” Menotti said. As a USU history major, Menotti will always remember how “the pope frankly forgave the man who tried to assassinate him.”
Jay Anderson, a professor of USU history, met John Paul 25 years ago. Anderson was the director of the living history farm that hosted the pope’s visit to Iowa.
It was the pope’s only visit to rural America, Anderson said. It was during the early years of his papal ministry. Anderson was standing only 20 to 30 feet from the pope during the sermon.
“The pope was very young looking … very saintly, exactly like my grandfather,” Anderson said. Anderson struggled for words as he recalled John Paul approaching him and the farm’s founder, blessing them both.
“I looked him right in the eyes,” he said. “He had beautiful, beautiful eyes.”
Upon hearing of the pope’s passing, Anderson said he went back in his memory, thinking of all the good things, trying to remember as much as he possibly could.
“May your memory be a blessing,” Anderson said about the pope.
Amanda Moody, a student at USU, said she was touched by everyone’s comments and their love for the pope.
Also, she turned her mind forward to the selection of the new pope. It’s exciting to witness a new spiritual leader appointed, she said, like a first presidential election after someone turns 18.
Nick George, a landscape design major, saw the pope when he came to Denver in 1993 for World Youth Day. George said the pope was “hip” in getting his message out to children and teenagers.
Closing the meeting in Denver, John Paul bid farewell to the hundred of thousands of youth with “Hasta la vista.”
George, president of USU’s Newman Club, a service-based Catholic organization, said he was glued to the TV for three days prior to the pope’s death.
Even though he knew what was coming, George said he was “never prepared for it.”
“[The pope’s passing] is more a celebration [of his life] than a sad thing,” George said.
The pope stood for peace, human rights and human acceptance, while visiting more than 100 countries.
“It’s mind-numbing how much he cared,” George said. “You don’t have to be Catholic to appreciate who he was.”
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish & Newman Center will be holding a memorial Mass for the pope Friday at noon. A memorial prayer service will also be held Sunday at 6 p.m.
The church is located at 795 N. 800 East. Those who would like to attend the service are welcome to come.
-acbeck@cc.usu.edu