Friday, March 1 2013 11:30 AM EST2013-03-01 16:30:45 GMT
(02/28/13) - Thursday, Pope Benedict the 16th's resignation takes effect. This historic day is being used as a teaching tool at catholic schools. Teachers are using this as an opportunity to teach students
Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI's resignation took effect.
Thursday, February 28 2013 6:20 PM EST2013-02-28 23:20:46 GMT
(02/28/13) - A Mid-Michigan nun has been watching coverage of the Pope's last day on the job since early Thursday morning. She worked for Pope Benedict and knew him for several years before he became
A Mid-Michigan nun has been watching coverage of the Pope's last day on the job since early Thursday morning.
FLINT (WJRT) -
(02/28/13) - The retirement of Pope Benedict has touched a Mid-Michigan woman.
She had the pleasure of seeing him three times. Those were experiences that shaped her life.
The first time Hannah Turchi saw Pope Benedict was in Germany in 2005, but it was from a distance. Their paths crossed again in 2008 in Australia during World Youth Day ceremonies.
"He pulled in on the boat and got off in his Popemobile and went right by us and we were right up against the fence. We got to see him and he made eye contact with me," she said.
That experience changed her life. Turchi says seeing the Pope made her want to deepen her relationship with Christ.
"It was how I imagined getting struck by lightning felt like. I just had this shot of love. I was like, 'This must be what it's like to look into the face of Jesus.' It was so exhilarating; electrifying. I was touched to my very core," she said.
It was a moment she had to share with her folks in Genesee County.
"I called my parents and said, 'You would not believe what just happened. I just made eye contact with the Pope!' It was 3 in the morning here and they were like, 'We're going to bed now.'"
Then there was moment in Spain in 2011. Hannah and her friends looked at a map of Pope Benedict's route in Madrid and picked a spot.
"We'll try here. We were right up against the fence. He came by again, twice, which was awesome. It was huge for me spiritually. I'm still reeling from Spain," she said.
Hannah says the Pope's retirement is sad, but she feels he's being led by the Holy Spirit. She wants to emulate his life and humility.
"It makes you want to have an intimate relationship with Jesus," she said.
