Random thought on World Youth Day

MADRID- Three weeks ago today, I got down on one knee on the campus of St. Mary’s parish in Annapolis, looked at my girlfriend of two years and asked her to marry me. Today, as I, and more than one million people in Madrid, was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, I thought of Cassandra. I was thousands of miles from home, but she was with me. I thought about her and the family we will build together and how I hoped just a small piece of the pope’s grace would touch us in that moment. The kids from Baltimore have moved me this week in profound ways. Even before the pope extended his hand in blessing, I felt blessed because of kids like Will Warner, Deja Washington and Thomas Brennan. They’ve opened themselves up to this experience and have shared their time with me. There are about 23 more people I feel the same way about on this trip. I may be twice their age, but they have made me one of them. By witnessing their faith sharpen and rise, mine has as well. I am so thrilled and honored to be here.