MACS - Once-in-a-lifetime experience as Melbourne Archdiocese emerging leaders meet Pope Francis

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27 July 2023

Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Melbourne, including teachers Aaron Charles and Bridget Taylor, met the Holy Father Pope Francis in Rome yesterday in a special private audience as part of the lead-up to World Youth Day in Lisbon.

The extraordinary opportunity, lasting more than 50 minutes, involved 133 emerging leaders who are part of nearly 600 young people from Melbourne en route to World Youth Day from 2 to 6 August.

Pope Francis leading a special private audience as part of the lead-up to World Youth Day

His Holiness offered great encouragement to the young leaders in their faith journey and happily answered questions on topics ranging from education to evangelisation, the environment and caring for our common home.

‘I’m very happy to welcome you here and to see such courageous young people’, said Pope Francis. When asked what message he wanted to get across to young people, the Holy Father simply said: ‘The main message I want to get across is that the Lord is always by your side – always. Even in the most difficult moments, he is always with us. He never tires of walking with us!’

Music and Religious Education teacher Aaron Charles from John Paul College, Frankston, was visibly emotional after the papal audience. ‘It was incredibly unexpected! I asked Pope Francis what advice he had for us in being able to serve our small communities and he said it’s not about imparting an idea, but imparting a relationship … guiding your students and allowing them to make mistakes and be themselves and to grow into their own.

‘I cried the whole way through’, Aaron said. ‘It was just absolutely moving and the very first thing I did afterwards was to call Mum!’

Teacher Aaron Charles among a group of 133 emerging leaders from the Archdiocese of Melbourne who met the Holy Father in Rome yesterday in a special private audience as part of the lead-up to World Youth Day.

Bridget Taylor, a Maths teacher from Clonard College, Herne Hill, was overjoyed by the experience. ‘To be honest, it was a bit of a blur! I’m just completely in awe of what I’ve experienced. Being an emerging leader and passionate about the future of Catholic education, I was fortunate enough to ask what his message was that we can share with our staff and students.

‘He said to accompany our students and to work with our staff, create boundaries, but also give them the freedom to accept whatever faith they follow and to believe in the Church. I can’t wait to go home and share this with the students, staff at Clonard and the community in Geelong!’

Teacher Bridget Taylor was among a group of 133 emerging leaders from the Archdiocese of Melbourne who met the Holy Father in Rome yesterday in a special private audience as part of the lead-up to World Youth Day.

The emerging leaders group led by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, along with Dr Edward Simons, Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), is made up of young professionals from media, schools, parishes, and the health and social services sectors. Travelling on a unique formation experience, ‘Our Emerging Leaders Program’ is designed to open participants to leadership in the life of the Church.