Parramatta Diocese’s parish engagement coordinator and Jubilee pilgrimage leader Rachael Kama experienced “the best day of my life” – celebrating Pope Leo’s birthday with him last week. Source: Catholic Outlook.
Ms Kama, a lay Augustinian leader was one of three selected globally to attend the 188th General Chapter of the OSA (Order of the Society of Augustinians) in the Vatican last week. The General Chapter is held every six years, and this was the first time laity were invited to attend and present to the group.
Including the laity was an initiative of Pope Leo, or “Fr Bob” as Ms Kama knows him from her decades-long work with the Augustinians. And notably, for Ms Kama , the three lay people were diverse faces from around the world – Ms Kama, a Tongan woman from Western Sydney representing Australasia; Liliana from Peru representing Latin America; and Luis representing Europe and the UK.
They were joined by more than 70 priests and three nuns from different contemplative monasteries around the world.
Ms Kama had to present to the Chapter on the topic of youth and young adults as well as a presentation on the general challenges, opportunities and recommendations for the Augustinians in Australia and Africa.
After the presentations, the Chapter had a surprise visit – that went for hours.
“He [Pope Leo] came after morning tea and did an address in Italian, followed by a 1.5 hour unfiltered Q&A session,” Ms Kama said.
“He spoke a lot about youth and young adults, and I couldn’t believe it when he responded to each question in the language it was posed – Italian, English, Spanish, German.”
“He was asked everything – from the impacts of AI to the devastating situations in the Middle East and Africa. Someone asked, ‘how does it feel to be Pope?’ He replied ‘It’s interesting times, but I’m still in shock. I’m taking it one day at a time’ and he said he feels people’s prayers for him.
“We then took official photos and had lunch and sang Happy Birthday in English and Spanish. It was an unforgettable experience. The best day of my life.”
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Pilgrim leader, Rachael Kama celebrates with Pope Leo on his birthday (By Anita Sulentic, Catholic Outlook)
