St. Charles Church in Arlington was standing room only June 17. The guest speaker was the newly appointed apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia.
“It’s a joy for me to be with you today, so numerous! I did not expect to see so many people,” Archbishop Caccia said at the start of his reflection.
Archbishop Caccia is Pope Leo XIV’s ambassador to the United States. He was appointed in March and succeeds Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who retired after nearly 10 years.
“We were deeply honored by the presence of Archbishop Caccia on his first visit to the Diocese of Arlington as apostolic nuncio. His willingness to offer us the gift of his time and pastoral presence was a true blessing and a visible sign of the Holy Father’s care for the Church in our nation,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
Archbishop Caccia spoke extensively about the Gospel of St. Matthew from the prior Sunday as part of his nearly 45-minute reflection.
“My words are a simple opportunity for you to make space (for) the word of the Lord, to make space for the voice of the (Holy) Spirit,” Archbishop Caccia said. “And to rejoice for the presence of the Lord, now, but also in your life.”
Savannah Papa, a parishioner and member of the parish choir, said Archbishop Caccia’s visit was significant.
“His attendance at P3 means that the community of young Catholics and our resounding love for Christ reaches far beyond Arlington,” she said.
P3, which stands for Prayer, Penance, and Pub, is the weekly evangelization and social event for young adults St. Charles has hosted for 13 years. According to Father Donald Planty, pastor, the young adults who attend regularly have formed a tight-knit community focused on the faith, the sacraments and fellowship. He estimates that since it began, more than 900 hours of Eucharistic adoration have taken place; priests have heard more than 40,000 confessions; and it has fostered numerous marriages among those who met at P3.
Archbishop Caccia reminded the young adults that they are all called by Jesus Christ to follow him, but that it is OK to be scared, reminding them that even the Blessed Mother was scared, but “she accepted.”
“Jesus tells us tonight I know you, I see you … I care for you. Don’t be afraid to follow me. When I call you, answer. Trust … I am the true God. Follow me and you will find peace (and) you will find joy,” said Archbishop Caccia.
The nuncio told the crowd he has a special connection with St. Charles Borromeo, who was archbishop of Milan, where Archbishop Caccia was born.
“I am so happy to be with all of you, the living church, but also with someone who is not unknown to me,” he said with a smile. “The saints in heaven are with us.”
Father Planty invited Archbishop Caccia after meeting him recently. He said he wanted to share the dynamic and vibrant young adult culture his parish has to offer so Archbishop Caccia could learn more about his new post.
“We were inspired by the nuncio. He was there ahead of his meditation and knelt in prayer, in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour,” Father Planty said. “Later he stayed at pub time and talked to everyone who wanted to say hello. He graciously allowed everyone who wanted to, to take selfies.”
“It was wonderful to see so many young adults, and I think he was inspired by that witness and example,” said Father Planty, who estimated more than 350 young adults were present for the event.
Alexander Hoffarth, a parishioner of St. Charles, has attended P3 for seven years. He said the event was “incredible.”
“The meditation (on) that Gospel was a wonderful example of the importance of spending time with the Lord. And the event itself, what a testament to the endurance of P3! The witness it provided to the nuncio of the vitality of our diocese, to be able to see hundreds of young people in our diocese and know it’s not a one-time thing,” said Hoffarth.
Shaffrey is diocesan director of media relations.
