Stephen F Austin State University - Stone Fort Yearbook (Nacogdoches, TX)

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Pope )ohn Paul II made his second U.S. tour in September. One of his stops was San Antonio, where he delivered an afternoon Mass. Jeff Manley Pope John Paul II visits Texas by Frances Hinson Sunny San Antonio skies brought out nearly one million peo- ple to see Pope John Paul II on Sunday, September 13. A total of 300,000 people attended the religious gathering, which was the largest religious gathering in the history of Texas. Pope )ohn Paul II launched his tour of the United States in The City of Sunrise, Miami, Florida on September 1 1 . He was greet- ed at Miami International Airport by President and Mrs. Reagan. The pope told the large gathering at the airport that he was a friend of America and all Americans. The pope traveled to Columbia, South Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana, before his stop in San Antonio. Many preparations were made for the pope ' s visit to San Antonio, including tightening security and building an altar. Just three days before the pope was to deliver Mass, the 150-foot towers that served as a backdrop to the papal altar collapsed because of heavy winds. The altar itself was not damaged when the towers fell, nor was anyone injured. An estimated $100,000 in damages was reported. The pope arrived at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. He was cheered by an estimated 675,000 people as he rode through the streets of San Antonio to his various appointments. One such appointment was to see San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros ' son, John Paul Anthony, who was born June 10 with severe heart and stomach abnormalities and no spleen. The pope arrived on schedule for the Mass, which was held at Westover Hills. By that time, temperatures had reached the high 90 ' s. Texas was the only city on the tour where the pope would deliver Mass. A return to reconciliation and a call to the ministry among Hispanics were the twin messages delivered by the pope. Everyone who wanted to take communion at the Mass was able to. The San Antonio Archdiocese bought 300,000 commu- nion wafers to accommodate the crowd. To distribute commu- nion, 1,500 Eucharistic ministers where chosen, ranging in age from the late teens to the 60s. There was no sacramental wine given during the Mass. After the Mass, the pope drew laughter and applause when he exlaimed, Muchas gracias! Mucho calor! (Many thanks! It sure is hot!) Some SFA students traveled to San Antonio to see the pope. Seeing the pope in San Antonio was a wonderful experience for me, Jeff Manley, Houston junior said. To be able to cele- brate the Eucharist with the pope and over 300,000 others was a tremendous joy. The pope continued his U.S. tour with stops at Phoenix, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco and Detroit.

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The SFA Lumberjacks practice in the stadium before their game against Eastern Washington. Parents witnessed the lacks fall 3-0.

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Riding in the popemobile, Pope John Paul II travels through San Antonio on his way to deliver Mass A total of 300,000 people went to see Pope lohn Paul II deliver Mass in San Antonio This was the largest religious gathering in the history of Texas.