By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Ancilla College President Dr. Ronald May had no idea what to expect when Pope Benedict XVI came to address a gathering of Catholic Education leaders as part of his visit to the United States.
“Some of my presidential colleagues were anxious about this visit. There seemed to be a concern that the Pope would bring a stern message to us about our leadership roles in the colleges we led,” said May. “For some, those concerns were heightened when the initial invitation indicated that catholic college presidents would not be permitted to send anyone other than themselves to the meeting with the Pope. It was clear that Pope Benedict XVI had a message he wanted to share directly with us.”

Stern or not, it was a message that May decided he was eager to hear.
“My view was that if the Pope had thoughts he wanted to share with me and my colleagues we should not prejudge the situation. Instead, we should hear what the Pope wanted to share with us and be guided by it,” he said. “I viewed the visit as a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I made immediate arrangements to attend.”
More stern than the Pope’s message was the security surrounding the event. Those attending had to clear security no later than 3 p.m., Pope Benedict’s presentation to the group was at 5 p.m. and lasted around 30 minutes. No one was allowed to leave the auditorium until the all clear was given that the Pope had safely moved on.
“Nonetheless, attending this event was a great personal honor,” said May. “It was a spiritually moving experience to be in the presence of the Pope.  I previously have attended addresses by Presidents Reagan and Clinton.  However, Pope Benedict XVI brought a moral presence to the occasion that political leaders cannot offer.”
Though the remarks were short, the impact they will have on those who attended the gathering will be long lasting.
“I have read and reread Pope Benedict’s remarks several times,” said May. “It became clear to me that in the weeks and months ahead my understanding of his remarks and the impact the remarks will have on my life will evolve over time.”
May did have some immediate thoughts on the words of the Pontiff.
“Pope Benedict’s message was affirming, encouraging and challenging,” he said. “It was affirming because His comments were, in my view, strongly supportive of the mission we work diligently to carry out at Ancilla College today.  Ancilla reaches out to assure accessibility to higher education to those often left behind.
“His message was encouraging because He made clear that He understood the commitment we, as educators, have made to serve our students in their spiritual journeys.  He stressed the importance of such commitment and its importance to the vigor of the church, our communities, our nation and the world.  
“Finally, Pope Benedict challenged us to redouble our efforts to instruct our students in the way of Jesus Christ and the church.  We must do this so that we can continue to transform individual lives and through them transform the world in which we live.”
In the end May is certain of one thing the moment brought, at least to his insight.  
“We had been led to expect a stern warning.  Instead we were provided pastoral guidance.  The theme of the papal visit to the United States was Christ Our Hope,” said May. “As I returned to Ancilla last Friday morning I came to understand that I have been given a new opportunity to serve a public witness to the way of Christ.”