Photo with a saint

I go back today to 1966 when in July, August, and September I spent two months serving as an altar boy at the Vatican with 20 other altar boys from all around Malta. We stayed in the Pre-Seminary dedicated to Pope St Pius X, just above the sacristy of the Vatican, and served Mass every morning in the various side altars spread all around the basilica, sometimes as many as 5 Masses, helping priests from around the world. In the afternoon, we were usually taken on various excursions and outings, or walks around Rome. Then in mid-August, we had an audience with Pope Paul VI in Castelgandolfo, and after a group photo, we were each asked to kiss his ring, and the photographer took a few photos of altar-boys. And lo and behold I was lucky enough to have a memorable photo with the future saint. I treasured this photo all my life, and tomorrow, October 14, it will have an even more special meaning to me as he is being canonized by Pope Francis. Along with him, the murdered Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero will also be canonized. More on them tomorrow. In the photo, you can also see the then-Archbishop of Malta, Michael Gonzi, and our director Canon Joseph Delia, besides the Pope's body-guard.