By Sherry Butt Dunham
Correspondent

The Rev. Donald F. Gauthier conducts a prayer service at St. Lawrence Church for the late Pope John Paul II. (Sherry Butt Dunham Photo)

A somber gathering of Catholics attended a special prayer service at St. Lawrence Church Sunday afternoon to mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II.

The Rev. Donald F. Gauthier scheduled the special service on April 3 so the faithful could pray for the Holy Father's journey into the Kingdom of Heaven.

"Pope John Paul II was a humble example of God's love...Welcome our brother to paradise - God of love, welcome into your home Pope John Paul II," Gauthier said.

Regaling those gathered with personal memories of the pope, Gauthier spoke about meeting the pontiff and shared his experiences with those assembled.

"In a line assembled to meet the pope, I recall being one of the last in line and thinking, I probably won.t get to greet the pope. All of a sudden, the (pontiff's) Swiss Guard turned the line around - I was suddenly among the first in line," he said.

Rev. Gauthier noted that the line reversal inadvertently ruined a scheduled photo opportunity with certain bishops.

"The pope enjoyed the comedy of not having his own bishops organized," Rev. Gauthier said.

Talking about the unique way in which Pope John Paul II prayed, Rev. Gauthier said the pope's assistants warned clergy not to be alarmed if he appeared to groan or make audible sounds while engrossed in silent prayer. They were instructed not to disturb the pontiff if it appeared he was in pain or if he uttered guttural sounds. This, they were told, is normal for Pope John Paul II.

"I have never seen any praying like the pope's in my life," said Rev. Gauthier. "To see him in union with the Lord - it was definitely the highlight of my life."

Rev. Gauthier said that during a private audience with the pope, he showed him an Old Man of the Mountain medallion. The Pope looked at the medallion with fondness and mentioned the beauty of New Hampshire.

He told Rev. Gauthier, "Ah yes, the Old Man in the Mountain - I've been there. I spent the night in Lincoln, but I did not ski."

Some parishioners wept silently as they prayed, and at the pulpit, others shared solemn prayers they had written.

Rev. Gauthier closed the service with a final prayer for Catholics.

"Welcome Pope John Paul into your loving grace. And as we mourn our pope, fill our hearts with promise for the future of our Church," he said.