Volunteering to Help Pope John Paul II — August 12, 1993

When Pope John Paul II came to Colorado for World Youth Day, it became one of the most historic moments in Denver’s history. Hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world gathered to take part in a pilgrimage that would end with the Pope celebrating Mass at Cherry Creek Reservoir.

The event began at Mile High Stadium and continued through downtown Denver, where the long walk officially started. The route was advertised as just under 15 miles — but with detours to avoid traffic, it stretched closer to 20. What was meant to be a spiritual journey quickly turned into a serious physical test of endurance.

Ted had volunteered to guide a group of student pilgrims. Spiritually, they were ready. Physically, few were prepared for the altitude, the distance, and the heat. Water stops were hard to reach along the narrow Cherry Creek bike path, and some students skipped them entirely to keep moving.

By the time they reached the reservoir, exhaustion was everywhere. There were no chairs — only tightly packed groups sitting or lying in the grass. Space was so limited that thousands were assigned to small sections barely large enough to hold their sleeping bags. Plans for overnight rest quickly fell apart. People tried to sleep sitting up, then crosswise, then any way they could fit. Many never found a place at all.

Just as the students finally drifted to sleep around 4 a.m., waves of new arrivals began pouring in. Paths clogged with people moving in opposite directions, yet remarkably, everyone remained patient and kind. Dust blew constantly through the treeless area, making it hard to breathe. It was cold at night, hot during the day, and few had packed the right gear.

Simple tasks became major challenges. Restrooms were miles away, and long lines formed under the blazing sun. When water trucks sprayed the crowd to cool them down, the ground turned to mud. People slipped, fell, and kept going. Helicopters hovered overhead, and police and emergency crews worked tirelessly. By the end, over 12,000 people would receive medical attention.

Ted had officially been assigned ten students. He ended up helping dozens more. He handed out water, treated blisters, calmed fears, and gave encouragement. At one point, the only “first aid” he had to offer was a set of rosary beads — and for many, that meant just as much as bandages.

Through it all, the spirit of the gathering never faded. When Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass — delivered in multiple languages — the exhaustion, dust, and discomfort seemed to melt into something larger: faith, unity, and shared purpose.

Ted led every one of his students safely through the two-day pilgrimage. Later, as he told the story back home, he was still coughing from the dust — but deeply moved by what he had witnessed.

It had been chaotic. It had been uncomfortable.
And it had been unforgettable.

A moment of faith, endurance, and humanity that would stay with him forever.