A St. Bonaventure graduate has been selected to be one of the gift bearers at Wednesday's Mass with Pope Francis in Washington. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley says the woman selected is a leader of young Catholic organization in the D.C. area.
"I was in shock. I was like is this really happening," said Jasmine Jaysingh, 2006 St. Bona graduate.
WBFO News reached Jaysingh on her cell phone as she was traveling through busy Washington traffic. She now works as an auditor for a small firm in Virginia.
Jaysingh said she was humbled to learn she will be one of 11-gift bearers participating in the Pope's Mass late Wednesday afternoon.
"I'm hoping the Holy Spirit will be able to calm me down, and be there to help me and the other gift bearers to walk up the stairs to Pope Francis to receive a blessing" said Jaysingh.
Jaysingh is originally from India, a country where less than two-percent are Catholic. Her family moved to suburban D.C. so she could attend a Catholic high school. It was a difficult time as her mother died from cancer.
"I was born and brought up Catholic. I was a 'Cafeteria Catholic'. My mom was of strong Catholic faith in her life," said Jaysingh.
Jaysingh later ended up at Bona because she played tennis and a coach from rival school suggested Jaysingh to the Bonnies coach.
Her faith is now is strong and she chairs the group 270-Catholics. It's a group that works to get young adults to get closer to Christ. "What are Catholics of your generations saying? What do they want from the Catholic Church and the Vatican?," asked Buckley.
"You know with Pope Francis, he is so amazing," responded Jaysingh. "He's a people person and he is very open to everyone and he actually comes down to our level, but also helps us to rise up to our faith in God."
Jaysingh said she is attracted to Pope Francis's down to earth style.
"I hope that he's able to provide a great message of God's love and telling people to have more faith in putting their trust in God," stated Jaysingh.
