Father Andrew Greeley was born in Oak Park and died the year before I came to Chicago. A world-famous priest of this archdiocese, the sociologist and novelist was fascinated by what he called “the Catholic imagination.” By this he meant that Catholics, believing that God is present in the whole of creation, live in an enchanted world of statues and holy water, stained glass and votive candles, rites, hierarchy, religious medals, rosary beads and holy cards.

These Catholic things are merely hints of a deeper and more pervasive religious sensibility that inclines Catholics to see the holy lurking in creation. Father Greeley believed that this Catholic imagination was at the heart of the church’s involvement in becoming a leading patron of the arts through the centuries, allowing artistic imagery to communicate spiritual concepts that doctrinal texts alone failed to do.

I saw the Catholic imagination alive and well in a group of children at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, where I visited after returning from the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. With the assistance of some very talented and generous teachers (do take a moment to look at the photos on page 7 and online at chicagocatholic.com), they enthusiastically organized and participated in what they called a “mock conclave.”

Fitted in authentic-looking cardinalatial robes and birettas, they sat at tables that looked quite similar to the ones we used in the Sistine Chapel. “Swiss Guards,” donned in remarkably genuine attire, were posted to provide security.

The student-cardinals processed in single file, joining the chant of the Litany of Saints. They took the oath of secrecy, sang the “Veni Creator” and witnessed the dismissal of all others with the proclamation “extra omnes.” Then they got down to business, first listening to a meditation and then voting on the first ballot.

It was clear that they were enchanted by the process of electing a new “Successor of Peter,” but they also carried on their work with a sensibility that God was working through this process. They shared with each other their hopes and aspirations for the church and the qualities needed in the person who could move the church in that direction.

They voted much like we did in the Sistine Chapel, placing their votes on the paten and depositing them in a chalice, doing so with great reverence and in silence. The counting followed according to published procedures. No one was elected on the first two ballots, yet on each occasion they took their time to discern who would be the best.

The necessary two-thirds majority was reached, in very short order, I might add (not unlike the real conclave). Soon after, white smoke wafted through the prepared piping and out into the courtyard, where the rest of the schoolchildren had gathered. The announcement came: “We have a pope!” All cheered and greeted the new “pontiff” with chants of “long live the pope.”

The newly elected “pope” even chose a new name for himself: Augustine. Yes, this mock-conclave managed to elect a student who took the name Augustine just days before we cardinals in the Sistine Chapel elected as pope a member of the Order of St. Augustine from Chicago. This multiplied their joy.

I am convinced that just as my experience of the conclave that elected Pope Leo will leave its mark on me for the rest of my life, so too will these young people always remember that they were part of something much bigger than themselves and that they had an experience of the presence of God that will remain with them. They had a taste of the Catholic imagination.

We all have to be impressed by how students and staff took the time and made the effort to be so very accurate in their preparation, their dress, their studied adherence to the published procedures, their process of discernment. All of this opened them to experience the joy of being part of something historic, and of being a member of Christ’s family. They will always remember this moment and hopefully it will create in them a life-long pursuit of the Catholic imagination.

Before leaving, I told them that everything they did was just perfect, except for one thing. We in the Vatican did not get snack breaks with fish crackers! I might suggest to the new pope that such a reform in the conclave process should be considered.