ON Saturday, April 19, Pope Benedict XVI will bless 50 children with various disabilities at St. Joseph's Seminary Chapel in Yonkers, and 17-year-old Kieran O'Donnell has been chosen as one of the lucky kids to receive the holy blessing. The Irish Voice asked Kieran, who has Down Syndrome, was he excited about meeting the Pope and he answered "Yes." Kieran's stepmother Maureen said he has been telling everyone he meets lately that he is meeting Pope Benedict. "He is very excited and never stops talking about it," said Maureen, whose parents hail from Cork. Kieran, who lives in Woodlawn in the Bronx, will look handsome in a new blue blazer, new khakis and a dress shirt when he greets the pope. "I will look like a gentleman," he said. Because ticket numbers are limited, Kieran's father Kevin, a New York firefighter, will have the pleasure of accompanying his son to the blessing, which will be followed by a rally/prayer service in the seminary grounds. Kieran's siblings Christopher, 15, Timothy, 9, Bridget, 6, and Catherine, 5, are all proud that their brother will get an opportunity to shake the hand of a pope. "The whole lot of us are delighted," said Maureen.She explained that they were shocked but elated when they got a call form the New York Archdiocese asking if Kieran would like to receive a blessing from the Pope. "They remembered Kieran from his Confirmation in St. Patrick's Cathedral three years ago," Maureen said. Jumping at the once in a lifetime opportunity, Maureen said the whole family was delighted that such an honor would be bestowed upon their family, but she admits the happiest of them all was Kieran. "He is just so excited, he really is," she said. "It is just such a blessing to be asked."Each child was selected by the Archdiocese from various parishes, schools and Catholic Charity agencies that provide services for people with disabilities. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York said he was delighted that Pope Benedict is providing an opportunity to meet with young people with disabilities on his trip to the U.S. "This powerfully affirms our belief in the dignity of each person as made in God's image - even when that life might be severely vulnerable and challenged. This provides both hope and encouragement for the work of Catholic Charities and others in supporting those in need with dignity and compassion," said Sullivan. Kieran attends Mass every Sunday at St. Barnabas with his Co. Derry-born mother Marie Burder. "Everyone knows Kieran at St. Barnabas," said Maureen. And no doubt Kieran will be telling everyone at Mass this coming weekend about the blessing he will have received the day before.