W hen Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI announced his resignation three weeks ago he requested:”...let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.” It’s not just the Cardinals who must seriously pray before they consider and cast their ballots for a new pope, it’s us as well. Pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay people are all together members of the one Catholic Church. Although called to different states and tasks in life, we have a Christian vocation. God wants us to do his work on earth. As the Body of Christ we are his mouth, arms and legs. This involves much prayer.
There are always evil spirits who want to interfere with good things, certainly with major events that concern the life of the Church and anything that affects our souls. In prayer we ask that God’s will, not the devil’s mischief, be done. Our prayers will support the Cardinals as they meet in the conclave. Then, hopefully the work of the Holy Spirit will be accomplished quickly and without interruption with the words “Habemus papam.”
The papacy was established by Jesus Christ Himself. It is a gift because it guarantees unity and truth. A pope is called the Vicar of Christ. He is the visible head of the Church on earth. As such, he upholds the teachings of Christ. He cannot arbitrarily make new doctrine. Each pope protects and preserves eternal truths concerning our lives here leading to eternal life.
Another name for a pope is Shepherd of Shepherds. While being the Bishop of Rome, he teaches, governs and sanctifies the whole Church throughout the world. His spiritual leadership extends to everyone. His work and prayer is ordered to bringing the Gospel to all no matter who they are.
So, we pray that we have a new Holy Father soon. We also ask that God always shows him the way to do all that He wants and to give him the strength to do this. The Church is one; we are one in getting a pope chosen by God.
There are always evil spirits who want to interfere with good things, certainly with major events that concern the life of the Church and anything that affects our souls. In prayer we ask that God’s will, not the devil’s mischief, be done. Our prayers will support the Cardinals as they meet in the conclave. Then, hopefully the work of the Holy Spirit will be accomplished quickly and without interruption with the words “Habemus papam.”
The papacy was established by Jesus Christ Himself. It is a gift because it guarantees unity and truth. A pope is called the Vicar of Christ. He is the visible head of the Church on earth. As such, he upholds the teachings of Christ. He cannot arbitrarily make new doctrine. Each pope protects and preserves eternal truths concerning our lives here leading to eternal life.
Another name for a pope is Shepherd of Shepherds. While being the Bishop of Rome, he teaches, governs and sanctifies the whole Church throughout the world. His spiritual leadership extends to everyone. His work and prayer is ordered to bringing the Gospel to all no matter who they are.
So, we pray that we have a new Holy Father soon. We also ask that God always shows him the way to do all that He wants and to give him the strength to do this. The Church is one; we are one in getting a pope chosen by God.
Father Stanley
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