What an
exciting time!!!!
Yesterday
when I was with my students watching the chimney and trying to get them excited
to pay attention to it…all of the sudden there is smoke! Since it was night, at first it took us
awhile to decide it really was white smoke.
All of the sudden, a sense of overwhelming peace and excitement and love
for a person that I didn’t even know the name of began to well up inside
me. I became nervous for this person and
wondered how they were going to greet the world. But, since I was also responsible for 30
students, I tried not to let my emotions get me.
When
finally it was going to be announced I had to watch it on my phone…and I
remember watching now Pope Francis come out and greet us…a simple wave and
hello. Leading us in amazing Catholic
prayers, asking us to bless and pray for him, and then finally giving us a
blessing. What a beautiful and fatherly
way to not only say hello for the first time…but to also say goodnight.
Then
began the race to get information about this man so that we can learn about our
Holy Father. A humble and simple man,
yet very strong and willing to defend the Church, the dignity of humans, and
Christ. What an amazing predecessor to
the philosophy of Blessed John Paul and the theology of Pope Emeritus…we now
will get to learn how to be the Church as servant leaders…learning that
humility and strength must go together.
Yesterday’s Gospel was Jesus saying that he does not do his will but the
will of the Father, and because he listens to the judgments of the Father, his
judgments are just. It seems very
fitting, from what I have read about Pope Francis, that he will try to be an example
of this message.
From
about 3 until 9, I watched news coverage after news coverage. And, the most striking thing to me…it was a
secular station, with non-Catholics as news reporters…and they seemed to have a
certain excitement and respect for this man and his Pontificate.
There
were a few things that reminded me of the simplicity of “man” and our true
desire for the greater. The biggest thing: The chimney.
Although the Conclave was only about 24 hours long, those 24 hours
seemed to belong to the whole world. It
didn’t seem to matter what channel you were on…they kept an eye on that
chimney. It wasn’t spectacular. It wasn’t exciting. It didn’t do some entertaining number. It was there.
And it represents a tradition of patience, trust, anticipation, hope,
and faith. And, after it was all done,
the reporters I was watching commented on this very fact. That our world is usually so entrenched with
information after information…that although they aren’t Catholic, they found
such peace and excitement watching the chimney all day.
I was
also very impressed that I was able to watch coverage on it, and although they
did have people who said the Church needed to get rid of some of her Doctrines,
most of the interviews were of young people who upheld the teachings and didn’t
think they would be diminished.
And
lastly, I love how much the news stations, at least the ones I watched, enjoy
and gravitate to our US Cardinals. It
wasn’t in a negative light…they played and replayed interviews with a few of
them, and introduced the pieces with smiles and what seemed like love for the
Cardinals.
I am so
excited that he took the name Francis.
If what I heard is correct, and it is after Francis of Assisi…he is one
of my favorite Saints and one of the first Saints that truly showed me that
love for the Church and God was a powerful tool. I have gravitated to his lifestyle and have
looked to him as an example whenever I feel lost. When I saw the name ‘Pope Francis’ on tv I
began to cry…some of it I think was because it seems so fitting of a choice for
who should help us at this time in our Church.
It is outstanding that about a month ago we were taken by surprise with
the humility and love for the Church from Benedict XVI…and now we have this man
who seems to be of great humility. It is
like the Holy Spirit is trying to scream something at us :)…humility and service must be at the forefront of our
ministry!
I want
to end with the words of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis at his first
blessing (I love that he began with a joke).
I encourage you; even if you aren’t Catholic…take some time to get to
know this man. I have a feeling that if
he does the will of the Father, we are going to surprised many times during his
Pontificate.
(I got it from http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/13/text-of-speech-from-pope-francis-i/)
Brothers and sisters good
evening.
You all know that the duty of
the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have come almost to the ends of
the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has
come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would say a
prayer for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him,
that the Lord bless him and Our Lady protect him.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory to the Father…
And now let us begin this
journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which
presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of
mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world
that there might be a great sense of brotherhood.
My hope is that this journey of
the Church that we begin today, together with help of my Cardinal Vicar, be
fruitful for the Evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give
the blessing, but first I want to ask you a favor. Before the bishop blesses
the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of
the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in
silence.
I will now give my blessing to
you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.
Brothers and sisters, I am
leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you
again soon.
We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow I want to go to pray
the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.
Good night and sleep well.
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