Prayers for the papal conclave

The papal conclave begins on May 7. What’s a papal conclave? It’s the gathering of cardinals to choose the next pope. Pray More Novenas has begun a very helpful novena, a nine-day prayer, that anyone can pray in the lead up to this world-changing event. See the novena here: Novena for the Papal Conclave

What sorts of things should you pray for? First, we continue to pray for Pope Francis, that he may see the face of God in Heaven. Next, we pray for the global Church and all the faithful. We pray for the cardinals and any and all influences on their decision making, that they be guided by wisdom and the Holy Spirit. And we we pray especially for that person who will be chosen to serve as the successor of Peter.

I hope that when we get to “meet” the new pope, it is hopeful. I see many treating this process as if it were a political election, and that the new candidate needs to be properly “liberal” or “conservative.” But it doesn’t work like that. The Church is outside of politics, and whoever serves will most likely upset people on both “left” and “right” because the Church in its mission to serve the poor and gather God’s people will always do so in a way that is contrary to the ways of this earth. By necessity, really. So when he’s announced, let’s not all jump on how he’s going to be. He may be whatever way the media says he will be, or he won’t. The Holy Spirit isn’t seeking CNN’s approval.

Our job now is to pray. Let’s do so with hope in our hearts and faith in God’s will for His Church.

Jubilee of the Sick, Happy Easter, and Pope Francis Passes

Dear readers, I came here to say two things: one, to link to my latest radio appearance about the Jubilee of the Sick, and second, to wish you a Happy Easter. Instead, I am here to say, as we all already know, Pope Francis passed away early this morning, Easter Monday. Perhaps it is fitting to discuss the value of illness, and God calling the Pope home at Easter.

For that appearance, you can listen here, starting at about minute 17:35. At the very, very end, I don’t know if you can tell, but I got a bit emotional when John asked me for advice for the sick. My advice was: be not afraid, as another Pope, John Paul II, encouraged us. I suppose it is because “sickness,” yes, does mean physical illness, but it is also a state of being mentally and emotionally. And you may even feel emotionally or mentally sick and afraid, and to those people, the same applies: be not afraid. Just hold on. Everything passes.

As for Easter: it is nice the Pope saw his very last Easter, and then passed on, in a jubilee year, in the greatest season. He must have felt ready to let go, and can you blame him? Imagine entering Heaven at Easter. Hopefully earth is just a little bit like Heaven in the Easter season. We can make it so.

I will remember Francis for his urging toward care for the poor. That should always be remembered, because poverty in the world is true, and constant, and sometimes to “accompany” someone in their poverty really is the best and most needed thing we can do. That is his greatest legacy, to put before us always the reality of physical and spiritual poverty, and the church’s mission to be there in solidarity. And, for our own personal mission as Christians to be in solidarity.

May the best of your Easter season be blessed.

A Jubilee for the sick?

I learned this week that the Vatican celebrated (observed?) something called the “Jubilee for the Sick and Healthcare Workers” last weekend. Turns out, as it is a jubilee year, different types of events like this are planned and occurring, and this particular one focused on honoring those who suffer and the caregivers who support them. Here is a summary of Pope Francis’s very rich homily from the event. Appropriate, given his own illness, and he did appear in person - in a wheelchair and with oxygen - though someone else read the homily.

Anyway, I am always fascinated by the way Catholics treat sickness and suffering. That is to say, that it has meaning, and that God can use our illnesses, or any hardship, to transform us for the better. And I will be talking about this jubilee and the whole concept of redemptive suffering on Morning Air tomorrow at 8:20 am eastern. Tune in!