What does Pope Leo think or feel about _______? That blank could be and/or is being filled out in so many different ways, as some people want to know sooner than later where Pope Leo XIV stands on a variety of issues in the Church and in the secular world.
I must say I feel for Pope Leo as he begins his new life as the Bishop of Rome and the new Pontiff of the Catholic Church because he is not given by the media and others a "grace period" to adjust to his new role and discern what the Holy Spirit is asking him to be and do for the people of God and the world.
He didn't have much time after being elected pope to decide what to say and in what language to say it when he first addressed the world within an hour after agreeing to be the pope of the Catholic Church. The fact that his opening address was spoken in Italian and Spanish (and nothing in English) led some to conclude that he did so to show that although his native language is English as one raised in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, he will be the pope of all people of diverse languages throughout the world.
I hope that in addition to whatever time people spend finding out more about Pope Leo from his life as Robert Francis Prevost, then Fr. Prevost, Bishop Prevost, and of late Cardinal Prevost, that they (and you and me) will spend time in prayer for him. At the same time, we are called to put our trust in God, the Holy Spirit that he will inspire, instruct, and lead the new pope in what he says and does to protect and preserve the longstanding Tradition and traditions of the Church that have been handed down for all these centuries by past popes, bishops, priests and religious.
At this point, I think it is fair and true to say that he has had similar pastoral experiences as did Pope Francis in being a missionary in Peru for many years as a priest and most recently as a bishop. One has to think he will stress the missionary call of all Christians to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of faith and people who are still open and hungering for faith, especially in coming to know and serve Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world.
One thing we can say at the start of his pontificate is that he will not please everyone, and that he will receive plenty of criticism and even opposition from both inside and outside of the Church as he serves as the Vicar of Christ on earth. Given his age (69 years) he potentially could be our pope for many years to come. May he continue the good work he has already done for many years as an Augustinian priest, and provide what the Church and world needs at this time in history, especially in the ways of hope, mercy and peace that come from our loving Lord!
I must say I feel for Pope Leo as he begins his new life as the Bishop of Rome and the new Pontiff of the Catholic Church because he is not given by the media and others a "grace period" to adjust to his new role and discern what the Holy Spirit is asking him to be and do for the people of God and the world.
He didn't have much time after being elected pope to decide what to say and in what language to say it when he first addressed the world within an hour after agreeing to be the pope of the Catholic Church. The fact that his opening address was spoken in Italian and Spanish (and nothing in English) led some to conclude that he did so to show that although his native language is English as one raised in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, he will be the pope of all people of diverse languages throughout the world.
I hope that in addition to whatever time people spend finding out more about Pope Leo from his life as Robert Francis Prevost, then Fr. Prevost, Bishop Prevost, and of late Cardinal Prevost, that they (and you and me) will spend time in prayer for him. At the same time, we are called to put our trust in God, the Holy Spirit that he will inspire, instruct, and lead the new pope in what he says and does to protect and preserve the longstanding Tradition and traditions of the Church that have been handed down for all these centuries by past popes, bishops, priests and religious.
At this point, I think it is fair and true to say that he has had similar pastoral experiences as did Pope Francis in being a missionary in Peru for many years as a priest and most recently as a bishop. One has to think he will stress the missionary call of all Christians to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of faith and people who are still open and hungering for faith, especially in coming to know and serve Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world.
One thing we can say at the start of his pontificate is that he will not please everyone, and that he will receive plenty of criticism and even opposition from both inside and outside of the Church as he serves as the Vicar of Christ on earth. Given his age (69 years) he potentially could be our pope for many years to come. May he continue the good work he has already done for many years as an Augustinian priest, and provide what the Church and world needs at this time in history, especially in the ways of hope, mercy and peace that come from our loving Lord!
One of my clear memories from my time at St. John's Elementary School in Hot Springs is the May Crowning procession on the first Friday in May. Each class of students would gather outside on the side of the church and process into the church singing a medley of Marian Hymns that still ring out in my mind, especially in the month of May. In that parish, a girl from the second grade First Communion class crowned a statue of Mary.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.
As the Cardinals prepare to go into "Conclave" this coming week, many are still reflecting on the life and especially the papacy of Pope Francis. I want to add my reflections to these in this pastor's column.
As much could be said and has been said about this unique pope from South America, I will focus briefly on three characteristics that will long be remembered by Catholics and Non-Catholics alike.
The first was his humility. From the beginning of his papacy when he asked the "Faithful" and all people to pray for him, to his rejecting some long standing traditions that seemed to treat the pope as royalty, to his washing the feet of prison inmates every Holy Thursday, Pope Francis was grounded in Jesus Christ who was the greatest example of humility in that he came down from heaven to share in our humanity and accepted the humiliation of his passion and death.
The second was his simplicity in the way he dressed (simple shoes) to the place where he lived (in an apartment outside the Vatican), to his choice to be buried in a simple wooden coffin. Pope Francis most definitely kept his eyes on the things of heaven and not the things of earth. He was an example to all of us who face temptation toward the things of this world and the prestige that some put with such ownership. I just read this morning (Wednesday) that he willed all his personal finances to the needs of prisoners at a prison in Rome.
Finally, Pope Francis taught by word and example that we are all called to live lives of love AND mercy. It was so appropriate that he died during the Novena to Divine Mercy that was observed and carried out from Good Friday to the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. During his pontificate we celebrated a Jubilee of Mercy year and Francis promoted the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Matthew Kelly defines mercy as love reaching out to those in misery and Pope Francis showed by reaching out to prisoners, the poor, the migrant and others that God's mercy (and ours) should reach out to all, especially those who some think don't deserve it.
Finally, I want to say how much I admired (and in some small way try to imitate) Pope Francis in his attention to people in a personal way. He loved to be with people and encounter people as often as he could, including going out to some of the people at St. Peter's square on the day before he died. Jesus, throughout his ministry spoke to people that others thought he should ignore and stay away from, and Pope Francis showed by his demeanor and actions that God loves every person and everyone gets his attention in a most sincere way. Humility, simplicity, and mercy are qualities and virtues that we should all strive to live out every day of our lives. Sadly, we will miss seeing it daily in one, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ who now lives forever in the love, mercy and peace of God!
As much could be said and has been said about this unique pope from South America, I will focus briefly on three characteristics that will long be remembered by Catholics and Non-Catholics alike.
The first was his humility. From the beginning of his papacy when he asked the "Faithful" and all people to pray for him, to his rejecting some long standing traditions that seemed to treat the pope as royalty, to his washing the feet of prison inmates every Holy Thursday, Pope Francis was grounded in Jesus Christ who was the greatest example of humility in that he came down from heaven to share in our humanity and accepted the humiliation of his passion and death.
The second was his simplicity in the way he dressed (simple shoes) to the place where he lived (in an apartment outside the Vatican), to his choice to be buried in a simple wooden coffin. Pope Francis most definitely kept his eyes on the things of heaven and not the things of earth. He was an example to all of us who face temptation toward the things of this world and the prestige that some put with such ownership. I just read this morning (Wednesday) that he willed all his personal finances to the needs of prisoners at a prison in Rome.
Finally, Pope Francis taught by word and example that we are all called to live lives of love AND mercy. It was so appropriate that he died during the Novena to Divine Mercy that was observed and carried out from Good Friday to the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. During his pontificate we celebrated a Jubilee of Mercy year and Francis promoted the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Matthew Kelly defines mercy as love reaching out to those in misery and Pope Francis showed by reaching out to prisoners, the poor, the migrant and others that God's mercy (and ours) should reach out to all, especially those who some think don't deserve it.
Finally, I want to say how much I admired (and in some small way try to imitate) Pope Francis in his attention to people in a personal way. He loved to be with people and encounter people as often as he could, including going out to some of the people at St. Peter's square on the day before he died. Jesus, throughout his ministry spoke to people that others thought he should ignore and stay away from, and Pope Francis showed by his demeanor and actions that God loves every person and everyone gets his attention in a most sincere way. Humility, simplicity, and mercy are qualities and virtues that we should all strive to live out every day of our lives. Sadly, we will miss seeing it daily in one, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ who now lives forever in the love, mercy and peace of God!