Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I apologize for the late arrival of this edition of the Weekly Word. (Editor’s note: Yesterday’s Weekly Word was sent with Archbishop’s statement following the death of Pope Francis. He desired to send this special reflection today to you, his Weekly Word audience.) To mark the passing of Pope Francis, the Archdiocesan Offices were closed yesterday. While I was sorry to be causing this delay, I was grateful for the opportunity to have time to reflect on the life of Pope Francis and on his extraordinary witness, and to join the Church in praying that our merciful God would give rest to the soul of the one who had assigned me to this Archdiocese, nearly nine years ago.
I was inspired by the number of people who responded to my invitation to gather for a noon Mass at the Cathedral in the midst of their busy workday. Our familiar Catholic rituals, especially during this Octave of Easter have a way of bringing consolation in times of sadness. As the schola chanted the Latin Easter Sequence, a staple for the Octave for the last 1,000 years, I knew I was in the right place. What could be a better salve for a grieving heart than a stirring musical reminder that Christ, the Paschal Victim, has already won the victory between life and death? The majesty and strength of our Cathedral, moreover, offered an unparalleled mid-day refuge for all those seeking to experience stability and community at an otherwise trying time. We are blessed!
It was particularly moving for me to see in the congregation a number of the neophytes who had just been initiated into our Church at the Cathedral at the Easter Vigil, now already experiencing the Church as a family that has lost a father. It’s no accident that the word “pope” has its roots in the Greek word for “father.”
I will always be grateful for the fatherly presence that Pope Francis has offered throughout the twelve years he so generously served as Successor of Peter. On the occasions when I had the opportunity to speak to him about the challenges and blessings that we were experiencing in the Archdiocese, I always felt him to be encouraging and thoughtful, important traits for any father. I will never forget my surprise and delight when I learned that he had prayed for the faithful of our community by name at one of his weekly audiences as we faced the turmoil and soul-searching that followed the death of George Floyd. Pope Francis both knew and loved his sheep. His last testament reveals that he, fatherly to the end, offered to the Lord the suffering that marked the final part of his life “for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
I hope that you will join me in praying for him in the days to come. The traditional protocol calls for nine days of mourning upon the death of a Roman Pontiff. While that period won’t begin in Rome until Pope Francis’ funeral, we’ve already begun our nine days locally with yesterday’s Mass. I know that many of our parishes will be offering special opportunities for prayer and reminiscence. You would always be welcome at our Cathedral as well. Prayers for the Holy Father will be offered at the evening Mass at the Cathedral through next Tuesday. Mondays through Saturdays, the Blessed Sacrament is always exposed before the evening Mass, offering an excellent opportunity for a holy hour of quiet prayer and praise. Given Pope Francis’ devotion to Our Lady, the rosary will also be prayed for him after those Masses. Through her intercession, may he now rest in peace.
I will always be grateful for the fatherly presence that Pope Francis has offered throughout the twelve years he so generously served as Successor of Peter. On the occasions when I had the opportunity to speak to him about the challenges and blessings that we were experiencing in the Archdiocese, I always felt him to be encouraging and thoughtful, important traits for any father. I will never forget my surprise and delight when I learned that he had prayed for the faithful of our community by name at one of his weekly audiences as we faced the turmoil and soul-searching that followed the death of George Floyd. Pope Francis both knew and loved his sheep. His last testament reveals that he, fatherly to the end, offered to the Lord the suffering that marked the final part of his life “for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
I hope that you will join me in praying for him in the days to come. The traditional protocol calls for nine days of mourning upon the death of a Roman Pontiff. While that period won’t begin in Rome until Pope Francis’ funeral, we’ve already begun our nine days locally with yesterday’s Mass. I know that many of our parishes will be offering special opportunities for prayer and reminiscence. You would always be welcome at our Cathedral as well. Prayers for the Holy Father will be offered at the evening Mass at the Cathedral through next Tuesday. Mondays through Saturdays, the Blessed Sacrament is always exposed before the evening Mass, offering an excellent opportunity for a holy hour of quiet prayer and praise. Given Pope Francis’ devotion to Our Lady, the rosary will also be prayed for him after those Masses. Through her intercession, may he now rest in peace.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
777 Forest Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | 651-291-4400 | hello@archspm.org
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April 22, 2025