In the early months of 2013, the Catholic Church had an experience that had not happened for several hundred years. The Holy Father at the time, Pope Benedict XVI who had been Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger announced that he would be resigning his papal office at the end of February 2013 for reasons of health. At the time of his resignation, Pope Benedict was 85 years of age. For a few days, there was much discussion about what would happen. Pope Benedict XVI had been elected Pope in April 2005 after the death of St. John Paul II.
Following many meetings and a great deal of discussion at the Vatican, plans were made for the Conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict. After a few sessions, the Cardinals in Conclave in Rome elected Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the new Pope in March 2013. The new Pope selected the name of Francis and was 76 years of age. Over the past three years and eight months, Pope Francis has been dynamic, magnificent, outstanding and inspirational as the head of the Catholic Church. Many have given him the designation of ‘a rock star.’ Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air as the leader of the Catholic Church and so well accepted by other religions, other denominations and even by people who have no religious affiliation. His charismatic personality and humble simplicity have endeared him to millions and millions of people throughout the world.
Pope Francis has an amazing ability to reach out to people, especially those who are on the fringe of society and who are of little social consequence. This personal quality was so manifest when on April 11, 2015, Pope Francis announced that there would be a Jubilee Year of Mercy for all Catholics beginning on December 8, 2015, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and ending on the Feast of Christ the King, November 20, 2016. In his encyclical letter, “The Face of Mercy,” the Holy Father gave his reasons and many suggestions about the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The first sentences of his letter are: ‘Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him.’ The Holy Father reminds us that we need to constantly contemplate the mystery of the mercy of God; it is the source of joy, serenity and peace for all believers in Christ. Our eternal salvation depends on the mercy of God the Father that is ours in Jesus our Lord, Savior, Shepherd and Teacher. The theme of the Year of Mercy was ‘merciful like the Father.’ This is a shortened version of the verse in the Bible, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Throughout this past year, Pope Francis has preached about the mercy of God, he has shown in simple and in dramatic ways his commitment to living the mercy of the heavenly Father in the rituals of the Church and in reaching out to all groups in the Church, especially those who may feel set aside. Last Holy Thursday, March 24, Pope Francis went to a prison to wash the feet of twelve prisoners. This past Sunday, November 6, the Holy Father had a special Jubilee Mass for prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica. At the Mass were 1,000 prisoners from 12 countries with their families as well as prison chaplains and volunteers. Pope Francis reminded the prisoners that breaking the law involved paying the price, but their hope in God and in his mercy must never falter. There is the real possibility that people can change their lives and become good citizens. Pope Francis showed his compassion for people and gave strong encouragement to all who attended the Mass for prisoners at St. Peter’s Basilica. During the Year of Mercy, the Holy Father has reached out to the world’s most vulnerable people, the poor, the homeless, the elderly, migrants, prisoners, immigrants, the terminally ill and those with special needs. By his words and by his example, the Pope challenges us to continue living in the mercy of God for ourselves and for all who need that divine mercy.
As we come to the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on the Feast of Christ the King, may we know personally the mercy of God and share it gladly and graciously with one another. My love, prayers, best wishes and gratitude to you and to your loved ones, for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”
SHALOM!
Father Gary
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