Pope Francis at All Souls’
Mass: Today is a day of hope
 |
| Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass at the Laurentino Cemetery on the Feast of All Souls.(Vatican Media) |
On the feast of All Souls – the liturgical Commemoration of
All the Faithful Departed, Pope Francis offers the Holy Sacrifice for the poor
souls in Purgatory.
By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the Faithful Departed in
Rome’s Laurentino Cemetery on Friday, observed in the Roman Rite as All Souls’
Day. It is one of the city’s newer cemeteries, having been dedicated in 2002 by
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, at the time Cardinal Vicar for the Diocese of Rome.
“Today is a day of memory that takes us back to our roots,”
the Pope said in his homily. “It is also a day of hope. It reminds us of what
we can expect: the hope of encountering the love of the Father.”
The Pope’s reflections focused on three themes: memory,
hope, and lights that help us along the road of life. “There is a path we need
to follow, and we cannot take the wrong path,” he said. “The Beatitudes, which
Jesus taught us, show us the right road to take. To be pure in heart, poor in
Spirit – these are the lights that help us not to take the wrong road.”
Pope Francis concluded his homily with the prayer that “we
may never lose our memories as a family, a people.” “May we never lose hope,”
he said, “always contemplating the horizon, always looking ahead. May God grant
us the grace to recognize the lights that accompany us to where He awaits us
with so much love.”
Before the Liturgy, the Holy Father paused for a moment of
silent prayer in a part of the cemetery set aside for young children who have
died.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, Pope Francis, on his
return to the Vatican, visited the Vatican Grottoes beneath St Peter’s
Basilica, where he prayed for his predecessors in the Petrine ministry.
Approximately one hundred Popes are believed to be buried under the Basilica.
On Saturday, Pope Francis will offer a Requiem Mass at St
Peter’s for the repose of the souls of Cardinals and Bishops who have died in
the course of the past year.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét