St. Monica Parish

St. Monica Parish
Why I Pray! Jesus is present in the Tabernacle. He promised to never leave us and his promise is true.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Papa Francis - His First Homily

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-1st-homily

Pope Francis' first Mass and homily as Pope was held today in the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy!

Pope Francis Again

Papa Francis even pays his own bill and picks up his own suitcase when he checks out of his hotel in Rome. He is a holy, humble man.

And he visited the sick, but instead of kissing their hands he kissed their feet. And these were Aids patients. He has such great love for the poor.

And when he washed the peoples' feet, it was not during Holy Thursday but during a visit to a Mothers' home. He made them feel so special!

Pope Francis

I love him already! I have read about his humility and his love of the poor and there are so many poor today! There are those who suffer from economical poverty, but there are many more who suffer from the poverty of the spirit. We must pray for him daily for the closer we come to the presence of God, the more the evil one fights to send us reeling into the darkness!

His humility is evident in the many stories we have already heard. How as Archbishop of Buenos Aires he lived in a small apartment instead of the regal Bishop's palace. How he took the bus or drove himself rather than be driven in a luxury car. How he cooks his own meals. Then the pictures of him visiting the sick and kissing their hands and on his knees washing the feet on Holy Thursday. And then, according to Cardinal Dolan, he left the conclave traveling on the bus with the rest of the Cardinals rather than take the limo that awaited him. His first talk to the people in St. Peter's Square first included prayers for Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI and then a plea for prayers for himself. He is a man of prayer and deep faith!

But we must always remember that it is not he but who he represents that we worship. For when we put people on pedestals, they can easily fall. Pope Francis I will lead us in a holy and faithful way for as long as he continues to immerse himself in prayer and humility.

He spends today with Our Most Holy Mother Mary. What better place to be than by her side being led by her to the presence of her son! Mary teaches all of us to say "Yes" to the Father, our Creator! And I love that he has turned to her on his first official day!

God bless you, Pope Francis I! May you continue to remain God's humble and faithful servant!