The Catholic Life and Me

Tag: Pope Francis

  • The choosing of the New Pope

    Media coverage on the Conclave, speculation on the new Pope it can seem like information overload. Learn more on the process and your part to play.

    Right Choice

    So, my brother asked me the other day if I had a preferred choice for the Pope. My response to his question went something like this, ‘my preferred choice is the right choice’.

    Yes, I know it sounds corny, but honestly that’s how I feel. I’m not concerned with the race or nationality of the new Pope. I pray for a shepherd to gather the wandering flock.

    Pastor Pastorum

    In these unpredictable times, with never ending change and a bedazzled humanity; it is important the Church has a leader that can bring unification, stability, and provide sound doctrine to its flock and the world at large. Furthermore, a leader that gives ‘hope’ amidst the chaos of wars, financial stresses and trying to live a good Christian life and raise a family against the backdrop of an ever augmented secular world.

    There is much excitement in the air concerning who the next Pope could possibly be. Whilst this suspense is fascinating, I think we need not to loose sight of the importance of this monumental event.

    Touching the heart of many

    The Papal conclave ( which is a gathering of the College of Cardinals to appoint the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope) convened today to start the process of electing a new Pope. This is huge to Catholics throughout the world. With nearly 1.4 billion Catholics globally making up roughly 17% of the worlds population this is no small feat. I have to say, this event is not just huge for Catholics, because as we experienced with Pope Francis, the apostolic successor of St Peter touches the hearts of many throughout the entire world.

    Michelangelo’s creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel

    Since the passing of Pope Francis, Catholic masses said throughout the world have not just been praying for the soul of the Pope but also for his successor.

    I also have been reciting this prayer during my private prayer time. As Catholics we believe God chooses the Pope. At this time, I pray for the Lords blessing upon each of the 133 Cardinals involved in Papal selection.

    Prayer for the Successor of Pope Francis

    O God, who chose your servant, in succession to the Apostle Peter as shepherd of the whole flock, look favourably on the supplications of your people and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth, he may confirm his brethren and that the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love and peace, so that in you, the shepherd of souls, all may know the truth and attain life eternal.

    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

    Amen.

  • Pope Francis.. A great Man, a wonderful Shepherd

    Today, many across the globe will be mourning not just a great shepherd of the Catholic Church, but also a wonderful human being, with a kind and gentle spirit. ‘The world has lost a great Man’. I hear this phrase used a lot when actors and other famous people die. This perhaps, is the first time I have used this phrase, its not a phrase I use lightly but one that our blessed Pope Francis truly deserves.

    Pope Francis blessing Children

    Pilgrims of Hope

    I don’t often mourn someone that I haven’t had a personal encounter with. Strangely enough, I feel as though I had a personal encounter with Pope Francis even though I only ever watched him through the TV screen, or heard him on the radio. He was a man that resonated so much love and peace. An advocate of the marginalised, migrants and the vulnerable. His theme for this Jubilee Year is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. As Catholics and pilgrims on our faith journey we need to bring hope to those Pope Francis spoke so fondly of, our brothers and sisters in Christ, the marginalised, migrants, the vulnerable and all those that feel shut off from this world.

    The Little Way

    St. Therese Lisieux is known as the ‘Little Way’ because of her simple approach to life and in particular her spiritual life – (I’ll be doing a blog on St.Lisieux one of my favourite saints later). Her approach and example shows us we don’t necessarily have to be a Pope, a Saint or even a religious to do something of significance in our life of faith. We could start by carrying on the torch of Pope Francis by doing something to help the poor, migrants in our community and country and the vulnerable.

    A link below to the life of a wonderful man. May his soul rest in perfect peace

    An intimate look inside Pope Francis’ life at the Vatican