Habemus papam! After commending Pope Francis to the Lord, we have occasion now to celebrate the election of our new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. And what a celebration it is, particularly for us who share his homeland of the United States! While we know that the pope is a man like any of us, the men occupying this office have always been not only physically but also culturally distant. Now we have a pope who is a White Sox fan, a Chicagoan, and – at least to see the Apple Watch on his wrist last week – quite possibly a bit of a technology geek to boot! Though it is has always been true, I find myself appreciating more fully the regular humanity of the pope.
Image by Edgar Beltrán/The Pillar courtesy Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International)
I’ve felt especially convicted in these last few days about my approach to the pope. Like many, I don’t really know a lot about him. After the surprise wore off, I found in my heart a desire to begin looking up everything about him – what he he has written, said, and done during his time as a priest, bishop, and cardinal – as well as read what others were saying about his prior history and how that might inform his ministry as pope.Â
While there is natural and innocent curiosity present, a more subtle temptation lies beneath: a desire to judge whether or not our new pope is on ‘my’ side of any given issue or topic. More insidious is what comes next: using that judgment the to justify acceptance or rejection of the man himself. The fact of the matter is that Pope Leo XIV is the pope given to us by the Lord and His Church – and that is a gift to be universally celebrated! The desire to claim the pope as ‘our guy’ – or disclaim him otherwise – is not just deeply cynical, it is a fruit of a spirit of division, fear, and distrust.
As Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate unfolds (it has only been a few days!), I am working on a resolution that I invite you to join me in: meeting the Pope on his own terms. There are plenty of people who could make the claim – some more authentically than others, even – that they have special insight into who he is and what he is about. But, as one parishioner remarked after Mass this Sunday, the office of the papacy undoubtedly changes things! As with anyone – but especially our pope – don’t we owe it to His Holiness to let his own words and actions as pope inform our understanding of the man?Â
As it turns out, there is a dedicated section of the Vatican News website where we can read and listen to the pope in his own words from his various appearances and works. I’m a bit behind on things myself, but I hear that Pope Leo’s address to the cardinals the day after his election, his homily at Mass this weekend, and his address at the Regina Caeli are each edifying & interesting. But don’t take my word for it – take advantage of the provided recordings to hear him for yourself.
In short, let’s together meet the pope God has given us!
On a more local note, I encourage you to check out Archbishop Etienne’s recent interview with King5 news (embedded below). He covers a plethora of topics, including the recent Washington state bill threatening the seal of confession as well as our new pope. If you haven’t already, please read the archbishop’s letter (it is excellent!), available in English & Spanish.
Perhaps now more than ever, let us pray for each other – but especially our archbishop and Pope Leo XIV. May the Lord protect and guide them, and may our hearts be open to the leadership of the shepherds He has given us.
May 13 – Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The miracle of Fatima continues to be one that both inspires wonder & awe as well as convicts. How generous the Lord is in reaching out to us, to demonstrating His power and His love! What is yet lacking is our response, our willingness to finally accept Him as Saviour and Lord, to join Him in offering our lives in sacrificial love. Ultimately Mary does not desire our devotion to her – good and holy though that is – but rather that we go out and meet her Son, and grow in devotion, as she has, to Him. Read about the message of Fatima at the Vatican website.
May 14 – Today is the feast of Saint Matthias – the thirteenth apostle and replacement of Judas after his betrayal of the Lord. As one who share his name (my middle name), I have carry a long-standing personal gripe with Rome – in particular, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. The other eleven original apostles have a statue, but Saint Matthias is nowhere to be found. Sure, Saint Paul (who *is* included) is one of the greatest of the apostles, but does not one of the twelve – who walked with the Lord Himself during His time on earth – merit a place of honor? Perhaps our new pope can champion this cause! *heavy sigh*Â In any case, Father Longenecker has a neat reflection on Saint Matthias as apostolic succession – check it out over at Patheos.
May 15 – The feast of Saint Ubald of Gubbio is likely unknown to many (not least because it is no longer on the liturgical calendar!). Born into a noble family and then orphaned, he was taught by his uncle – whose role as Bishop of Gubbio can now be seen as a foreshadowing of his own call. He was ordained and went into ministry at the cathedral but then went off to be a hermit. He was urged to return to active ministry and eventually became bishop of Gubbio himself. It was Ubald who convinced the Emperor not to sack Gubbio as he had done in Spoleto. Though centuries have passed, this may be while there is yet an annual festival for him in Gubbio! Read about it L’Italo Americano.
May 17 – We celebrate today the feast of Saint Paschal Baylon. Growing up as a simple shepherd, he taught himself to read so that he could join in the prayers of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. He eventually joined the Franciscans. As he lived simply in the world, so he did as a friar, serving as porter (doorkeeper) and guestmaster. He is remembered for his devotion to prayer and gentle inspiration of others to holiness. Read more about him at Franciscan Media.
No “Why Do Catholics Do That?” pastor’s insert this week
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- Reverend M. Charles Palluck (May 14, 1966)
- Reverend Clifford Martin (May 15, 1976)
- Reverend Vinner Raj Simeon Raj, H.G.N. (May 16, 2012)
Remembering our deceased priests
- Reverend Joseph H. Doogan (May 12, 2009)
- Reverend Patrick K. O’Brien (May 12, 2014)
- Reverend Ernest Wille (May 14, 1952)
- Reverend William Power (May 14, 1973)
- Reverend Brian R. Snyder (May 14, 2014)
- Reverend John Govaert (May 15, 1945)
- Monsignor Edward J. McFadden (May 15, 1964)
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