Diocese of Salt Lake City prays for Pope Benedict XVI
SALT LAKE CITY —Four days before Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation became effective Feb. 28, the Diocese of Salt Lake City celebrated a day of prayer for the pontiff and his intentions.
The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, had designated Feb. 24 for this purpose in a letter to the diocese that was released on Feb. 11, the day the pope announced his resignation.
Pope Benedict XVI was elected in April 2005 and is the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign. Traditionally, popes served in the office until they die. In announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict said that, at 85, "I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advance age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry."
Upon hearing the news, the nuns at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Holladay arranged for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament as a tribute to Pope Benedict, and to ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the upcoming conclave.
"Pope Benedict is the best theologian of our age," said Carmelite Mother Maureen Goodwin. "He embraces all the qualities of a shepherd, and is a teacher with the deep understanding of a mystical soul. It’s hard to sum up in one word the best quality of Pope Benedict, but I probably would say it’s his ‘fidelity to the truth.’"
The nuns have opened their chapel to the public for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Sundays after the 7:30 a.m. Mass until 4:30 p.m. This will continue until a new pope is elected.
Meanwhile, Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center in Salt Lake City has begun a rosary at 7:30 p.m. each day except Sunday to ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect the next pope.
"We also pray in gratitude for the ministry that the current Holy Father has exercised," said the pastor, Dominican Father Carl Schlichte.
The humility that Pope Benedict showed in resigning his office particularly struck Fr. Carl, he said, adding that even in retirement the pope emeritus will continue to inspire the Church as a writer and scholar.
On Feb. 24, Bishop Wester celebrated a Mass in honor of Pope Benedict XVI. The Mass, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, was concelebrated by Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; and Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus. Deacon Scott Dodge assisted.
"In a particular way this day, we pray for our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as he concludes his ministry in the Chair of Peter," Bishop Wester said in his opening remarks. "We give thanks to God for this generous and courageous servant. We ask God’s blessings upon him, and we pray that those gathered in conclave in the coming weeks may respond to the Lord’s guidance as they choose his successor."
In his homily, Bishop Wester said, "I believe that our Holy Father is demonstrating for us the transfiguration at work in him and in our Church. The Pope recognizes, humbly and courageously, that he is called to surrender to Christ – only Christ – and that Christ will renew him and will renew the Church in his transfigured role, and this action will be for the good of all and for the good of the Church."
Throughout the diocese, parishioners offered their thoughts and prayers for the pontiff.
"Benedict gave us this Year of Faith and we have to keep our faith alive while waiting for our new pope," said Maria Elena Mendez, a Cathedral parishioner.
"For me, our Pope Benedict is a very loving and caring man. I never have been able to see a pope in person, but when I watched him on TV I was always very moved," said Francisco Galvez, another Cathedral parishioner.
"I like Pope Benedict’s intellect and the way he would phrase his words; that just really touched and moved me and a lot of my friends, and we would read his writings and re-read them," said Jake Franklin, a parishioner at Saint Ambrose Parish in Salt Lake City.
"Pope Benedict was a great thinker and writer, and I loved what I read that he wrote," agreed Father Andrzej Skrzypiec, St. Ambrose pastor. "He was so skillful in writing about various theological things in a language that you could understand. I liked his humble attitude; he was a humble man with many gifts. I admire his courage – that he surrendered the office realizing that he couldn’t fulfill the duties properly."
The new pope should be...
The Intermountain Catholic asked "What quality would you most like to see in the new pope?" Here are a few responses:
"The quality that to me is very important is that spiritual quality, that closeness to Christ. He can share his relationship with Christ with all of us, and everything else emanates out of that." – Bishop John C. Wester
"We have been praying fervently that our new chosen Holy Father will continue the path of upholding the teachings of our holy Catholic Church." – Carmelite Mother Maureen Goodwin, Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
"I hope that our new pope will be as welcoming as John Paul II." – Virginia Lopez, Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioner
"In a new pope I would expect that he be able to somehow communicate to the world the beauty of the Catholic faith and somehow listen to the voice of the people and the bishops and be capable of being in dialog with the world." – Deacon John Bash, Saint Ambrose Parish
"A problem solver." – Gerry Carvalho, Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center parishioner
© Copyright 2024 The Diocese of Salt Lake City. All rights reserved.
Stay Connected With Us