Requiem Mass for Pope Francis – Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Ennis, 25th of April, 2025
At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water.
The Gospel of the day for today, day 6 of the Easter Octave.
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope on the 13th of March 2013 before appearing in public he spent some time in prayer contemplating the enormity of the task ahead of him. He often recalled how a tremendous sense of peace and calm descended upon him during that moment of encounter with the Lord, confident that with God’s grace he was the chosen man to carry out the mission he was called to serve. Like his predecessor, Peter with great trust, faith, courage and abandon he jumped onto the water, inspired with the presence of risen Lord and didn’t once look back in these past 12 years of service as the Vicar of Christ on earth.
The centrality of God’s Grace
In January of 2023 in his funeral homily for the deceased Benedict XVI, Francis quoted the Pastoral Rule of Saint Gregory the Great who urged a friend to offer him this spiritual accompaniment with the words: “Amid the shipwreck of the present life, sustain me, I beseech you, by the plank of your prayer, that, since my own weight sinks me down, the hand of your merit will raise me up”. Here we see the awareness of a pastor who is conscious that despite whatever greatness and individual may have they are nothing without the grace of God.
“I am a Sinner”
Pope Francis was acutely aware of that. In one of his early interviews when elected Pope when asked who he was – his answer echoed the opening words of St. Patrick in his Confessions, “I am a sinner”.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Up to recent years during the coronation of the Pope the Latin phrase Sic Transit Gloria Mundi …. Thus passes the glory of the world was repeated three times to remind the incoming pope of his feet of clay and of the fleeting nature of the things of this world.
One might question why we might have a requiem Mass to pray for the eternal salvation of such a transparently good man, but as the mystical literature testifies the closer one is to God the more aware one is of one’s own sinfulness. In his recent autobiography, Francis clearly stated that he was very much aware of his many shortcomings and mistakes he made. The measure of his holiness, humility and keen self-awareness.
Eternal Rest grant unto him…
With all that on mind we gather not only in thanksgiving for a genuine Pastor Bonus, Good Shepherd but also to pray for the happy repose of his soul. We gather today in the Cathedral of one of the Apostles, St. Peter in whose shoes Francis stood as his 266thsuccessor, the papacy spanning over three Millenia. We gather to pray for the happy repose of his soul, now that he has duly passed from this fleeting world in all its flux and transience.
Please Pray for Me…!
When I first met Francis in September of 2016 at what is termed the ‘Baby Bishop’s Course’ in Rome I was somewhat taken aback when he asked me to pray for him. I told him I would and asked him would he kindly do the same for me also. He nodded in agreement. I’m not sure with his broken English if he had a clue what I said, but for my part I certainly kept the agreement in offering a decade of the rosary every night for his intentions. I don’t know if Francis kept his side of the deal, but if you’re tuned in from above Pope Francis, an occasional hail Mary or two would be appreciated!
Since returning to God on Monday morning much has been said about the great man, his life, his legacy, his Ignatian and Franciscan approach, his theology, spirituality, commitment to synodality, peace building and much more as Pontifex Maximus, Supreme Bridge Builder.
One of the most memorable and meaningful greetings I received on a Christmas Card were the words – ‘May the peace of Christ disturb you this Christmas’. Francis was a disturber of the peace, alerting us to genuine Christian values afresh. He was a disrupter, stirrer, radical and reformer and one who brought us back to the message of Jesus with new and fresh eyes. Ironically was also a conservative, in the best sense of the word, intent on preserving the distilled essence of the Christian message.
Spirituality and Devotion
I resonated deeply with his devotion to;
- Our Lady, Untier of Knots,
- the Sleeping St. Joseph,
- the love of Jesus in the Sacred Heart.
Miserando atque eligendo
Someone wisely said yesterday that if you could pick one work that might sum him up it would be that of Mercy. Pope Francis’ papal motto is “Miserando atque eligendo”, which translates to “He looked upon him with mercy and chose him”. This phrase is taken from Saint Bede’s homily on the Gospel of Matthew (9:9-13) and refers to the calling of the apostle Matthew. It highlights the theme of divine mercy and God’s choice, a key aspect of Pope Francis’ papacy.
Legacy and Influence
In reflecting on the rich legacy of the last three Popes that we have had it has been said that:
- John Paul taught us what to believe.
- Benedict taught us why we believe.
- Francis taught us how to believe.
Furthermore it was also said during the week that Francis taught us not only how to live, but also how to die. During his illness in hospital in recent weeks he was resigned to the fact that his mission was coming to an end and it was time to ‘let go and let God’. His final farewell on the day of all days, Easter Sunday to deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing was particularly poignant in getting to wish people a happy Easter, the joy of the Resurrection. Just a few hours later he peacefully surrendered his soul to the God of Mercy he believed so passionately in. May this great pastor, an apostle of Mercy and Hope of this Jubilee Year reap the reward of his labours in heaven this Eastertide. Amen!
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