You are Peter Pope Francis In the afternoon thousands of priests, seminarians, brothers and
nuns arrived at Paul VI’s Hall at the Vatican to celebrate the gift they
received from the Lord who called them to follow him. The joyful and colorful event started with a simple Liturgy of the Word that was followed by testimonies of those who have been called to the priesthood or religious life. The speeches were enriched by singing, like the one done by the Priests. The Priests are three Irish parish priests who apart from their parish work spread their love for Christ by singing and recording some religious music. When they sang in the Hall I thought that we need to be always imaginative when it comes to sharing our faith. We need to keep on looking for way to do so. As the service kept progressing the anticipation for the arrival of the Holy Father kept growing too. When he entered the Hall it erupted with cheers and greetings. For me it was the first time I saw Pope Francis in person but the first thought that came to my mind was: “You are Peter!” The popes choose various name for various reasons but in the end of the day it comes to the beginning when Jesus saw a Galilean fisherman called Simon and called him to follow him. Every time when the conclave concludes with electing a new pope it is the moment when Jesus extends his choice from 2000 years ago to the new shepherd of the Church. As I was watching Pope Francis walking through the Hall my faith told me: “He is here because Christ goes ahead of him.” I am sure that if you want you can read his talk online but I would like to recall what has stayed with me from his sermon: “I cannot imagine a priest, a nun or a religious brother with a long face. It doesn’t make sense. If one has encountered Christ it must end up with being joyful.” I share this sentence because even before he said this words as I was watching him and listening to earlier part of the talk I thought to myself: “He looks happy. He is a happy pope. He radiates joy.” As we may try to find some reasons why he is happy let me put forward what I believe make him happy. When he was elected he must have come to believe that it wasn’t politics but it was the hand of God. When he said yes to the election he said yes to Christ. It was his encounter with Christ and that’s why he is able to spread this joy around.
After the meeting with the Holy Father we did a Rosary Procession in the Vatican Gardens. It was an awesome experience to pray with thousands and thousands of priests and religious walking through this little country of Vatican. Thank you Pope Francis for letting us all in ;)
nuns arrived at Paul VI’s Hall at the Vatican to celebrate the gift they
received from the Lord who called them to follow him. The joyful and colorful event started with a simple Liturgy of the Word that was followed by testimonies of those who have been called to the priesthood or religious life. The speeches were enriched by singing, like the one done by the Priests. The Priests are three Irish parish priests who apart from their parish work spread their love for Christ by singing and recording some religious music. When they sang in the Hall I thought that we need to be always imaginative when it comes to sharing our faith. We need to keep on looking for way to do so. As the service kept progressing the anticipation for the arrival of the Holy Father kept growing too. When he entered the Hall it erupted with cheers and greetings. For me it was the first time I saw Pope Francis in person but the first thought that came to my mind was: “You are Peter!” The popes choose various name for various reasons but in the end of the day it comes to the beginning when Jesus saw a Galilean fisherman called Simon and called him to follow him. Every time when the conclave concludes with electing a new pope it is the moment when Jesus extends his choice from 2000 years ago to the new shepherd of the Church. As I was watching Pope Francis walking through the Hall my faith told me: “He is here because Christ goes ahead of him.” I am sure that if you want you can read his talk online but I would like to recall what has stayed with me from his sermon: “I cannot imagine a priest, a nun or a religious brother with a long face. It doesn’t make sense. If one has encountered Christ it must end up with being joyful.” I share this sentence because even before he said this words as I was watching him and listening to earlier part of the talk I thought to myself: “He looks happy. He is a happy pope. He radiates joy.” As we may try to find some reasons why he is happy let me put forward what I believe make him happy. When he was elected he must have come to believe that it wasn’t politics but it was the hand of God. When he said yes to the election he said yes to Christ. It was his encounter with Christ and that’s why he is able to spread this joy around.
After the meeting with the Holy Father we did a Rosary Procession in the Vatican Gardens. It was an awesome experience to pray with thousands and thousands of priests and religious walking through this little country of Vatican. Thank you Pope Francis for letting us all in ;)
Waiting for the Holy Father
The Church is alive!!!!
She's been following Jesus for many years. I wish you could see her face
Lourdes' Grotto in the Vatican Gardens
Lourdes' Grotto in the Vatican Gardens
Rosary Procession in the Vatican Gardens
Rosary Procession in the Vatican Gardens
Rosary Procession in the Vatican Gardens
Vatican Gardens
Vatican Gardens
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