Where were you when you heard the words Habemus Papam?
I was cruising up Minnesota Highway 65 on my way from Benedictine Senior Living at Steeple Pointe in Osseo to the Benedictine Health System corporate office in Cambridge. On my travels I was listening into Relevant Radio (Catholic talk radio) to hear the latest news on the Conclave. To my great surprise and delight, I tuned in just in time to hear, “There is white smoke. Habemus Papam! (We Have a Pope!)”.
I had quite a rush of emotions upon hearing those words. At that moment I was overcome with great pride at being Catholic. I was filled with joy and excitement and I felt great hope and anticipation about the possibilities that comes with a new Pope.
Fortunately, I was able to reach my destination in the time that lapsed from the announcement of Habemus Papam until the presentation of the new Holy Father. Along with the BHS employees at the Cambridge corporate office I was able to witness Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) step out on the balcony as the 266th Pontiff of the Catholic Church.
Wow! The new Pope hails from the Americas and is from the Southern Hemisphere. He is a Jesuit, rides public transportation, cooks his own meals, and he is the first to take the name Francis. In his first moments of being Pope he broke with other traditions, including not standing on a platform and rather than blessing the people first he asked the people to pray for him.
And so, with all the Faithful we pray for Pope Francis:
O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in your mercy,
upon your servant, Pope Francis, whom you have appointed to preside
over your Church; and grant, we beseech you, that both by word and
example, he may edify all those under his charge; so that, with the flock
entrusted to him, he may arrive at length unto life everlasting.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Sister Lisa MaurerSister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009 and on July 11, 2012, she made her Perpetual Profession. Her first ministry was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is the Mission Integration Manager of the Benedictine Health System.See all of Sister Lisa’s posts. |