Dear friends in Christ
Over these Sundays of Eastertide we hear at Mass from the Book of Revelation. This final Book of the Bible is full of symbolic and sometimes extra-ordinary insights into the life of eternity. In the extract at Mass this weekend, Saint John sees Heaven as the new Jerusalem. Even though John’s visions are sometimes difficult to comprehend, nonetheless something of importance is being revealed to us, so we try to watch and listen with attention to what he is revealing to us: the life to which we are all being called, and of which we have an anticipation and participation here on earth already.
This Sunday sees the Solemn Inauguration of the Pontificate of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. How fortunate we are to have been given a new Universal Shepherd. We thank God for this Vicar of Christ on earth. Saint Catherine of Siena would call the Pope il dolce Cristo in terra—the sweet Christ on earth. Not only has God given us a man of significant stature and charisma, but also a man who is so clearly kind, charming and benevolent. I am aware that there are some Parishioners going to be present in St Peter’s Square this Sunday morning for the Mass, so our Parish Family will be represented there! Since his election on 8th May, his words to the Church have been so full of faith, encouraging and centred on Christ. He has a palpable love of the Blessed Virgin—Our Lady of Good Counsel—who is a special Protectress of his Augustinian Order. One of his first visits outside of the Vatican last Saturday was to her Sanctuary at Genazzano. We very much believe his election is an opportunity for the Church to shine once again as a bright beacon of hope for our world. Let us pray for him constantly, that in the task entrusted to him—to strengthen the faith of God’s Holy People—he may truly fulfil the role of Peter’s Successor. We pray in the words of the ancient prayer: Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Leone…Let us pray for Leo our Pope. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. (Ps 40:3)
May God bless all of you too!
Msgr Kevin Hale