Novendiales’ Final Day
for Pope Francis
Sunday, May 4, 2025, is the final day of the Novendiales (the nine days of mourning and Masses) for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis as is customary since ancient Christian and Roman time.
Catholics and non-Catholics will surely continue to pray for the late pontiff as he will be remembered for being a shepherd of hope for the last 12 years – “a pope who reached out to people who are often overlooked and even despised,” Bishop Mark Brennan said upon learning of his passing.
We can honor Pope Francis by embracing the qualities we loved in him. Be a servant leader. Embrace humility. Be empathetic. Don’t complicate things. Appreciate and acknowledge others. Be dedicated to prayer, Christ in the Eucharist, and being merciful.
Let his words echo in our hearts and choices.
Honor the faith of our fathers:
“I think this is truly the most wonderful experience we can have: to belong to a people walking, journeying through history together with our Lord, who walks among us! We are not alone; we do not walk alone. We are part of the one flock of Christ that walks together.”
Talk to God:
“To be friends with God means to pray with simplicity, like children talking to their parents.”
Listen to God:
“If we are to know the Lord, we must go to him. Listen to him in silence before the tabernacle and approach him in the sacraments.”
Choose appreciation:
“For all the obstacles we see before us, gratitude and appreciation should prevail over concerns and complaints.”
Be strong and live the Gospel:
“Some may try to make you think that your faithfulness to the Gospel and its values is a mistake, because it keeps you from conforming to the crowd and blending in. Do not be afraid of their ‘condemnations’! Have no worries; sooner or later, their criticism will fall through, their condemnations will prove false, and their superficial values will be revealed for what they are: illusions….”Photo is from Vatican Media: Pope Francis last fall with DWC Seminarian Michael J. Tupta.
