It is with a heavy heart that we all awake this Easter Monday morning to the news of the death of +Pope Francis. May he rest in the peace of the resurrection of Jesus which we have all just celebrated!.

Bishop Michael Martin has released the following statement this morning.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Pope Francis and join with Catholics of the Diocese of Charlotte and around the world in mourning the loss of our shepherd. I am certain that all people of good will rejoice with us that this man of faith has “finished the race” (2 Tim 4:7), and we pray that he will receive the reward which we have all been promised by our merciful God who has saved us from the finality of death. There will be time to celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis in the days ahead, but for now I invite anyone and everyone to join us in prayer this evening at 7pm in every Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Charlotte for a time of prayer, reflection, and mourning. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!

Fr. Paul is currently in Houston attending the annual convocation of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, which takes place every year during Easter Week. He will be joining in prayer along with his brother MSP priests who are with him.

Because of his absence, I will be leading a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration at St. Mary’s this evening from 7-8 pm, with a bilingual rosary for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father. Students are most welcome to join us at the parish.

However, I don’t want any student who lacks transportation to not have the opportunity to come together in prayer at this time, so I will be leading a second Holy Hour in the campus chapel from 8:30-9:30 pm, with Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead.

As we pray for the peaceful repose of the Holy Father, we also pray for the Church during this time of mourning and transition, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the hope of the Resurrection.

In closing, I would like to share with you this reflection from Adam Harp, one of our student peer ministers, which he posted in our GroupMe chat this morning.

God’s timing is incredible and mysterious. Pope Francis could have passed away at any moment before today, but I believe God saw hit to call Pope Francis away from us after the Easter Sunday liturgies for a reason. It is fitting that the one who always promoted Christian hope and joy, even dedicating an entire year to our Christian hope, should see the Lord after the celebration of the source of that hope, the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The passing of our Holy Father Pope Francis is truly saddening, but it points to something — to Someone. Just as the passing of St. John Paul II pointed to Christ’s Divine Mercy, I believe Francis’ passing points to that hope in the Risen Lord and to the Risen Lord Himself.

[NOTE: Pope St. John Paul II passed away on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 5, 2005].

May Pope Francis, and all the holy souls in purgatory, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Yours in Christ,
Deacon Matt