Beloved in Christ,
On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, I invite you to pray for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He was called to the Father's Home on Easter Monday, 21st of April, at about 7:35 am (Italy time). There are so many things we can say about the life and legacy of Pope Francis, and so many beautiful memories of him and his pontificate are available in the news and on social media. However, I would like to share his last testament with you because it gives another view of the humble servant of God, the vicar of Christ.
Pope Francis' last will, among other things, focuses on the place of his burial. As we think of the burial place of Christ during the Sacred Triduum and Easter, we can also consider the simplicity of the Holy Father's last earthly home. He instructs that his tomb must be in the ground, simple and without a particular inscription other than "Franciscus." He chose to be buried in the basilica of St. Mary Major, close to the chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, an indication of his devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary, to whom he entrusted his life and ministry, "as his body awaits the day of resurrection." He reminds us of our common belief in the resurrection of the dead. What a beautiful witness to the end!
Another significant message from his last testament concerns what he requested of us on the day he was elected pope: "Pray for me." He also promised to pray for us as we pray for him: "May God reward those who loved me and will continue to pray for me" (the bold letters are mine). We love ( I love) Pope Francis and will pray for him as he requested.
In response to Bishop Senior's request and Pope Francis' wish, we will dedicate Thursday evening to praying for the repose of the departed pontiff's soul. As a parish, we will gather for this purpose on Thursday, May 1, at 6 p.m. for Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Please make it a priority to attend. Thanks.
Eternal Father, for the sake of your Son's sorrowful passion, have mercy on the soul of Pope Francis. Amen.
In the Risen Christ, Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
The following is Pope Francis' testament:Miserando atque Eligendo
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa Marta, 29 June 2022 FRANCIS
On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, I invite you to pray for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He was called to the Father's Home on Easter Monday, 21st of April, at about 7:35 am (Italy time). There are so many things we can say about the life and legacy of Pope Francis, and so many beautiful memories of him and his pontificate are available in the news and on social media. However, I would like to share his last testament with you because it gives another view of the humble servant of God, the vicar of Christ.
Pope Francis' last will, among other things, focuses on the place of his burial. As we think of the burial place of Christ during the Sacred Triduum and Easter, we can also consider the simplicity of the Holy Father's last earthly home. He instructs that his tomb must be in the ground, simple and without a particular inscription other than "Franciscus." He chose to be buried in the basilica of St. Mary Major, close to the chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, an indication of his devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary, to whom he entrusted his life and ministry, "as his body awaits the day of resurrection." He reminds us of our common belief in the resurrection of the dead. What a beautiful witness to the end!
Another significant message from his last testament concerns what he requested of us on the day he was elected pope: "Pray for me." He also promised to pray for us as we pray for him: "May God reward those who loved me and will continue to pray for me" (the bold letters are mine). We love ( I love) Pope Francis and will pray for him as he requested.
In response to Bishop Senior's request and Pope Francis' wish, we will dedicate Thursday evening to praying for the repose of the departed pontiff's soul. As a parish, we will gather for this purpose on Thursday, May 1, at 6 p.m. for Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Please make it a priority to attend. Thanks.
Eternal Father, for the sake of your Son's sorrowful passion, have mercy on the soul of Pope Francis. Amen.
In the Risen Christ, Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
The following is Pope Francis' testament:Miserando atque Eligendo
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa Marta, 29 June 2022 FRANCIS
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