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April 21, 2025

POPE FRANCIS
DECEMBER 17, 1936 – APRIL 21, 2025
MAY THE ANGELS TAKE YOU INTO PARADISE
by Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Everyone can share in some way in the life of the Church; everyone can be part of the community, nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason. This is especially true of the sacrament which is itself “the door”: baptism. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. These convictions have pastoral consequences that we are called to consider with prudence and boldness. Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.

Pope Francis
Joy of the Gospel #47

Pope Francis taught us by word and example to open the doors of our hearts to one another and all creation. The world has lost one of its greatest lights in the death of our Beloved Pope Francis, who touched the hearts of millions with his smile and love. We pause in this moment of his passing to thank God for such a precious gift. Francis will now pray for us forever until the captives are set free, until the immigrants and undocumented are welcomed and cherished, until the poor and marginalized are loved and respected. Francis walked in the ways of St. Francis, who walked in the ways of Jesus. Pope Francis blessed the world. Now we, if we would honor him, must do the same.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.