Fr. Ryan Lerner, Chaplain
Since it’s Wednesday, I was up early so I could get in a short run before celebrating daily Mass at St. Stan’s—which today would be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Election of a Pope, the same Mass that cardinals concelebrated in Rome even earlier this morning.
Following my run, I was scheduled for a brief interview with WTNH 8. Natasha Lunbczenko, co-host of “Connecticut’s Morning Buzz” wanted to speak about the conclave, which began this morning in Rome. The last time she and I spoke, it was on the steps of Saint Mary’s, early on Easter Monday, just hours after the world learned of the death of Pope Francis. Then, we were just beginning to reflect on the Pope’s legacy, and how the Church would celebrate the season of resurrection while mourning the loss of Her Chief Shepherd.
Today—just a few weeks later—it feels like the eyes of the world are on the Church. Christians, people of different faiths, and people of no faith at all, are waiting with great anticipation to find out who the successor to the Chair of Saint Peter will be. The world seems to care a lot about what’s happening in the Body of Christ right now. It reminds me of the beginning of John’s Gospel, which declares that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” As the world gets caught up in the mystery and pageantry surrounding the papal election, waiting and watching for white smoke, the Church prays for the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We were reminded of this last night during a panel discussion at STM. Fr. Gregory Waldrop, SJ, was joined by Teresa Berger and Carlos Eire, two beloved Yale Professors and members of the STM Community. The panelists reminded us that the conclave is grounded in prayer – as the cardinal electors celebrate Mass together and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. In the words of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State under Pope Francis, “the whole Church, united with us in prayer, invokes the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that we elect a worthy pastor of the entire flock of Christ.”
So, together with the universal church, we pray Veni Creator Spiritus! Come Holy Spirit!
As I ran down quiet streets towards Edgarton Park, Armory Hill, up to Albertus Magnus College and home, the fog began to lift, and singing birds greeted the rising sun. I completed my run and began my day with these words from a prayer a friend sent me yesterday:
Heavenly Father, You are the Lord of history and the Shepherd of souls. In every age, You raise up faithful leaders to guide Your Church. With humble hearts, we come before You, asking for the grace of a holy pope. Grant us a successor to Saint Peter who seeks Your will above all things, whose heart is conformed to the Heart of Christ, and whose life reflects the light of Your truth. Give us a pope filled with wisdom, courage, and compassion; a man of prayer, a servant of the poor, a guardian of doctrine, and a messenger of peace. May he walk closely with the Holy Spirit, cling to the Cross of Christ, and lead the Church with purity, strength, and joy. We entrust this prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the Church, and ask the intercession of Saint Joseph, Saint Peter, and all the holy popes who have gone before. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
