Two bishops and diocese unite in prayer for Pope Francis
CHARLOTTE — In a moving moment Monday night, the current and former Bishops of Charlotte came together to lead the faithful of the diocese in offering prayers for Pope Francis, who died earlier in the day.
Bishop Michael Martin and his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis, led a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick Cathedral to pray for the repose of the soul of the late pope. It marked the first time both bishops were together in an official public capacity since this time last year, when news of Pope Francis appointing Bishop Martin to succeed the retiring Bishop Jugis was announced.
The two bishops led thousands of people united in prayer at churches across the region simultaneously, during 7 p.m. Monday prayer services called by Bishop Martin for people to mourn and pray.
At the cathedral, people gathered before a large, framed portrait of Pope Francis that was draped in black and placed at the front of the sanctuary, with flowers arranged beneath it and a candle burning at its side.
Bishop Martin began his homily for the Holy Hour noting that Pope Francis spent his final day on earth doing what he loved: celebrating the Good News of Easter with the People of God. Shortly after noon a day earlier – on Easter Sunday – the pope arrived in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican to give his traditional “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing to the people gathered there and to millions across the world who watched. His voice was weak and he had trouble raising his arm to make the Sign of the Cross, but afterward he got into the popemobile to be close to the crowds of people gathered to be with him for Easter.
“That Pope Francis was given that grace for that moment to be his last on this earth, I find incredibly compelling,” Bishop Martin said.
Acknowledging the loss felt by so many, the bishop said, “We come here tonight with hearts that may be full of sorrow but with joy for this good and faithful servant who now experiences the very thing that he preached. That death is not the end for us. That while we may experience the sting of death and the fear of it, it is not the final word, and our hope lies in something greater.”
Bishop Martin challenged people to embrace Pope Francis’ legacy to serve and to bring the hope of Christ to those on the margins.
“May his passing from this life be a recommitment for all of us that our lives need to go out into the world,” he said. “As the successor of Christ, the successor of Peter, has now gone on to his eternal reward, it remains for you and me to take seriously the legacy which he has given us in proclaiming the joy of the Gospel – especially to those who experience the everyday deaths, the everyday sting of difficulty, of uncertainty, of struggle, of challenge in this life.”
After the homily, bells rang out as Bishop Martin gave the Benediction, raising the monstrance to make the Sign of the Cross in blessing to those gathered in the pews.
Despite the solemnity of the occasion, a lighter moment followed the Holy Hour when the two bishops stole a few moments to catch up before greeting parishioners as they streamed out of the cathedral.
Monday's prayer services were just the start of a period of mourning for the Catholic Church worldwide.
On Wednesday, Bishop Martin will offer a Mass for the late pope at St. Mark Church. The Mass will begin at 7 p.m. St. Mark Church is located at 14740 Stumptown Road in Huntersville. All are welcome to attend.
The funeral and burial of a pope who dies in office is expected to take place within four to six days. Following the pope's funeral in Rome, the Church around the world will observe nine days of official mourning. A conclave, or meeting of the College of Cardinals, to elect a new pope is to take place within 15-20 days of the vacancy of the papacy.
— Liz Chandler and Trish Stukbauer
Pictured at top: Bishop Michael Martin leads Benediction during a Holy Hour Monday evening at St. Patrick Cathedral with his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis (far right). Bishop Martin noted in his homily that Pope Francis spent his final day on earth doing what he loved: celebrating the Good News of Easter with the People of God. (Photo by Troy Hull)
