I remember those famous words..."Habemus papam" one year ago today. I was watching "the" chimney with anticipation, sadness, hope, eagerness...all rolled into one. I sat in anticipation for a new shepherd to lead his flock. I was sad remembering the death of my beloved Blessed John Paul II and the departure of Pope Benedict. I was filled with hope that Benedict had made the correct decision and that the Holy Spirit is always wiser than one can begin to imagine. And I was eager to witness, again in my lifetime, the majesty of the conclave, the prayers of the cardinals, and the vigil watch.
Thinking back now I also remember an immense amount of unity- the entire world was watching what was going to transpire in the election of a new pope...My Pope. John Paul II had always held that title "My Pope" because he was literally the only pope of my lifetime. I wept when he died, I was worried about the future of My Church, I had no idea what a conclave really meant, so many uncertainties. But now the entire world was united in prayer.
Last year when they opened that curtain and Pope Francis stepped out...Wow! I just loved that smile. A soothing calm came over me as if my body realized that everything was going to be just fine. I think the internet exploded with google searches of who our Pope was. My mother called elated explaining that she had joined a prayer group to pray for all the cardinals at the conclave and the cardinal she had been asked to pray for was now the Pope...so now it was her Pope too!
Having three kids in Catholic school, you can imagine the buzz on their campus as well. That evening was full of celebration and prayer of our new Pope and a sense of anticipation as to what the future held.
Pope Francis~ you have amazed me everyday. Your Grace, dignity, beauty, and humbleness transcends my souls' desires for a shepherd and cleanses my anxiousness to move forward as a Catholic Christian. The Holy Spirit is amazing indeed...just look at you!
Thinking back now I also remember an immense amount of unity- the entire world was watching what was going to transpire in the election of a new pope...My Pope. John Paul II had always held that title "My Pope" because he was literally the only pope of my lifetime. I wept when he died, I was worried about the future of My Church, I had no idea what a conclave really meant, so many uncertainties. But now the entire world was united in prayer.
Last year when they opened that curtain and Pope Francis stepped out...Wow! I just loved that smile. A soothing calm came over me as if my body realized that everything was going to be just fine. I think the internet exploded with google searches of who our Pope was. My mother called elated explaining that she had joined a prayer group to pray for all the cardinals at the conclave and the cardinal she had been asked to pray for was now the Pope...so now it was her Pope too!
Having three kids in Catholic school, you can imagine the buzz on their campus as well. That evening was full of celebration and prayer of our new Pope and a sense of anticipation as to what the future held.
Pope Francis~ you have amazed me everyday. Your Grace, dignity, beauty, and humbleness transcends my souls' desires for a shepherd and cleanses my anxiousness to move forward as a Catholic Christian. The Holy Spirit is amazing indeed...just look at you!