If I had the chance to meet our Holy Father, I have a few things I would like to say.
Like:
Your Holiness (can I call him that?),
I'm sorry I didn't cry tears of joy when I heard your name announced as JPII's successor. I wish I had. I didn't know you then. (I cried tears of sadness on Monday morning, after hearing the news of your abdication)
I did however rings bells when your plane touched down on your visit to the US. I still carry it in my jacket pocket. It will probably always stay there.
Thank you for your spiritual direction, your example, your gentle suggestions, your wisdom. I will forever carry your words in my heart.
May God reward you for your humility and courage. I can only imagine that this has been a difficult time for you. I pray you get some much needed rest, but please let us know how you are doing. We would love to hear from you, and will be waiting to hear from you.
I love you.
There are several prayers circulating for the Holy Father, his successor, the church.
These are some I have seen:
Prayers for Benedict XVI
Pro Pontifice
V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XVI.
R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make
him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will
of his enemies.
Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon thy servant Benedict XVI,
our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to thy loving-kindness, in
the way of eternal salvation; that, of thy gift, he may ever desire that
which is pleasing unto thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collection of Indulgences)
In Thanksgiving
O God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Pope Benedict XVI
to preside over your Church, we give you most hearty thanks for the years
of his faithful service, praying that, after having served as the Vicar of your
Son on earth, he may enjoy your abundant blessing in this life and, at life’s end, be received
by your Son into eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Election of a Pope
O God, eternal Shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the Newly Elected Pope
O God, who in your providential design
willed that your Church be built
upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other apostles,
look with favor, we pray, on N. our Pope,
and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor,
may be for your people a visible source and foundation
of unity in faith and of communion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
O God, Shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
Look favorably on your servant N,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that, by word and example,
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
--From new Roman Missal
I have also seen a
novena for Pope Benedict and the Papacy
Will you join me in praying for our beloved Holy Father and his successor?
