OK, I know I am a little late with this blog post, but I have been cloistered in a Jesuit retreat center with no contact to the outside world — sort of. Although seemingly silent, I was very much aware of what was happening within the Catholic church. Those of us at the retreat center were able to stay abreast of current events, even when choosing to remain silent to our loved ones. And, so . . .
Changes are brewing within the Roman Catholic church. Pope Benedict XVI chose to live out his remaining years in prayerful seclusion at a monastery near the Vatican. He was known as “the reluctant Pope,” never wanting to lead the worldwide 1.2 billion Catholics. Joseph Ratzinger is a scholar, most happy with his books — the books he reads and the books he writes. I greatly admire his decision to retire, to pass the baton to a man who is a little younger and who has more energy to lead the Church.
I have seen changes in the Church — beginning with the Second Vatican Council when I was a 
teenager. Suddenly, Mass was said in the vernacular, the priest faced his congregation, and there was no more fish on Friday. Of course, there were many other changes, but these were the changes most people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, remember. I have memories of each Pope who has led my Church during my lifetime. Most significant were the changes of Vatican II, under the leadership of Pope John XXIII at its opening, and Pope Paul VI, at its closing. I was a seminarian during the very brief time of Pope John Paul I, who died just 33 days after becoming Pope. And, then, there was Pope John Paul II. As part of my studies, I spent summers in Rome. I was truly honored to be blessed by His Holiness on more than one occasion. Still early in his time as Pope, he was young and vivacious and full of the Holy Spirit. It was with great sadness that the world watched as his health declined. And, so, Pope Benedict XVI chose to retire at the age of 85 to live out his remaining years in quiet solitude.
Whether factual or not, word is that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the conclave’s second choice eight years ago, when Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope and took the name Benedict XVI. With the election of Pope Francis, there are many firsts — the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, the first pope from the Americas, the first pope from South America, the first pope who is a Jesuit — one of God’s Marines.
Pride — one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Is it sinful to be proud that “one of our own” has been elected Pope? With the announcement that Pope Francis had been elected, the jubilation among those in residence at the Manresa Retreat Center was — prideful? Happy. Joy. Peace. Humility. Pride. Yes, we are proud that one of our own is now Pope. Jesuits not only take solemn vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, and a fourth solemn vow of Obedience to the Pope in regard to Missions, but five simple vows that, essentially, state that we will live by the 
Constitution of the Jesuits and we will not seek higher office, either within the Jesuit order or as a bishop. For a Jesuit to become bishop is rare, to become pope is unprecedented. So, yes, we are proud of our new pope — for many reasons. He is a very humble man, who works arduously to help the poor. He is a warrior for social justice. By what we are learning in his first few weeks as pope, Pope Francis will be a pope of the people and for the people. To the chagrin of his security detail, he has ventured out in an open vehicle so he can touch his public. He has met with Pope Benedict XVI to pray together. The Church is in good hands.
As Pope Francis leads the Roman Catholic Church into a new era, let us all keep His Holiness in our prayers. The Church has been under scrutiny for two decades and there is much healing that must still take place. We are a conservative church, with beliefs and traditions that date to 2000 years ago, to the time of Christ. Many of our adherents would like to see changes — changes that would seemingly bring the Church into the 21st Century. Change can be slow — painfully slow — but it does sometimes take place. We must be patient and know that if it is God’s Will, changes will be made. We must remember that everything happens in God’s time, not ours. We must also remember that, because of our interpretation of Holy Scripture, some of the “modern, secular” changes will never happen.
And, so . . .
O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all Your faithful people, mercifully look upon Your servant Francis, whom You have chosen as the chief Shepherd to preside over Your Church. We beg You to help him edify, both by word and example, those over whom he has charge, that he may reach everlasting life together with the flock entrusted to him. Through Christ our Lord. ~~Amen.
MUSINGS 