Dear Cathedral Parish Family,
It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Pope Francis today. During the following days and weeks, we will be praying for and with the church as we grieve his loss as the successor of St Peter. As is customary upon the death of a pope, we will be including prayers for the repose of his soul at our Masses and liturgies. Each day this week, after the noon Mass, we will pray a rosary for Pope Francis.
I am truly saddened by the death of Pope Francis. In October of 2024, I had the privilege to lead a group of 30 pilgrims from the Cathedral to Rome and to attend an audience with Pope Francis. The kindness and pastoral care of Pope Francis, as well as his great love of the Church, came through clearly in his words during the audience. During his pontificate, he called all of us to be missionary disciples. This will be one of his great legacies. I am grateful for his loving service to the church and his devotion to our Lord Jesus. I pray for the repose of his soul and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we move forward in this transition.
O God, immortal shepherd of souls,
look on your people’s prayers
and grant that your servant Pope Francis,
who presided over your Church in charity,
may, with the flock entrusted to his care,
receive from your mercy
the reward of a faithful steward.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
In Christ’s peace,
Father David
Very Rev. David A. Boettner
Rector- Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus