“From the very first moment he appeared at the balcony and was introduced to the world as the successor to St. Peter, we saw the humility of Pope Francis,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said during a Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 23.
“Before giving his final blessing that day, the Holy Father asked for our prayers,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily. “Once again, we respond to that request as we gather at this Mass and pray for our Holy Father and his eternal peace in the Kingdom of Heaven with profound thanks to God for the gift and witness of his life and faithful ministry among us.”
Bishop Burbidge reflected on the humility of Pope Francis and that he would likely be nonplussed by the amount of attention and approbation he is receiving following his death two days prior on Easter Monday, April 21.
“I believe the only way he would be comfortable with this type of attention would be if it helped to bring others closer to Christ,” Bishop Burbidge said. That sentiment certainly seemed true at the Mass in Arlington. Although the entrance to the cathedral was draped in black, the interior was bedecked with all the colors of Easter flowers and the atmosphere, though serious and reverential, demonstrated the hope emphasized by Bishop Burbidge’s message, the readings for the Mass, and the Jubilee Year of Hope called by Pope Francis.
“We honor Pope Francis by promising to be witnesses of hope as we remain strong and steadfast in our faith and ever confident in the promises of Jesus, in whom joy flourishes, peace abounds, and hope does not disappoint,” he said.
Along with that hope, Bishop Burbidge reminded attendees that joy is key to helping others draw closer to Christ, a sentiment particularly poignant since the pope’s passing coincided with the beginning of the Easter season.
“May we promise anew to avoid any sense of despair amid the challenges in our world and, rather, radiate the joy that is ours in the risen Lord, the light who has conquered the darkness and the one who brings us newness of life,” he said.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Burbidge with Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde in attendance as well as dozens of diocesan priests.
Elizabeth and William Higgins attended the Mass to honor Pope Francis and celebrate his life. They recalled how Pope Francis walked the walk.
“He died with his boots on,” said William. Sharing about a brief encounter he had with Bishop Burbidge after a Mass at St. Ann Church in Arlington, William remembered an intentional moment of connection. “He had a big smile. So, I guess it’s important to just connect with people.” Connecting and drawing people in was an idea repeated throughout Bishop Burbidge’s homily.
Following this theme of witnessing to hope and working to bring others close to Christ in a tangible, everyday manner, Bishop Burbidge recalled Pope Francis likening the church to a field hospital and encouraged his listeners to seek out those on the peripheries and to invite those within circles of family and friends back to the church. “If we are going to evangelize, then we cannot stay only where we are comfortable,” Bishop Burbidge said.
Going forward following the death of Pope Francis, Bishop Burbidge said, “May we, inspired by the example of Pope Francis, promise anew to honor and respect the dignity that belongs to every person as God’s beloved; to radiate the joy that is ours in loving and following Jesus and his Gospel; and to be missionary disciples and witnesses of hope who will lead others back to him.
“It is in this hope that we entrust our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Lord’s love and mercy and pray for his eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven,” he said. “Pope Francis: We love you. We will miss you. We will always pray for you. May you rest in the peace of the Lord.”
Goss is a freelancer in Arlington.
Watch the Mass
The Mass is available at bit.ly/PFMemorialMass.
