May 18, 2025

Just a couple of weeks ago, we were saddened over the death of our beloved Holy Father Francis. This past week greeted us with the great news of a new Holy Fahter: Leo XIV, who is Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ, Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Sovereign of Vatican City. As we welcome our new Holy Father and express our best wishes, we also pray to the Holy Spirit that he will guide and direct Leo XIV as he leads the Church as the visible sign of God's Kingdom on earth.

The following is a prayer we might say on his behalf: Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Leo XIV a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity to those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Certainly history was made with the election of Leo XIV because he was born in the United States and is a native of suburban Chicago. While the American Church is a rather young Church in the perspective of Church History, yet we possess a vitality that does much to support the efforts of the Universal Church. Pope Leo's election is a great affirmation of the American Church, and it is my prayer that American Catholics become more inspired to practice their faith more passionately and that those who have ceased practicing come back to the fold. I'm sure this would mean very much to Pope Leo as he assumes responsibility for the Catholic Church in the world today. Ad multos annos Leo XIV. 

Please join us tomorrow evening, Monday, May 19, as we at Assumption Parish crown Mary as Queen of May. While we are late this year because of the late date of Easter, still every day of May provides us with a good occasion to honor our Blessed Mother.