It’s an early Saturday morning in Alabama, “attending” from afar, as we are are blessed to do in this modern era, the funeral mass for Pope Francis.
I’m watching the ABC News coverage under the banner, “Celebrating Francis: The People’s Pope” – and he truly was.
There have been many things shared this week, stories of Francis’s life and ministry as well as his last days and hours on Earth.
There’s also been much to bear witness in these days leading up to his funeral, in observance of his final wishes and how they reflected the humble soul he is – and I’ve also been just completely taken by the beauty and symbolism of the some of the ritual observed this week.
Upon his passing, earlier this week we would all learn that his wishes regarding his burial were set outside of recent tradition, desiring to be interred in a simple tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome instead of the Vatican – and even requesting a simple wooden coffin rather than the traditional ornate triple layered coffin that is usual for a pope’s burial.
In his will regarding these matters, he gives the reasons this church is close to his heart and it is fitting that a Pope who chose to forgo the Papal mansion, living in an apartment instead, and who preferred to be near his people, would want a modest resting place among them.
Where death is often hidden away in our modern society, we have seen Pope Francis lie in state this week as thousands upon thousands of mourners paid their respects.
Yesterday, as that period came to a close, the sealing of his coffin was especially poignant, with images of his face covered with a silk cloth as he was buried with his pallium, coins minted during his papacy, and a three page deed listing the works of his life.
(How deeply humbling to imagine the life of such a great man can come to three pages – but I suppose that’s what he has been reminding us all along.)
Today, his funeral mass was breathtaking, with the Dean of the College of Cardinals eulogizing him beautifully.
He was unlike anyone we have seen before – or likely will again, a blessing for sure.
A few joyful surprises I came across this week as well:
NPR shared a Pope Francis playlist that made my heart smile:
Also, this article contains a Pope Francis recommended reading list that is everything to this little word nerd:
As I mentioned in my previous post earlier this week, over the past few months, I have read several of his books and recommend among them:
Happiness In This Life – I’ve been listening to this collection of some of his homilies again this week and it is wonderful. ♥️
The Name of God is Mercy.
Our Father: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer.
Life: My Story Through History. – his autobiography is excellent and particularly enjoyable in audiobook form. ♥️
We will miss him terribly.
We love you, Papa Francisco.
Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Grace and Blessings.
the autoimmune hippie. 