For the Faithful Departed

(03 Nov 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a Mass of Suffrage today for the Cardinals and Archbishops who died during the course of the past year.
In his homily, the Pope named the cardinals who have passed since last November…


He also remembered all the Archbishops and Bishops who have passed as well during the same period.


The Holy Father said the Lord assures us that the Cardinals, bishops and archbishops remembered in Monday’s Mass have passed from death to life; they chose Christ, they welcomed His gentle yoke and were consecrated to the service of the brethren. For this, said Pope Benedict, even if they must pay some part of the price owed by the human frailty that signs all of us, faithfulness to Christ permits them to enter into the liberty that belongs to the sons of God.


The Pope said it is dear to us to think of them in the company of the Saints, finally raised out of the bitterness of this life, and we too feel the desire to be one day to take our place in such a happy fellowship.


Dear Brothers and sisters, said Pope Benedict, let us unite our prayers and offer them up to the Father of all goodness and mercy, so that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the encounter with the fire of God’s love might presently purify these our deceased friends of every imperfection, and transform them, for His praise and glory.


Pope Benedict said we also pray that we pilgrims here on Earth might keep our eyes and our hearts ever focused on the end we ardently desire, the house of the Father, Heaven. So may it be forever!