Parishes and individuals encouraged to pray for Pope Benedict, cardinals

Criterion staff report

Prayer for the Church in Anticipation of the Vacancy of the See of St. Peter
 
(courtesy of the Knights of Columbus)
 
O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of your Church,
we thank you for the ministry of
Pope Benedict XVI
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and your Vicar on Earth.
 
Good Shepherd, who founded your Church
on the rock of Peter’s faith
and have never left your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain your Church in faith, hope, and charity.
 
Grant, Lord Jesus, in your boundless love for us,
a new Pope for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to you,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin is asking parishes across central and southern Indiana to pray in the coming weeks for Pope Benedict XVI as his Feb. 28 resignation approaches, and for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect a new pontiff. (Related: More coverage of the papal transition)

Father Patrick Beidelman, archdiocesan director of liturgy, has sent guidelines to all priests and parish life coordinators in the archdiocese to help them lead their communities in praying for Pope Benedict and the voting cardinals.

Pope Benedict will continue to be mentioned at Mass in the eucharistic prayer in the usual way until 2 p.m. E.S.T. on Feb. 28, the time and date at which the pontiff’s resignation will take effect.

Until that time, it would also be appropriate to pray for the pope and his successor during the Prayer of the Faithful.

Following 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 and until a new pope is named, the intercession for the pope in the eucharistic prayer is omitted.

Archbishop Tobin has granted permission for the celebration of a Votive Mass or Mass for Various Needs and Occasions on Lenten weekdays, which may be offered for the cardinals preparing to gather to elect the next pope. The Mass readings of the day should be retained.

Intercessions for the next pope and for the cardinals preparing for the election should be included in the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, as well as other times that parish communities or larger groups of the faithful come together for prayer.

Catholics across the archdiocese are encouraged to pray for the future pope in their own personal prayer. Parishes that have times of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, perpetual adoration chapels or other times of devotional prayer should also keep the next pope as an intention for those taking part in these times of prayer.

After the conclave has begun, Archbishop Tobin will offer a Mass for the election of the pope at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. Ordinarily a Votive Mass or Mass for Various Needs or Occasions like this is not allowed during Lent. Archbishop Tobin has granted priests in the archdiocese permission to offer such a Mass and has asked each to do so.

Archbishop Tobin has also granted permission for this Mass to be offered on the day of the opening of the conclave. It may not be celebrated on a Sunday, but instead on the Lenten weekday closest to the opening of the conclave.

Intercessions for the next pope and for the cardinals meeting at the conclave should be included in the Prayer of the Faithful at all Masses until the next successor of Peter is elected.

During the time of the conclave, Catholics across central and southern Indiana are encouraged to offer their private prayers, works and almsgiving for the successful election of a new pontiff.

Upon the election of the new pope, Archbishop Tobin will offer a Mass for the newly elected pontiff. Priests in every parish and community should also offer such a Mass. Archbishop Tobin has given permission to priests in the archdiocese to offer such a Votive Mass or Mass for Various Needs or Occasions during Lent.

It should not, however, be celebrated on a Sunday in the seasons of Lent or Easter.

Parishes are encouraged to ring their church bells when the new pope is named. They may also wish to place yellow and white bunting around the main door of the church to celebrate the election. Yellow and white are the papal colors.

Upon the announcement of the next pope, the mentioning of the name of the newly-elected pontiff in the eucharistic prayer is to be reinstated.

Intercessions for the newly-elected pope should be included in the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, and at other times that parishes or other larger groups of the faithful come together for prayer.

Once the new pontiff has been announced, Catholics across the archdiocese should give thanks to God for his election and pray for him using such prayers as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and the Te Deum. The newly elected pope can also be remembered in the praying of the rosary.
 

(For more information, call Father Patrick Beidelman at 800-382-9836, ext. 1480 or 317-236-1480, or send him an e-mail at pbeidelman@archindy.org.) †