Habemus Papam - One of Our Own!
Our Thursday morning was rather different than usual yesterday … and you probably know why!
Shortly after 11 AM local time, the sound of the obedience bell echoed throughout the monastery halls, notifying all the Sisters that the eagerly-anticipated white smoke was billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney. Habemus Papam - we have a Pope!!
The Nuns all dropped their respective duties as soon as possible, and within a few minutes we were all gathered in the refectory to watch EWTN’s live coverage of St. Peter’s Square. Our excitement grew with each passing minute, and thousands of miles disappeared in an instant as we eagerly joined Catholics around the world in waiting to hear the name of our new Holy Father. We even prayed the noonday Divine Office in refectory, rather than chapel, so that we would be sure not to miss the big moment!
After what seemed like an eternity, the announcement was made: An AMERICAN Cardinal, Robert Prevost, would now be known as Pope Leo XIV! We were astounded and overjoyed to hear that “one of our own” had assumed the Chair of St. Peter for the first time in history! With profound gratitude and emotion, we listened to the new Pope’s opening address and knelt to receive his Urbi et Orbi blessing.
A group photo from the General Chapter - you can find the Sisters from our monastery by looking for the white collars!
(Source: www.monachepassioniste.com)
Our thoughts, of course, turned immediately to our Sisters who are in Italy right now for the General Chapter. If their planned papal audience (scheduled before the death of Pope Francis) does indeed go forward, then the Passionist Nuns could be among the first to greet, congratulate, and promise prayers for Pope Leo XIV. What a thrilling thought!
Whether our Sisters get to meet the newly-minted Roman Pontiff in person or not, they and we have already embraced him with open hearts. We pray for an abundance of God’s blessings upon him as he begins his papacy in a world sorely in need of the Gospel message. What a glorious privilege we have as the “beating heart” of Holy Mother Church!
Viva il Papa Leone!