"If you love me, Peter, feed my sheep."
Dear Faithful,
On this feast day when we commemorate and celebrate one of the greatest, strongest and holiest of popes in Church history, Gregory VII, we are filled with profound sadness and dismay when casting our eyes toward the Eternal City, seeing the scandalous performance of the current holder of that divinely constituted office. By his own words and actions, we are forced to consider if this pontiff still professes and practices the one, true Faith revealed by Almighty God, sealed in the Blood of Our Lord and Redeemer.
Leaving to the theologians that discussion, and ultimately God Himself the judgement, it is incumbent upon us not only to resist any novelties and deviations by him or any other churchman, but also to pray; pray for our leaders, pray for these men who assume a burden far above their own powers. The work, however, while extremely difficult, beyond our own measure, is not impossible, since it is commanded by Our Lord. For success, one must correspond to those graces promised and faithfully given in order to perform these most august duties of state.
Clearly this Pope, as his predecessors since the Council, has to date simply and ignominiously failed at the task, wreaking havoc in the Church of God, causing an unprecedented crisis resulting in crass and widespread confusion, in the loss of faith and thus possible loss of numerous immortal souls.
Today, on a great pontiff's feast day, an example of virile and holy leadership for the ages, and during this preparatory novena for Pentecost, let us fervently pray and do penance for Pope Francis, that he turn from his objectively wicked, nefarious and scandalous ways, becoming the Vicar of Christ that Our Lord desires for His people, and the entire world so desperately needs. Although criticism and even rebuke are surely more than justified, let us rather turn those words today to prayers, asking the Good Shepherd to pour upon the occupant of the Chair of Peter such a torrent of graces as to compel, as it were, a conversion and commencement of heroic Catholic leadership as an echo of the saintly pontiffs of old.
Faith, true, fervent and sincere, can move mountains. Let us move this mountain . . . for the glory of God and the Holy Catholic Church, to the consternation and confusion of Her implacable enemies, as well as for the salvation of innumerable souls!
For your convenience please find below the traditional prayer for the Supreme Pontiff and Pastor of souls, as well as another excellent history of Pope Saint Gregory VII. May that holy and glorious pontiff of years gone by intercede before the Throne from whence comes all majesty and supernatural power for this current weak successor, making him a man and saint to be truly reckoned with.
Yours in Christ the King,
Father Michael McMahon
Read: A Pope Dies on the Run
Oratio pro summo Pontifice
Prayer for the Pope
The following prayer is taken from the Roman Missal.
A partial indulgence is attached to the versicle and response.
V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco.
R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius. [Ps 40:3]
Pater Noster, Ave Maria...
Oremus:
Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Franciscum., quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.
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V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]
Our Father, Hail Mary...
Let us pray:
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.