Together with the Universal Church, we Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Our community is present in Rome through a household of sisters who live at the Cor Ecclesiae Shrine, very close to the Vatican. During the past few days, they had the opportunity to meet with the late Pope on different occasions. Sr. M. Clades, the house superior, relates:
Personal meeting with the Pope on Saturday
“It was a great gift for us, Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, that on Saturday around 6:00 p.m., as we arrived at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in the celebration, we were asked to wait for a moment at the side entrance. So we paused. To our great surprise, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was leaving the Basilica. He had been praying inside, and as he was coming out, we were arriving — and we received the incredible gift of greeting him.
When he saw our surprised group — consecrated and lay people — he asked to make a small turn with his wheelchair to come toward us. I had the grace of shaking his hand and greeting him on behalf of everyone who would love to have had that privilege, to wish him a holy and happy Easter. Yes, that was our extraordinary gift during the Easter Vigil.”
His blessing on Sunday
“On Easter Sunday, as was broadcast by Vatican media, Pope Francis appeared to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing, and we were also present. Although he could not read the message, he gave the Easter greeting and, at the end, blessed all the pilgrims with the blessing that imparts a plenary indulgence. He then got into the popemobile and made a short tour of St. Peter’s Square to greet the pilgrims. We were very close to the main altar when he passed in front of us, he blessed us together with the sick, and then returned to Casa Santa Marta. I think those were the last images of him in public, giving the greatest gift he could give to everybody — his blessing as Father and Pastor of the Church.”
At the place of his burial
“On the 21st, Sr. M. Julia and I went to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for the 10 a.m. Mass, bringing with us the crown with which the Mother and Queen will be crowned on June 9 at the Mater Ecclesiae Shrine. The patroness of this basilica is Santa Maria Salus Populi Romani (Our Lady, Salvation of the Roman People), whom Pope Francis visited many times, offering her a bouquet of flowers on special occasions and before and after each apostolic journey.
During the holy Mass, right after the Gospel, the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was officially announced. A complete silence fell. We could hardly believe we were there at that exact time and place, with the crown for the Queen and Mother of the Church. After the silence, everyone was invited to pray for the Pope, and the Mass continued with the solemn ringing of the basilica’s funeral bell, which sounded almost until the end of the celebration. At the conclusion of the Mass, the presiding priest reminded the faithful that Pope Francis had chosen to be buried in a small side chapel of this basilica, to the left of the entrance.”
He always trusted in Mary
In the Pope’s will we read: “Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
United in love for the Church
Sr. M. Clades continues:
“Without having planned it, God wanted us to be among the last to greet the Pope — and we did so representing every member of the Schoenstatt Family, united in love for the Church, as our Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, taught us. That is why we share with all of you the graces we received.”
Source: Schoenstatt.org.br – with small changes