When large celebrations of grace take place, especially in Rome, the custom is that on the day following, there is a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated. In this case, the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonization of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II took place in Saint Peter's Square last Monday, but this act of gratitude to God is not customarily presided over by the Holy Father.
As with many other facets of Pope Francis' ministry, he never fails to observe such a delicate moment as one of gratitude, so today, at 9:30am, His Holiness presided at a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of Saint Stanislaus on the via delle Botteghe Oscure in Rome, along with members of the Polish Community who were present to celebrate their gratitude for the Canonization of Saint John Paul II.
In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we heard today the voice of Peter, announcing the resurrection of Jesus with confidence. Peter testifies to the hope that is ours in Christ. And in the second reading, Peter once again confirms the faithful in the faith of Christ, writing: Through him, you have come to trust in God who raised him from the dead ... so that your faith and hope are set on God (1 Pet 1:21).
Peter is the point of reference point for the rest of the community because he is founded on the Rock that is Christ. This was also the case with John Paul II, a real stone anchored to the big Rock.
One week after the canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II, we are gathered in this church where the Poles of Rome gather, in order to thank the Lord for the gift of this holy Bishop of Rome, a son of your beloved nation. In this church where He came to visit more than eighty times! He always came here, at various moments in his life and of the life of Poland.
In the moments of sadness and struggle, when everything seemed to be lost, he never lost hope because his faith and his hope were fixed on God (cf 1 Pet 1:21). In this way, he was a real stone, a rock for the community that prays here, that listens here for the Word of God, that prepares here for the Sacraments and celebrates them, welcoming those in need, singing together and celebrating. From here, the community goes back out into the streets of Rome ...
You, brothers and sisters, are part of a people who has seen many trials throughout your history. The Polish people know very well that in order to enter into glory, we must first pass through the passion of the cross (cf Lk 24:26). And you know this because you have studied it, you have lived it. Saint John Paul II, as a worthy son of your homeland, followed this path. He followed it in an exemplary way, and received from God the gift of total surrender. For this reason his body rests in hope (cf Acts 2:26; Ps 16:9).
And we? Are we ready to follow this path?
You, my dear brothers and sisters, who today make up the Polish Christian community of Rome, do you wish to follow this path?
Saint Peter, and the voice of Saint John Paul II says: Live in reverent fear during the time of your exile (1 Pet 1:17). It's true, we are travellers, but we are not wanderers! We are on a journey, but we know where we are going! Wanderers don't know where they are headed. We are pilgrims, but we are not lost - as Saint John Paul II used to say.
When they set out, the two disciples of Emmaus were wandering, they did not know where they were headed, but when they came back, this had all changed! When they returned, they were witnesses to the hope that is in Christ because they had met Him, the one who is truly risen! This Jesus is the one who is truly risen, the one who walks with us on the way. Jesus is here today, here among us. He is here in his Word, he is here at the altar, he walks with us, he is truly risen.
We too can become risen travellers, if his Word enlivens our hearts, and if his Eucharist opens our eyes to faith and nourishes us with hope and charity. We too can walk beside our brothers and sisters who are sad and despairing, we can warm their hearts with the Gospel and share with them the bread of fraternity.
May Saint John Paul II help us to be risen travellers. Amen.
As with many other facets of Pope Francis' ministry, he never fails to observe such a delicate moment as one of gratitude, so today, at 9:30am, His Holiness presided at a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of Saint Stanislaus on the via delle Botteghe Oscure in Rome, along with members of the Polish Community who were present to celebrate their gratitude for the Canonization of Saint John Paul II.
Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the celebration of a Mass of Thanksgiving
for the Canonization of Saint John Paul II
In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we heard today the voice of Peter, announcing the resurrection of Jesus with confidence. Peter testifies to the hope that is ours in Christ. And in the second reading, Peter once again confirms the faithful in the faith of Christ, writing: Through him, you have come to trust in God who raised him from the dead ... so that your faith and hope are set on God (1 Pet 1:21).
Peter is the point of reference point for the rest of the community because he is founded on the Rock that is Christ. This was also the case with John Paul II, a real stone anchored to the big Rock.
One week after the canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II, we are gathered in this church where the Poles of Rome gather, in order to thank the Lord for the gift of this holy Bishop of Rome, a son of your beloved nation. In this church where He came to visit more than eighty times! He always came here, at various moments in his life and of the life of Poland.
In the moments of sadness and struggle, when everything seemed to be lost, he never lost hope because his faith and his hope were fixed on God (cf 1 Pet 1:21). In this way, he was a real stone, a rock for the community that prays here, that listens here for the Word of God, that prepares here for the Sacraments and celebrates them, welcoming those in need, singing together and celebrating. From here, the community goes back out into the streets of Rome ...
You, brothers and sisters, are part of a people who has seen many trials throughout your history. The Polish people know very well that in order to enter into glory, we must first pass through the passion of the cross (cf Lk 24:26). And you know this because you have studied it, you have lived it. Saint John Paul II, as a worthy son of your homeland, followed this path. He followed it in an exemplary way, and received from God the gift of total surrender. For this reason his body rests in hope (cf Acts 2:26; Ps 16:9).
And we? Are we ready to follow this path?
You, my dear brothers and sisters, who today make up the Polish Christian community of Rome, do you wish to follow this path?
Saint Peter, and the voice of Saint John Paul II says: Live in reverent fear during the time of your exile (1 Pet 1:17). It's true, we are travellers, but we are not wanderers! We are on a journey, but we know where we are going! Wanderers don't know where they are headed. We are pilgrims, but we are not lost - as Saint John Paul II used to say.
When they set out, the two disciples of Emmaus were wandering, they did not know where they were headed, but when they came back, this had all changed! When they returned, they were witnesses to the hope that is in Christ because they had met Him, the one who is truly risen! This Jesus is the one who is truly risen, the one who walks with us on the way. Jesus is here today, here among us. He is here in his Word, he is here at the altar, he walks with us, he is truly risen.
We too can become risen travellers, if his Word enlivens our hearts, and if his Eucharist opens our eyes to faith and nourishes us with hope and charity. We too can walk beside our brothers and sisters who are sad and despairing, we can warm their hearts with the Gospel and share with them the bread of fraternity.
May Saint John Paul II help us to be risen travellers. Amen.
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