by Fr. Bernard Murphy, CFR

As the holiest week of the year unfolded, the eyes of the world were fixed on the upper window of the papal palace in Vatican City. Crowds below stood in hushed reverence as they watched the Vicar of Christ gracefully struggle through his own passion. As the days passed and the pontiff's health failed, the Church and the world experienced the waning of a clarion voice of renewal. The man who had called for a new evangelization, who had traveled the world insisting on the dignity of all human beings, born and unborn, the man who called for repentance and renewal in the Church and society was now confined to his bed, unable to utter a word. Yet even in his dying as in his living, our great Holy Father John Paul "heralded" the great dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of the Almighty.

Thousands of dignitaries from every land and religious background gathered in the piazza before the Major Basilica of St. Peter to pay their final tribute to perhaps the greatest moral leader of the twentieth century. Millions more-- believers and non-believers-- huddled around radios and televisions to witness the final farewells as the Servant of the Servants of God passed the final threshold to glory. Sustained applause and shouts for immediate canonization, "Santo Subito", carried the fallen warrior of faith to his final reward.

It was the evening of April 19, about 6:00 pm., the second day of the conclave. Smoke began to billow from the stack for the third time. Twice before, the crowds were disappointed to find no pope had been selected. Confusion had been caused earlier when the definitive sign of a selection, the ringing of bells, was thought to be heard: however, it was only the tolling of the midday angelus. But this time the election was certain. The smoke was white. The bells began to sound. People began to shout. And massive crowds began to sprint to the colonnade, as if into the arms of the Church, to hear the announcement.

Within thirty minutes the curtains on the balcony of St. Peter's were slowly drawn back. The cardinals began to fill the side balconies. Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, the senior deacon of the College of Cardinals, approached the microphone. In a slight change from protocol but expressive of the pontificate of the late John Paul II, the spokesman of the cardinals greeted the assembled multitude and all who were listening by mass communication in several languages. Next came the greatly anticipated proclamation. "Habemus papam!" Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, cardinal prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dean of the College of Cardinals, close collaborator of the former pontiff, was introduced as Benedict XVI. Renewal is renewed!

Many understood clearly that the Holy Spirit, through the guidance of the Church Fathers gathered in conclave, was continuing the call for renewal in the Church. For almost twenty-four years Cardinal Ratzinger had been one of the closest aides to Pope John Paul II. Now as Pope Benedict XVI, he could continue to foster the new evangelization, articulate the dignity of all human beings, and bring theological clarity to a highly secularized society. Renewal is renewed!

In 1987 a small group of Capuchin friars under the inspiration of another Benedict, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, began a little renewal of the Capuchin Franciscan way of life. Wanting to live a more intentional life of poverty, chastity and obedience following the inspiration of our Holy Father St. Francis, this little band of eight set off to the South Bronx to attempt reform. With the encouragement of the late Archbishop of New York, John Cardinal O'Connor, the friars sought a ministry of non-parochial service to the poorest of the poor. Hands-on work with those in need, a concerted effort to foster the new evangelization, especially Eucharistic devotion, and a burning desire to assist those in crisis pregnancies became the hallmark of this little reform. Now eighteen years later, this "rag tag group of friars" (as Cardinal O'Connor fondly referred to us) numbers over a hundred Friars and Sisters of the Renewal, serving in seven dioceses in three countries on two continents.

On May 30 the finally professed members of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal gathered in solemn assembly to choose a new Community Servant (General Superior). Until now the respective Servants have all been chosen from the original founding friars. Fr. Benedict Groeschel guided the community through its initial stage of establishment. Fr. Andrew Apostoli pastored the friars into stability. Fr. Glenn Sudano led the community into its expansion beyond the borders of New York. Now the community leadership has been entrusted to me, Fr. Bernard Murphy.

I am not one of the original friars. I was never a Capuchin Franciscan. I came to the community several years after its inception, inspired by the life of simplicity and its work with our less fortunate brothers and sisters. I perceived a vision of renewal in the original brothers that stirred my heart to desire a life of dedication and fervent religious reform. Now I have been entrusted with the awesome privilege of being servant to my brothers. Renewal is renewed!

I believe that when a community effectively passes on its vision to the next generation, a significant threshold has been crossed. The inspiration of the Lord and the guidance of His Spirit have been manifested. Despite trials and errors, our original brothers, none of whom would claim the title Founder, worked tirelessly to formulate what the Lord was asking of them. For years they wrestled with personal and communal renewal, which reflects the mind of God and the heart of his late vicar, John Paul II, and they continue to strive for this renewal. Now this vision is also handed on to those who follow, assuring hope for a future. Renewal is renewed!

As the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI begins to take shape and the new leadership in our little reform unfolds, let us pray that the Spirit of genuine renewal will be manifest. Let us be mindful of the words of our former Holy Father, who told us, "Do not be afraid!" Let us rally around our new Shepherd, who describes himself as a "simple, humble worker in the Lord's vineyard." Let us pray for a generous spirit and a willingness to serve so that the Church and our world may be renewed in Christ. Let us commit ourselves to on-going conversion and a life of sacrificial service to those most in need. For then, truly, RENEWAL IS RENEWED!