April 17, 2005

Today our prayers must become more intense. The Cardinals will be gathering to elect our new pope. Without knowing who he is going to be, I would say that he has an incredible responsibility coming down on his shoulders. First of all the world will expect him to do the impossible, to take the place of John Paul II. On top of that he has to make an immense number of decisions guided by the Holy Spirit to protect the church and to move it along the way of reform. Obviously God protects the church, but He protects it through the instrumentality of men. It’s unfortunate but true that church history has examples of bad popes and less obvious examples of popes who were not quite up to the challenge. There’s no chance of us getting a bad pope, but there sure is an easy chance of getting someone of very good will, maybe even a holy man who is not up to the challenge.
People keep asking me if I know who is going to be Pope. I don’t have the slightest idea, but I learned from my own experience from the accident and from recovery that intercessory prayer does work and Christ expects us to do intercessory prayer for the Church. He tells us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest. Why do we have to pray if it’s God’s work? I don’t know, but the command of Christ to pray for the Church is there.
The friars and sisters of the Renewal invite all of our friends to fervent daily prayer for the Church and for the guidance of the Cardinals at this difficult time.

-Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

Come O Holy Spirit, Lord of life and spirit of truth. Come upon your church as You came upon the apostles at Pentecost, and fill your servants, our shepherds, with Your gifts of understanding, truth, and peace. Help them to strive with all their hearts to learn what is pleasing to You and to follow it with all their strength.In your mercy, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well beloved spouse, grant your church a shepherd who will walk in Your ways and whose watchful care will bring us Your blessing. Grant us a shepherd who will be an example of goodness to Your people and who will fill our hearts and minds with the trust of the Gospel. Pour forth upon your appointed successor to St. Peter Your sevenfold gifts, especially the gifts of wisdom and courage. May you be glorified with the Father and the Son, one God forever and ever. Amen

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