Be not afraid!
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
The funeral of Pope John Paul II brought back the memory of the dramatic moment in the fall of 1978 when the crowd gathered in Saint Peter's Square, awaiting news of the new pope, elected to replace John Paul I. The Cardinal Deacon appeared on the balcony and proclaimed the ancient formula "Annuntiamus gaudium magnum! Habemus papam!" He then pronounced the name of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow. There was a moment of stunned silence--who was this man? Nobody expected that this Polish archbishop would be the Holy Spirit's chosen instrument to lead the Church into the new millenium. And when he came onto the balcony, the new pope's first unforgettable words were: "Be not afraid!" This phrase has been the rallying cry of Pope John Paul II for the 27 years of his pontificate. He indeed was a man who was not afraid of the truth because he knew that Truth is above all a Person: Jesus Christ the Son of God.
This website will be a series of reflections for those who feel the mysterious call of Jesus Christ to follow Him in religious life; who feel the call, but are afraid to respond. There are many reasons why young people are afraid to live the radical demands of their faith in a secular age. We, the monks of the Monastery of the Holy Cross, greet More than anything this sums up the life of a man who in life as in death touched millions by the witness of the Truth of the Gospel. We invite you to 'consider your call' (I Cor 1:26) and respond whole heartedly.
Peace to you in Jesus Christ! Be assured of our prayers for you.
Fr. Peter Funk, OSB
The funeral of Pope John Paul II brought back the memory of the dramatic moment in the fall of 1978 when the crowd gathered in Saint Peter's Square, awaiting news of the new pope, elected to replace John Paul I. The Cardinal Deacon appeared on the balcony and proclaimed the ancient formula "Annuntiamus gaudium magnum! Habemus papam!" He then pronounced the name of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow. There was a moment of stunned silence--who was this man? Nobody expected that this Polish archbishop would be the Holy Spirit's chosen instrument to lead the Church into the new millenium. And when he came onto the balcony, the new pope's first unforgettable words were: "Be not afraid!" This phrase has been the rallying cry of Pope John Paul II for the 27 years of his pontificate. He indeed was a man who was not afraid of the truth because he knew that Truth is above all a Person: Jesus Christ the Son of God.
This website will be a series of reflections for those who feel the mysterious call of Jesus Christ to follow Him in religious life; who feel the call, but are afraid to respond. There are many reasons why young people are afraid to live the radical demands of their faith in a secular age. We, the monks of the Monastery of the Holy Cross, greet More than anything this sums up the life of a man who in life as in death touched millions by the witness of the Truth of the Gospel. We invite you to 'consider your call' (I Cor 1:26) and respond whole heartedly.
Peace to you in Jesus Christ! Be assured of our prayers for you.
Fr. Peter Funk, OSB
posted by Prior Peter, OSB at 12:29 PM
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