Father Abbot Damian recently posted a message from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone
asking for our prayers. The letter read in part:
His Holiness Benedict XVI has asked all
the faithful to accompany him with their prayers as he commends the Petrine
ministry into the Lord’s hands, and to await with trust the arrival of the new
Pope. In a particularly urgent way this appeal is addressed to those chosen
members of the Church who are contemplatives. The Holy Father is certain that
you, in your monasteries and convents throughout the world, will provide the
precious resource of that prayerful faith which down the centuries has
accompanied and sustained the Church along her pilgrim path. The coming
conclave will thus depend in a special way on the transparent purity of your
prayer and worship.
And so it is
that we monks clearly understand our role during this papal transition. We pray
for His Holiness Benedict XVI and for the Cardinals who gathered in conclave, guided by the Holy Spirit, will choose his
successor. As monks we feel a deep connectedness with Benedict XVI who now will devote himself, like us, to prayer, contemplation and reflection.
Cardinal
Bertone concluded his message to us in these words:
The Holy Father, with whom I shared the
contents of this letter,
was deeply appreciative, and asked me to thank you and to assure you of his immense love and esteem. |
