I’ve been trying to find the words to express how I feel over the passing of our Holy Father yesterday, April 21.
Largely, I feel the weight of our Church being fatherless. Papa Francesco was a well-loved Pope. He was highly misunderstood and misquoted in the social media age he was appointed to lead in but the joy that filled the hearts of those whom he encountered as the vicar of Christ was undeniable.
I was blessed enough to be an audience member in his ‘Encounter with the Families’ held during his visit last 2015 🇵🇭
I honor Papa Francesco with his words that have been etched in my heart since that encounter —
✨ “When you lose the capacity to dream,
you lose the capacity to love.”✨
My 15-year old self needed 7 more years to understand what he was saying…
Love, properly understood as willing the good of the other, is founded on dreams for the people we have affection for.
Dreams to give them a good life, to make their day-to-day easier and more joyful, to see God’s purpose in their lives come to fruition, and to be with them in Heaven in God’s eternal embrace ❤️🔥
These dreams bring us to our knees in prayer and empower our will to keep working and hoping that the Lord will grant the desires of our hearts for the people we love ❤️🔥
It sounds simple but I’ve experienced how
difficult it is to ✨ dream ✨, Friends!
I’m sure you know what I’m saying!
When life feels too hard and
challenges seem relentless,
is there still room to dream?
To hope for better?
✨ Papa Francesco urges us to hope against hope!
To dream big especially when it’s difficult!
It is through hopes completely offered
at the foot of Jesus’ cross
that we can experience Christ’s
love + miracles in our lives;
only then can we truly love ✨
Mama Mary, bring Papa Francesco to your Son, Jesus 🩵
Jesus, Your Church is now fatherless.
We call on you as our Good Shepherd!
Please be so close to us, your flock,
and lead our Cardinals in the appointment of the
new Pope ❤️🔥
