Dear parishioners,
You have probably heard already that Pope Emeritus Benedict died this morning.
The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.”
News of the death of the Pope Emeritus came during Mass this morning, and we offered prayers for him, as we will tomorrow at each Mass. In due course I will be offering a public Mass of Requiem, date and time to be confirmed. In the meantime we join with many people around the world in praying for the repose of the soul of this great servant of the servants of God.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Emeritus Benedict,
whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.May he rest in peace.Amen.May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Amen.
Church is open each day, if you wish to say some prayers in church. An image of the late Pope Emeritus is in the Lady Chapel, where it has been since Pope Francis asked us to pray for him earlier this week.
Yours, Fr Paul