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From the Office of Bishop Lopes
Bishop Lopes will celebrate a requiem Mass Monday, January 2 at 6:30 PM for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston, before leaving for Rome to attend the funeral.
Please pray for the repose of his soul:
“O God who hast made thy servant Benedict to flourish among the Ministers of Apostolic Succession, grant we beseech thee, that he may also be joined with them in a perpetual fellowship, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
| His Holiness Benedict XVI writes: |
“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life. Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer, for I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings, and is thus also my advocate, my ‘Paraclete.’ In light of the hour of judgment, the grace of being a Christian becomes all the more clear to me. It grants me knowledge, and indeed friendship, with the judge of my life, and thus allows me to pass confidently through the dark door of death. In this regard, I am constantly reminded of what John tells us at the beginning of the Apocalypse: he sees the Son of Man in all His grandeur and falls at His feet as though dead. Yet He, placing His right hand on him, says to him: “Do not be afraid! It is I …” (cf. Rev 1:12-17).” – Benedict XVI |
