The Cardinal Archbishop of Washington on the Holy Father’s visit to the United States -To walk with Francis
We all look forward with faith-filled joy
and enthusiasm to Pope Francis’ visit to Washington to begin his first
apostolic journey to the United States.
The theme for his visit to this archdiocesan Church is “Share the Joy,
Walk with Francis,” as vividly reflected in our preparation for this time of
grace.
Extensive educational and resource
materials, including homily guides, have been produced to help people in our
schools and parishes learn more about who the Pope is, his role as Peter in the
Church today, and his message of Christ’s love for us. Meanwhile, a vast evangelization effort is
underway in our neighborhoods. Also, our archdiocesan social media has been
particularly engaged on Facebook, Twitter and other outlets, allowing a wide
range of people to share their excitement through words and pictures.
To show our solidarity with the Holy Father
in anticipation of his visit, and to say to him that we embrace the Gospel
message and try to live it, the Archdiocese of Washington has launched a
special initiative known as the Walk with Francis Pledge. A multitude of people
of all faiths and backgrounds have already joined together to participate and
also spread the word via #WalkwithFrancis. Now we invite our sisters and
brothers in Rome and New York and Philadelphia and Buenos Aires and throughout
the whole Church to visit the website WalkWithFrancis.org and join us in this
outreach through prayer, charitable service, or action to help build up the
kingdom of God in our midst.
Another exciting venture for these times is
the “YouServe” Papal Visit Video Contest sponsored by the Archdiocese. Here people have been invited to share their
faith witness through videos showing how they are answering the Holy Father’s
call to serve others. In addition, we
have held competitions to design the altar for the Papal Mass and for the
special choirs that will sing at the liturgy.
All of our preparation has been a way for
us to share the joy of the Gospel as we accept Pope Francis’ invitation to walk
together in our pilgrim journey. It has
been already a moment of grace.
It is an enormous privilege always to host
the Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ and this honor is made even greater
with the historic celebration of the first Mass of Canonization in this country
at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception facing the
campus of The Catholic University of America. The canonization of Blessed
Junípero Serra, the extraordinary Franciscan priest who evangelized California,
will be an inspiration for all of us to answer the call to be Spirit-filled
missionary disciples who bring to others the Gospel love of Jesus Christ.
At this Eucharistic liturgy, and throughout
his trip to the United States, Pope Francis will see the face of the world — a
diversity of men and women from all backgrounds and languages who have gathered
around him in harmony. As a sign of this diversity and the universality of the
Church, the Canonization Mass will largely be celebrated in Spanish, the native
language of Blessed Junípero and millions of people in the Americas, including
the large Latino community in the Washington area.
Throughout his pontificate, our Holy Father
has worked to foster this harmony throughout society. Speaking in a simple,
inviting way to the hearts of people, he urges us time and again to see one
another not as rivals, but as brothers and sisters to be accepted and embraced.
In a particular way here in Washington,
home to our national government, Pope Francis’ visit presents a blessed
opportunity for people to set-aside their differences, political and cultural.
Coming to us as a pastor, we can anticipate his words of outreach and renewal
for our entire human family. Perhaps this moment will inspire public leaders
and people throughout society to more often overcome division and indifference
to seek the common good, especially to protect and enhance the lives and
dignity of those who are poor and vulnerable.
The Holy Father offers a beautiful vision —
a way of life that involves mercy and compassion, hunger and thirst for
righteousness, patience and forgiveness. It is the Good News of Jesus Christ.
People are drawn to this and his presence here is sure to bear fruit for many
years to come as we take his words to heart and go out to care for one another,
bringing mercy and hope and the joy of being loved.
The legacy of Pope Francis’ visit, I
believe, will be a strengthening of faith among those already active in Church
life, an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, a return
to the practice of the faith by some who have drifted away, a renewed openness
by non-Catholics and non-believers to the message of the Gospel and an
invitation to all to draw closer to God. As the Gospel message that our Holy
Father brings radiates throughout our entire society, we should better be able
to work together to realize more effectively a truly good, just and beautiful
world — our common home.
Donald Wuerl
Cardinal-Archbishop of Washington