advocate-summer-2013.. - The Mill Hill Missionaries

14IT WAS a moment of rare magic,both humble and holy. The 76year-old Argentine Jesuit,Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,stepped out on the balcony of theBasilica of St Peter's and said asimple, ‘Buona sera’ – goodevening.With just two words, he suggestedthat things were going to bedifferent around here - different fora thousand reasons. He is the firstLatin American Pope - a longoverdue acknowledgement thatnearly half the world's Catholics livein Latin America. He is the first Jesuit popeand the first Pope Francis. All of this is obviousenough and clearly very different.However, the biggest difference of allwas the aura of genuine humility: “Theconclave had the task of finding a bishopfor Rome. It seems as if my cardinal brotherswent practically to the ends of the earthto find one” - he said. That remarkprompted an immediate burst of applause,mixed with laughter, from the crowd in St.Peter’s square. It helps, of course, that hespeaks fluent Italian. He moved into arecital of the Lord's Prayer, followed by hispromise that “we are about to begin a journeytogether, the bishop and his people ... ajourney of brotherhood, fraternity andtrust... let us pray for one another, let uspray for the entire world”. Then Pope Francisdid another very simple, humble thing.Before giving his blessing, he asked “afavour” of his listeners: “Please pray forme”. In that moment of silence the newpope bowed his head in prayer…The beginning was more than promising.Yet can Pope Francis deliver on thegreat expectations that accompany hiselection? Will his pontificate see theCatholic Church become much more a“church of the poor”? … He has long hadan impressive reputation for simplicityand humility. As archbishop, he chose tolive in a simple apartment rather than thearchbishop's palace. He gave up hischauffeured limousine in favour of takingthe bus to work, and cooked his ownmeals…Pope Francis was born inBuenos Aires in 1936, theson of an Italian immigrantand railwayworker from Piedmont.He originally wanted tobe a chemist, but in1958 opted instead forthe Jesuits...(PaddyAgnew in The IrishTimes, March 14th 2013)Pope Francis about St.Joseph (from his homily atthe Inauguration Mass):“How does Joseph exercise his role asprotector of Jesus, Mary and the Church?Discreetly, humbly and silently, but withan unfailing presence and utter fidelity,even when he finds it hard to understand.From the time of his betrothal to Maryuntil the finding of the twelve-year-oldJesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, he isthere at every moment with loving care.As the spouse of Mary, he is at her sidein good times and bad, on the journey toBethlehem for the census and in the anxiousand joyful hours when she gavebirth; amid the drama of the flight intoEgypt and during the frantic search fortheir child in the Temple; and later in theday-to-day life of the home of Nazareth,in the workshop where he taught histrade to Jesus…Joseph is a “protector” because he isable to hear God’s voice and be guidedby his will; and for this reason he is allthe more sensitive to the persons entrustedto his safekeeping. He canlook at things realistically, he isin touch with his surroundingsand he can maketruly wise decisions. Inhim, dear friends, welearn how to respondto God’s call, readilyand willingly, but wealso see the core of theChristian vocation,which is Christ! Let usprotect Christ in our lives,so that we can protect others,so that we can protect creation…The vocation of being a “protector”means protecting people, showing lovingconcern for each and every person, especiallychildren, the elderly, those in need,who are often the last we think about. Itmeans caring for one another in our families:husbands and wives first protectone another, and then, as parents, theycare for their children, and childrenthemselves, in time, protect their parents.It means building sincere friendships inwhich we protect one another in trust, respect,and goodness”...15