PROVIDENCE — The day before a quarter million people gathered inside the confines of St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis, the Diocese of Providence celebrated a Mass for the repose of the soul of the pontiff at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.
With Bishop Thomas J. Tobin sitting in choir, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. Albert A. Kenney concelebrated the Mass, along with a dozen priests.
In his homily, Msgr. Kenney reflected on the life of Pope Francis and how he often recounted the story of the moments that led to his election as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
“Still in conclave, when it was inevitable that he would be canonically elected, the cardinal sitting next to Jorge Bergoglio whispered these profound words into the ear of the future pope: ‘Do not forget the poor,’” Msgr. Kenney said.
Those simple words influenced Cardinal Bergoglio to choose the name Francis, a selection that would guide his life, his mission, and his pontificate for the next 12 years.
“Known for his congenial personality and never forgetting his humble roots, Pope Francis challenged the Church never to forget the poor, the marginalized, the immigrant, the refugee, the prisoner, and the unborn,” he added, noting how his papal teachings, homilies, writings, and interviews revealed a man deeply committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, mixing his theology with common sense wisdom and wit.
He said that Pope Francis, true to the charism of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, his Jesuit order, Francis never wavered in his desire to do all things for the greater glory of God.
The pope had a deep devotion to Our Lady, frequently praying before the image preserved in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major called the “Salus Populi Romani,” the salvation of the Roman people.
Msgr. Kenney noted that Pope Francis’ desire to be buried in that Marian basilica is a testimony to his filial love for the Blessed Mother.
“A few short weeks ago Pope Francis stood at the threshold of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a door ceremonially opened only at the start of a Jubilee Year. Before entering the basilica, the pope paused in prayer, inviting the Church to join him in a jubilee of hope, an essential virtue for the disciples of Christ and a key ingredient to evangelization,” he said.
“Now, we as a Church, stand together in prayer as we entrust the soul of Pope Francis into the merciful hands of God. We pray that he passes through the threshold of death into the halls of the Father’s house and that the door of heaven will be opened wide to him. We, the Church in the Diocese of Providence join with Catholics and all people of good will throughout the world in mourning the passing of our Holy Father. May his soul rest in God’s peace. Amen.”
For a noon Mass, the liturgy was well-attended.
A small delegation of students from La Salle Academy was in attendance.
Mary Mita, a senior, appreciated the humbled way in which Pope Francis conducted his ministry.
“I really liked his humility and how he was really dedicated to service,” said Mita.
Francisca Freitas, a parishioner at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, saw on the news in the morning that there would be a Mass to pray for Pope Francis and she said she felt she had to be there.
“I was sad to hear that he had passed. I wanted to celebrate his life,” Freitas said. “He was a good pope.”
Pia Melchionne said she wished she could have returned to her native Italy to attend the funeral but was grateful for the opportunity to be able to celebrate Pope Francis’ life in Providence.
“I wanted to be here for the reverence of the pope,” she said. “It was a beautiful idea to have this Mass. I’m very happy to be here; it’s a privilege.”
