Fare Thee Well Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

On Saturday, December 31, 2022 the Vatican announced to the world the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at age 95.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born on April 16, 1927, in Germany’s Bavaria. Through pastoral training, Pope Benedict was a theologian. He became the first Pope from Germany since the 11th century. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pontiff since the 15th century to resign. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was ordained a priest June 29, 1951.

On April 19, 2005, he was elected as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The late Pope’s service of reconciliation and harmony between people was his top priority in his Petrine ministry.

Life As A Pope

“In the world of the internet, which enables billions of images to appear on millions of screens throughout the world, the face of Christ needs to be seen and his voice heard, for “if there is no room for Christ, there is no room for man”. Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini

Late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had a particular devotion to the Holy Face of Christ. Through the devotion to Christ’s Holy face one encounters the Person of Christ; therefore, it is no surprise that the devotion has inspired believers such as Pope Benedict to have a deep love for the Lord.

Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI to The Holy Face

Lord Jesus, as the first Apostles, whom you asked: “What do you seek?” accepted your invitation to “Come and See,” recognizing you as the Son of God, the Promised Messiah for the world’s redemption, we too, your disciples in this difficult time, want to follow you and be your friends, drawn by the brilliance of Your Face, much desired, yet hidden. Show us, O Lord, we pray you, Your Face ever new; that mirror, mystery-laden, of God’s infinite mercy. Grant that we may contemplate it with the eyes of our mind and our hearts: the Son’s Face, radiance of the Father’s glory and the imprint of His Nature (Heb 1:3), the human Face of God that has burst into history to reveal the horizons of eternity. The silent Face of Jesus, suffering and risen, when loved and accepted, changes our hearts and lives. “Your Face, Lord, do I seek, do not hide Your Face from me.” (Ps. 27:8) How many times through the centuries and millennia has resounded the ardent invocation of the Psalmist among the faithful! Lord, with faith, we too repeat the same invocation: “Man of suffering, as one from whom other hide their faces.” (Is. 53:3) Do not hide your Face from us! We want to draw from your eyes that look on us with tenderness and compassion the force of love and peace which shows us the way of life, and the courage to follow you without fear or compromise, so as to be witnesses of your Gospel with concrete signs of acceptance, love and forgiveness. O Holy Face of Christ, Light that enlightens the darkness of doubt and sadness, life that has defeated forever the force of evil and death, O inscrutable gaze that never ceases to watch over mankind. Face concealed in the Eucharistic signs and in the faces of those that live with us! Make us God’s pilgrims in this world, longing for the infinite and ready for the final encounter, when we shall see you, Lord, “face to face” (Cor. 13:12) and be able to contemplate you forever in heavenly Glory. Mary, Mother of the Holy Face, help us to have “hands innocent and a heart pure,” hands illumined by the truth of love and hearts enraptured by divine beauty, that transformed by the encounter with Christ, we may gift ourselves to the poor and the suffering, whose face reflect the hidden presence of your Son Jesus. Amen.

Prayer written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sep 1, 2007 on the anniversary of his pilgrimage made on Sep 1, 2006 to the Sanctuary Basilica of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be buried on Thursday, Jan 5, 2023 at the St. Peter`s Square in Rome. Pope Francis will preside over the Requiem Mass.

Pope Emeritus is now with Our Heavenly Father; he will finally behold the face of Jesus that he greatly devoted himself to.

A prayer for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your servant Benedict who governed your Church with love. In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care to the reward you have promised your faithful servants May he who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. In your wise and loving care, you made your servant teacher of all your Church. He did the work of Christ on earth. May your Son welcome him into eternal glory. May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom. Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love. We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence. In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love. May he rejoice in those gifts forever with your saints. Amen

May Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI`s soul rest in peace