April 25, 2025, Diocesan Mass for the Suffrage of the Soul of Pope Francis
-
April 22, 2025
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
April 25, 2025, Diocesan Mass for the Suffrage of the Soul of Pope Francis
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
John’s Gospel on Friday in the Octave of Easter is especially powerful. John shares the appearance of the Risen Lord at the Sea of Tiberias. The disciples are fishing as this third appearance following the resurrection unfolds; they don’t realize that Jesus is close by. From the shore, Jesus calls out, “Children, have you caught nothing to eat?” (John 21:5). When they respond negatively, Jesus provides instructions. A miraculous catch follows. Peter drags the net ashore and reveals that one hundred and fifty-three fish have been caught” (21:11). Peter the Rock, the first Bishop of Rome, figuratively gathers all believers into the embrace of the Risen Lord. Jesus himself feeds his disciples breakfast that morning with that catch.
As we mourn our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we are grateful for his confirming us in faith and in gathering those on the peripheries into the Lord’s embrace in keeping with the ministry that the Lord Jesus entrusted to his Church. As a family of faith, we grieve and we pray, finding undying hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Please join with our diocesan family at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist on Friday in the Octave of Easter, April 25, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. to share in the Celebration of the Eucharist in suffrage for the soul of Pope Francis, whom we commend to Divine Mercy. Gathered by the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit, in praise of the Father, we hand back to Almighty God the Servant of the Servants of God, who was an apostolic witness to hope. Like the disciples we are nourished by the Lord himself.
All of the faithful are invited to this celebration.
With a promise of prayers for you, I ask you to join with me in commending the Holy Father to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, and Mother of Mercy.
Devotedly in Christ,
Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.
Bishop of Paterson