Raconos Jubileo, Mons. Fisichella asks for prayers for Pope Francis

During the Mass on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Deacons, the pre-effect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Mons. Rino Fisichella, requested prayers for Pope Francis that remains in critical condition after suffering yesterday a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis in the morning.

As reported yesterday by the Vatican, the 88 -year -old pontiff, received high flow oxygen and blood transfusions due to a thrombocytopenia associated with anemia. Its prognosis is reserved and continues under strict medical surveillance at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Before reading the homily prepared by the Pontiff, Mons. Fisichella highlighted the spiritual closeness of the Holy Father with this important moment of the jubilee and urged the faithful to intensify their prayers for their recovery.

“I am especially pleased to read the homily that Pope Francis himself would have communicated to all of you this particular Sunday,” said the Prelate.

He stressed that, in the celebration of the Eucharist, “where communion reaches its maximum fullness, the Pope’s presence feels strongly, even if it is in a hospital bed.”

“We feel it present in the midst of us and this forces us to make our prayer even stronger and more intense so that the Lord assists him at his time of proof and illness,” he added.

The Mass, held within the framework of the Jubilee of the Deacons, was marked in this way by a deep climate of recollection and solidarity with the Pontiff, whose health conditions remain critical.

In the solemn ceremony, 23 men who come from various nations were ordered permanent deacons: two from Brazil, six from Colombia, one from France, three from Italy, three from Mexico, two from Poland, three from Spain and three from the United States.

In addition, some 4,000 permanent deacons that arrived in Rome participated to be part of this great event framed in the Jubileo de La Esperanza. Italy had the largest delegation, followed by the United States with 1,300 deacons, France with 656, Spain with 350, Brazil with 230, Germany with 160 and Mexico with 150.

Numerous groups from Poland, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Canada, as well as representatives of countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, India, Indonesia and Australia, also arrived.

During the Eucharist the spiritual presence of Pope Francis was present through the homily that he himself prepared, with a central message about the gratuity involved in the diaconal ministry, focused on forgiveness, the selfless service and communion, although he had to be read by Mons. Fisichella

Avoid the hate cycle that tear the world

Pope Francis stressed that the announcement of forgiveness is an essential task of deacons, since “it is a condition for all human coexistence.” He recalled that Jesus calls us to even love our enemies and that forgiveness builds a more hopeful future, avoiding the cycle of hate and revenge that tear the world.

In his message, Pope Francis also highlighted the self -intended service as a fundamental characteristic of the deacon and urged all who have received this sacramental order to “do good” and to surrender “without expecting anything in return.” In this sense, he encouraged them to be “sculptors and painters of the merciful face of the Father” through his daily work, bringing the church closer to the peripheries and making charity their most beautiful liturgy.

Finally, Pope Francis spoke about gratuity as a source of communion, remembering the testimony of San Lorenzo, who pointed to the poor as the true treasure of the Church.

Diaconate is not a promotion

He stressed that generous delivery creates links and reinforces unity within the ecclesial community. He also explained that receiving the diaconate “is not a promotion, but a decrease in the service, following the example of Christ who became small to serve others.”

In the homily read by Mons. Fisichella, Pope Francis concluded entrusting the deacons to the Virgin Mary and San Lorenzo, asking them to help them live their ministry with humility, love and spirit of communion.