May 4, 2025 - "Ninth Day: Successor to the Apostle Peter"

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have published a novena to help us pray for the Pope.  Today, May 4, is the last day of the novena.  I thought it would appropriate to publish the prayers for this final day of the novena so that we can pray for Pope Francis and remember in prayer the Cardinals who will enter the conclave on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to elect the next successor to Saint Peter.  I am going to present the prayers for the ninth day of that novena here:

 

Ninth Day: Successor to the Apostle Peter

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

A reading from a letter to the Corinthians by Pope Saint Clement I

 

Having received their orders, the Apostles went out, fully convinced by the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, trusting the word of God, and assured by the Holy Spirit. They went out proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was at hand throughout the countryside and in the cities. They tested in the Spirit the first fruits of their preaching, and appointed them to be bishops and deacons for those who would later come to believe… Our Apostles knew also, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife over the office of the episcopate. And so with perfect foresight, when they ordained those men, the Apostles gave them the mandate that when they pass away other proven men should succeed them in their ministry. (42:3-4; 44:1-2)

 

Pause for silent prayer.

 

Pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
 — And let perpetual light shine upon him.

 

Hear with favor our prayers,
 which we humbly offer, O Lord,
 for the salvation of the soul of Francis, your servant and Priest,
 that he, who devoted a faithful ministry to your name,
 may rejoice in the perpetual company of your Saints.

 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Until next week,

Fr. John