‘Death is not the end for us’

Two bishops and diocese unite in prayer for Pope Francis

CHARLOTTE — In a moving moment Monday night, the current and former Bishops of Charlotte came together to lead the faithful of the diocese in offering prayers for Pope Francis, who died earlier in the day.

Bishop Michael Martin and his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis, led a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick Cathedral to pray for the repose of the soul of the late pope. It marked the first time both bishops were together in an official public capacity since this time last year, when news of Pope Francis appointing Bishop Martin to succeed the retiring Bishop Jugis was announced.

The two bishops led thousands of people united in prayer at churches across the region simultaneously, during 7 p.m. Monday prayer services called by Bishop Martin for people to mourn and pray.

At the cathedral, people gathered before a large, framed portrait of Pope Francis that was draped in black and placed at the front of the sanctuary, with flowers arranged beneath it and a candle burning at its side.

Bishop Martin began his homily for the Holy Hour noting that Pope Francis spent his final day on earth doing what he loved: celebrating the Good News of Easter with the People of God. Shortly after noon a day earlier – on Easter Sunday – the pope arrived in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican to give his traditional “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing to the people gathered there and to millions across the world who watched. His voice was weak and he had trouble raising his arm to make the Sign of the Cross, but afterward he got into the popemobile to be close to the crowds of people gathered to be with him for Easter.

“That Pope Francis was given that grace for that moment to be his last on this earth, I find incredibly compelling,” Bishop Martin said.

Acknowledging the loss felt by so many, the bishop said, “We come here tonight with hearts that may be full of sorrow but with joy for this good and faithful servant who now experiences the very thing that he preached. That death is not the end for us. That while we may experience the sting of death and the fear of it, it is not the final word, and our hope lies in something greater.”

Bishop Martin challenged people to embrace Pope Francis’ legacy to serve and to bring the hope of Christ to those on the margins.

“May his passing from this life be a recommitment for all of us that our lives need to go out into the world,” he said. “As the successor of Christ, the successor of Peter, has now gone on to his eternal reward, it remains for you and me to take seriously the legacy which he has given us in proclaiming the joy of the Gospel – especially to those who experience the everyday deaths, the everyday sting of difficulty, of uncertainty, of struggle, of challenge in this life.”

After the homily, bells rang out as Bishop Martin gave the Benediction, raising the monstrance to make the Sign of the Cross in blessing to those gathered in the pews.

Despite the solemnity of the occasion, a lighter moment followed the Holy Hour when the two bishops stole a few moments to catch up before greeting parishioners as they streamed out of the cathedral.

LOCAL SERVICES HONOR POPE'S MEMORY

Around the diocese, churches opened their doors to join in the hour of prayer.

With only a few hours’ notice, about 200 faithful of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville also came together Monday night, taking part in a guided Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Liturgy of the Word. An image of Pope Francis was placed near the altar as people prayed, thanking God for this servant of His who led the Church for 12 years.

Father Andres Gutierrez, pastor, said Pope Francis was particularly significant to him and his ministry. He was studying in Rome when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, and he remembers seeing the white smoke go up that day, then jumping in the car to drive straight to St. Peter’s Square to hear the joyful announcement of Francis' election as the 266th pope. Pope Francis also canonized the first Colombian saint (St. Laura Montoya Upegui) and as a Colombian himself, that was close to his heart.

“As a priest,” he said, “it is so meaningful and consoling to witness the genuine and loving concern of the faithful for the Catholic Church, on this occasion as so many came together to pray for the eternal repose of the Pope Francis, as he passed to the Father’s House.”

In Asheville, Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish, said he was blessed to have met Pope Francis three times.

“He is a real pastor, and he inspires me to really be with the people,” Father Cahill said. “One of his famous phrases is ‘the shepherd should smell like the sheep,’ and that is a reminder for me to really be with the people where they are, especially the ones that are outside the power center of the world and the church.”

His parishioners appreciated the opportunity to mourn together.

“It is just sad, and we came here because we are feeling it and wanted a place to pray,” said Bill Maloney.

Parishioner Susanne Hudson was moved to tears by the pope’s passing and the sense of community she found at St. Eugene. She “wanted to be with other Catholics who are in mourning as I am, with other people who had such faith and belief in him and we have all lost him together,” she noted. “it is part of the communion of Church.”

MOURNING CONTINUES

Monday's prayer services were just the start of a period of mourning for the Catholic Church worldwide.

On Wednesday, Bishop Martin will offer a Mass for the late pope at St. Mark Church. The Mass will begin at 7 p.m. St. Mark Church is located at 14740 Stumptown Road in Huntersville. All are welcome to attend.

The funeral and burial of a pope who dies in office is expected to take place within four to six days. Following the pope's funeral in Rome, the Church around the world will observe nine days of official mourning. A conclave, or meeting of the College of Cardinals, to elect a new pope is to take place within 15-20 days of the vacancy of the papacy.

— Liz Chandler, Trish Stukbauer, Lisa Geraci and Brittany Whitehead

Pictured at top: Bishop Michael Martin leads Benediction during a Holy Hour Monday evening at St. Patrick Cathedral with his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis (far right). Bishop Martin noted in his homily that Pope Francis spent his final day on earth doing what he loved: celebrating the Good News of Easter with the People of God. (Photo by Troy Hull)

Portraits of the pope, which normally hang in the entryways of Catholic churches, were taken down, placed near the altar, and draped with black or purple bunting as a sign of mourning for the late pontiff. This one is from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

At Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville on Monday, Father John Putnam reflected on the pope’s ministry of service to the Church. (Photo by Amy Burger)

People gathered at Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville Monday evening to pray for the pope. (Photo provided)

Portraits of the pope, which normally hang in the entryways of Catholic churches, were taken down a d placed near the altar. This one is from St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. (Photo by James Johnson IV)

The Holy Hour was held for the repose of the soul of the late pope. (Photo by Troy Hull)

People gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral for a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration led by Bishop Michael Martin, with Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis also in attendance. It was the first time both bishops were together in an official public capacity since last

Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis (left) and Bishop Michael Martin share a few words outside St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte after leading the people of the diocese in prayer for the late pope. The prayer service marked the first time both bishops were toget

Bishop Michael Martin led the Holy Hour at St. Patrick Cathedral, noting that Pope Francis spent his final day on earth doing what he loved: celebrating the Good News of Easter with the People of God. (Photo by Troy Hull)

Father Tim Stephens, a Jesuit like Pope Francis and the pastor of St. Peter Church in Charlotte, reflected on the pope’s legacy during Mass on Monday. (Photo by Troy Hull)

People pray during Mass at St. Peter Church in Charlotte. (Photo by Troy Hull)

Bunting is draped over the entrance to St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte Monday morning following news of the death of Pope Francis. (Photo provided)

People came to St. Eugene Church in Asheville Monday night to pray for the late pope. (Photo by Lisa Geraci)

With only a few hours’ notice, about 200 people came Monday night to Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville for a Holy Hour and prayer service, led by pastor Father Andres Gutierrez. (Photo by Brittany Whitehead)

‘Death is not the end for us’

Two bishops and diocese unite in prayer for Pope Francis

A lasting legacy:

The Diocese of Charlotte prays:

What happens next:

Pope Francis’ legacy:

The world prays: