How has Pope Francis impacted your spirituality so far?

[ATeutonicKnight]

I am filled with hope, but his example also immediately inspired me to be more humble and charitable. I have started taking acts of humility (Though I haven’t done them as well as I would like), and when I went to Mass at Saint Anthony Parish last night, I gave all my money during the offertory, which usually I would only give a few dollars or nothing at all. I’m also going to donate money to Catholic Relief Services as well, which I have been meaning to do for months but always forget.

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

I think Pope Francis will be another Pope John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli). I get that from watching videos of him since he’s become pope. I get that from seeing him joking and laughing, and from hearing all the reports of his humility and simplicity (riding in the bus with the Cardinals, rather than taking the papal limousine, etc.). Even his choice of the name Francis seems like a kind of echo of the choice of the simple and plain name “John” (after a whole series of popes called “Pius”). They even look quite a bit a like.

Different times call for different sorts of persons. Pope Francis will be who he is, and who the Holy Spirit wants him to be.

 

[shelby_sun]

Being that I am a “daughter” of Ignatius, meaning Ignatian Spirituality is how I practice my faith, and that I have a very deep devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, I am “over the moon” with happiness about our new Holy Father!

I am filled with hope, more so than I ever have been before!
Thank you Holy Spirit for sending us a most wonderful Shepherd!! :dancing:

I agree. I was raised in a Jesuit parish and around an all boys Jesuit high school, where I have now worked for over 20 years. I cannot say enough good things about the Jesuit priests and how humble most of them are. My daughter, who was confirmed in November pick St. Francis as her saint name, so the selection of Pope Francis has definitely touched are family.

I have to say my faith seems lifted from what I believe Pope Francis will do for the Church. I just couldn’t get a great feel from Pope Benedict, although I know he is a good man with true faith. This is what the church needs. I think the Jesuit are thrilled, but still a bit in shock.

I

 

[cheezey]

… simple but reverent.
… It’s clear he is very close, very much strives to be a disciple of Christ…

I believe he had the spirit and intellect and will to do so.

…his courage to be his own person, setting aside protocol and traditional expectations. This impetus has given me courage to be who God created me to be, and not let popular opinion or the respect of persons deter me from following my conscience. A big plus!!! For many, this may be a difficult call.

I am in RCIA. Thank you for writing my sentiments. I was trying too much to be something I am not. He created me with His own Stamp to be my own simple quirky self and I will “not let popular opinion or [let others] deter me from following my conscience.”

I am filled with hope, but his example also immediately inspired me to be more humble and charitable…

:clapping::clapping:

I think Pope Francis will be another Pope John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli). I get that from watching videos of him since he’s become pope. I get that from seeing him joking and laughing, and from hearing all the reports of his humility and simplicity (riding in the bus with the Cardinals, rather than taking the papal limousine, etc.). Even his choice of the name Francis seems like a kind of echo of the choice of the simple and plain name “John” (after a whole series of popes called “Pius”). They even look quite a bit a like.

Different times call for different sorts of persons. Pope Francis will be who he is, and who the Holy Spirit wants him to be.

I thought of of Pope John XXII also. A pope for us all. I like that he will let us relate to him in his humility and simplicity; truly of the people. It is a joy to see the Pope of the people. I can’t seem to post my favorite pictures, but like the ‘fun’’ pictures as well as the solemn pictures of JPII and Benedict XVI especially.
I look forward to Pope Francis’ example.

 

[Sirach2]

I am in RCIA. Thank you for writing my sentiments. I was trying too much to be something I am not. He created me with His own Stamp to be my own simple quirky self and I will “not let popular opinion or [let others] deter me from following my conscience.”

What a wondrous work of grace!
May you soon join us and manifest your own unique and special role as you live Christ’s paschal mystery among us!

:clapping:

 

[PaulinVA]

Well, I will never be as humble as the Holy Father. You know, the thing about humility is that the moment you think you’ve achieved it - poof - it’s gone!

I have been struggling with mercy. Specifically, the mercy that Christ and the Church show to other people. The Pope mentioned something about that very thing in the past few days - about Christ’s mercy - so I am listening carefully and prayerfully and trying to grow in mercy for my fellow man.

 

[mlz]

I can only relate my experiences and so I speak only for myself. The election of Pope Francis has made me want to be a better person, a better Catholic, and a more active Catholic. In the days leading up to his election, I prayed earnestly for the Holy Spirit to send us a Pope who was close to his people and who could help restore some of the trust that the Church has lost due to the various scandals. And so far, it looks like we have got the right guy- warm, humble, compassionate, down to earth, a love of the poorest, a man of deep service, a man who will clean house, and a man who leads by example.

So as a bad Catholic who really wants to be a good Catholic, I am delighted. It is not so much anything he has done as Pope- he has just been elected- but the example he has set by his behaviour over the course of decades. He actions, even the simplest of things like taking the bus and living among the poor, are a true evangelization, a true call to live as a servant, to answer my criticisms of others by improving myself, and to follow the Gospels in a very concrete way.

So as for my spirituality, the first things it has made me want to do is receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, increase my daily prayer and readings, and get to as many Masses as possible during any given week. It has also made me want to do more on the ground- get involved in the Church in support of its charity and maybe, if I am good enough, make efforts to bring people back to the Church.

And my guess is that there are many like me- people with a basic Catholic formation, who have become somewhat discouraged, but who will come racing back with the least bit of encouragement and good example.

Thank God for Pope Francis.

As a new convert, you are the Catholic’s I pray for! Renew your faith and trust in His Church! My prayers for you and many others!
Blessings in Him,
mlz

 

[Sirach2]

Well, I will never be as humble as the Holy Father. You know, the thing about humility is that the moment you think you’ve achieved it - poof - it’s gone!

I have been struggling with mercy. Specifically, the mercy that Christ and the Church show to other people. The Pope mentioned something about that very thing in the past few days - about Christ’s mercy - so I am listening carefully and prayerfully and trying to grow in mercy for my fellow man.

Did you realize that mercy is his motto? That also is God’s greatest attribute - MERCY! What an excellent goal you have set for yourself, dear Paul. God bless you and be with you, helping you to achieve a great measure of mercy.

 

[Sirach2]

As a new convert, you are the Catholic’s I pray for! Renew your faith and trust in His Church! My prayers for you and many others!
Blessings in Him,
mlz

Last week, I was very disappointed as I saw that only one person is in RCIA in my parish this year, preparing to be received into the Church. It is always refreshing to see new converts such as yourself, and to know that you pray for us! Thank you!

Something tells me that this new pope is going to bring in many, many converts for next year’s RCIA. Praise God!

 

[Moore11]

Pope Francis has impacted me positively and made my faith grow.

The ELECTION of Pope Francis however has troubled and shaken my faith. The hijacking of this Pope to the liberal and secular causes has been sickening to watch. From the Traditional folks freaking out to the Progressive liberal folks celebrating and burning bras in the streets it has been awful.

Even normally level headed people are finding themselves conceding things we have no idea of yet!
This election of this Pope has been the most “political” event I have ever seen in my life. For that reason and the fact that he is a “pope of the people” who wants to get out into his flock I fear for the Pope’s life.

 

[mlz]

Last week, I was very disappointed as I saw that only one person is in RCIA in my parish this year, preparing to be received into the Church. It is always refreshing to see new converts such as yourself, and to know that you pray for us! Thank you!

Something tells me that this new pope is going to bring in many, many converts for next year’s RCIA. Praise God!

I understand…we have 0 converts this Easter and yet I am encouraged in the faith of the Holy Catholic Faith and want you to be also encouraged as God is calling many of us into His Church to make a difference…not that we are worthy, we aren’t, but still he calls those that are weak but willing to serve Him whom we love to help in these what may be the “last days”…only He knows for sure, but regardless, our days are evil and He needs us. Stand strong in Him and many BLESSINGS and GRACE in Him through the Sacraments!!! (PM me if you need to)

My love in Christ,
mlz

 

[thewanderer]

Seeing his example has greatly encouraged me to step it up spiritually. To make a greater effort to truly gain a personal relationship with Christ as well as to make a greater effort to embrace humility and charity, in particular towards the poor, sick, and suffering. Now that doesn’t mean I have completely turned over a new leaf, but he has given me the motivation to get started again in a way I have not had in a long, long time.

 

[Melchior_1]

The ELECTION of Pope Francis however has troubled and shaken my faith. The hijacking of this Pope to the liberal and secular causes has been sickening to watch. From the Traditional folks freaking out to the Progressive liberal folks celebrating and burning bras in the streets it has been awful.

Even normally level headed people are finding themselves conceding things we have no idea of yet!
This election of this Pope has been the most “political” event I have ever seen in my life. For that reason and the fact that he is a “pope of the people” who wants to get out into his flock I fear for the Pope’s life.

Very astute, Moore. I’ve noticed this as well, along with incredibly shoddy reporting from the media to further both of the agendas you speak of.

That said, it should surprise no one that knows me that I love Pope Francis, and what he stands for His election fills me with hope.

 

[Journey322]

Did any of you notice a change in attitude that caused you to make changes in your customary life with Our Lord?

In what way?

It is especially providential that this election occurred during lent, wherein we may finish these last days in true and deeper holiness as we reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in response to our new Pontiff.

For one, I am going to try his practice of praying all three mysteries of the rosary, rather than my usual ‘one.’

For another, I am discovering a new courage and strength, combining John Paul II’s motto, “Be not afraid,” with Francis’s “Let us never give in to pessimism, to that bitterness that the devil offers us every day.”

I can’t say that my spiritual life has been impacted yet, but I can say I have been encouraged by his humility and apparent desire to connect with people.

 

[ATeNumquam]

Seeing his example has greatly encouraged me to step it up spiritually. To make a greater effort to truly gain a personal relationship with Christ as well as to make a greater effort to embrace humility and charity, in particular towards the poor, sick, and suffering. Now that doesn’t mean I have completely turned over a new leaf, but he has given me the motivation to get started again in a way I have not had in a long, long time.

This pretty much sums up how I feel, too!! I’m glad that I can enter into the last days of Lent more deeply - I feel inspired to by Pope Francis, somehow!
His election fills me with joy and hope in a way I have never felt before - since John XXIII!! (No disrespect whatever to Pope Benedict). I love this man of God. He has a great warmth about him (did you see the little video clip of him greeting the cardinals!!). And that is, I predict, going to draw hearts to him from within and without the Church, and from there, drawn into the heart of God. He will be a conduit. I believe the Church really needs him at this point in its history.
As for me, today I have gone through my house from top to bottom and I have a carload of really nice stuff to take to the St Vincent de Paul shop tomorrow, things I might otherwise have sold rather than given away. One small effect of Pope Francis’ election… but deeper than that, I want to draw nearer to Our Lord than I have been for some time (lately) and be united with Him in His passion, death and resurrection.

 

[simple_soul]

I have been reflecting on Pope Francis over the last few days and what I have been getting from him is that he very much wants to nurture and protect me. Not just me but everyone and all of creation right along with us. After listening to him today I am convinced of it. It is like his desire to protect us from harm just overflows and pours out of him. Please do not get me wrong, I have found this wanting to protect others from harm, in past popes also. For some reason it just seems to be emanating more strongly from him. It has renewed my own desire to protect those that I can also. I just hope and pray I trust him and follow his guidance in how I need to be protect from loosing my immortal soul and share his care and guidance with others and do not find myself crying: " crucify him" every time he tries to teach me something that I do not believe is what and who he is supposed to be and what the Truth is, like so many did to Jesus after He was received with great joy after raising Lazarus. This is how I see him impacting my spirituality so far…I look forward in great hope and trust to continue letting him effect my spirituality so that I can continue to grow in God’s Divinely revealed Truth.

 

[cheezey]

What a wondrous work of grace!
May you soon join us and manifest your own unique and special role as you live Christ’s paschal mystery among us!

:clapping:

Thank you!!! It may not happen through this particular parish, though; unless they get a “Pope Francis” attitude. Apparently, I am not the only disgruntled congregant/congregant to be. We shall see…

Blessings

 

[clem456]

These two quotes are very challenging:

“when we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, when we profess a Christ without the Cross… we aren’t disciples of the Lord.”

“Ah, how I would like a church that is poor and is for the poor.”

Seems our discipleship at the parish level is so often aimed at “success” of some kind. I am starting to reassess what it means to be a disciple, and what the focus of ministry should be.

 

[Sirach2]

While EWTN showed Pope Franicis as he rode through the crowd prior to his celebrating mass today, they presented an interview they had recorded while he was Archbishop. It was most surprising to hear him say that the #1 focus of expenditures for people was for their pets, and the #2 expense was for cosmetics. He sadly commented that this was peoples’ priority, rather than feed hungry children in poor countries.

We can feel even more certain that his ministry will be greatly focused on the poor.

As for impacting my spirituality, well I did pray all three rosary mysteries yesterday, so I made a good start. Hopefully, as I remember his example, I will be able to follow through as time goes on.

 

[HollyDolly]

:tiphat:For me no.His Holiness just started so only time will tell.