Preparing For The Conclave March 10, 2013

I am sitting in the Church of Sant Bartolomeo, which sits on a small island on the Tibet River. This also is the honorary church of our own, Cardinal George. When a bishop is named a cardinal he is entrusted one of the churches in Rome as a sort of honorary parish called his " titular" (be careful not to shorten this word) church.

The Cardinal is saying mass this morning to pray for the Conclave. All the cardinals are in their special "titular" churches celebrating the Eucharist, praying that the Spirit will guide the cardinal electors in the selection of Peter's successor.

The church of sant Bartolomeo is also the church of sant Egidio, a lay community founded after Vatican II, committed to the poor, peace building and ecumenism. I am praying to Christ to discern if it is his will that I start thus community in Chicago. The future of our Church lies in the formation of small communities rooted in prayer, the Eucharist , outreach to poor, dialogue with the world and a connection with the larger church through our bishops. Any community that is to have life and mission had to be united with the whole church if it is to be Catholic.

I pray the next pope will be a leader who exemplifies the values and vision of sant Egidio. I pray I find a handful of like minded Catholics to form this small community of faith.

Near the Vatican, all sorts of scaffoldings are being erected to hold the hundreds if journalists and news reporters. There are cameras and reporters everywhere, including outside and inside all the churches where the cardinals will be saying mass this morning. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation and hope, yes hope. Without hope there is no vision of purpose. Without hope there is no joy. Without hope there can be no church. The church will emerge from its present chaos, as it has emerged from the many past crises, with renewed mission and vitality.

I will pray for you all at this important Mass. The younger son in today's gospel "came to his senses" and returned home to his father, who was waiting patiently for this moment. Our Father is always there for each one of us. He wants to wrap HHS arms of grace around us, transforming us in mercy. Our beautiful Catholic religion must be rescued from the formal , rigid legalism represented by the older son. His god was a "quid pro quo" god: I do what is required and you reward me appropriately. This is not the God we believe in and the God Jesus revealed on the gospel parable.

May this God that Jesus revealed be at the heart of the Conclave about to begin
Burn camino. Padre