WE ARE POPE FRANCIS!

By Brother Patrick

It is a typical day. I walk from Saint Ann Church to Our Lady of Good Voyage Church after saying goodbye to friends from out of town. As I approach the rectory parking lot, I notice a car parked in front of Our Lady’s Church. In the passenger seat is a parishioner who I have not seen in many months. Let’s call him “Don.”

Over the years, Don and I have spoken quite often. He has lived an interesting life. But he is not in good health. He is no longer driving. He has mobility issues that make it difficult for him to enter our church even on the ramp. From a distance, we see each other, smile, and wave. Even though I am running late, I approach the car. As I do, Don lowers the window. We shake hands and begin to talk as if we had seen each other just last weekend. It turns out that Don will soon undergo medical tests that could lead to a difficult surgery and long recovery.

Despite the challenges ahead, Don is at peace. His spirits seem high. But all of a sudden, his smile disappears. Tears spring to his eyes. He says: “I miss coming to Mass. I miss the Eucharist.” Without hesitation, I say: “Don, do you want Holy Communion?” Becoming emotional, he says: “Can you do that?” I jingle my keys, head into the church, and emerge moments later with the Blessed Sacrament.

Returning to the side of the car, I kneel on the sidewalk. Don and I pray together. The Lord’s Prayer. The Hail Mary. An Act of Contrition. We beg the Lord for a miracle of healing. We ask the Blessed Mother to pray for one, too. Don receives Holy Communion in a spirit of joy that is good and true and beautiful. After a brief moment of quiet recollection, we bless each other and say goodbye. And Don is gone.

In The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), Pope Francis writes about what it means to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. He writes about what it means and requires to be a missionary disciple in the modern world. The Holy Father says: “Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are ‘disciples’ and ‘missionaries’, but rather that we are always ‘missionary disciples (EG 120).'”

Pope Francis then offers this challenge: “Each of us should find ways to communicate Jesus wherever we are. All of us are called to offer others an explicit witness to the saving love of the Lord, who despite our imperfections, offers us his closeness, his word, and his strength, and gives meaning to our lives (EG 121).”

Over the years, Pope Francis has called us again and again to go out, to spread the Good News, and to truly become missionary disciples. He says that the best way to share the faith is to go out, meet people where they are, and risk reaching out to the margins: to the poor, to the sick, to the lonely, to the left behind, and to the old friend who is parked in front of the church. He urges us to draw near and close to our brothers and sisters: to listen, to offer a blessing, to share a kind word.

This kind of evangelization does not require a degree. It does not require a bureaucracy. It does not require special training. It does not require a plan, a program, a website, or a you tube channel. This kind of evangelization only requires a willingness to see those in need, to listen to their cry for help, and to respond with God’s love and mercy.

Not long before his death, Pope Francis speaks about his vision for a more missionary Church. He says: “Brothers and sisters, not a seated Church, but a Church on her feet. Not a silent Church, but a Church that embraces the cry of humanity. Not a blind Church, but a Church enlightened by Christ that brings the light of the Gospel to others. Not a static Church, but a missionary Church that walks with her Lord through the streets of this world.”

Let’s be honest. When the Holy Father talks about these things, I am sometimes uncomfortable. I am the most introverted person you know. I deserve no credit for doing what so many Christians already do. But for just a few minutes, God’s amazing grace opens my heart to a neighbor in need. God asks me to leave my comfort zone. God calls me to reach out to the margins. God beckons me to encounter Jesus both in the Blessed Sacrament and in the life of a fellow disciple, a friend and a brother, who longs the communion that we so often take for granted.

This is the joy of the Gospel. This is what it means to find joy at the margins. God bless you, Don! See you soon! Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Art Credit: Xantana – 86225098 – Dreamstime

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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