A New Orleanian’s view: Sunset will lead to sunrise

ROME – In the wake of the recent events in Rome, I find myself truly a stranger in a strange land. By “strange land,” I do not mean a foreign country, as I have lived in Rome now for two years. Instead, the strange land is my beloved church currently without a shepherd.
    Having been sent by Archbishop Aymond to study sacred liturgy in Rome, I have been privileged to experience the eternal city as I never would have thought possible. I have also grown in my appreciation of Pope Benedict XVI, whose words and writings have truly manifested the love of God in the world.
    Last summer, I had a conversation with a friend who thought it would be great to be in Rome to experience the election of a new pope. I think the idea of the “white smoke” intrigued him. I remember my response to this suggestion: “Not if it means that Benedict has died.”
    As it turns out, I am in Rome for the election of a new pope, and Benedict has retired to a life of prayer.
    The announcement of Pope Benedict’s resignation from the papacy was shocking, especially for the good people of Rome who pride themselves on having the inside scoop. However, this announcement was relatively scoop-less. There was no warning, unless one recalls a few sentences from an interview in which Benedict acknowledged the possibility of papal resignation.
    After his resignation, the atmosphere in Rome, and likely around the Christian world, was one of disbelief. This never (or almost never) happens! Immediately, everything seemed different and confusing.
    After my initial confusion (and prayer), I looked to Benedict’s words to the cardinals in which he described his rationale for such a decision and found them to be some of the most humble and moving words he had ever spoken: “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world … in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”
    In his statement, Benedict beautifully emphasizes an often ignored element of the papacy – the Petrine ministry. The papacy is more than an office. It is also a ministry in which one man is called to serve the people of God in a special way, as a father to all. This ministry involves the entirety of one’s person. Benedict gave all that he had, all who he was, to the church. He recognized the importance of the ministry given him by God, and, in humble submission to God’s will, understood he no longer had the power to adequately fulfill this ministry. It was time to hand over the keys. What a great example he sets for all Christians!
    Since his resignation, Rome has been enveloped by media from around the world, a fact I find interesting – a secular media caring so much for the future of what they consider an antiquated and dying religion. However, it is in these times that we realize the true power of our Catholic faith. The whole world awaits our next spiritual father, our Papa!
    I trust that the Holy Spirit will work in the conclave to guide the cardinals to select a man of God’s choosing. He knows what the church needs.  I do not attempt to guess who it may be, but instead pray for who it will be. This should be our prayer. Not that my man be chosen, but that God’s man be chosen.
    As I watched from the roof of my college as Pope Benedict’s helicopter departed from Rome, I was struck by what I saw. He left just as the evening sun began to set. His day is ended. He has resigned himself to a new ministry – the ministry of prayer, for us, for the church, for the world. But a new day will begin. God will provide a new shepherd. Peter shall return to head the church! And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
    Father Nile Gross was ordained in 2009.