Reflection text
This week’s service was prepared by brothers and sisters from the ecumenical team.
First Urbi et Orbi blessing of the Holy Father Leo XIV
Loggia of the blessings in St Peter’s Basilica, Thursday 8 May 2025
Peace be with you all!
Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!
It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.
We can still hear the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome, the Pope who blessed Rome, who gave his blessing to the world, the whole world, on the morning of Easter. Allow me to extend that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! All of us are in God’s hands. So, let us move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another other! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace.
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To all of you, brothers and sisters in Rome, in Italy, throughout the world: we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that moves forward, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all to those who are suffering.
Intercessions
Habemus Papam… [We have a Pope]. The Roman Catholic Church has just been given a new Pope, Leo XIV. The inaugural mass of his pontificate will take place this Sunday, May 18th 2025.
Lord, we entrust our new Pope to you. May he know how to lead the catholic Church through the challenges she faces. In particular, may he be a worker for peace between the different Christian confessions. May he carry forward the work of peace and unity of which our world has so much need.
The work of reviewing and putting into words the ecumenical practices of the Chemin Neuf Community has resulted in a text which is in the process of being disseminated among the members of the Community.
Lord, we thank you for inspiring in the Chemin Neuf Community practices which allow members of different Christian confessions to feel welcomed into the life of the Community and its sessions. We entrust to you the continuation of this work of receiving this legacy so that you may continue to guide us towards the unity of Christians « such as you wish, by the means that you wish ».
This Saturday, May 17th, our brother Oliver Matri will be ordained in Berlin to the ministry of Pastor in the Lutheran Church.
Lord, we bless you for the path along which you have led Oliver up to today. Continue to guide him in his ministry and especially come and bless his family, his wife and his children.