Reflections
Lent to Easter
The resurrection is the ultimate triumph over sin and death, transforming sorrow into joy and despair into hope.
Francis lived the life of the Risen Christ. From his embrace of the poor to his call for environmental stewardship, Pope Francis reshaped the papacy in ways that resonated deeply with people worldwide. His commitment to synodality—listening, dialogue, and shared leadership—encouraged a more inclusive and engaged church, inspiring us to deepen our Faith and live our own mission of service and justice.
Pope Francis didn’t just lead the Catholic Church; by living the Gospel of Jesus, he set an example of what it means to live with empathy and understanding.
With the passing of Pope Francis, we join the world in mourning a leader who challenged the church to be a church of compassion, mercy and justice. Since he gave his first blessing to the crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square following his election, he has stood out to me as a model for what we hope our guests find at Sophia. His commitment to interfaith dialogue and his consistent message of welcome to all people, regardless of religion, culture or background, resonate with me and with all who minister at Sophia as well as those who visit. In a world often divided by religious boundaries, his openness to learning from other faiths and promoting peace among them has felt courageous and necessary – and very Benedictine. Pope Francis didn’t just lead the Catholic Church; by living the Gospel of Jesus, he set an example of what it means to live with empathy and understanding. He showed us how to build bridges of humanity and hope. We pray that his legacy of hope and compassion lives on in all of us.
Be assured of prayers for you and your loved ones. Our summer schedule of retreats is reduced because of groups that will be using our spaces but consider coming for a private retreat. Visit our website for information and for a registration form.
