1-3 May 2025
The month of May is the month of Mary. To her we now entrust two very important intentions: the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and the election of a truly Catholic Pope.
Regarding the first, we must not believe those who say that he needs no prayers for he is already in Heaven. Popes have to answer God for every one of their decisions and words, and since more has been entrusted to them, the judgment is much more severe. The saints tell us that sometimes quite ordinary souls can spend several decades in Purgatory, so what shall we say of a Pope who caused so much confusion!? In any event, let us offer our prayers and penances for his soul out of filial piety.
Regarding the conclave, the next Pope will have a mountain of problems to deal with, and if he is truly faithful to Our Lord and the Catholic faith, he will have many enemies. At this time, we have a serious duty to offer prayers and sacrifices for the cardinals in conclave so that they may all get beyond political considerations and factions and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten their minds and wills to vote for the one (whether he be a cardinal or not) whom God wants to be Pope. The joy of Easter does not prevent us from being generous in offering as many sacrifices as we can to obtain the graces of which the Church stands in need.
We are in dire need of a truly Holy Father who will preach the truth with clarity, condemn all errors and vices, and purify the Church of all that has been eating away at Her, destroying Her very fabric for decades now. Here are two prayers I recommend:
Prayer for the Election of the Supreme Pontiff
Lord Jesus Christ, by entrusting to St. Peter and his successors the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, Thou didst establish the office of the papacy. Grant to Thy Church, we beseech Thee, a pope who, in his dedication to Sacred Tradition, will seek to govern the Church according to the Deposit of Faith and for the salvation of souls. Immaculate Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of Confessors, we consecrate to thee the conclave and the election of the Holy Father. Blessed Mother, look not upon our sinfulness or upon the infidelity of many Catholics who do not accept the teaching of thy Son, but upon the Church which is His spotless Bride, so that we do not get the leader we deserve, but a Holy Father who will guide the Church for the glory and honour of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
Prayer for Imploring Holy Popes
(A prayer recommended by Bishop Athanasius Schneider)
Kyrie Eleison. Christe Eleison. Kyrie Eleison. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art the Good Shepherd! With Thy almighty hand, Thou guidest Thy pilgrim Church through the storms of each age. Adorn the Holy See with holy popes who neither fear the powerful of this world nor compromise with the spirit of the age, but preserve, strengthen, and defend the Catholic Faith unto the shedding of their blood; and observe, protect, and hand on the venerable liturgy of the Roman Church. O Lord, return to us holy popes who, inflamed with the zeal of the Apostles, proclaim to the whole world: “Salvation is found in no other than in Jesus Christ. For there is no other name under Heaven given to men whereby they may be saved” (see Acts 4. 10-12). Through an era of holy popes, may the Holy See — which is home of all who promote the Catholic and Apostolic Faith — always shine as the cathedra of truth for the whole world. Hear us, O Lord, and through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the Church, grant us holy popes, grant us many holy popes! Have mercy on us and hear us! Amen.
