Memorial of Saint John XXIII, Pope

The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these too are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.

These words open Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) from the Second Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII in 1962. He was unexpectedly elected pope in 1958 at age 76. He surprised the Catholic world by calling for this ecumenical Council. Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.

These words are emblematic of the theology and spirituality of this simple man, for they ushered in a C-change in our theological, pastoral, liturgical, and homiletic thinking. They invited us followers of Christ to hold in mind and heart the stories of the griefs, anxieties, joys, and hopes of the people of our age and especially those afflicted in any way – as we pray, attend Mass, evangelize, preach the Gospel, or minister in any way. The words invite us to be one with them. Indeed, all these genuine human feelings and realities touch our hearts.

Saint John XXIII has a special place in the hearts of us members of the Eymardian Family. At the end of the Council’s first session in 1963, Pope John canonized Father Eymard. On that occasion, he said, Peter Julian Eymard takes his place in the ranks of shining stars . . . whose beneficial influence extends beyond, namely, to the whole Church.

In his life, Angelo Roncalli responded faithfully and lovingly to Jesus’ words from today’s Gospel for this memorial feast to the first pope, Peter, “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”

Let Us Pray:

O God of Mercy and Love, we thank you for the gift of your son, Angelo Roncalli, Pope John XXIII, and for the honor of sainthood the Church has now bestowed upon him. Through the gifts of joyfulness, goodness and humility, he led the Church into the modern world. He taught us of the need for peace in the world, which can only be achieved through the recognition of human dignity. He called us to work for a more just world. This holy man inspired us to live the Gospel, to love deeply, and to show compassion to persons who are poor and suffering. On the occasion of his canonization, we pray in thanks for his peaceful spirit in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.