AS WE MOURN THE LOSS of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, it is fitting to give thanks to God for the many gifts we have received through his life and vocation. Pope Francis was the first Jesuit to be elected pope and his formation in Ignatian spirituality offered a unique perspective to the Church. Over his 12-year pontificate, he taught us profound, yet simple ways to pray, and his spiritual lessons will continue to guide us on our journey of holiness.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS: POPE FRANCIS’ FIVE FINGER PRAYER
Pope Francis introduced the Five Finger Prayer method well before his papacy to help people structure their intercessory prayers. Starting with the thumb, we recall those closest to us. Moving to the index finger, we pray for those who teach and guide us. The tallest finger prompts us to pray for those in authority. The ring finger, being the weakest, reminds us to pray for the sick and the poor. Finally, the smallest finger encourages us to pray for ourselves. Pope Francis taught that prioritizing others in our prayers helps us see our own needs more clearly.
SEEKING GOD’S MERCY: THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
In 2016, Pope Francis led the Church through an extraordinary Jubilee Year dedicated to God’s mercy. He was deeply moved by God’s tenderness and desired for all people to experience the loving embrace of the Father, akin to the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable. He guided us to approach the Lord in our misery with a heartfelt prayer from Evangelii Gaudium: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace” (Evangelii Gaudium, 3).
Pope Francis reminded us that God never tires of forgiving us; it is we who tire of asking.
PRAYING IN FEAR: EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT OF PRAYER
An iconic moment during Pope Francis’ pontificate was his solitary walk under a dark, rainy sky through the empty plaza of St. Peter’s Basilica at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. He turned to Sacred Scripture and led the Church in a prayer of trust, recalling the disciples’ fear during the storm in Mark 4.
“‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’ Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith. Which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you… Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us” (cf. 1 Pet 5:7).
DEVOTION TO OUR LADY, UNDOER OF KNOTS
Pope Francis had a special devotion to Our Lady under the title, Mary Undoer of Knots. He encouraged us to seek her intercession for the most hopeless cases, including during the coronavirus pandemic and for resolving conflict among nations at war.
“You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need, and we trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this moment of trial.” (Prayer of the Holy Father Francis, March 2020)
PRAYING WITH JESUS ALONG THE WAY OF THE CROSS
In 2024, despite battling several illnesses, Pope Francis wrote the meditations for the annual Via Crucis in Rome on Good Friday. He guided us to accompany Jesus and dialogue with Him along the way to the cross. Following St. Ignatius of Loyola’s tradition, Pope Francis offered various petitions and invited us to respond to Jesus with freedom and transparency: “When hope fades and disappointment reigns, Jesus, remember me. When I am powerless to make a decision, Jesus, remember me. When I lose faith in myself and in others, Jesus, remember me…When I think that all my prayers are fruitless, Jesus, remember me.”
As we pray for the soul of Pope Francis, let us also give thanks to God for the fruits of his prayer life that he revealed so simply to us. May Pope Francis gaze upon the face of our merciful Father, whom he desired each of us to encounter on this earth and in eternity.