In Wake Of Pope’s Passing, Wyoming Catholic College Joins Universal Church In Prayer

The Wyoming Catholic College community was saddened to learn of the passing of Pope Francis early this Easter Monday, April 21st. “The pope is much more than just the Church’s chief administrator and political leader,” said President Kyle Washut. “He is our spiritual father and successor to St. Peter. It is he who has been charged to preside over the Church in charity and preserve its unity. The death of a pope is felt particularly keenly by Catholics everywhere, and we will pray in a special way for the repose of his soul and for the comfort of all in the Church.”

“Easter is a time of particular grace, of mercy, and of hope,” Washut continued “and our prayers for the repose of Francis’ soul will be especially joined to our Easter liturgies in the coming days. Bishop Steven Biegler, head of the Diocese of Cheyenne, has encouraged us all to pray for the repose of Pope Francis, especially noting the following prayer as appropriate: ‘Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.’ Since the recitation of the Chaplet during the Easter Octave is especially concerned with praying for the salvation of souls, I have asked the entire College community to add the ‘Eternal Rest’ prayer to our Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayed at 3:30pm each day of the week. We will include this prayer for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul in our prayers until nine days after his funeral, as is customary.”

President Washut also noted the reflections of Bishop James Conley, long-time friend of the College and a member of its Board of Directors: “As we mourn his passing in this Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ let us trust in the hope we have as Christians in the Resurrection. Pope Francis went to his eternal reward during this Easter Octave in which we celebrate the hope of eternal life won through the paschal mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us remember the lessons Pope Francis taught us as we strive to bring the love of Jesus Christ and our Catholic Church to the world, starting with those in our own neighborhood.”

“The time of papal interregnum, of ‘sede vacante,’ is always such a disorienting one,” said President Washut, “and for many of our students, it will be the first time they experience it as Catholic adults. In today’s Divine Liturgy, celebrated by our Byzantine chaplain, we heard a reading from the Acts of the Apostles in which the Apostles are guided by the Holy Spirit in electing Matthias to join their number. I was reminded that it is a special mark of the Paschal Church for the Holy Spirit to raise up wise and noble shepherds for the faithful. In this confidence, we will be praying for the guidance and inspiration of the Church and her cardinals as they enter into the conclave in the coming weeks.”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

For a reflection from President Washut on the impact Pope Francis had on the world of higher education in particular, VISIT HERE.