By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
On the day that Pope Francis was laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica, Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at a diocesan Memorial Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon to pray for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father, joining members from the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) from across the diocese gathered in the same building for a diocesan convention.
CWL members provided music ministry, proclaimed the readings, and carried up the offertory gifts at the celebration held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26 in Saskatoon.
In his homily, the bishop reflected on the life, ministry, and impact of Pope Francis. “All our popes are men who take very seriously the good news of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of Christ in particular,” the bishop said.
“It’s interesting how Pope Francis build on Pope Benedict XVI,” he noted. “Pope Benedict talked about performative hope — hope that is real because it points to a future based on a trajectory of the past and the present and Pope Francis really took that to heart and he has been a real ‘pope of hope’ … who has really emphasized the gospel of hope and also the gospel of mercy and forgiveness that is not just one way to interpret God but in Pope Francis’s language, is the lens to interpret everything about God.”
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at a diocesan Memorial Mass for Pope Francis April 26 – the same day that his funeral was held in Rome. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The bishop added: “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the crucifix, if it wasn’t for the fact that although he was in the form of God (says our second reading) Jesus did not deem being equal to God as something to be taken advantage but he emptied, emptied, emptied himself all the way.” This is what ultimately inspired Pope Francis, said Hagemoen.
The bishop went on to reflect on other themes of Pope Francis’ papacy, including fraternity and dialogue (summarized in the document Fratelli Tutti), care for creation. (Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum), and youth (Christus Vivit), and emphasized, particularly in the Syond on Synodality, the importance of how we walk together as followers of Jesus Christ.
The late pope’s overarching concern for the poor, for those on the margins, for migrants and refugees has also had a lasting impact in the diocese and beyond, said Hagemoen.
Finally he reflected on the powerful penitential pilgrimage that a determined Pope Francis made to Canada in 2022 to meet with Indigenous Peoples in this land, and to apologize for the Church’s role in residential schools.
“His heart for Indigenous people and (addressing) the history not just in Canada but in the world of the encounters with other colonizing nations was a great concern to him and he did something that was very powerful.” As a religious leader, Pope Francis’ apology for the sins committed against Indigenous Peoples was “powerful language,” especially for those who heard his words at Maskwacis during his visit to Alberta, said Hagemoen
“There’s a phrase that the pope recently used that for me sort of summed up where we go from here: ‘if we allow Jesus to take us by the hand no experience or failure or sorrow however painful will have the last word on the meaning and destiny of our lives.Henceforth if we allow ourselves to be raised up by the risen Lord no setback, no suffering, no death will be able to halt ur progress towards the fullness of life. Let us welcome Jesus, the God of life.'”
In saying yes to Christ, “no stone will block the way to our hearts, no tomb will suppress the joy of life, and no difficulty or failure will doom us to despair,” he added.
“We pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis: for the repose of his soul on this day of his funeral. We thank God for his papal leadership, we thank God for his blessing to the church and in the world, and we say as a people of God together: well done good and faithful servant. May your good deeds go before you, may you rest in the peace and light of Christ and may this peace and light not only receive Pope Francis but motivate us.”
VIDEO – Bishop’s homily
Photo gallery:
A diocesan Memorial Mass for Pope Francis was held April 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
CWL member Wendy Dale led the music ministry for the Memorial Mass on Aug. 26, the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel, patron saint of the Catholic Women’s League — she sang a hymn in honour of the Feast Day as worshippers assembled. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Fr. Darryl Millette, Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Fr. Kevin McGee, and Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino (l-r) enter the sanctuary for celebration of the Memorial Mass. Several other priests – -including spiritual advisors to the CWL — concelebrated the Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Marion Laroque of the Diocesan Catholic Women’s League executive proclaims the first reading at the diocesan Memorial Mass held April 26 to pray for Pope Francis. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Leading the Psalm at the Memorial Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Diane Cote of the Diocesan Catholic Women’s League executive proclaims the second reading at the diocesan Memorial Mass held April 26 to pray for Pope Francis. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Members of the Catholic Women’s League who were gathered at the cathedral for their diocesan convention joined in the Memorial Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Catholics from many parishes across the diocese attended the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis held April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A number of priests joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen to concelebrate the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis April 26 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
-30-
Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.