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Image: Statues in Fontiveros of John of the Cross, erected in 1928 by popular subscription by the townspeople
Pope Francis’ Letter to the 21 new Cardinals (released to us today)
who will receive the cardinal’s biretta in the next Consistory on 7 December.
“Eyes raised, Hands joined, Feet bare”.
Dear Brother,
With your elevation to the College of Cardinals, you will become a member of the Roman Clergy.
I welcome you!
This membership is an expression of the unity of the Church and of the bond that unites all the Churches with this Church of Rome.
I urge you, as Cardinals, to make every effort to embody the three attitudes with which an Argentinean poet (Francisco Luis Bernárdez) once characterized St. John of the Cross, and which also apply to us: “eyes raised, hands joined, feet bare”.
Eyes raised, because your ministry will require you to lengthen your gaze, to broaden your heart and to see further and to love more widely and with greater fervor.
To sit with John of the Cross “at the school of his gaze” (Benedict XVI), which is the pierced side of Christ.
Hands joined, because what the Church needs most – along with the proclamation of the Gospel – is your prayer, so that she may shepherd Christ’s flock well.
Prayer is the realm of discernment that helps me to seek, to discover and to follow God’s will for our people.
Feet bare, because your bare feet, touching the harsh realities of all those parts of the world overwhelmed by the pain and suffering of war, discrimination, persecution, hunger and many forms of poverty, will demand of you great compassion and mercy.
I thank you for your generosity and I assure you of my prayers that the title of “servant” (deacon) will increasingly eclipse that of “eminence”.
Pray for me, and may Jesus bless you and the Blessed Virgin accompany you.
Fraternally,
FRANCIS
