We have just completed a beautiful Christmas Season. Our hearts were filled with the LOVE OF JESUS. The Nativity Scene, the poinsettias, the Christmas trees, and the decorations are gone. But the JOY of CHRISTMAS continues in our hearts. MAY OUR JOY BE COMPLETE NOW AND FOREVER!

Last Thursday, Pope Francis presided over the Funeral Mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It was an extraordinary event: the funeral of a retired Pope being presided by a reigning Pope! The Church's tradition is that a Pope is buried before the College of Cardinals elects a successor. Pope Benedict XVI resigned 10 years ago, the first Pope to do so in 600 years (see last week's column REMEMBERING POPE BENEDICT XVI).

When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, his long-time associate Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presided over his funeral at St Peter's Square. I watched this amazing funeral Mass which gathered the largest-ever crowd. I will never forget the wind flipping the pages of the Book of the Gospel on top of John Paul II 's coffin: The Holy Spirit was truly present! The Holy Spirit was shining on the face of Cardinal Ratzinger!

A few days later, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pope and chose the name of Benedict. The Holy Spirit was truly at work. In the last 50 years, the Church has been blessed with holy Popes: three of them have already been recognized as Saints: Pope St John XXIII, Pope St. Paul VI, and Pope St. John Paul II. I will not be surprised if Pope Benedict XVI is added soon to this list of Popes declared SAINTS. He may also join the select list of DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH.

Father Jan gave us an insightful presentation on Pope Benedict XVI as part of our First Saturday Devotion (January 7). God blessed Benedict with many gifts. Benedict loved our Holy Mother Church, and he devoted his entire life to sharing his gifts. As a well-known Professor of Theology, and a great writer, he participated as an "expert" in the preparation of the Second Vatican Council in the '60s.He had one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. At the same time, he was humble and prayerful. His Love of Christ permeated his writings and his priestly life. His great knowledge of the Scriptures and his own Faith in Christ allowed him to develop a new approach to Theology based on Scripture. He also emphasized the role of the church as the Body of Christ: we Catholics are the members of the Body of Christ. When we participate as a community at Mass, we become ONE united in Christ.

Benedict wrote many great books. One of the favorite books of current seminarians and priests is the 3-volume "JESUS OF NAZARETH", which he published after becoming Pope. I have borrowed some of its insights in recent homilies. If you want to deepen your own relationship with Christ, I encourage you to order this book today! Then read it slowly through the next six months or so, you will find some gems!

I also invite you to read the entire homily by Pope Francis at Benedict' funeral on January 5 (click here to read). His focus is entirely on the Scriptures of the day, while also reflecting on the role of pastors of the church. It is noteworthy that he mentioned the name of Benedict only once, at the end of his homily:

"BENEDICT...MAY YOUR JOY BE COMPLETE NOW AND FOREVER! "

Let us pray to the HOLY SPIRIT: “may our joy be complete now and forever"

May we have a blessed and joyful Feast of the Holy Child from 3 pm this Sunday afternoon January 15! VIVA PIT SENYOR: Hail Lord, listen to our prayers!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain