Buffalo, NY - Students, faculty and staff of Canisius University joined in prayer for the health of Pope Francis today, Friday, February 28, during a vigil in Christ the King Chapel. The campus community gathered in solidarity to offer prayers of hope for the pope’s recovery and gratitude for his dedicated leadership in guiding the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 for a respiratory condition.
The service began with opening prayers from Assistant Vice President for Mission and Integration Spencer Liechty and Canisius Chaplain Rev. Fred Betti, SJ, followed by a reading from the Letter of James: "Pray for one another that you may find healing." A selection from Psalm 23 was also read: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." The service continued with a reading from the Gospel of Matthew: "Take courage! Do not be afraid. It is I."
A brief reflection was offered before the lighting of candles in honor of Pope Francis. The prayer vigil concluded with a prayer for Pope Francis, recited collectively by all in attendance.
" … Loving God, as Francis, our beloved pope, suffers from grave illnesses, we come before you in prayer. We ask you to look with mercy on your servant Francis, who has served you devotedly and tirelessly as a Jesuit, a priest, an archbishop, a cardinal, and as pope. Most of all, he has served you as a faithful Christian, sharing the love, mercy, and compassion that your Son showed to all he encountered in his public ministry …"
On March 13, 2013, Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected the 266th Supreme Pontiff, taking the name Francis. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first to hail from the Americas.
The former Archbishop of Buenos Aires is known for his love of the poor, advising his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone. And when he speaks of social justice, he asks people to pick up the Catechism, to rediscover the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
