V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco.
R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius (Ps 40,3).
Pater Noster… Ave Maria…
Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Franciscum, quem pastorem Ecclesiæ tuæ præesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quæsumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus præest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.
V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies (Ps 40,3).
Our Father… Hail Mary…
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Don’t think our Lord isn’t entirely solicitous for welfare and protection and continuing sanctification of His own Vicar on earth. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah will not deal kindly with those who strike at the Shepherd. Our Lord knows what it’s like to be struck. He doesn’t like it. And He takes exception when it is one of His own. Our Lord has taken some scars, to be sure, but He will be the only one left standing. Have no doubt about it.
And this donkey at Holy Souls Hermitage will do all he can to help facilitate the new Pontificate in any way he can, even if it’s just braying badly, or offering a kick or two when necessary. We don’t need more wolves. We need more donkeys.
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
Viva il Papa! Thank you, Father!
You donkey; me monkey.
Thanks for posting the prayers and reminders to pray, Father. It helps. Our bishop had a mass for His Holiness this evening at the cathedral. He gave an inspiring and encouraging sermon too.
my good and holy pastor in tonight’s Mass said in his homily and I quote” ” “We pledge our allegiance and obedience to our Holy Father Pope Francis, what joy and deep ,deep gratitude to our Father in heaven for our new Pope”
One of my favorite hymn is Stabat Mater; it was written by a Franciscan monk.
Did the Pope choose his name in order to attach himself to the Order of Friars Minor, to the “The Rule of St. Francis” ?? My question is genuine; I’m utterly ignorant of the politics internal to the Church.
A young Italian of the 18th century — John Baptist Pergolesi — put the Stabat Mater in music; and it is one of the most beautiful musical piece ever.
Second movement:
I can’t quit smiling! Perhaps because we have been so very blessed in our affluent parish with priests from poor countries. While many would assume that they would scold us, they see well our own poverty and the great wealth of all, love for Jesus and love for His Church. With all the predictions of who would be pope, I am so grateful to Our Lord for having somehow hidden Holy Father Francis! I am so grateful to pray for him!