As I write this, the world feels heavy. On a large scale, hurtful words abound and wars continue to wage. But close to home, death and heartbreak seem to be everywhere. Thankfully (and I don’t use the word lightly) my faith is strong, and I trust in our faithful God. I know that death is not the end, and I know that God is near to the broken hearted.

If you, too, are feeling the weight of the world, please know that my prayers are with you.

As I was finishing up this issue, I read this prayer Pope Leo XIV wrote for this year’s Jubilee Year of St. Francis (see Bishop Garcia’s interview on pages 4-5) and I could feel the heavy weight of the world lift just a little. Like St. Francis, I want to know peace so that I can share God’s peace with the world. St. Francis, pray for us.

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation  that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen.