Newark Archbishop Cardinal Joseph Tobin has recently celebrated a Memorial Mass to honor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
As mentioned, the cardinal's Memorial Mass was the most recent of numerous memorial services held worldwide in honor of Benedict, who passed away at 95 after suffering from ill health for some time.
Memorial Mass
According to an article from the Jersey Catholic, a Memorial Mass was held on Jan. 12 over the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The cardinal told those who attended the Mass that they should 'grieve his death in hope' rather than grieving in sorrow because the former pope has finally attained the peace God promised to all faithful people.
Cardinal Tobin was joined by Auxiliary Bishops Manuel A. Cruz, D.D.; Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B.; Michael A. Saporito; Gregory J. Studerus, and Abbot Augustine James Curley, O.S.B., and approximately 20 priests.
In addition, some 25 seminarians were praying in the pews.
The archbishop mentioned in his sermon that he found out about the death of Pope Benedict for the first time on Dec. 31, 2022, in the early morning hours of the last day of the year 2022.
He also reminded those in attendance that Pope Emeritus had never considered becoming a Christian 'an ethical choice or a noble idea.'
Instead, he stated that Benedict thought Christians should live their faith by sharing the love that God had bestowed upon humanity.
Moreover, Br. Bruno Mello, a Benedictine monk of Newark Abbey who attended the Mass, shared that shortly after becoming a monk, he started reading the writings of Pope Benedict.
Br. Mello remarked that Pope Benedict's most incredible legacy would be the sense of communion that he fostered among the Church.
Sr. Joséfa Gonzalez, the director of Catechesis at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and who also attended the Mass, stated that the theology that Pope Benedict taught and the books he wrote are the things that she would remember most about him.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Based on the short biography posted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 264th successor of St. Peter on Apr. 18, 2005.
He adopted the name Benedict XVI himself after being given the position.
His papacy is reportedly the evidence of his scholastic background as a churchman, having done a substantial study in philosophy and theology, and his pastoral sensibility.
As mentioned, when he was elected pope at age 78, he did not anticipate traversing the globe, given his age and health.
However, he rapidly recognized that going to the people of God was the most significant way to reach them.
Just a few months after being elected, he traveled to Germany to participate in the inaugural World Youth Day.
On Feb. 28, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would resign as pope, making him the first pope in almost 600 years to step down from his position.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Dec. 31, 2022, at 95 years old.
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