The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and the Ladies’ Auxiliary have urged members of the order to recite rosary prayers following the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
In a statement signed by M/G William Edmund Okang Adjei, Supreme Subordinate Commandery President and NS Victoria Anyan, Supreme Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliary President, they expressed their profound sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing the news of his demise as “an end but a new beginning and that we will meet up with His Holiness one day.”
Pope Francis, who had been in declining health, was last seen participating in the Easter Triduum and delivering his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday and had offered hope to many that he was on the path to recovery.
In the statement, they have called for all commanderies and ladies auxiliaries to unite in rosary prayers during their meetings for the repose of the soul of the Supreme Pontiff.
The statement read, “All Grand Commanderies and Ladies’ Auxiliaries, at their Board meeting should devote time to praying a mystery of the Holy Rosary for the peaceful repose of the Soul of Pope Francis… All Local Commanderies and Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliaries should at their monthly meeting pray a mystery of the Holy Rosary for the Soul of our late Supreme Pontiff… All members should add the peaceful repose of the Soul of the Holy Father as a petition in their Divine Mercy Novena which is currently underway.”
They have also urged Catholics worldwide to join in this collective mourning and prayer, emphasizing the need for divine guidance as the Cardinals prepare to convene in conclave to select a new Pope.
“As we pray for the Soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who served the Church faithfully and has left us with his legacy of humility and simplicity of life, let us also remember to pray for the Church that the Good Lord will send his Holy Spirit to guide and direct the Cardinals in conclave to select for us a Pope of God’s choice.”
They added that the “Almighty God to adorn the Holy See with a holy Pope who would neither fear the powerful of this world nor compromise with the spirit of the age but preserve, strengthen and defend the Catholic Faith unto the shedding of his blood, and observe, protect and hand on the Tradition of the Church.
By: Celestine Edem Gbologah & Veronica Sena Amenya
