Silence held a loud volume in the Numen Lumen Sacred Space as Elon community members gathered to honor Pope Francis’ life through a memorial mass. Upon entering the doors of the sacred space, people were greeted by prayer cards and a framed photo of Francis.
After Francis died on Monday April 21, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley sent out a message alerting students and faculty about a memorial mass being offered by the Catholic Life team. Father Peter Tremblay led this mass.
During this ceremony Tremblay highlighted Francis’ life and achievements. Francis was the Holy Father of the Catholic Church for 12 years. During his time as the pope, Francis focused on topics like immigration and internally wanted to promote women within the Catholic Church.
During his sermon, Tremblay said the only Holy Father he has known during his time within priesthood was Francis. Tremblay said Francis listened to the unheard voices.
“Pope Francis listened to the voices of those who felt like they were on the margins, particularly members of the LGBTQ communities,” Tremblay said. “Over and over he would say things like, ‘Who am I to judge?’”
Tremblay has followed the works of Francis and said he was a strong advocate for ecological justice. Francis’ pastoral care leads Tremblay to be hopeful for the future of the church.
“I have authentically felt that Pope Francis knew the Lord and spoke on his behalf in ways that we rarely hear,” Tremblay said. “I believe that Pope Francis was a living prophet in our midst.”
Tremblay briefly touched on the many assemblies of clergy Francis had congregated. These gatherings were a call to action by listening and opening up engaging conversations within the Catholic Church.
“He tried to engage the conversation about opening up the ministry of deacons to women,” Tremblay said. “It was so revolutionary to so many, that people were threatening to break the verse to the unity of the church and go into schism.”