On Monday morning, April 18, the conclave to elect the 265th Pontiff begins. The cardinal electors will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon they will gather in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace and solemnly process to the Sistine Chapel where they will begin the process to elect a new Pope. The cardinals have already begun to spiritually ready themselves for the stupendous task which lies ahead for them.
For the faithful, it is important that we unite ourselves to the cardinals spiritually and offer prayers and fasting for their wisdom and their openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
A number of Catholic websites, webrings and blogs have begun a beautiful devotion centered on the faithful's preparation for the conclave. It involves "Adopting" a cardinal to pray for daily throughout the conclave.
We suggest an easy three step plan to praying for your Cardinal that will involve the whole family. Here's how it goes:
The cardinals will vote 4 times each day in Rome for the successor of Peter, at 11am, 12:30pm, 6pm and 7:30pm. In Eastern time, this translates to 5am, 6:30am, noon and 1:30pm every day.
Step 1: Before Monday, ask each person in your family to "adopt" a Cardinal from the list on page 2.
Step 2: Beginning Monday, offer morning prayers when you wake up for your Cardinal.
Step 3: Beginning Monday, before lunch, offer prayers for your Cardinal.
Suggested Prayer:
PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION OF A NEW POPE
“From the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, where they will assemble at a suitable hour in the afternoon, the Cardinal electors, in choir dress, and invoking the assistance of the Holy Spirit with the chant of the Veni Creator, will solemnly process to the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, where the election will be held.” —Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, no. 5015
Veni Creator (Come Holy Spirit)
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come
From thy bright heavenly throne,
Come, take possession of our souls,
and make them all thy own!
Thou who are called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love!
Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
Finger of God’s right hand,
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand.
O guide our minds with thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame;
and with thy strength which ne’er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
True peace unto us bring;
And from all perils lead us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.
Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee, th’eternal Son,
and thee the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in One.
All glory to the Father be,
with his co-equal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord God, you are our eternal shepherd and guide. In your mercy grant your Church a shepherd who will walk in your ways and whose watchful care will brings us your blessing. We ask this through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
"I will raise up for myself a faithful priest; he will do what is in my heart and in my mind, says the Lord." —1 Sm 2:35
Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops