Bishop Larry Silva celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Feb. 27, 12 hours before the Holy Father ended his papacy at the summer papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
The Mass’ second intention was for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the election of the next pope.
The 7:30 p.m. liturgy began with a procession of celebrants from the dark outside into a church that was about three-quarters full. In the sanctuary, a small horizontal banner hanging several feet above the bishop’s chair read, “Thank you Pope Benedict XVI,” in red letters and also displayed a picture of the pope and the Scripture quote: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
The cover of the assembly’s “order of worship,” or Mass program, carried a full-color portrait of the now-pope emeritus.
About 15 priests concelebrated the Mass. Mixed in the congregation were members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, the Daughters of St. Paul and others.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Silva said that, like the literal translation of his name “Benedictus,” the pope has been a “blessing” to the church.
The bishop, in his homily, used the metaphor of “keys,” the symbol of St. Peter’s papacy, to describe the role of a pope and his responsibilities.
Bishop Silva said that when Pope Benedict was elected eight years ago, he inherited “keys that were meant to open the riches of the doctrine of the faith to all the world, and keys that were meant to lock out error and falsehood.”
The bishop called the pope-emeritus “a man of great affection and love who wanted to open the door of faith to more and more people.”
He said Hawaii residents are grateful to Benedict XVI “for opening the door to the beatification and the canonization of Mother Marianne Cope and to the canonization of Father Damien.”
Bishop Silva said the successor pope “will have to work very hard to keep the door of faith and worship wide open.”
“He will be challenged to keep open the door to the real truth that is found in God alone,” he said.
Bishop Silva called Jesus the “Master key,” who “opens all doors.”
