(Lander, WY) – “The Wyoming Catholic College (WCC) community was saddened to learn of the passing of Pope Francis early this Easter Monday, April 21,” the WCC shared in a recent statement.
“The pope is much more than just the Church’s chief administrator and political leader,” College President Kyle Washut said in the release. “He is our spiritual father and successor to St. Peter. It is he who has been charged to preside over the Church in charity and preserve its unity. The death of a pope is felt particularly keenly by Catholics everywhere, and we will pray in a special way for the repose of his soul and for the comfort of all in the Church.”
“Easter is a time of particular grace, of mercy, and of hope,” Washut continued, “and our prayers for the repose of Francis’ soul will be especially joined to our Easter liturgies in the coming days. Following the encouragement of Bishop Steven Biegler of the Diocese of Cheyenne, the College community will add a prayer for our deceased pontiff to our Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayed at 3:30 PM each day of the week.”
President Washut then noted the reflections of Bishop James Conley, a “long-time friend of the College” and a member of its Board of Directors:
“As we mourn his passing in this Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ let us trust in the hope we have as Christians in the Resurrection. Pope Francis went to his eternal reward during this Easter Octave in which we celebrate the hope of eternal life won through the paschal mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us remember the lessons Pope Francis taught us as we strive to bring the love of Jesus Christ and our Catholic Church to the world, starting with those in our own neighborhood.”
“The time of papal interregnum, of ‘sede vacante,’ is always such a disorienting one,” President Washut also stated, “and for many of our students, it will be the first time they experience it as Catholic adults.”
“In today’s Divine Liturgy, celebrated by our Byzantine chaplain, we heard a reading from the Acts of the Apostles in which the Apostles are guided by the Holy Spirit in electing Matthias to join their number. I was reminded that it is a special mark of the Paschal Church for the Holy Spirit to raise up wise and noble shepherds for the faithful.”
“In this confidence, we will be praying for the guidance and inspiration of the Church and her cardinals as they enter into the conclave in the coming weeks,” Wahsut concluded, along with the following prayer. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
The U.S. and Wyoming flags currently remain half-staff during the mourning period, and will return to full-staff at sunset on April 26.